354 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



The Promethea Moth, Callosamia promethea (Cal-lo-sa' 'mi-a 

 pro-me'the-a). — This is the most common of the Giant Silk- 

 worms. The wings of the female (Fig. 434) are light reddish 



Fig. 434. — Callosamia promethea, lciualc. 



brown ; the transverse line crossing the middle of the wings is 

 whitish, bordered within with black ; the outer margin of the 

 wings is clay-colored, and each wing bears an angular discai 

 spot. The discai spots vary in size and distinctness in different 

 specimens. The male differs so greatly from the female that 

 it is liable to be mistaken for a distinct species. It is black- 

 ish, with the transverse lines very faint, and with the discai 

 spots wanting or very faintly indicated. The fore wings also- 

 differ markedly in shape from those of the female, the apex 

 being much more distinctly sickle shaped. The larva when 

 full grown measures two inches or more in length. It is of 

 a clear and pale bluish-green color ; the legs and anal shield 

 are yellowish ; and the body is armed with longitudinal rows 

 of tubercles. The tubercles are black, polished, wart-like 

 elevations, excepting two each on the second and third 

 thoracic segments, which are larger and rich coral-red, and 

 one similar in size to these but of a yellow color on the 

 eighth abdominal segment. This larva feeds on the leaves 



