LEPIDOPTERA. 



303 



1 



Fig. 365 - 

 Balsa vialii7ia. 



These are the 



hue. The hind wings, except the costal third, are reddish, 

 with more or less of a coppery lustre. This suggests the 

 popular name. A closely-allied species found in Europe is 

 known as the Copper Underwing ; but we prefer to reserve 

 the name Underwing for the species of Catocala. The larva 

 feeds on the leaves of grape and Virginia-creeper. 

 The Many-dotted Apple-worm, Balsa malana 

 (Bal^sa ma-la^na). — In June, and again in August 

 or September, there is some- 

 times found on apple-leaves, in 

 considerable numbers, a rather 

 thick, cylindrical, light-green 

 worm, an inch or more in length, 

 with fine, white, longitudinal 

 lines and numerous whitish dots, 

 larvae of the little moth represented by Figure 365. 

 The fore wings of this moth are ash-gray, marked 

 by irregular, blackish lines. The larvae feed on 

 the leaves of many other trees besides apple. 

 The moth has been found throughout the eastern 

 half of our country. 



The Army-worm, Leucania tmipitncta (Leu-ca^- 

 ni-a u-ni-punc'ta). — The Army-worm is so called 

 because it frequently appears in great numbers, 

 and, after destroying the vegetation in the field 

 where the eggs were laid, marches like an army to 

 other fields. This insect occurs throughout the 

 United States east of the Rocky Mountains, and 

 is present every year ; but it attracts attention 

 only when it appears in great numbers. The larva 

 (Fig. 366) is one and one-half inches long when 

 full grown, and is striped with black, yellow, and 

 green. The adult is of a dull brown color, marked 

 in the center of each fore wing with a distinct white spot 

 (Fig. 367). In seasons of serious outbreak of this pest it 

 usually appears first in limited areas, in meadows or pastures. 



Fig. 366. — 



Leucania 



unipuncta^ 



larva. 



