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- 

 tion is often called to some ugly, rather 

 large, spiny caterpillar, the larva of the 

 royal walnut moth, or regal moth (ath- 

 eroma 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 (Fades im- 



perialis) . This moth rivals the 



regal moth in size with a whig 



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 



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. 



Figure 61. — Imperial moth. 



