BOMBYCIDS. 
101 
become solitary in their habits, and when fully grown are three inches 
long, and, like the preceding, are covered with sharp branching 
spines which sting, but in a less degree than Saturnia io , if the in¬ 
sect is handled carelessly. The larva is brown in color, with reddish- 
brown head and legs, the tubercles at the base of the spines being 
also reddish-brown. When about to pupate the caterpillar crawls to 
the ground and, drawing a collection of leaves and sticks together, 
spins a loose, thin cocoon among them. 
Saturnia maia. Male. 
The moth emerges late in the fall, usually about the middle of 
October, and is one of the last of our lepidoptera which the collector 
may take on the wing. The maia moth is a day-flier, and may be 
seen on mild autumn days when the woods and fields are brown, 
hovering over the shrubby oaks. 
The males are easily assembled with a captive female. The sexes 
are readily distinguished from each other. The male has a broad 
feather-like antenna (while that of the female is narrow) and the end 
of the abdomen is adorned with a tuft of red hairs which the female 
does not have. The wings seem to be thinly covered with scales, 
and on that account are partly transparent. 
This moth is often very local, and may be abundant in one local¬ 
ity while scarce in another, apparently as favorable to its habita¬ 
tion. It may be readily taken on the wing with the net, and when 
fresh and perfect is an exceedingly pretty insect, its colors of soft 
blackish-brown, creamy-white, and bright red harmonizing in a pleas¬ 
ing manner. The female may sometimes be found by watching the 
