354 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS . 
The Promethea Moth, Callosamiapromethea (Cal-lo-sa'mi-a 
pro-me'the-a).—This is the most common of the Giant Silk, 
worms. The wings of the female (Fig. 434) are light reddish 
Fig. 434 .—Callosamia promethea^ female. 
brown ; the transverse line crossing the middle of the wings is 
whitish, bordered within with black ; the outer margin of the 
wings is clay-colored, and each wing bears an angular discal 
spot. The discal spots vary in size and distinctness in different 
specimens. The male differs so greatly from the female that 
it is liable to be mistaken for a distinct species. It is black¬ 
ish, with the transverse lines very faint, and with the discal 
spots wanting or very faintly indicated. The fore wings also 
differ markedly in shape from those of the female, the apex 
being much more distinctly sickle-shaped. The larva when 
full grown measures two inches or more in length. It is of 
a clear and pale bluish-green color; the legs and anal shield 
are yellowish ; and the body is armed with longitudinal rows 
of tubercles. The tubercles are black, polished, wart-like 
elevations, excepting two each on the second and third 
thoracic segments, which are larger and rich coral-red, and 
one similar in size to these but of a yellow color on the 
eighth abdominal segment. This larva feeds on the leaves 
