INTRODUCTORY STUDIES OF LIVING ANIMALS 9 



THE LIVING BUTTERFLY OR MOTH 



Materials. 



Individual specimens in large jars or cages, and other 

 specimens in cages with foliage; simple lenses and a 

 needle or pin. 



Observations. 



Butterflies may generally be distinguished from moths 

 by their habit of holding their wings together above them 

 when at rest, by the feelers which are knobbed at the 

 end, and by the rather slender abdomen. Moths generally 

 either fold their wings or hold them outstretched, their 

 feelers are not knobbed, and their bodies are rather 

 bulky. 



Observe these points in your specimen and the colors 

 of the upper and under sides of the wings. Find the 

 large eyes and examine them with a lens. With the needle 

 or pin carefully uncoil the sucking tube which you may 

 find under the head between two shields. Note the 

 fuzziness of the body and the " dust " which covers the 

 wings. Examine some of this dust under a lens. 



Questions. 



1. Is your specimen a butterfly or a moth .? Prove your 

 statement. If possible, give the name of your specimen. 



2. Write a description of your specimen — its size, 

 general color, and special color pattern. 



3. Describe the sucking tube, or "proboscis," and 

 name some flowers from which it might obtain nectar. 

 Try to find out how the tube is operated. 



4. Why is it that moths and butterflies never bite .•' Do 

 they sting? How do you think they protect themselves 

 from enemies .'' 



