MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



other and mated as soon as possible. If a single pair of 

 these cocoons ever had produced two of a kind, it would 

 give rise to doubts. When all of them proved to be 

 male and female that paired, it seems to me to furnish*, 

 conclusive evidence that the caterpillars knew what they 

 were doing, and spun in the same place for the purpose 

 of appearing together. 



At maturity, usually near five weeks, the full-fed 

 caterpillar rests a day, empties the intestines, and races 

 around searching for a suitable place to locate winter 

 quarters. With burrowing caterpillars that winter in 

 pupa cases, soft earth or rotting wood is found and 

 entered by working their way with the heads and closing 

 it with the hind parts. At the desired depth they push 

 in all directions with such force that a hollow larger, 

 but shaped as a hen's egg, is worked out; usually this is 

 six or more inches below the surface. So compactly is 

 the earth forced back, that fall rains, winter's alternate 

 freezing and thawing, always a mellowing process, and 

 spring downpours do not break up the big ball, often 

 larger than a quart bowl, that surrounds the case of the 

 pupa. It has been thought by some and recorded, that 

 this ball is held in place by spinning or an acid ejected 

 by the caterpillar. I never have heard of any one else 

 who has had my luck in lifting these earth balls intact, 

 opening, and photographing them and their contents 

 I have examined them repeatedly and carefully. I can 



63 



