354 
L E P I D 0 P T E R A . 
in color. In the males (Plate YI. Fig. 0), the ‘thorax and 
upper side of the fore wings are generally white, the latter 
spotted with black ; the hind wings and abdomen, except the 
tail, deep ochre-yellow, the former with a few black spots 
near the hind margin, and the abdomen with a row of six 
black spots on the top of the back, two rows on the sides, 
and one on the belly; the under side of all the wings and the 
thighs are deep yellow. It expands from one inch and seven 
eighths to two inches and a quarter. The female (Plate "NT. 
Fig. 10) differs from the male either in having the hind wings 
white, instead of ochre-yellow, or in having all the wings 
aslien-gray with the usual black spots. It expands two in- 
ches and three eighths or more. Sometimes, though ra^y, 
male moths occur with the fore wings ash-colored or dully. 
Professor Peck called this moth pseuderminea , that is, false 
ermine, and this name was adopted by me in my communi- 
cation to the Agricultural Society. Professor Peck’s name, 
however, cannot be retained, inasmuch as the insect had been 
previously named and described. Drury, the first describci 
of the moth, called the male C'aprotina, and the female Acrea* 
supposing them to be different species ; but the latter name 
alone has been retained for this species by most naturalists. 
In order to lessen the ravages of the salt-marsh caterpil- 
lars, and to secure a fair crop of hay when these insects 
abound, the marshes should be mowed early in July, at 
which time the caterpillars are small and feeble, and, being 
unable to wander far, will die before the crop is gathered in. 
In defence of early mowing, it may be said that it is the only 
way by which the grass may be saved in those meadows 
where the caterpillars have multiplied to any cxent ; and if 
the practice is followed generally, and continued during sev- 
eral years in succession, it will do much towards extermi- 
nating these destructive insects. 
By the practice of late mowing, where the caterpillars 
abound, a great loss in the crop will be sustained, immense 
* The proper orthography is Acrcea. 
