4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 



25 



Figure 59. — Cecropia moth. 



to destructive numbers stomach poisons will kill them. The scien- 

 tific name of the butterfly shown here is Danaus menippe. This 

 insect belongs to the order Lepidoptera. 



Cecropia moth.— An insect frequently observed is the Cecropia 

 moth. This moth is also very large, with a wing expanse of 5 to 

 6 inches. It is brown in vary- 

 ing shades, and each of the 

 four wings bears, near the cen- 

 ter, a crescent-shaped white 

 spot bordered with red. This 

 moth has sucking mouth parts. 

 The larva is covered with 

 knoblike spines and is of a 

 delicate, dull bluish-green 

 color. The moth overwinters 

 in a rather large grayish 

 cocoon attached to the branches 

 of trees and shrubs where the 

 larva has fed. A cocoon is 

 often taken into a building and 

 the Cecropia moth allowed to emerge in captivity. 



The life changes of this insect are complete. It is of questionable 

 importance. This moth belongs to the order Lepidoptera. The 

 scientific name of the insect shown here is Samia cecropia. 



^____ Regal moth. — The entomologist's atten- 



1 f!Dfe^ ^jf-J? 1 tion is often called to some ugly, rather 



IKiV ^0*m ? ! large, spiny caterpillar, the larva of the 



royal walnut moth, or regal moth (Oith- 

 eronia regalis). It is one of the largest 

 of its group and has a wingspread of 4 to 

 5 inches. It is reddish brown with yellow 

 spots. Like other Lepidoptera, this insect 

 has four wings. The larva feeds on the 

 leaves of shrubs and trees and in some 

 regions is known as the hickory horned devil. This insect over- 

 winters as a pupa in the soil and has complete life changes. It is of 



questionable importance. _ 



Imperial moth . — Another 

 closely related species is the 

 imperial moth (Eacles im- 

 perialis) . This moth rivals the 

 regal moth in size with a wing 

 expanse of 4 to 5 inches. It is 

 pale yellow, banded and 

 speckled with purplish brown, 

 and the wings have lilac- 

 colored bases. The larva of i 

 this insect bears rather short, 

 spiny horns on the head end of 

 the body, and feeds on the leaves of shrubs and trees. The moth has 

 four wings and sucking mouth parts. This insect overwinters as a 

 pupa in the soil. It is of questionable importance. 



Hawk moths. — Certain insects resemble the hummingbird in that 

 they hover around flowers and suck the nectar from deep bell-shaped 





Figure 60. — Regal moth. 



Figur 



Imperial moth. 



