4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 25 
to destructive numbers stomach poisons will kill them. The scientific 
name of the butterfly shown here is Danaus plexippus. ‘This insect 
belongs to the order Lepidoptera. 
Cecropia moth. 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 (C7th- 
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 (Facles 7im- 
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 
this insect bears rather short, Figure 61.—Imperial moth. 
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 
826391 °—49——_4 
Figure 59.—Ceeropia moth. 
FIGURE 60.—Regal moth. 
