MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



close examination show quite a difference from Celeus. 

 They are darker in color. The fore-wings lack the effect 

 of being laid off in lines. The colour is a mottling of 

 almost black, darkest gray, Ughter gray, brown, and 

 white. The back wings are crossed by wavy bands of 

 brownish gray, black, and tan colour, and the yellow 

 markings on the abdomen are larger. 



In repose, these moths fold the front wings over the 

 back Uke large flies. In fact, in the south they are called 

 the "Tobacco Fly"; and we of the north should add the 

 "Tomato and Potato Fly." Because I thought such 

 a picture would be of interest, I reproduced a pair — the 

 male as he clung to a piece of pasteboard in the "fly" 

 attitude. 



Celeus and Carolina caterpillars come the nearest 

 being pests of those of any large moth, because they feed 

 on tomato, potato, and tobacco, but they also eat jim- 

 son weed, ground cherry, and several vines that are of 

 no use to average folk. 



The Carolina moths come from their pupa cases as 

 featherweights step into the sparring ring. They feed 

 partially by day, and their big eyes surely see more than 

 those of most other moths, that seem small and deep- 

 set in comparison. Their legs are long, and not so hairy 

 as is the rule. They have none of the blind, aimless, 

 helpless appearance of moths that do not feed. They 

 exercise violently in the pupa cases before they burst 



268 



