48 



Actias Luna, L., is the beautiful large pale green moth with long tails to the hind 

 wings, which always evokes the admiration and wonder of those who see it for the first 

 time, and who can scarcely credit (if they have no knowledge of our many splendid 

 insects) that it is a native of Canada. The cater- 

 pillar (Fig. 21) resembles a good deal that of the 

 last species, and like it is quite at home on a 

 variety of trees. 



Eyperchiria Io., Fab., is a very interesting 

 species, from the fact that its caterpillar (Fig. 22) 

 bears numerous branching spines, which have upon 

 the human skin an effect similar to that of the 

 stinging nettle, and on a sensitive place like the 

 face or back of the hand produce great irritation. 

 The caterpillar is about two inches long, of a pea- 

 green color, and with a lateral white line edged 

 with lilac. It is an almost omnivorous feeder, 

 attacking various fruit and forest trees, as well as 

 the hop, maize, and many other plants. The male 

 moth is of a yellowish colour, varied with black 

 and other markings, and with a large eye-spot on 

 the hind wings ; the female is larger, expanding 

 about three inches, and is of a darker colour. j, 2 



Ecpantheria Scribonia, Stall., is another large and handsome insect, known as the 

 Great Leopard Moth (Figure 23, a female and b male). The wings are white, with rings, 

 lines and spots of dark brown ; the thorax has several black spots with a bluish white 



centre, and the steel blue abdomen is streaked with yellow. The caterpillar (Figure 24) 

 is one of those which are known as " hedge-hogs " (from their habit of rolling themselves 

 up into a bristling ball), and is often called the " great black bear," because it is covered 

 with tufts of stiff shining hairs. The spaces between the segments (except thoracic ones) 

 are banded with red. 



