LEPTDOPTERA : MOTHS. 163 



the world. It is the larva, or caterpillar, of a Moth, 

 — Bovibyx niori, — which expands about two inches, 

 and which is of a light color, with two or three obscure 

 streaks, and a spot on the upper wings. It feeds upon 

 the leaves of the mulberry tree, and spins a cocoon 

 about an inch and a half long, of a yellow color, and 

 which contains about one thousand feet of silk. This 

 Silkworm is a native of China, but is now raised ex- 

 tensively in Europe, and, to some extent, in this 

 countr}'. The larvae of several other moths, most of 

 them of large size, are now raised, not only in Asia, 

 but also in Europe and in the United States, for the 

 purpose of producing silk. 



The Cecropia Moth, the Promethea Moth, the Luna 

 Moth, and the Polyphemus Moth are all large and 

 magnificent species, — the largest in North America. 

 They have the antennae 

 broadly feathered on both 

 sides, and beautiful eye-like 

 spots on the wings. All 

 but the Promethea expand 

 five or six inches, and the 

 latter expands about four Fig. 28o.-Chrysalis of Cecropia 



, ^^, ■ Moth. Cocoon reduced, 



inches. I hey appear m 



June. The Cecropia is dusky brown, and near the 

 middle of each wing is a dull red spot with a white 

 center and a narrow black edging, and beyond the spot 

 a dull red band bordered on the inside with white, and 

 near the tips of the fore wings is an eye-like black spot. 

 The caterpillar is light green, with red and yellow 

 warts covered with short bristles. The cocoon is three 

 inches long, and is fastened to the side of a twig; the 

 outer coat looks like strong brown paper, and inside 



