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BUTTERFLIES
AND MOTHS
A GUIDE TO THE MORE COMMON
AMERICAN SPECIES
by
ROBERT T. MITCHELL
and
HERBERT S. ZIM
Illustrated by
ANDRE DURENCEAU

Go&fNl,

NEW YORK

FOREWORD
Thi s book pre s e n t s a n i n t rod uct i o n to A m e r i c a n b u tte r
fl i e s a n d m oths . So n u m erous a re No r th Am e r i ca n
s p ec i e s that o n l y a bo u t fo u r p e r c e n t have bee n in
c l u ded, but the se were s e l ected to i n clu d e the most
co m m o n , w i d e s prea d , i m po rta n t , o r u n u s u a l k i n d s .
S p ec i a l a t te n t i o n ha s b e e n g i ve n t o i m m a t u re fo r m s
a n d t o ra n g e m a ps.
A n d re D u re n cea u d e se rves o u r s p ec i a l tha n ks for
his m a g n i fice n t a r t, so pa i n sta k i n g l y d o n e. The tech
n i ca l a s s i sta nce of W i l l i a m D. F i eld ha s a l so bee n
i nva l u a b l e . The a u tho rs a re a l so gratefu l l y i n d e bted
to other s p ec i a l i sts fo r m e r l y or c u r re n t l y of the S m i th
son i a n I n st i t u t i o n , e s p ec i a l ly H. W. Cop p s , J. F. Ga tes
C l a r ke, Do u g l a s Fe rg u so n , Ro n a l d Hod g e s , a n d E . L.
Tod d . A m o n g n u m e ro u s othe rs w h o co n t r i b uted a re
W. A. A n d e r so n , T. L. B i s se l l , J. H . Fa l e s , R. S . S i m m o n s ,
R i cha rd S m i th, a n d seve ra l ento m o l ogists of the U . S .
Fo rest S e r v i c e .
Thi s Revi sed Ed i t i o n in c l u d es rece n t cha n g e s i n s c i
e n t i fi c a n d co m m o n n a m e s a n d g eog ra phica l d i str i
b u t i o n s , a n d i t stresses conserva t i o n . Ro be rt Ro b b i n s
o f the Un i te d States Na t i o n a l M u se u m g a ve va l u a b l e
techn i ca l a s s i sta n ce i n the sect i o n o n b u t te r fl i e s . New
a r two r k was d o n e by Ra y S k i b i n s k i .
R. T. M .
H. S . Z.
Revised Edition, 1987
Copyright 1987,1977,1964 renewed 1992,1963 renewed 1991, 1962 renewed
1990 Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc., New York, New York 10106. All rights

reserved. Produced in the U.S.A. No port ol this book m ay be copied or reproduced

with o u t written permission from the publisher. library of Congress Catalog Cord
Number: 6424907. ISBN 0307240525.
GOlDEN BOOKS'", GOlDEN'", A GOlDEN GUIDE", and G Design ore trademarks

of Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc.

CONTENTS

INTRODU C I N G L E P I DOPT E RA
C l a s s i fi ca t i o n of Lepi doptera; l i f e h i stori es; eggs, l a rvae, p u pae ,
a d u l t s; e n e m i es , defen ses; conserva t i o n , rea r i n g , co l l ecti ng; other
stud i e s , b i b l i og ra p h y

19

B U T T E RFLI E S
20
30
38

Swa l lowta i l s .
S u l p h u r s a n d W h i tes . .
B r u s h - footed B u tterf l i e s

61
62
63

Meta l m a r k s
S n o u t B u t te rfl i e s . .
Gossa mer W i n g s .

......... 74

S K I P P E RS

.............................. 81

MOT H S

Bagworm Mot h s
C l e a r w i n g Mot h s
S l u g Caterp i l l a r Mot h s
P l u m e Mot h s .
F l a n ne l Mot h s .
Leaf Rol l ers .
C a r p e n terwo r m s .
S n o u t Mot h s
Co se Bearers .
Leaf M i ners .
O l e t h r e u t i d Mot h s
G e l e c h i i d Mot h s
T i n e i d Mot h s .
Other Mot h s

82
95
1 05
1 06
1 10
117
1 17
1 17
1 18
1 32
1 36
1 38
1 39
1 40

S p h i n x Mot h s
G i a nt S i l k Mot h s
Tr u e S i l k Mot h s
Reg a l Mot h s
T i g e r Mot h s .
Cte n u c h a Mot h s
Fo rester Mot h s .
D i o p t i d Mot h s
Noctu i d Mot h s .
T h e Prom i n e n ts
Tussock Mot h s . .
l o s i oca m p i d s
Za n o l i d s
Geometers

1 44
1 44
1 45
1 46
1 46
1 46
1 47
1 48
150
1 50
151
1 52

153
153

S C I E N TI F I C NAMES
INDEX

... 154
.

157

INTRODUCING

LEPIDOPTERA

B utterflies a n d moths are most n u merous in the trop ics,

but temperate a reas have a bou ntifu l supply of m a n y
species. l i k e a l l i n sects, they have three m a i n body re
g i o n s (head, thorax, a n d a bd o m e n ) , three pairs of joi nted
legs, a n d one pair of a ntennae. Most have two pa i rs of
wings. A few a re w i n g less.
I n sects that possess certa i n basic stru ctures in c o m m o n
a r e cla ssified i nto large g roups o r ord ers. Butterflies a n d
m ot h s a re m e m bers of t h e o r d e r Lepidoptera , d e rived
fro m the Greek lepidos for sca les a n d

ptera for w i n g s .

Thei r sca led w i n g s d i sti n g uish them as a g ro u p f r o m a l l

other i n sects. W h e n butterfl ies a n d moths a re h a n d led,

the sca les rub off as colored powder. Under a micro
scope, the c o lors a n d fo rms of the sca les ore a m a z i n g .
Lepidoptera is the la rgest ord e r of i n sects n ext to
Coleo ptera ( beet les) .

Beetles a re estim ated at a bout

280,000 species; Lepido ptera at 1 20,000, with a bout

10,000 species i n North America. Lepidoptera is usua l ly

Jugatae, with a bout

divided i nto three su borders: first,

250 p ri m itive species that somewhat rese m b l e caddis

fl i es; seco nd,

frenatae, m ost moths; a nd , t h i rd , Rhopalo

cera, the butterfl ies and ski ppers.

The suborder Rhopa l o cera is divided i n to two s u per

fa m i l ies: Papilionoidea, w h i c h i n c l udes

19 fa m i l ies of

b u tterfl ies, a n d Hesperioideo, two fa m i l ies of s k i p pers.

B utterflies and s k i p pers a re easy to d isti n g u i s h by the
shape a n d position of t h e i r a nt e n n a e ( p p . 1 9 a n d

74).

The suborder Frenatae i n c l udes a bout fifty fa m i l ies of

N o rt h American m oths. No s i n g l e feature wi l l e n a b l e one
to te l l a moth fro m a butterf l y o r s k i p pe r, b u t a fren u l u m
( p . 8 1 ) on t h e h i ndwing o f m ost m ot h s ext e n d s t o the
fo rewing, holding the w i n g s together. The presence and
position of simple eyes (ocel l i) a n d leg s p i n es, the nature
4

moth
sca l es

S cover the
ngs of a l l
Lepidoptera i n overlapping rows.
Moth scales are va riable, some
times "hairy." Butterfly sca les are
more uniform. Some1 on mal es,
a re mod ified into scent sca les.

of the ante n n ae, and the shape and venat i o n of the

w i n g s are u sed in moth i dentificat i o n . To m ake vei n s
more v i s i b l e fo r study, moi sten the w i n g s w i th alcoho l .
T h i s g u i d e empl oys the co m m on names o f bu tterfl i es
and mot h s for ease of u se by beg i n ners. But the book
cl osel y fo l l ows scientific c l ass ificati o n of Lep i d optera.
The 6 fam ilies of No rth Amer i can b u tterf l i es as here i n
named are those recog n i zed i n t h e coll ecti o n o f t h e U . S .
Nat i onal Mu seu m . They are then broken down i n to
genera (pl u ral of gen u s), w h ich i n t u r n co nta i n one o r
more spec i es . To help you follow the organ i zat i o n , b u t
terf l y fam ily names appear i n red, b utterf l y genera and
spec i es names i n b l ack. Becau se they are so n u mero u s,
moths are d ea l t w i th mai n l y on the fam i l y and spec i es
l eve l s .
Each spec i es o f Lepidoptera bears a dou b l e scien t i f i c
name, such a s Pieris rapae f o r t h e Cabbage Bu tterfly.
Pieris is the name of the gen us; rapae is the speci es
name. See pp. 154-157 for scientific names of speci es
i l l u strated i n th i s book.

Ia Moth

Monarch Butte r f l y

E GGS OF BUTTE RFLIES AND MOTHS

LIFE HISTORIES Lep i doptera develop by a co m p l ete

metamorphos i s, w h i ch i s characterized by fo u r d i sti nci
g rowth stages, as shown for the Gypsy Moth on p. 136.
The egg h atches i n to a larva, or caterpill ar, w h ich g rows
and m o l ts (shed s i ts ski n ) several ti mes before trans
for m i ng into a pupa from wh ich a w i nged ( u s u al l y) adult
emerges later.
E GGS of Lep i do ptera vary g reat l y i n s i ze and s h ape.
Many are spherical but some k i n d s are fl attened, co n i
cal , s p i n d l e- or barrel-shaped . So me eg g s are s m ooth,
but others are ornamented w i th r i bs, p i ts, or g rooves, or
networks of f i n e r i dges. Each eg g has a s m a l l ho l e
t h roug h w h ich i t i s fert i l ized.
The ad u l t female m ay l ay egg s s i n g l y, in s m a l l c l u s
ters, or i n one egg mass. Most often eg g s are depos i ted
on a p l an t that w i l l serve os food for the l arvae. So me
egg s are l a i d on the g rou nd, and the new l y hatched
l arvae m u st seek thei r food p l ants. Egg s l a i d d u r i ng the
6

su m mer are u s ual l y th i n-coated; those that overw i nter

before hatch i ng have a t h i cker outer coat and are so me
ti mes covered by " h a i r" fro m the m oth . T h ey m ay a l so
be covered w i th a foamy l ayer, as show n for the Tent
Caterpi l lar o n p. 6.
Most egg s hatch in a few days. The larva, w h ich can
frequen t l y be seen i n s i de the egg just before hatch i n g,
eats i ts way o u t and somet i mes a l so eats the egg s hel l .
L AR VAE o f Lepidoptera are caterpi l l ars, t h o u g h some
are known as worms, s l ugs, or borers. North Amer i can
caterpi l lars range in length from 0.2 i nch to abo u t 6
i nches. L i ke the ad u l t, the caterpi l lar has th ree body
reg i o n s-head, thorax, and abdo men .
On each s i d e of the head are t i n y ocel l i , or s i mple
eyes, u sual l y in a sem i -c i rc l e, and a tiny anten na. The
mouthparts i nc l u de an upper lip ( l abru m), a pai r of
strong jaws ( m and i b l es), two smal l sensory organs
{pa l pi), and a l ower lip (lab i u m), w h i ch bears a pai r of
spi n nerets, u sed for spi n n i ng s i l k th read s .
On each o f the th ree seg ments o f the thorax i s a pai r
of s h o rt jo i n ted leg s, en d i n g i n claws . On each s i de of
the fi rst thoraci c segment is a spi racl e, an open i n g for
breat h i n g .
MOTH L ARVAE WITH STINGING SPINES O R HAIRS

The abdo men , u s u a l l y co mposed of ten seg ments ,

bears two t o five pai rs o f short, fleshy pro l eg s. Seg ment
10 bears the l argest pai r, the anal pro legs. Spi racles
occu r on each s i de of the fi rst eight abdo m i nal seg ments.
Most l arvae feed act ively th ro u g h o u t thei r l i ves. So me
k i n d s m atu re in a few weeks , others in months. So me
becom e dormant, or esti vate, d u r i n g the s u m mer; others
h i be r n ate, ove r w i n te r i n g in n ew l y h atc h ed , part l y
g row n , o r fu l l y g rown stag es. Most k i n d s feed o n leaves,
but others feed on fl owers, fru i ts, and seed s , or bore i nto
stems and wood. A few spec i es are scavengers and a
small n u m ber prey on i n sects , especial l y plant l i ce. A
few feed on an i m al prod ucts l i ke woo l , s i lk, or feathers.
As a larva g rows, it s heds i ts ski n , or m o l ts, al l ow i n g
for another g rowth per i od. Larvae i n stages between
m o l ts are cal l ed i n stars. Ear l y i n stars may d i ffer from
l ater ones in co l or, mark i n g s , and s h ape.
Caterpi l l ars w i th horns and spi nes m ay appear
treachero u s , b u t o n l y a few, such as the lo, Hag Mot h ,
P u s s Moth , Sad d l eback Caterp i l lar and rel ated " s l u g s , "
have i r r i tati n g spi nes or h a i r s t o avo i d.
PUPAE are the resti n g forms i n w h ich the l arvae trans
form i n to ad u l ts. Most bu tterf l i es and moths in tem per
ate reg i o n s spend the w i nter as pupae, tho u g h the
pupal stage of so me spec i es l asts for o n l y a few days or
weeks. In a prepupal stage the larva l oses i ts pro l eg s;
l ater i ts mouthparts change fro m chew i ng mand i b l es to
a long probosc i s ( i f present in the ad u l t), w i n g s devel op,
and reproductive organs form. Exter nal facto rs such as
temperatu re and moi stu re may tri gger the chan ges, but
the actual transfor mation i s cau sed by hormon es.
The butterfly larva, when m atu re, attaches i tself to a
f i r m s u pport before chang i n g to a naked pupa, known

PUPAL STAGES

as a ch rysal i s. Larvae of swal l owtails, s u l ph u rs, and

w h i tes def t l y s u pport thei rs w i th a strong s i lk th read.
Most moth l arvae, when full g rown, b u r row i n to the
g ro u n d and pupate there i n earthen cel l s . Others pupate
am i d dead l eaves or deb r i s on the g rou n d , i n h o l low
stems or decay i ng wood, someti mes w i th m aterial d raw n
loose l y together w i t h s i lk. Hai ry spec i es u s uall y m i x
thei r hai rs w i th s i l k, m ak i n g a fli m sy cocoo n. S i lk Moth
l arvae spi n to u g h papery s i lken cocoons that h o u se thei r
pupae. When emerg i ng fro m these t i g h t cocoo n s, moths
secrete a fl u i d that softens the s i lk. Bag worm Moth s
co n struct cocoo n s aro u n d thei r bod i es a s they g row. At
matu r i t y they fasten the fi n i s hed cocoo n s to tw i g s w i t h
s i l k.
Wh ile butterfli es emerge eas i ly fro m ch rysal i ses,
moths often exert g reat effort to break t h ro u g h cocoo n s
or p u s h thei r way up t h rou g h t h e g ro u n d . Both emerge
w i th soft s m all w i ngs w i th m i n i at u re w i n g patterns. As
flu i d s are pu mped t h roug h the vei n s, the w i ng s expand.
Later the vei n s harden, provi d i n g a r i g i d s u pport for the
wing mem b rane.
9

male's claspers
at end of abdomen

ADULT b u tte rfl i e s a n d moths ha ve a pa i r of seg m e n ted

a nte n nae a n d a pa i r of l a rge, rou nded co m po u nd eyes
o n the i r hea d s . M a n y moths a l so ha ve a pa i r of s i m p l e
eyes. Butterfl i es a n d m a n y moths ha ve a co i led probos
cis, which u n ro l l s i nto a long suck i ng t u be through which
the a d u l t feeds on necta r a nd othe r fl u i d s . Thi s t u be may
be a s lo ng a s the a d u lt's body.
Each of the three seg me nts of the thora x bea rs a pa i r
of fi ve-jo i nted l eg s . So me g rou ps of bu tterfli es ha ve the
fi rst pa i r of legs red uced , a n d fe m a les of the Bagworm
Moth ha ve no l eg s. A pair of mem bra no u s w i n g s a re
a ttached to the 2 n d a n d 3rd thora c i c seg m e n ts of most
butterfl i e s a n d moths but a few k i n d s a re w i n g l ess. The
ve i n patte rn of w i n g s is u sed i n c l a ss i fi ca ti o n .
At the e n d o f the te n-seg mented a bdomen a re the sex
orga n s . They a re u sed in the accu rate i d e n t i f i ca t i o n of
m a n y spec i e s . The fe m a l e's a bdomen is u s u a l l y l a rger
tha n the m a l e's. The l atter ca n be d i st i ng u i shed by the
c l a spers of the sex org a n s which p rotrude a s p l ate- l i ke
struct u res at the e n d of the last seg m e n t .

10

NATURAL E NEMIES of Le p i dop

tera a bou n d . Va r i o u s i n sects feed
on t h e m . S o do s p i d e r s , b i rd s ,
rodents, rept i les, a m p h i b i a n s , a n d
n i g ht p row l e rs l i ke s k u n ks a n d rac
coo n s . Pa ra s i t i c i n sects la y eggs i n
a n d o n cate rp i l l a rs , eggs, o r pu pae,
w h i c h then beco m e food for the
pa ra s i t i c l a rvae. Bacte r i a , f u ng i ,
protozoa , a n d v i r u ses ca u se d i s
eases; u nfavora b l e wea t h e r a lso
tokes its to l l .
DEFE NSES a g a i nst s u c h a host of
destruct i ve forces a re n ecessa ry for
s u r v i va l . The ca pacity of fe m a l es
to l a y h u nd reds of eg g s i s o n e .
Ca mouflage, h i d i n g from preda
tors, is a noth e r. Oth e r p rotect i ve
fea tu res a re body m a r k i n g s that
frig hten e n e m i es, a n d ha i rs, spi nes,
or body ju i ces u n p l easa nt to the m .

MA N i s enemy no. 1. The destruc

tion of favora b l e h a b i tat from l a nd
development has l ed to a g reat
dec l i ne in the i r n u m bers. Herbici des
and pestici des k i l l the m . Floodlig hts
at m a l l s , i nte rsections, and ath letic
fi e l d s a re let h a l moth tra ps . Aga i n st
m a n , they have no b u i l t- i n defenses.
For the i r s u r v i va l , they are becom
i ng more depe ndent on people who
care, and so become i nvolved i n
conservation .

Tobacco hornworm with cocoons

of b raconid wasp larvae

11

CO NSER VATIO N i s o f
g row i n g i m porta n c e . At
l ea st two species of b u tter
fl i es are now exti nct, a n d
a n u m ber o f ot her Le p i
doptera have bee n l i sted
as Threatened or Enda n
gered. Here are so me
ways that yo u ca n he l p.

extinct Xerces Blue

(Gioucopsyche xerces)

JOI N a cons e r vati on-o r i ented o rga n i zati o n , per

haps o n e of thos e li sted below. Some 40 states n ow
have Natu ra l He r i tage P rogra m s t h at invento ry t h e i r
p l ant and ani ma l l i fe a n d make proposa l s f o r spec i e s
of spec i al co n ce r n . Co ntact yo u r state off i ce o r Natu r e
Conse r v ancy t o l ea rn a bo u t loca l effo rts whe r e yo u
can be he l pf u l .
The Xerces Society, I 0 Southwest Ash St., Portland, OR 97204. Dedicated Ia
the preservation of arthropods and their habitats and promoting annual
counts of butterflies in areas throughout the country.
The Lepidopterists' Society, c/o Julian P. Donahue, Asst. Sec., Natural History
Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

90007. An international society of specialists that publishes o journal of

research papers and on annual summary of field observations of Lepidop
tera of Canada and the U.S. as reported by members.
Notionollnslilute for Urban Wildlife, 10921 Trolling Ridge Way, Columbia,
MD 21044. Focuses on conservation of urban and suburban areas.
The Nature Conservancy, 1800 North Kent St., Arlington, VA 22209. An
outstanding conservator and manager of valuable habitats of rare and
endangered plants and wildlife throughout the notion.

CRE ATE A BUTTERFLY GARDE N P l a n t s u ch pere nni

a l s a s p u ssy w i l low, l i lac, b l ueberry, Clethra, phlox,
butterf l y weed and b u tterfl y bu sh, l a nta n a , and such
a n n u a l s a s zin n i a , Fre nch m a r i g o l d , a n d sing l e pet u n ia

12

i n you r ga rden to prov i d e butterfly food throughout the

seaso n . Also p l a n t a pp ro p r i a te food for l a rvae of the
bu tte rfli es tha t co me to feed as i n d i ca ted i n thi s boo k .
RE AR butte rfl i e s a n d moths fro m eggs o r la rvae for
re l ease. Watch the m g row a n d deve l o p . See how they
move, how they feed , what they do. The n ret u r n the m
to the i r prefe rred ha b i ta t .
Fe m a l e moths co nfi ned i n paper ba g s w i l l ofte n l a y
e g g s the re, but b u tterfl y e g g s a re ha rde r t o obta i n . Look
fo r the m whe n you see a butterfly e x p l o r i n g the l ea ves
ra the r tha n the b l osso m s of a pla nt. Chewed or m i ss i n g
lea ves on a p l a n t a re c l ues to the prese n ce o f caterp i l l a rs
nea rby tha t yo u m i ght co l l ect fo r rea r i n g .
Egg s a n d s mall la rvae a t fi rst ca n b e kept i n t i g htly
sea led, clea r polyethy lene sa ndwich bags, together w i th
a few l eaves of the i r pla n t food . Keep each k i n d i n a sep
a ra te ba g . Keep the bag s out of
the s u n or excess i ve hea t. Re
move the l a rva l d ropp i n g s every
day or so . Reve rse the bag a n d
a d d fresh l eaves whe n ever the
old ones sta rt to ye l l ow or to d ry
out. Use leaves of the sa m e s pe
c i es of p l a nt, a n d do not bag
the m whe n they a re wet.
Tra n sfe r 2 - i n c h l a r v a e to
l a rg e r c l ea r bag s or to t i g ht l y
sea led ca n s , such a s l-Ib coffee
ca n s . To wa tch deve l op m e n ts,
the "bouquet" set-up ca n be used
(see the i l l u stra t i o n ) .

"Bouquet" set-up for rearing

13

When a butte r f l y l a rva

i s a l most f u l l g rown, put a
st ick i n the ca n or bag to
e n co u ra g e t h e l a r v a to
form i ts c h rysa l i s on i t .
la rge n u m bers o f l a te
i n sta r l arvae of t h e sa m e
species a n d a g e ca n be
rea red in b i g freeze r bags
conta i n i ng b ra nches of the
food p l a nt, a s i l l u strated .
To c l ea n o u t d ro p p i n g s,
u nt i e a n d a l low t h e m to
fa l l t h rou g h the o pe n i n g .
Large plastic ba g set-up for roring
la rge n u m bers o f l a r
many larvae of the same speCies
vae ca n be rea red o u t
doors with l ess ca re by e n c l os i n g t h e m i n a strong net
bag p u l led over the e n d of a grow i ng bra nch of a tree
or b u s h a n d t i ed sec u re l y fa rther down the bra nch.
Caterp i l l a rs t h a t m a ke cocoons, s u c h a s S i l k Moths
a n d T i g e r Moth s, ca n be rea red l i ke those of b utterfl i e s .
Howeve r, the l a rvae o f Reg a l Mot h s a n d most noct u i d s
m u st b e g i ve n a few inches o f da m p (not wet) ste r i l e soil
or peat moss i nto w h i c h to bu r row w h e n f u l l g row n . The
res u l t i n g pu pae ca n be overw i n te red in sea led p l astic
sa n d w i c h bags (a long w i th the da m p med i u m ) i n a
refr i g erator. Kee p overw i n te r i n g cocoon s a n d ch rysa l
i ses outdoors, i n cages t o protect t h e m from predators.
Ad u l ts e m erg i n g fro m p u pae i n the fo l l ow i ng sea so n s
m u st b e g i ve n a m p l e roo m for sprea d i n g t h e i r w i ng s
a n d a ro u g h surface for c l i m b i ng t o a perc h . Fo r ch rysa l
i ses a n d cocoon s o n l y, a scree ned cag e i s n eeded . I t ca n
be made fro m a ro l l ed section of w i re scree n i ng or s m a ll
mesh hard w a re c l oth; u se pa per plates for top a n d
botto m .
14

A cylin d r i ca l ca rd boa rd ro l l ed
oats box m a kes an i dea l e m e r
g e n ce cage for cocoon s a n d ch rysa l
i ses. W h e n the ope n top is covered
with a n y l o n stoc k i ng ( h e l d in place
by tucking t h e leg a n d toe u nder a
l oop of m a te r i a l nea r t h e r i m ) , the
a d u l t ca n be captu red and b ro u g h t
Homemade cage
t o h a n d by extending the l eg a bove
the ope n top a s t h e a d u l t flies i nto t h e l eg trying to
escape .
For pupa for m ed in soil , use topless rou n d ca n s w i t h
a roug h (rusty) s u rface for c l i m bing , covered w i t h g a uze,
nett i n g , o r a stock i n g . T h e n cover the ca n w i th a pi ece
of c l ea r po l yet h y l e n e to keep the soil fro m d r y i n g o u t
a n d t o l et you s e e a n y e m e rging mot h s .
After yo u have co mpl eted you r observatio n s , ret u r n
the a d u l ts t o t h eir prefe rred ha bita t.
COLLECT SPARINGLY-a nd be s u re to fo l l ow l a w s
co nce r n i n g e n d a ngered spec i e s . The c h i ef aims o f a
co l l ecto r s h o u l d be to obta i n s u bjects for rea r i n g or for
m a k i n g a study co l l ect i o n . Us ua l l y, a d u l ts a re co l l ected
w h i l e feed i ng at fl owers o r ba i t . They are ra re l y ca u g h t
on t h e w i n g . T h e specimen i s qu i c k l y tra n sferred t o a
kil l i ng ja r. Later i t i s mou nted , sprea d , l a be l e d , a n d
cata loged . To m a ke a n accepta ble study co l l ecti o n , some
i te m s m u st be p u rcha sed from a b i o l og i ca l supp l y h o u se
(see be low). Othe rs ca n be ho m e m a d e .
American Biological Supply Co., 1330 Dillon Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD

21228
BioQuip Products, P.O. Box 61, Santo Monico, CA 90406
Carolina Biological Supply Co., 2700 York Rd., Burlington, NC 27215
Word's Natural Science Establishment, Inc., 5100 West Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14692-9012

15

-,_.__

COLLECTI N G N ETS s h o u l d be
l i g h twe i g h t , w i t h r i m 1 2 to 1 5
i nche s i n d i a m eter. Strong n y l o n
n e t b o g s h o u l d be 2 7 to 3 2 i nch es
deep, rou g h l y f u n n e l- s h a ped b u t
n o t s h a r p l y po i n ted a t t h e e n d .

collecting net

k i l ling jar

SPREADING BOARDS a re made

of soft wood w i t h a center c h a n n e l
i n w h i c h t h e b o d y of t h e spec i m e n
f i t s . W h e n spec i m e n i s re l a x ed,
i n s e r t i n s e c t p i n st r a i g h t d o w n
t h r o u g h center o f t h o ra x , V<- i nch
from hea d; then s t i ck pin i n to cen
ter of c h a n n e l u n t i l w i n g s o re l evel
w i t h upper s u rface of boa rd . If
necessary, brace by i n sert i n g a p i n
i n t h e c h a n n e l o n e a c h s i d e of
spec i men's body at bose of h i nd
w i n g s . S p read w i n g s g e n t l y w i t h
foreceps and p i n s so e d g e s of
forew i n g s ore a t r i g h t a n g l e s to
body and h i n d w i n g s o re in a nor
m a l pos i t i o n. P i n w i n g s in p l ace
w i t h paper str i p s . Nea t l y pos i t i on
a n te n na e . A l l ow severa l days for
drying.

commercial
spreading board

homemade
spreading board

16

KI LLING JARS s h o u l d h a v e w i de
m o u t h s a n d sea l t i g h t l y. P u t
e n o u g h p a p e r towe l i ng i n t h e bot
tom to a bsorb a teaspoon to a
t a b l espoon of l i q u i d . To u se , odd
enough e t h y l acetate o r carbon
tetrachloride to satu rate the paper;
pou r off a n y excess. Spec i m e n s too
s t i ff for m o u n t i n g co n be r e l a xed
by e n c l os i n g for a few h o u r s in a
p l a s t i c food storage box on a s h eet
of p l a st i c spread ove r water- s a t u
r a t e d paper towe l i n g .

INSECT PINS

ore made of spe

cial rust-resistant steel and come

in several sizes. Size 3 con be used
lor all but small butterflies and

Rive!dele
1SIV-V14Md

moths.

LABELS

RTMi tchell !
Collector 1

should be placed on the

pin of each specimen when it is

_..,_...

removed from the spreading board.

They should tell at least where,
when, and by whom the specimen
was taken. Labels should be neat
and small. Sheets of typewritten
labels con be

photographically

reduced to make small but read

able labels.
The species label, containing the
scientific name of the specimen, is
larger and is usually pinned to the
bottom of the storage box by the
specimen pin.

Supplement your

collection data with a notebook of

observations and field records.

STORAGE AND DISPLAY

BOXES ore of several kinds. The
Schmitt box,

with cork bottom,

glozed paper lining, and tight-fit

ting lid, is ideal lor housing a study
collection. Supply houses also have
less expensive boxes. The begin
ner con get along with a tightly
lidded box that has a 'Ia-inch Ioyer
of polyethylene loom, soft compo
sition board, or balsa wood fitted

stored on edge, specimens must be

into the bottom to keep the pins

protected from the crystals. Put

secure. All boxes must be{reated

crystals in a small (closed) enve

periodically with porodichoroben

lope inserted into a larger one (with

zine crystals to keep out destruc

flop removed); glue to lid of box.

tive insect pests. If the box will be

Pests found in a box con be killed

stored horizontally, crystals can be

by putting the box into a freezer

scattered on the bottom. If box is

lor a lew days.

17

OTHER STUDIES Anyone watch i n g i n sects i n the field

may d i scover new facts abo ut the m . The behav i or of
so me speci es i s still li ttle know n, and a careful observer
can make real co ntributions to our knowledge. Keep
detailed and accurate records of your observations, bei n g
sure t o provi de answers t o the quest i o n s: What, where,
when, how, how many, and how l o ng . Beco me skilled i n
close-up photography of the d i fferent stages of devel
opment of butterfli es and moths, capturi ng the ir beauty
and i nteresti ng behavior. Show i n g your pi ctures or sli des
to the young and old i n yo ur co mmun i ty w i ll generate
i n terest i n these fasci nati ng creatures among other peo
ple and pro mote their co n servati o n .
BOOKS offer the qu i ckest way t o extend yo u r kn owl
edge about bu tterfli es and moths. Try the follow i ng:
Cove l l , C h a r l e s V., J r., A Field Guide to the Moths of Eastern North
America. Boston, Ho u g h t o n M i ffl i n Co . , 1 9 8 4 .
E h r l i c h , Pa u l R. , a n d A n n e H . , How t o Know the Butterflies. D u b u q u e ,
l A, W m . C. Brown C o . , 1 96 1 .
Ferg u so n , Dou g l o s C . , Bombycoideo (Soturniidoe, Silk and Regal Moths},
Fasc i c l e 2 0 , Ports 2A a n d 2 B , in The Moths of America North of Mexico
Se r i es, ed i ted by R. B. Do m in i c k et a l . Lo n d o n , E. W. C l a ssey Ltd . &
R. B. D. P u b l icat i o n s I nc., 1 9 7 1 / 7 2 .
Hodg es, R . W . , Sphingoideo (Ho w k maths), Fasc i c l e 2 1 , i n The Moths of
America North of Mexico Seri es, ed i ted by R. B. Do m i n i c k et a l . Lo n
d o n , E . W. C l a ssey L t d . & R . B . D. Pu b l i ca t i ons I n c., 1 9 7 1 .
Ho l l a n d , W . J., The Moth Book. Ga rde n C i ty, NY, Do u b l ed a y & C o . ,
1 9 0 8 . Repr i n ted N e w Yo rk, Dove r P u b l i ca t i o n s , 1 96 8 .
Howe , W i l l i a m H., The Butterflies of North America. Ga rden C i ty, NY,
Do u b l ed a y & Co., I n c., 1 9 75 .
K l ots, A . B . , A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Eastern North America.
Boston , Ho u g h t o n M i ff l i n Co., 1 9 7 7 .
Py l e , Ro bert M . , The Audubon Society Field Guide t o North American
Butterflies. New Yo rk, A l fred A. K n opf, 1 9 81.
Te k u l s k y, M a t hew, Butterfly Gorden. Bosto n , MA, H a r v a rd C o m m o n
Press, 1 9 85 .

18

BUTTERFLIES
Butterfl i es

a bout

number

700 species in N o rth A m er

ica n o rth of Mexi co. Recent
resea rch shows that some
long

considered

d isti nct

species a re m erely va rieties

(sub-species) of others. A
few of these a re i n c l uded
i n this book.
Butterfl i es usua l ly fly by
day, a n d
wings

rest with

erect.

their

Anten n a e

of

butterfl ies

are

c l u b l i ke,

e n d i n g in a swol l en ti p . Ski ppers ( p . 74) have s i m i l a r

a nten nae t h a t ofte n t u r n back i n a hook . Ante n n a e of
m oths

are

seldom

c l u b l ik e,

and

are

often

fea th ery.

Butterfl ies have a projection (the e n l a rged h u meral l obe)

on each h i n dwing that u n d erla ps the front pa i r of wings
a n d h o l d s the wings together. Most butterfl ies pu pate as
an u n protected chrysa lis which

hangs

freely from a

p l a n t or other sup port. Only a few butterfl ies a re con

sid ered destructive, but m a n y m oths a re p ests .
butterfly
antennae

19

SWALLOWTAILS a re the l a rgest a n d best known of o u r

butterf l i e s . They a re fou nd the wor l d over, main l y i n the
tro p i cs, a n d most a re b r i g ht l y co lored. The re are so m e
two doze n s pec i es i n North Ame rica , most ha v i n g cha r
acte r i st i c ta i l -l i ke project i o n s from the h i n d w i n g s , u s u
a l l y o n e b u t a l so two or three i n som e s pec i es . These
ta i l s a re l a c k i n g in the p a r n a ss i us g ro u p {p. 29) a n d
so me othe rs. In m a n y spec i e s , the fe m a les l oo k d i ffere n t
from the ma les i n s i ze a n d m a r k i n g s .
Most swa l l owta i l s l a y the i r sphe r i ca l eggs s i n g l y o n
the food p l a nts, m a i n l y trees a nd shru bs. Late r, the
la rvae m a y be fo u n d resti ng on a s i lken m a t i n a ro l l ed
leaf. Most s pec i es ha ve an ora nge, fleshy, ho rn-l i ke
org a n behi n d the hea d that e m e rges whe n the l a rva i s
d i stu rbed a n d g i ves off a d i sag reea b l e odor.
When a f u l l-g rown swa l l owta i l caterp i l l a r has se lected
a p l ace to fo rm i ts chrysa l i s , it faste n s i ts h i n d most feet
secu re l y w i th s i l k a n d loops a tough s i l k threa d behi n d
i ts body, fa ste n i ng the e n d s t o the s u pport a s a k i n d of
"safety be l t . " Soon the caterp i l l a r sheds i ts s k i n , becom
i ng a ro ugh, a n g u l a r chrysa l i s, a n d u s u a l l y spends the
w i nter i n thi s form. Ad u l ts a re ofte n seen at fl owers and
a re attracted to wet soi l , p u d d l es, or po n d s .

P I P EVI N E

SWALLOWTA I L

la rva o r caterpillar feeding on

pipevi ne. Ch rysalis to the right.

20

PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL,
is more common in the southern
part of its range. The female hos
slightly larger whitish spots along
the margin of the

front wings

ond less colorful hind wings. She

lays orange eggs in clusters on
pipevine and snakeroot, on which
the larvae feed.

POL YDAMAS SWALLOWTAIL

o u r o n l y tai l less black species.

The caterp i l la r and ch rysa l i s a re
similar to those of the Pipevine
is

Swa l l owta i l, but the caterp i l l a r

h a s reddish tentacles. I t a lso feeds
on pipevine. N ote the g reenish
tint to the h i n d w i n g s .

21

called the Common Eastern, or

Pa rsnip, Swa l l owta il, has vari
able ma rkings. Some males h ave
hardly any b l u e on the h indwing .
The spots m a y be l a rger or may
be orange instead of yellow. Oc
casiona lly the two rows of spots
on the forewing a re fused into
l a rge triang u l a r a reas, o r the
spots may be g reatly red uced .
The h indwing in some forms is a l
most entirely yel l ow, tinged with
orange.
The Black Swa llowta i l i s found
in o pen fields and woodland
meadows. It freq uents clover and
flower g a rdens, a lways flying
nea r the g round. The yel l owish,
ovoid eggs a re laid on wild and
c u ltivated plants of the carrot
fami ly, such as parsl ey, pa rsnip,
celery, and carrot. When small,
the larva, l ike that of most swa l
lowta ils, i s dark brown with a
white sad d l e m ark. It becomes
g reen, as ill ustrated, as it ma
tures. There are two broods of
Block Swa l l owta ils annually in
the North and a t least three in
the South.

22

very closely related to the Black

Swa l lowta i l and is also ca l l ed the
Western Black Swa l l owta i l . The
males are simil a r, b u t there is
some difference in the females,
which have less yel l ow than the
eastern species. This butterfly is
variable; some a re q u ite yel low,
some a l m ost entirely black. The
cater p i l l a r feeds on sagebrush
(Artemesia), and not on p lants of
the ca rrot fa m i ly. There is one
b rood annual ly.

ANISE
SWAL LOWTAI L is
probably the m ost common swa l
l owta i l west o f the Rocky Moun
tains. The early stag es of the
l a rva closely resemble those of
the Black Swa l l owtail in form
and color. The larva feeds mainly
on anise o r Sweet Fennel of the
carrot family. The a d u l t fem a l e
l ooks very m uc h l ike the m a l e .

lndro

2 .0-3 .0"

I N D RA, o r M o unta in Swal l ow

tail, con be d i sting uished from
Ba ird's and Black by its s h o rt
tail. Its light wing band is vari
able in size. Another species, the
Short-ta i l ed Swal l owta il, occurs
in eastern Canada. 2.0-3.011

23

PALAM EDES S WAL L OW

TAIL rivals the Giant (p . 25) in

size. Common in the So uth, it

p refers the m a rg i n s of swa mpy
woods, where i n slow flight it
sometimes rises to the tops of ta l l
trees. T h e r e a re two or th ree

ALASKAN S WALL OWTAIL

is a smaller a n d yellower variety

of the E u ropean, or O l d World,
Swa l lowta il, common i n E u rope
and Asia . Another variety of this

24

broods a year. Eggs a re l a id on

food plants-bay, m a g n o l i a, and
sassafras. The cate r p i l l a r resem
bles that of the Spicebush (p. 26),
but the reddish spot that a p pears
on the third body seg ment is not
so distinct and lacks the black r i n g .

Old World species is fou n d near

H u d son Boy i n Canada. The cat
erpillor resembles the B l ock Swo l
lowta i l 's ( p . 22) and feeds on
pla nts of the carrot family.

G I A N T SWALLOWTAI L cat
erpillars are known as Ora n g e
D o g s o r Orange P u ppies in the
South, where they d o occasional
damage to citrus trees, especia l l y
i n young g roves. Four o r five
h u nd red eggs may be laid by
one female, deposited one at a
time near tips of l eaves o r
bra nches. T h e caterpil l a rs feed
o n Prickly Ash and the Hop Tree
in a d d ition to citrus.
The Giant Swa l l owta il is more

common in the southern part of

its range, where it is l ikely to
have three i n stead of two broods.
Fi rst-brood a d u lts emerge from
c h rysalids i n May. The Gia nt
Swa l l owta il has a leisurely flig ht,
sometimes
sa i l i n g
with
o u t
stretched wings, w h ich then show
the bright yellow u n d e rside i n
contrast to the b r o w n u p perside.
The Giant freq u ents open fields
a n d g a rdens, sipping nectar from
flowers and moisture from m u d .

S P I C E B U S H SWALLOWTA I L
i s som etimes called t h e Green
clouded Swa ll owtail because the
m a l e's hindwing h a s a pro
n o u nced g reenish tone. This spe
cies has a red-ora n g e spot on
the u p p e r ma rgin of the hind
wing a bove.
These swa l lowtails freq uent
l ow, damp woods, visiting open
fields less often than m a n y other
swa l l owtails. They a re active,
steady fliers a n d seldom alig ht.
N u m bers of them often gather at
p u d d l es on wood land roads o r
at oth e r w e t places. This butter
fly has several geogra phic forms,
same with larger yellow spots
and other va riations.

There are two broods i n the

North, three in the South. Butter
flies of the first brood, which
emerge from c h rysa l i d s in late
April or early May, after spend
ing the winter in the pupal stage,
are smaller th a n those which
emerge from later broods i n the
summer.
The larva feeds o n Spicebush,
Sassafras, Sweet Bay, a n d Prickly
Ash. like other swa l l owta i l cater
pil lars it forms a mat of silk on
the upper s u rface of a leaf; then
it d raws the leaf togethe r a n d
hides when not feed i n g . As i t
grows t h e l a rva con structs new
and la rger shelters until it is ready
to pu pate.

EASTE RN
TIGER
SWAL
LOWTA I L s hows difference in
color betwee n sexes. Females ore
dimorphic
(show
two
color
forms); some o re yellow a n d oth
e rs d a rk brow n . The d a rk form
is uncommon i n the N orth. The
l a rva of the Eastern Tiger Swa l
l owtail feeds mostly o n Wild
C herry and Tuliptrees.

WEST E R N
TIGER
SWAL
LOWTA I L is not dimorphic. I t
differs f r o m t h e Easter n Swa l l ow
tail in having the s pots o n the
underside of the forewing merge
to form a b a n d (see below). T h e
caterpil l a r is like that of the East
ern Tig er Swa ll owtail but feeds
o n willow, poplar, and hops,
pla nts of m oist weste rn a reas.

U nderside of forewing:
Easter n Tige r
Weste rn Tige r
spotted
banded

27

SWAL LOWTWO-TA I L E D
TA I L , our largest b utte rfly, oc
c u rs from British Col u m bia to
Calif. a n d eastward to weste rn
Texas a n d Monta n a . The cater-

p i l l a r feeds o n c h erry, hoptree,

ash, privet, and shadbush. Prob
ably breeds twice each year. The
smaller Th ree-tailed Swa l lowtail
occu rs in Arizo n a a n d Mexico.

PAL E SWALLOWTA I L occu rs

a l l along the West Coast to the
eastern slope of the Rockies and
is q u ite common local ly. la rva
feeds c h iefly on b u ckthorn. At
least two broods occu r a n n ual ly.

Z E B RA SWA L LOWTA I L , a n
eastern species more common i n
t h e South, varies i n m a rking a n d
size. S p r i n g f o r m s are sma l lest;
later brood s l a rger with longer
tails. La rva feeds o n pawpaw.

PA R NA S S I U S is a more prim itive g e n u s t h a n Papilio,

the true swa l lowta ils. The la rva sh ows m a ny h a bits of

skippers (pp. 74-80) a n d , like them, is covered with short

h a i rs. It lacks the scent horns of swa l lowta i ls. The pupa is
not like those of swa l lowta i ls eith e r, but, like t h ose of
skippers, is sm ooth a n d brownish, a n d is fo rmed in a leafy
she lter on t h e g r o u n d or in g rass. The a d u lt p a r n a ssius is
not like swa l lowta i l s in shape or coloration b u t is p a l e
wh ite o r yel lowish, w i t h m a rkings that va ry g reatly. Pa r
nassi a n s o c c u r m ostly in the mounta i n s, w h e re a d u lts a re
on the wi n g by midsu mmer. Fema le bodies lack the hairi
ness of the m a le.
C L O D I U S, a v a r i a b l e species,
is d i sting u ished from Smintheus
by its black a n ten n a e . I t lacks
the red spots often found on the
forew i n g s of S m i n t h e u s.

SM I N T H E U S diffe rs from other

pa rnassia n s i n havi n g wh ite an
te n n ae with block r i n g s. The l a rva
feeds on stonecrop (Sedum) a n d
saxifrage (Saxifraga).

S U L PHU R S A N D WHI T E S fo rm a world-wide fami ly

of severa l h u n d red species, i n c l u d i n g ma n y species in
temperate pa rts of the N o rthern H emis p h e re. T h ey are
amo n g t h e first butterfl ies to a p pea r in spri n g . N e a rly
a l l a r e yel low, o range, o r wh ite. Fema les differ from
ma les in pattern a n d ofte n i n color. The butter-ye l low
color of E u ropea n s u l p h u rs p roba bly sugg ested t h e name

butterfly. Some a re often seen a ro u n d t h e edges of

pudd les. Eggs a re spi n d le-sha ped, sc u l ptu red with fine
ridges and pits. The la rva, usua lly l o n g , g reen, a n d slen
d e r with little h a i r, feeds ma i n ly o n leg umes and mus
tards. Some a re crop pests. The pupa, often comp ressed
a n d tria n g u l a r, is held in place by a s i l k g i r d l e . Most
species h a ve more t h a n one brood a year, especia l ly i n
t h e South, where th ree o r even more m a y occur.
A L FA L FA B U T T E R F LY, a lso
cal led the Orange S u l p h u r, oc
cu rs in many hybrid forms, cross
in g with the Cloud ed S u l p h u r. It
can be disti n g u ished from the
C l ouded S u l p h u r by the ora nge

of the u p p e rsides. The u nder

sides of both are sim i l a r. Some
females are white. The la rva is
a pest of a lfalfa. Several b roods
each year. The b utterfly ranges
from C a n a d a to Mexico.

CLOUDED SULPHUR, a l so
called the Common S u l p h u r,
ranges through most of N o rth
America but i s most common in
the E a st. I t is the " p u d d l e butter
fly" that swa rms i n moist places
and over clover fields. Like the
Alfalfa B u tterfly, some females
are w h i t e , b u t g e n e ra l l y t h e
C l o u d ed female h a s less black o n
the m a r g i n o f t h e wings. The
la rva is more common on clove r
than on alfalfa a n d cannot be
distin g u ished from that of the Al
falfa Butte rfly. There are seve ral
broods yea rly.

P I N K- E D G E D S U L PH U R can
be d isti n g u ished from other s u l
ph u rs by the p i n k wing e d g e s
and the p i n k-edged si lver s p o t o n
the u n derside o f each hindwing.

31

Sara Orange Tip

1.0-1 .3"

female

,J

SARA ORANGE TIP is va r i a b l e .

T h e u nderside of t h e h i nd w i ngs h a s
o n i r reg u l a r "mossy" a p peara n ce
from t h e gree n i s h m a r b l i n g . T h e
a m o u nt of m a r b l i n g i s red uced i n
t h e seco n d of t h e two o n n uo l g e n
e ra t i o n s. L a r v a feeds on w i l d
m u sta rds .

OLYMPIA MARBLE, na med for

the prono u n ced g ree n m a r b l i ng on
the u nd e r s i d e of the h i n d w i n g , i s
c l ose l y r e l a ted to t h e ora n g e li p s .
T h e I a rvo feed s most I y o n Hedge
M u s t a rd. The O l y m p i a M a r b l e
produces on l y o n e brood a yea r, i n
the spring .

Falcate Orange Tip

1 .6 - 1 .7"

1.3-1.5"

32

FALCATE ORANGE TIP is a mong

the fi rst b u t t e r f l i e s to e m erge in
s p r i n g . It f r e q u e n t s m o s t l y t h e
marg i n s o f d a m p wood s , f l y i n g
nea r t he g ro u n d . I t i s n a med for
t h e s i c k l e - s h a p e d a p e x of t h e
fore w i ng. Larvae feed o n p l a nt s of
the m u stard fa m i l y.

...
ORANGE-BARRED SULPH U R
is com m o n a l o n g the G u l f of
Mexico, occasio n a l l y straying into
mid d l e Atl antic a n d midwestern
slates. The larva, yel lowish-g reen,
with black and y e l l ow bands a n d
s m a l l b lack s pi nes, feeds a n Cas
sia a n d on oth e r closely related
pla nts of the pea family. At least
two broods each year.

C L O U D L E S S S U L P H U R, also
known as the Gia n t S u l p h u r, is
a b u n d a n t in the tropics and com
mon in our southern states. H u g e
flocks d u ring mig ration a re a n
impressive sig ht. Breeding i s c o n
tin uous in the tro pics, b u t t o the
north there a re two broods with
a d u lts overwi nterin g . Wild Senna
is its chief food .

...

CALIFORNIA DOG-FACE can

be d i sti n g u i shed from the South

ern Dog-face by the lack of d a rk
marg i n s on the upperside af the
hindw i n g . It sometimes strays
eastwa rd from its normal range.

The l a rva feeds o n False I ndigo.

Two broods d eve l o p yearly; the
a d u lts are o n the win g in s pring
and mid s u m mer. The name dog
face comes from t h e "pood l e
face" marking o n t h e forewing.
SOUTHERN

D O G - F ACE,

noted for its rapid flig ht, is more

common i n the southern p a rt of
its range. like the C a l ifornia
Dog-face, it is d o u b l e-brooded.
The l a rvae, highly variable in
markings, feed o n Wild I n d igo
a n d a l so on various cl overs.

.._
L ITTL E S U L P H U R is common
east of the Rockies. The l a rva
feeds an Senna, Pa rtridg e Pea,
and other legu mes. There are two
o r three broods a year. This spe
cies m ig rates i n large flocks.

34

SLEEPY O RANGE i s so no med

beca u s e i t is s l ower i n f l i g h t t h a n
other s u l p h u r s . I t i s v e r y co m m on
in t h e S o u t h , w h e r e it b r e e d s
t h r o u g h o u t most o f t h e yea r. M a l e s
freq u e n t l y cong regate i n l a rge
n u m bers a t p u d d l e s . The v e l vety
g reen l a rva with a ye l low i s h str i pe
on e a c h s i d e f e e d s m a i n l y o n
Se n n a .

DAI NTY SULPH U R occ u r s from

Ga. to so. Ca l i f . and up t h e M i s s .
Va l l ey t o t h e G r e a t La kes. Fe m a l e s
are h ea v i l y m a rked w i t h b l a c k . I t
i s dou b l e - b rooded .

...
M U STA R D W H I T E has a cir
c u m p o l a r ra nge. The veins o n the
u n d e rsid e are outlined with d a rk
sca les. The l a rva, green with
g reenish-yellow stripes, feeds on
various m u stards.

1.0-1 .3"

...
FA I RY Y E L LOW, a lso known
as Barred S u l p h u r, h a s a g ra y
bar in the forewing of males a n d
some females. It ranges from
Florida a n d Texas so uthward,
feeding on Joint Vetc h and other
l e g u mes.

P I N E W H I T E , a pest of pines
a n d Balsa m Fir in the West, has
one brood a n d overwinters as
eggs. The fem a l e has more black
m a rkings than the male.

G R EAT S O U T H E R N W H I T E
o f t h e G u lf Coast a n d Miss. Val
ley, sometimes mig rates. I f so, a
dark phase is i nvolve d . The l a rva
feed s mostly on m ustards.

G I A N T W H I T E is common i n
the tro pics a n d b r e e d s to south
ern Texas, straying northwa rd.
Like the G reat Southern White
it a l so has a d a rk phase.

FLO R I D A W H I T E is a wide
spread butterfly that strays n orth
from Fla. and Tex. All have
orange on the u n d e rsid es; m ost
fem a l es a l so have d a rk m a rks.

C H E C K E R E D W H I T E , or Com
m o n Wh ite, occurs all over tem
perate N.A. I t was more common
before the Cabbage Butterfly a r
rived a n d spread. Larva feeds o n
cabbage a n d other m usta rds.
A d u lts occu r early i n spring a n d
prod uce at l east three b roods.

C A B B A G E B U TTE RFLY, i nt r o
d uced from Eu rope a bout 1 8 6 0 , has
spread ac ross N . A . a nd beco m e a
pest of cabbage , brocco l i , k o l e ,
ca u l i fl ower, a nd ot h e r m u stards
ond of t h e ga rden na st u r t i u m . I t is
one of the first bu tterfl ies to e merge
in spring .

BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES ore na med for their

t i n y fore l eg s , u s e l ess for wa l k i n g , ha i r y i n m a l es.
MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES, chi efly tro p i ca l , n u m be r
o n l y t w o spec i es i n No rth America , both co m m o n .

T H E MONARC H , o n e o f t h e best
known b u tterfl i e s , is noted for i t s
m i g ra to r y h a b i t s . I n fa l l , f l ocks o f
Mo n a rc h s move south wa rd t o Ca l
iforn i a a nd Mexico. Rest i n g
m i g ra n ts o r w i n ter res i d e n ts m a y
cover e n t i re trees . I n s p r i n g t h e y
ret u r n n o r t h w a r d t o t h e i r breed i n g
a rea s , s o m e a s far a s s o u t h e r n
Ca n a d a . T h ree o r fo u r broods m a y
b e produced i n o n e year. T h e m o l e
sce n t g l a n d s o re m a rked by a spot
of dark sca les in t h e center of the
h i n d w i n g s; t h i s s pot is not fou n d

38

o n t h e fe m a l e . Fe m a l e s d i ffer a l so
in h a v i n g broo d e r b l o c k ve i n l i n e s .
The l a r va feed s o n m i l kweeds a n d
re l a ted p l a nts, t h e j u i ces of w h i c h
ca use t h e Mona rch's u n p a l a ta b i l
i t y t o m a n y b i rd s . T h e M o n a rch's
deve l o p m e n t tokes a bout a m o n t h
f r o m con ica l eggs- l a i d s i n g l y o n
l e a v e s o r b l o s s o m s- t o a d u l t ,
w h i c h emerges from a s h i n y g ree n ,
g o l d-speck led h a n g i n g c h r y sa l i s .
T h e l a r va , stri ped w i t h ye l l ow,
b l o c k , a n d w h i te , is a bo u t 2 i n .
l o n g w h e n fu liy g row n .

THE QUEEN resembles

the M o n a rc h but is sma l l e r
a n d d a rker brow n . T h e
brownish l a rva with brown
a n d yel low
transverse
stripes fee d s an mil k
weeds. There are th ree
broods yearly . A su bspe
cies cal led Bates' Quee n
h a s the veins of the u p
pe rsid e of the hindwing
edged with g rayish white .
Bates' Queen is fo u n d in
so u t h e r n A rizo n a , N e w
Mexico, a n d Texas.

39

SATYRS are butterfl i es of rather d u ll color, u s ua l l y brown

or gray w i th eyespots on both upper a n d u n der sides.
Most prefer woods or wood s marg i n s. Satyr larvae ha ve
forked ta ils, feed at n i g ht on gra sses, a n d overwinter a s
t i n y l arvae.
EYED BROWN has a weak
d a n c i n g f l i g h t . It freq u e n ts da m p
meadows w i t h ta l l g rasses a n d

a lso t h e marg i ns a f waads . Loca l

co l o n i es a r e f o u n d e a s t of t h e

<IIIII CREOLE

PEARLY EYE i s fou n d

loca l ly i n t h e M i dwest a n d Sou t h
eas t . St reaks af ra ised da rk sca l es
ma rk t h e ma l e f o r e w i n g . T h e
fe m a l e's fore w i n g has f i ve eye
s pats u nd e r n ea t h .

<IIIII PEARLY E Y E occ u rs

loca l ly i n t h e
Eas t . Ma l e d i ffers f r o m C reo l e i n
l a ck i ng r a i s e d d a rk s ca l es o n
forew i n g . Fe m a l e's forew i n g usu
a l ly has 4 eyes pots b e l o w.

NORTHERN PEARLY E Y E ranges

fro m Q u e bec so. t h r u Ap pa la
c h i a ns to n . Ga ., a n d s o . from Mo n i -

40

toba to Ark . a n d M iss . D i ffers from

Pea r ly Eye by hav i n g ora n g e , not
b lack , a n t e n na I k n o bs .

1 . 5 ''

L I TT L E W O O D SATYR prefers
open woods and meadows ove r
g rown with s h r u b bery. Occ urs
east of the Rockies.

a prominent viol et-g ray pale

u n d e r its hindwing . Virginia to
I l l inois, south to Fla. and Mex.

CARO L I N A SATY R is m o u se
g ray above, without eyespots.
Occurs from N .J. to Fla., west to
Texas, a n d up the Miss. Valley.

GEORGIA
SATY R
m a rshy a reas or open pine
woods. Distribution is simil a r
t h a t o f t h e C a rolina Satyr .

.A.

.A.

PLAIN RINGLET r a n g e s t h ro u g h
Canada south to Con n . a n d the
northern M i dwest. T h e u n ders i d e
of t h e h i n d w i n g h a s an i so l a ted
lig h t-co l o red patch.

C A L I F O R N I A R I N G L ET is
very common west of t h e Rockies.
It is nea r-white above, d a rker be
l ow, with a n a n g u l a r w hite patch
o n its h indwin g .

R I D I N G ' S SATY R at rest is the

color of mossy rock and thus is
wel l camouflaged i n its environ
ment. P u pa forms underground.

COM M O N A L P I N E i s common
i n spring i n the mou ntains from
New Mexico to Wash . and
Alaska. Larva feeds o n g rasses.
COM M O N W O O D N Y M P H
varies s o i n color a n d patter n i n
its nation-wide range that d iffer
ent forms are hard to recog nize.
The northeaste r n form is i l l us
trated . Southeastern form is
larger, and the l ower eyespot o n
the forewing is smal ler. I n t h e
West it is darker and smaller,
and does not have the l ig h t band
o n the forewing.
N EVADA ARCTI C is also
cal l ed the Greater Arctic. The
female lacks the dark shad i n g on
the male's forewing. Othe r spe
cies of arctics, mostly smal l e r and
some without eyespots, occu r in
Canada, the Rackies, and alpine
New England.

HELI CO NIANS a re pecu l i a r to the A m e r i ca n tro p i c s .

They a re reputed t o b e p rotected aga i n st p reda t i o n b y
the i r u n sa vory ta ste a nd odor. So me a re m i m icked b y
othe r butterfl i e s . The forew i n g s a re tw i ce a s long a s
w i d e . The eggs a re rou n ded, a n d a bo u t tw i ce a s l o n g a s
w i d e . The l a rvae, w i th rows o f l o n g b ra nched s p i nes,
feed on l eaves of the Pa s s i o n F l ower. The p u pae a re
u n u s u a l l y a n g u l a r.

GULF FRITI LLARY ranges t h rough

South Ame r i ca to New J e rsey and
Iowa . I n co l o r a nd w i ng s h a pe it
resem b l e s t h e g reater f r i t i l l a r i e s
(p. 44-46}.
JU LIA, na t i v e t o South a nd
Centra l America, is a
f l i e r.
Occa s i o na l l y
a p p e a r s i n l a rge swa rms
southern Te x a s or F l o r i d a . T h e
fema l e i s m u c h l i g hter a nd
d u l l e r t h a n t h e ma l e . T h e c h ry
sa l i s l a c k s t h e s p ines of t h e
Zebra .
ZEBRA, fou nd in or nea r wood s ,
i s a wea k f l y e r a nd moves a b o u t
s l ow l y. Z e b r a s g a t h e r i n colonies
a t n i g h t . Males a re a t tracted to
c h rysa l i d s of fema l e s j u st before
t h e l a t t e r e m e rg e . S t r a y s f r o m
tropica l Ame r i ca t o South C a ro l i na
and Kansa s .

GRE ATER FRITILL ARIES are com mon i n tem perate

reg i o n s. Caterp i l l a rs feed at n i g ht, most l y o n v i o lets .
Most spec i es are s i n g l e-brooded , overw i n ter i n g a s t i n y
l arvae.
VA R I E G AT E D
F R ITILLARY
ra nges over m o s t o f t h e U . S . except
the P o c i f i c N o r t h wes t. I t l a cks the
t y p i ca l s i l ver spots o n t h e u n de r
s i d e o f t h e w i ng s . The Mex i c a n F r i t
i l l a r y, s i m i l o r i n fo r m b u t w i t h
p l a i n er h i n d w i n g s , i s fo u n d from
so u t h e r n Te x a s t o so u t h e r n
Ca l i fo r n i a .

REGAL F R I TILLARY f r e q u e n t s
roa d s i d e s o n d w e t m e a d o w s ,
feed i n g o n m i lkweeds a n d t h i s
t l e s . Both rows of s pots on t h e
h i n d w i n g o f t h e fe m o l e o re w h i te
b u t o n l y t h e i n ne r row of t h e m a l e
i s w h i te . Larva i s l ike Great Spa n
g l ed, b u t b l a ck , mottle d w i t h ye l
l o w . F o r m e r l y fa i r l y c o m m o n
t h r o u g h o u t t h e N o r t h e a s t a s far
we st a s N e b r a ska a n d M i ssou r i ,
t h i s s t r ik i n g spec i e s now a ppea rs
to be d i m i n i s h i ng a l a r m i n g l y i n
n u m be r s .

G R EAT S P A N G L E D F R I T I L
L A RY is sing l e-brooded in the
N o rth a n d d o u b le-brooded i n the
South. La rva hibernates soon
after hatching a n d the fol l owing
spring feeds a t night o n vio l ets .
The a d u lts, in typical fritil l a ry
fashion, p refer m a rshes a n d
d a m p meadows. This i s o n e o f t h e
best known friti l l a ries.
A P H R O D I T E , s i m i l a r to G r e a t
Spa ng l e d , is s m a l l e r a n d h a s a
na rrower, ye l l owish m a rg i n a l band
u n der the h i nd w i n g . It prefers h i g h
e l ev a t i ons from s o . C o n. t o G a . w.

to the Roc k i es . A n o t h e r s p ec i es ,
At l a n t i s , is l i ke A p h rod i te , b u t i ts
fore w i n g has a d a r k m a rg i n . It
occ u rs from C a n . so. t h r u m t n s . to
V i rg i n i a.

male

3.7-3.8"

...
D I A N A is an u n usual fritillary
beca use the sexes d iffer so i n
color and markings a n d beca u se
it prefers wood lands ta open

cou ntry and is more attracted to

m a n u re piles than to flowers. It
ranges from the southern Ap
palachian Mts. west to I l l i nois.

N EVADA FRITI L LA RY is q u ite

common i n sections of the Rockies
and foothills of the Sierra Ne
vadas. Greenish u nderside of
hindwing is a good identifying
cha racteristic.

E U RY N O M E rese m b l es the Ne
vada Friti llary, but the g reenish
tint covers o n ly top third of
u n derside of the hindwing. Oc
c u rs i n the Rockies from N. Mex.
to Can., west to Cascades.

LESSER FR ITILLARIES rese m b l e

greater fri ti l l aries but are s m a l l er,
a n d most l a c k the s i l ver s pots u nder
the hi n d w i n g. The l a rvae of most
spec i es feed o n v i o l ets.

.. .

underside

...
S I LV E R - B O R D E R E D F R I T I L
LARY appears i n m a n y vari
eties. Some are also found in
E u rope. All have the heavil y sil
vered u nderside of the hindwing.

...
EAST E R N M EADOW F R I T I L
LARY h a s o uter marg i n angled
near apex, not c u rved as i n other
fritil laries. I t lacks the dark outer
marg in, but has b lack spots.

WESTERN M EA D OW F R I T I L
LARY resembles the Silver
bordered in shape but is d iffer
ent beneath . Those i n the North
are darker above than those i n
t h e South. They are
com mon i n mou n ta i n
val l eys o f the West,
rang i n g from Colo
rado to Cal iforn ia
a n d north to British
C o l u m bia.

47

THE CHE C K E R S POTS, sma l l - to med i um-sized, lay

their eggs i n g ro u ps. The spiny caterpi l l a rs feed togeth e r
f o r a w h i l e . T h e free- h a n g i n g p u p a is w h itish with d a r k
blotches.
1 1 ) THE BALT I M O R E , though
widespread, is local, seld o m
found far f r o m i t s w e t meadow
food plant, T u rtlehea d . Ma ny
variations occ u r . Severa l species
a re found i n the West.

S I LVERY
C H EC K E R
S POT is s i m i l a r to H a rris' on the
u p pe r su rface. Found a l o n g
roads, la kes, a n d open meadows
from Maine to North Carolina
a n d west to the Rockies.
13)
HARRIS'
C H E CKER
S POT is a l so variable a n d very
loca l . I t prefers d a m p fields a n d
u nderbrush. Ran ges f r o m Nova
Scotia west to Ma n itoba a n d
south t o I l l i n ois a n d W. Va .
1 4 ) C H A L C E D O N C H E C K
E R S POT is q u ite variable i n
color a n d patte r n . I t is common
along the Pacific i n the lower
mountain levels and feeds o n
pla nts of the fi g wort fami ly.

T H E C R ES C E N T S a re c l osely a l lied to checkerspots

but a re sma l l er. Named for pa l e crescent o n outer mar
gin of the h i ndwing, beneath . The la rva e stay together
but d o not make webs. Summer brood
w i n t e r brood .
1 1 I M Y L I TTA C R E S C E N T,
a b u n d a n t on the West Coast,
va ries g reatly. I t generally shows
a pale cresce nt both above a n d
beneath. La rva feeds on thistles.

1 2 1 F I E L D C R E S C E N T is com
mon in California a n d occurs
from Arizona to Alaska, with
both spring a n d fall broods, in
damp
meadows
and
along
strea ms. La rva feeds on asters.
1 3 1 P H A O N C R E S C E N T is
easy to tell from othe r crescents
by its u n d e rsid e. The forewing
a bove has a ba n d of wh ite to yel
l owish spots. G u l f slates to C a l if.
1 4 1 P E A R L C R E S C E N T , one
of the most common butterflies, is
found a ro u n d p u d d l es and flow
ers. I t ranges over a l l North
Ame rica south of H udson Bay,
except for the Pacific Coast.

ler than the

A N G LE W I N G S a re n a m ed for t h e s h a rp, a n g u l a r m a r
g i n s of t h e i r wings. T h e u n d e rsides of t h e wings c losely
rese m b l e dead leaves o r bark, camoufl a g i n g a n g le w i n g s
in their wood land h a u n ts. E g g s som eti m es occur i n a
h a n g i n g c h a i n . The la rva is spiny; t h e a n g u la r pupa
hangs free. L i ke crescents, angle wings have light and
d a r k seaso n a l fo rms. They h i bernate as a d u lts.

Q U E S T I O N M A RK, the
a n g l e wing, is n a med for the sil
very mark o n the u n d erside of its
hindwing. The p u rplish margin of
the wings is a lso d i stinctive. The
l a rva feed s mainly on e l m .
SATY R l a c k s t h e broad, dark 11>
hindwing margin of Comma. Un
l i ke the Zephyr, it is brown be
neath, a n d lacks the g reenish
l u ster a bove of the Fawn. La rva
feeds mostly in nettles.

1 .82 .0"'

50

hindwing
of d ark form
COM M A is a common o n g l e
wing o f moist open wood l a n d .
Lo rvo feeds o n n ettle o n d hops.
As in a l l a n g l e wings, the Comma
has a d a r k summer form, shown
i n the hindwing deta i l .

...
FAW N , or Green Comma, has a
g reen ish tint to its wings. Found
i n the m o u ntains from easter n
C a n a d a a n d C a r o l i n a s to t h e
N .W. states. La rva l ives on birch
and a l der, feed i n g o n the u n der
sides of leaves.

...
Z E P H Y R, l i ke the Satyr, lacks
dark margin o n hindwing but is
g ray beneath. Seen from May to
Sept. La rva feeds on elm a n d c u r
rant. The d a rker form below was
once considered a sepa rate
species-si/en us.

BU CKE YES a re b r i g h t l y co lored b u tterfl i es , a l l of w h ich

have a l a rge eyespot on the u ppers i d e of both the h i n d
a n d t h e fore w i n g s. The re a re some fifty spec i es
thro ughout the wor l d , but on l y one of the m i s com mon
i n North A m e r i ca .

TH E B U C KEYE, a variable pedes, overwi nters

as a n a d u lt. la rva feeds mai ! . ly a n p l a ntai n and
Gera rdia. I n its deve lopment, l a rva ( 1 ) attaches
itse lf to a sup port ( 2 ) a n d becomes a p u pa (3).
Adult develops i n the pupa (4) a n d eme rges with
soft wings (5) which soon expa n d (6) and d ry
(7).

52

THI S T L E B U TT E R F L I ES a re a widespread g ro u p . O n e
species, t h e Pai nted lady, ranges t h r o u g h a l l temperdte
and some tropica l a reas. Th ese butterflies freq u e n t fl ow
ers, especia l l y thistles. A d u lts h i be r n ate. Some species m i
g rate. T h e l a rva e a re s p i n y .

PA I N T E D L A D Y is called t h e
Cosmopolit a n because o f its wide
range. I t is also n oted for its mi
g rations. The l a rva b uilds a
webbed n est on the food pla nt,
usually thistl e . A d u lts prefer
open pl aces. There are usually
two broods a year in the North.

WEST COAST L A D Y ranges

from the Rockies westwa rd and
south to Argentina. I t differs
from the Painted Lady in lacking
the white bar o n the u p per s u r
face of the forewi n g . It is easily
captured w h i l e feeding o n flow
ers. The la rva feeds o n mal lows.

53

...
R E D A D M I RAL is fo u n d world
wide i n n o rth tem perate reg ions.
It is a swift e rratic flier seen in
open wood l a nd a n d a ro u n d But
terfly Bush. The l a rva l ives a n d
feeds s i n g l y o n leaves o f nettles,
the edges of w h ic h i t d raws to-

gether with silk.

nate. The Red Admiral is d o u ble
brooded; the secon d b rood is
l a rger a n d d a rker than one
shown here. The ranges of the
Red Admiral
and
American
Painted lady a re a l most a l ike .

u nderside

A M E R I CA N PA I N T E D LADY,
o r H u nter's Butterfly, has two
l a rg e eyespots on the u n d e rside
of the hindwing. Painted and
West Coast lad ies have 5 small
spots each. Greenish eggs are
laid o n eve rlasting a n d b u rd ock.
la rva is black with yellow stripes.

T O R TO I S E S H E L LS i n c l ude butterfl ies that rese m b l e

a n g le wings, b u t the i n n e r m a r g i n of t h e forewi ng i s
stra i g h t i n stead of concave. Adu lts h i bern ate a n d m a y
be seen very early i n sp ri n g . Eggs a re l a i d i n c l u sters.
Tortoise s h e l l s a re a circumpolar g ro u p w h i c h is wide
spread i n the N o rthern H e m i sphere .
C O M PTO N T O RT O I S E
S H E L L fre q uents open wood
l e n d s, where its u n d e rsides pro
vide excel lent camouflage.

C ompton Tortoise She l l

M I L B E RT ' S
T O RT O I S E
S H E L L is a northern species of
open a reas a n d m o u ntain mead
ows. la rva feeds on n ettle.
M O U R N I N G C L O A K occ u rs
t h r o u g h o u t t e m p e rate N .A .
Ad u lts that have h i bern ated moy
be seen s u n n i n g i n early spring
with open wings. Eggs are l a id
in m asses a r o u n d the twigs of
elm, wil low a n d poplar. la rvae
may become pests.
Mourning C l oak

larva

55

A D M I RA L S A N D S I ST E R S tot a l six species i n N.A.

The l a rva, n ot a s spi ny as th ose of other brush -footed
butterfl ies, feed s o n a va ri ety of trees. These species a re
most ly d o u b l e- b rooded, a n d the tiny l a rva h i b e r n a tes i n
s i l k e n she lters o n the food pla nt.
W H I T E A D M I RAL, or Banded P u rp l e, l ives in
upland ha rdwood fo rests and on mou ntain slopes,
where its la rva feeds m ostly o n birch, willow, a n d
poplar. T h e a d u lt is readily attracted by putrid
rd odo rs.

V I C E ROY, red-b rown i n color, m o m ocs

the reputed l y distasteful M o n a rc h But
terfly (p. 38). It is f o u n d in open places,
where the l a rva feed s o n wil low a n d
poplar. La rva hi bernates a n d d evelops
as shown above.

56

A D M I RAL
W E I D E M EY E R ' S
has wh ite spots a l o n g the margin
of the forewing. F o u n d o n
m o u ntain s l o p e s a n d w e t pl aces
where aspen and wil low g row.

LORQ U I N ' S A D M I RAL has a n

orange t i p t o forewi n g a n d a
wh ite band on both win gs. F o u n d
i n river botto m l a n d . la rva feeds
o n cherry, wil low, and poplar.

R E D-S POTT E D P U R P L E , considered . '

b y some t o be a su bspecies o f t h e White
Admiral, prefers l ower altitudes and a
warmer climate t h a n that species. It a lso"' ,.,,";.,
prefers more open a reas, where the
l a rva feeds mostly o n Wild C h erry.

57

CAL I FO R N I A S I ST E R is sim
ilar to Lorq u i n 's A d m i ral but has
b l u e l i n es o n u n d ersides of wings.
It is a common C a l ifornia butter-

fly, freq u e n ti n g t h e u p p e r
branches o f l ive oaks, o n which
the l a rva feeds. The b u tterfly
rarely sips n ectar from flowers.

LEAFW I N G B U TTE R F L I ES a re a t r o p i c a l g r o u p i n
w h i c h the u n d e rsides o f t h e wings rese m b l e dead leaves.
Color and wing shape va ry g reatly. Two seaso n a l forms
occur-a wet a n d a d ry. The forewi ngs of the d ry-season
form are l ess c u rved . la rva h ides by day i n a ro l l ed leaf.
The g o a tweeds a re the only N o rth America n species.

G O A TW E E D
B U TT E R F L Y
ranges from G a . a n d Tex. u p the
Miss. Val ley. Its d ry-season form
is l ig hter i n color. Female i s l i ke
Morrison 's, but light spots o n
wings f o r m a conti n u o u s b a n d .

58

MORRISON'S
GOATW E E D
has a tropical range but e nters
Texas. Mal e is q uite si m i l a r to
Goatweed B utterfly but is more
b r i l l ia nt. Female ( i l l ustrated) d if
fers in color and pattern.

E M P E R O R , OR HAC K B E R RY, B U TT E R F L I E S a re
fo u n d n e a r Hackberry trees, on w h i c h the la rva feed s i n
colon ies. The striped caterpi l la r ta pers toward both e n d s
a n d bears two "horns" beh i n d the h e a d . I t h i bernates
when pa rtly g row n . Ad u lts show much geogra p h i c varia
tio n . The fema les a re larger than the ma les and are a l so
lig hter i n color.

H AC K B E RRY BUTTE RFLY range

widely i n open wood l a nds. I n d ivid ual
often have a choice perch o n which the)
repeated ly l a n d . Some varieties of this
butterfly have an incomp lete eyespot, or
one or two dark eyespots i n addition to
the typica l spot o n the forew i n g . Some
a re m uch lighter than normal.
TAW NY E M P E R O R is more common
i n the South, though it ranges north to
New England. Lacks dark eyespots o n
the forewin g . La rva similar to Hackberry
Butterfly's but has branched head spines.

59

P U R P L E W I N G S a re tropica l butte rflies, usua l ly d u l l

p u r p l i s h a bove a n d we l l marked o n t h e u n dersides. Two
species occur in southern F lorida a n d Texas .

DAGG E R W I N G S a re ma i n ly tropica l b utterfl ies, with

pro l onged tips to their forewi n g s, resemb l i n g sma l l swa l
l owta i ls. One species breeds in the U n ited States.
FLO R I DA P U R PL E W I N G oc
c u rs i n d e nse h o rdwood hom
mocks. Dingy P u rple Wing (not
shown) is slightly s m a l l e r a n d
lacks most o f t h e p u rple shee n

R U D DY DAG G E R W I N G of
southern F l a . and Texas, may
stray northwa rd. The o r n ate fila
ment-bearing l a rva feeds o n fi g
a n d A nacardium.

T R O P I C Q U E E N S a re tropica l butterfl ies n oted for

their bea uty a n d the fema les' trait of mimi c k i n g mi l kweed
b utterfl ies (p. 38) . The Mimi c i s a species that was prob
a b ly i ntroduced i nto the America n tro pics from the Old
Wor l d a long time ago. The Mimic occurs in the W e st
I n dies a n d loca l l y i n F l o r i d a .

M ETA L M A R KS are sma l l butterfl ies usua l l y h a v i n g

meta l l i c spots, from w h i c h the commo n n ame i s d e rived .
Ma n y of t h e fifteen p la i n ly co lo red species occu rri n g
n o rth of Mexico a re d i ffi c u l t t o disti n g u i s h . I n the tropics,
meta lma rks a re common and occur i n ma ny different
bright color p a tterns. Males have four w a l k i n g legs, fe
m a les six. They rest with wings O)J tstretched. The l a rv a e
resem b l e t h ose of h a i rstrea ks. 1he pupa is h a i ry, s u s
pended b y a stem, a n d s u p p o rted by a si l k t h re a d .

0.9- 1 .0"
little Metal mark

'

Northern Meta lmark

L I T T L E M ETA L M A R K is more
common in t h e southern part of
its range. I t occurs in open g rassy
a reas, where it is d isting uished
by its small size and its u ncheck
ered wing m a rgins.
N O RT H E R N M ETALM A R K is
r e l a tively r a r e a n d h a s b e e n
confused with simil a r species. T h e
win g s are d a r k e r t h a n those of
t h e litt l e a n d t h e Swa m p a n d
hove a n irreg u l a r d a rk b a n d . The
Northern prefers d ry hilly ter rain
and open woods.

SWA M P M ET A L M A R K l acks
the i n n e r d a rk irreg u la r b a n d af
the N o rth e r n , a n d wing margins
are slig htly checkered. I t occu rs
in wet meadows and swa m p s in
s u m m e r . O v e r wi n t e r s a s l a rva
that feeds o n swa m p thistl e.
. P

61

M O R M O N M ETALM ARK, a
desert species, occ u rs through the
Southwest. I ts wing spots are
white
rather
than
meta l l ic.
A m o unts of gray o r brown o n
hindwing va ry as shown.

NAIS
M ETAL M A R K occurs
from Colorado to Mexico. I ts
wing fringes a re checkered, but
i n overa l l a ppearance it is not
d istinctly l i ke other meta l m a rks.
The l a rva feeds on Wild P l u m .

S N O U T B UTTE R F L I ES a re easily recog n i zed b y t h e

long

p rojecti n g

m o uth

pa rts

(pa lpi)

which

rese m b l e

sno uts. like t h e m eta l m a rks, m a les h a ve f o u r wa l k i n g

l e g s a n d the fema les s i x . The C o m m o n Snout Butte rfly is
the o n ly

snout butterfly reg u la r l y occu rri n g n o rth of

Mexico. T h e l a rva, which g rows very rapid ly, feeds o n

H a c k berry.

62

GOSSAME R WI N GS a re small- to med i u m-s i zed b u t

te rfl ies, ofte n w i th ha i r l i ke ta i ls on the h i n d w i n g s . They
a re u s u a l l y b l ue, coppery, g ray, or d u l l b row n a bove.

HAI RSTREAKS, about 70 species n o rth of Mexico, have

a swift, d a rt i n g

flight

and

are

re a d i l y attracted to

flowers .

...
G RAY or C O M M O N H A I R
S T R E A K is also cal led the Cot
ton S q u a re Borer or the Bean
Lyca enid beca u se of d a m a g e it
sometimes does to crops. I t over
winters i n the p u pa l stag e a n d
emerges early i n the s p r i n g .

...
GREAT PURPLE HAI RSTREAK
fema l es have two ta i l s on each
h i nd w i ng , a s d o s o m e m a l e s . T h e
fe m a l e l a c k s s e x - p a d s- b l a c k
spots o n forew i n g . T h e l a rva feeds
on m i s t l etoe. D o u b l e - brood ed .

COLORADO H A I R ST R E A K i s
1 .5"

actu a l l y more p u r p l e i n color

than the Great P u rple. The u n
derside has a typical b a n d e d
pattern . This species is common ly
fou n d around scr u b oaks.

63

White-M
Hairstreak
1 .2"

64

Red-banded

Hoi rstreak
1 .0"

Coral
Hoi rstreak
1 .3"

W H I TE-M H A I RSTREAK, a
southeaste r n species, is n a med
for the i nve rted wh ite M o n the
u n d erside of the h i n d w i n g . The
upper s u rface of the wing i s b l u e .

E DWAR D S ' H A I RSTREAK h a s

ova l spots t h a t form b ro k e n
transve rse l i n e s. I t frequents
thickets of Sc r u b Oak, on w h ich
the I a rva feeds.

ACA D I A N H A I RSTREAK h a s
widely sepa rated spots i n stead o f
tra nsverse l i nes. The l a rva feeds
o n w i l l ow. A d u lts a re found in
wet a reas where willows g row.

SOUTH ERN HAI RSTREAK

h a s orange patches o n the u pper
sides of both w i n g s, l a rg e r on the
h i ndwing. I t i s s i n g l e-brood e d .
The l a rva f e e d s on o a k .

R E D - B A N D E D H A I RSTREAK
occurs from Florida a n d Mexico
to New York and Michigan, but is
com moner i n the South. Male up
perside i s brown; female, b l u ish .

CORAL H A I R ST R E A K is tail
less. Coral red spots on u n d e r
side may form a solid b a n d . I t
overwi nters i n the egg stage.
Ad u lts appear by midsummer.

Banded
Hairstreok

1 .0 - 1 .2"

California
Hairstreak

1 . 1 - 1 .3"

Hedgerow
Hairstreak

1 .2"

Sylvan
Hoirstreak

1 .0"

CA L I FO R N I A H A I RSTREAK
is sing le-brooded, a ppearing o n
the wing i n m i d s u m m e r i n t h e
foothi l l s. La rva feeds on Cea
nothus and, probably, on oak.

BAN D E D H A I R S TRE A K occ u r s

i n l ate s p r i n g a n d early s u m mer,
usually i n o r near wood l a n d s . I t
overwinters i n the egg stage. The
l a rva feeds o n oak and hickory.

H E D G E ROW H A I R STREAK,
reddish brown above, is common
i n the Rockies a n d west to the
Pacific coast i n s u m m e r. Feeds on
Cercocarpus and Ceanoth us.

STR I P E D H A I R ST R E A K is d is
tinctly striped u n d e r neath. It is
widely d istrib uted east of the
Rockies. The l a rva feeds o n m a n y
p l a nts, i n c l u d i n g oak a n d w i l l ow.

O L I V E H A I R ST R E A K , d o u ble
b rooded, overwinters a s a p u pa .
T h e a d u lts occ u r i n s p r i n g a n d
m idsummer, u s u a l l y n e a r r e d ce
dars, the l a rval food pla nts.

SYLVAN H A I R S T R E A K re
sembles C a l ifornia
H a i rstrea k
but is lighter beneath a n d has
o n l y one small red spot. The
l a rva feed s o n w i l l ow.

65

Western Banded E l fi n

1 .2"

u nd e r s i de

ELFI NS are s m al l- to med i u m-s ized b row n bu tterfl i es;

fe males are l arg e r and l ess d ra b than m a l e s . Elfi ns
overw i n ter as p u pae and have o n l y a s i n g le b rood
yearly. They are among the fi rst bu tterfli es to o ppear i n
s p r i ng . T h e m a les of a l l elf i n s b u t He n ry's have a "sex
spot" o n the u pper s i de of the forew i n g s .
W E S T E R N B A N D E D E LF I N
rese m bles the Bonded E l f i n , but the
bo nd ( m i d d l e of forew i n g , u nder
s i de) is l e s s i rreg u l a r. la rva feeds

BAN D E D E LF I N , a l so ca l l e d Pine
E l f i n , is u s u a l l y f o u n d in open p i n e
sta n d s . T h e l a rva feeds p r i m a r i l y
o n t h e seed l i n g s of both h a rd a n d
soft p i nes, o n w h i c h i t i s we l l
camouflaged.
BROWN E LFI N, redd i s h brown
o n the u n d e r s i d e , i s fo u n d in a n d
a l o n g t h e edges o f o p e n woods
w h e re its food p l a nts, b l u eberry
and She e p la u re l , g row.

66

Western E lfin

0.9- 1 .0"

W E ST E R N E L F I N is obscurely
ma rked beneath . I t occu rs i n both
lowla n d s a n d m o u ntains, often
freq uenting Ceanoth us bl ossoms.
The l a rva feeds o n sed u m .

H OA RY E L F I N g ets its n a m e
f r o m the g ra y color o n the u n d e r
side. It occ u rs in open, d ry,
heath-covered a reas. The l a rva
feeds o n bearbe rry.

H E N RY ' S E L F I N o f o p e n woods
is l ess g ray o n the u n derside a n d
is dark b r o w n ot the b a s e of t h e
sca l l o ped h i n d wi n g . The l arva
feeds on b l u e berry.

FROST E D E L F I N male has a

sex-spot on the u p perside of fore
wing. Hindwing has more sca l
loped border a n d less color con
trast than that of H e n ry's Elfin.

67

C O P P E R S o c c u r c h i efl y in the N o rth e r n H e m i s p h ere,

with a bo u t sixteen species i n the U n ited Sta tes and C a n

a d a . Most a re reddish o r b r o w n a n d have a coppery

l u ster, but o n e , the B l u e Copper, is b r i g h t b l u e . Most spe
cies freq u e nt o p e n a reas a n d roa dsides.
A M E R I CAN C OP P E R occurs
from spring to fa l l i n fields where
Sheep Sorre l , food plant of the
l a rva, g rows. Overwinters i n the
p u p a l stage. Ad u lts i n spring are
brig hter a n d l ess spotted .

G R EAT C O P P E R is one of the

la rgest of the coppers. Males
h ave fewer b l a c k dots and less
orange on the wing margins. The
females feed o n dock. Ad u lts
emerge i n s u m m e r .
R U D D Y C O P P E R S have white
m a rg i n s on the wings a n d fewer
b l ack spots on t h e u n d e rside of
the h i n dwing than othe r coppers.
The female resembles the Ameri
ca n Copper b u t i s larger and not
a s b rightly colored. Feeds on
Arnica.

68

P U R P L I S H C O P P E R is common
from spring to fall, mostly in
moist meadows. The u n d erside of
the h i ndwing i s marked with a
faint red l i n e . The l a rva feeds
mostly o n dock and k n otweeds.
B RO N Z E C O P P E R frequ ents
wet mead ows. I t is d o u b le
brooded a n d h i bern ates i n the
egg stage. The m a r g i n of the
u nderside of the h i n dwing has
a broad ora nge band. The l a rva
feeds mostly o n seve ral species
of dock and knotweed.

GO RGO N C O P P E R h a s o n l y a
midsummer b rood. Its u n derside
is typica l of the coppers. The fe
m a le rese m b l es that of the P u r
plish C o p p e r but is less bright.
The larva feeds on friog o n u m .

THE HAR VESTER occurs o n l y i n North Amer i ca, b u t a

few c l ose re l a t i ves are fou nd i n Africa a n d Ori e nta l
tropics. The l a rva feeds on woo l l y a p h i d s tha t l i ve on
a l der, beech, and w i tch haze l , and beco mes fu l l grown
i n a s l i tt l e a s ten days. There are severa l g e n era t i o n s a
year. W i n ter i s pa ssed i n the p u pa l sta g e . The mark i n g s
o f the p u pa rese m b l e a mon key's face .
B L U E S a re sma l l a n d usua l ly b l u e a bove. T h e l a rvae of
some species secrete " h o n eydew" a n d a re atte nded by
a nts for this l i q u i d . There is much seaso n a l variati o n i n
color. T h e sexes d iffer; fema les usua l ly a re d a rker, with
wider dark borders o n the upperside of the wings.

underside

"

0.9- 1 . 1 "

EAST E R N TA I L E D B L U E, very
common a l l through its range,
occu rs from early spring to fa l l,
with several g e n e rations yearly.
I t overwinters a s a ful l-grown
l a rva, which feeds m ostly on
flowers of leg u m es. M a l es i n
spring h a v e na rrower dark bor
ders a bove. Spring females a re
d a rker; some a r e brown above.

Pygmy B l ue
0.5-0.7"

u nderside
Common Blue
0 . 8 - 1 .3"

Dwarf Blue
0.5-0.7"
Common
Blue

f)
,,

;:. :
(,, I .

Western
Tai led
Blue
0.9- 1 . 1 "

ma le-summer

,.

ma le-spri n g

/1

BIJ
a re the small est of a l l N o rth
American butterflies. The Pygmy
i s common i n its range. Its larva
is well camouflaged on Lamb's
Ton g u e, its food plant.
DWARF B L U E is s i m i l a r but
lacks t h e white spot and fringe
o n the upperside of the forew i n g .

C O M M O N B L U E, o r S p r i n g
Azure,
occ u rring
throughout
N orth America, is a n ot h e r e a r l y
spring b utte rfly. Spring forms a r e
d a rker than s u m m e r forms, w i t h
spots o n t h e u n d ersides s o m e
t i m e s f u sed . The u n d erside m a r k
i n g s of s u m m e r forms a re u s u a l l y
pale. The s l u g - l i ke l a rva f e e d s o n
flowers a n d excretes a sweet liq
u i d called h o n eyd ew, for which i t
i s followed by a n ts.
WESTE RN TAI L E D BLU E is m ost
easi l y d i st i ng u i s h e d from Easte r n
b y i ts l e s s-spotted u nd e rs i d e . I n
some a reas t h e Ea ste r n a n d West
e r n Ta i l ed B l u e s occ u r tog e t h e r.

71

(2)

underside

( 1 , 2, 3 ) M A R I N E B L U E ap
pears l ater i n spring t h a n ather
b l ues. La rva feeds mostly an buds
and b l ossoms of wiste ria, alfalfa,
locoweed, and other legumes.

! 4 , 5 ) A C M O N B L U E occurs
early spring to fall. The female
is brownish or b l u is h . The broad
orange b a n d with black spots o n
h indwing is d isti n ctive.

! 6 ) R E A K I RT'S B L U E is easily
d isti n g u ished by the w hite-ringed
black spots on the u n dersid e of
the forewing. Mesq u ite is o n e of
its food plants.

! 7, 8, 9 ) O RAN G E- B O R
D E R E D B L U E, or Mel issa Blue,
is d o u b l e-brood e d . la rva feeds
o n leg u mes. Note orange spots
on u p per h i ndwing of female.

C l l S I L V E RY B L U E l a cks the
black s pots along the margin of
u n d e rside of h i ndwing. The up
perside resem b les the l ig h t forms
of the Saepiol u s Blue.

1 2, 3, 4 1 S A E P I O L U S B L U E is
va riable; some forms i n the West
are d a r k . The row of tiny orange
spots o n the u n d erside of hind
w i n g i s d i sti n ctive.

1 5, 6 , 71 S O N O RA B L U E a p
pears very early in s p r i n g . It is
fou n d n e a r sto necrop (Sedum)
and other succ u lent p l a nts. La rva
feeds in the thick p l a n t tissues.

(8,

9, 1 0) SQ U ARE-SPOTTED
BLUE occu rs in J u n e or J uly

where its food, Eriogo n um, g rows.

Black spots on u n derside a re
sq uarish. Resem bles Acmon B l u e .

73

S KIP PER S
Ski ppers (more tha n 3, 000 ki nds) a re d i st i ng u i shed from
true butterfli es by the a nten nae, which a re fa rther a pa rt
at the ba se a n d e n d i n po i nted , cu rved clu bs. S k i ppers
a re na med for the i r s k i p p i n g fl i ght. Most a re drab. Ma n y
a re d i ffi c u l t t o d i st i ng u i sh. The i r bod i e s a re rob u st a n d
moth- l i ke . The l a rvae, d i st i nct l y n a r rowed behi nd the
head , rest d u ring the day between l ea ves p u l l ed loose l y
togethe r by s ilk stra nds. The smooth p u pae a re for m ed
i n s i m i l a r shelte rs, ofte n on the g ro u nd.

D G E D , o r Frosted,
r occu rs from southern
E n g l a n d to Fla. and west to
a n d I owa . U n d e rside resembles
Silver-spotte d .
La rva
feeds mostly o n tick trefo i l s.
S I LVER-S POTT E D
S K I P P E R,
common throughout the warm
seasons from so. Canada through
C e n . Amer., has d istinctive silve r
patch o n the h i n d w i n g . T h e l a rva
feeds o n locusts and w i steria.

N O R T H E R N C L O U DY W I N G
is d ifficult t o tell from Southern
Cloudy Wing. The s pots on the
forewing a re u s u a l l y smaller a n d
t h e wing fringes are d a rker. I t i s
d o u b leb rooded i n the North,
may have th ree o r more broods
i n the South, and overwinters in
the p u p a l stage. The g reen l a rva,
which l ives i n a s i J k. J i ned nest,
feeds on cl over a n d other her
baceo u s legumes.

L O N G TA I L E D S K I P P E R is
a lso c a l l ed the Bean leaf Rol ler
beca use of the way the l a rva at
tacks c u ltivated beans. C o m m o n
i n the Southeast. It overwi nters
as a pupa.

G O L D EN - B A N D E D S K I P PER
is genera l l y u ncommon a n d un
u s u a l l y s l u g g i s h . I t occurs i n wet
wood l a n d s from N .Y. south and
west to Arizo n a . The l a rva is
l ight g reen with yellow d ots.

SOUTHERN C L O U D Y W I N G
p refers woods m a r g i n s, especia l l y
near clover a n d other l e g u m e s
on w h i c h t h e b rown larva feed s.
Note the larger wh ite s pots on
the forewings.

S L E E PY D U S KY-WI NG, u n like

most other d usky-wings, hos n o
clear spats on the forewi n g .
F o u n d f r o m southern C a n a d a to
the G u l f a n d west to the Rockies.

D U S KY-W I N G
J U V E N A L'S
occurs i n woods margins i n
Sleepy's r a n g e i n spri n g . H i n d
wing h a s two d i stinct white spots
below. Female is paler tha n male.

D R EAMY D U S KY-W I N G i s
s m a l l e r than Sleepy Dusky-wing;
a lso has n o clear spots o n the
forewing. like the Sleepy, it oc
c u rs i n early s p r i n g .

MOT T L E D D U S KY- W I N G h a s
w h i te ma rks of upperside repeated
bel ow. Fe m a l e is l i g hter t h a n t h e
m a l e. Ad u l ts occ u r i n l a te Ma y a nd
m i d -J u l y.

M O U R N F U L D U S KY-W I N G of
the West Coast has w hite dashes
o n the u nderside next to the white
fringe on the h i ndwing.
F U N E R E A L D U S K Y- W I N G ,
found so u t h west from C o l o . a nd
Te x . , h a s w h i t e f r i ng e s an t h e
h indw ings. Larva fee d s o n a l f a l fa.

76

C H E C K E R E D S K I P P E R , a com
m o n species, varies g reatly i n the
a m o u n t of g ray. Fl ies fast with
o u t the characteristic skip p i n g
motion. La rva feeds o n m a l lows.

(or
Larger C a n n a Leaf Rol ler) ranges
from Argenti n a n o rth to Tex., So.
Cor., a n d occasio n a l l y northward.
La rva feeds o n opening l eaves
be d estructive.

G R IZZL E D S K I P P E R rese m b les

Checkered Skipper, but the fore
wing spots are somewhat sq u a re
a n d separate; its u nderside is
d a rker. Also feeds o n m a l lows .

...

Common Sool)(.:._"'' inlilo

w i t h larva
and pupa

1 .0 1 .2"

curs throughout North America.

I t overwinters as a l a rva o n the
food p l an t, p igweed, between
leaves that have been rolled to
gether with silk.

S O UT H E R N S OOTY-W I N G i s
l i ke the Common, but wings have
faint dark bands. Occ u rs from P o .
to Nebr. a n d the S . E . La rva feeds
on Lamb's Q u a rte rs.

77

A
L EAST S K I P P E R, common east
of the Rockies from spring to fa l l ,
flies close t o the g ro u n d , u s u a l l y
i n m a rshy a reas. It v a r i e s i n t h e
a m o u n t of orange a bove.

U N CAS S K I P P E R of the Great

Plains can be recog n ized by the
dark patches around the white
spots on the u nderside of the
hindwing.

C O BW E B S K I P P E R occurs in
early spring from Wisconsin a n d
Texas eastward. I t a n d the I nd i a n
S k i p p e r resem b l e U ncas Skipper.

J U BA S K I P P E R i s fo u n d i n
s a g e b r u s h r e g i o n s from the P a
c i fi c coasta l states e a s t to Colo
rado. See n in both spring, fall.

I N D I AN S K I P P E R a p pears in
early spring i n eastern U n ited
States a n d C a n a d a . La rva feeds
o n Panic Grass.
L E O N A R D ' S S K I P P E R , a l ate
s u m m e r, easte r n species, fre
q uents wet mead ows and open
regions. The l a rva feeds on g rass
and overwi nters when sma l l .

G O L D E N S K I P P E R o f the a rid
Southwest occ u rs from April to
Septe m ber. The u n d e rside is
p l a i n yellow. La rva feeds o n Ber
m u d a Grass (Cynodon dactylon).

0.7-1 .0"

B R O K E N DASH is named for

the dash mark o n u p p e rside of
ma le's forew i n g . U n l ike Peck's, it
is broken i nto a long u p per m a r k
a n d a l o w e r d o t . Both sexes l a c k
Peck's yel low patches o n u n d er
sides. Found east of Rockies.

L O N G DASH has a n i rreg u l a r,

da rk, o b l i q u e m a r k on forewing
of male. Yellow a reas, less d is
tinct than in Peck1s, occ u r o n
u n d ersides i n b o t h sexes. Long
Dash occ urs from Virg i n ia a n d
I l l inois north into C a n a d a .

V E R N A L S K I P P E R, o r Little
G lassy Wing, is a midsummer
species found east of the Rockies.
Female resembles male. The l a rva
feed s on g rass.

P E C K ' S S K I P P E R occ u rs from

so. Canada and New Eng. south
to Fla. a n d west to Ka ns. and
Ariz. U n d ersides of both sexes
have d istinct yellow patches.

F I E RY S K I P P E R has cha racter

istic short antennae and varies
i n color patter n . The female is
dark brown with a few l i g ht spots
a bove.

F I E L D S K I P P E R , or Sachem, oc
c u rs i n the South in s p r i n g . By
midsummer it ranges to N .Y., N .
Oak., a n d S a n Francisco. L a rva
feeds on Be r m u d a Grass.

from Ko nsas to southern Canada.

Female h a s two color forms, o n e
like the m a l e a n d the other, o r
"Poca hontas," being q u ite d a r k
a n d d ifferent a bove.

...
ZA B U LO N S K I P P E R is found
from Massachusetts to Texas.
Male rese m bles Hobomok and fe
male looks l i k e the Pocahontas
form of Hobomok. Z a b u l o n a n d
Hobomok both feed o n g rasses.

ROA D S I D E S K I P P E R has hind

wings without markings. Wing
fringes a re stro n g ly checkered. I t
occurs f r o m southeast C a n a d a t o
F l o r i d a a n d west t o C a l iforn ia.
The p u pa winters o n g rass.

OCOLA S K I P P E R ranges as
far n orth a s N.Y., and is common
from Virg i n i a and Arkansas
south to Florida and Texas. The
markings of its forewings a re
repeated on the u n derside.

80

YU CCA S K I P P E R occu rs i n
semi-arid reg ions f r o m the Ca ro
linas to Florida and west to C a l i
forn ia. Females are l a rger than
males, with a row of fo u r yel low
spots on the h i ndwing. Both h ave
broad wings a n d stout
bod ies. La rva feeds on
yucca stalks.

M OT H S
The

8,000 o r so species of

moths which occur in N o rth

A m erica north of Mexico

have bod ies more p l u m p
a n d fu rry tha n

those o f

butterfl ies. A t rest, moths

usua l ly hold their wings flat
o r fold t h e m roof- l i ke over
their

backs.

Their a nten

n a e , often feathery, vary

in structure but usua l ly l a c k
t h e term i n a l

c l u b typi ca l

of butterfl ies. Most moths

have a fre n u l u m , a c u rved

occu rs
throughout eastern North Amer
ica. The lo rvo, active ot nig ht,
feeds on the Trum pet Vine. See
pp. 82-94 for other sphinxes.

spi n e o r g r o u p of bristles o n the i n ner (h u m era l ) a n g l e

o f t h e h i n d wi n g . This h e l p s t o h o l d t h e fore a n d h i n d
wings together i n flig ht. Most moths fly at ni g h t a n d a r e
a Hra cted to l i g hts. A few female m oths d o n o t fly a t a l l .
la rva e o f moths spi n silken cocoons o r p u pate o n t h e
g r o u n d or i n u ndergro u n d cells.
I n this secti o n , moths a re treated as c o m m o n ly recog
n ized groups which

usua l ly, but n ot a lways, i n c l u d e

c losely related species.

Below: Types of moth a nten nae. Right: Un
d e rwing Mot h : u n derside of wings showing
fre n u l u m .

'
'

S P H I NX M OT H S , a b o u t 1 00 N . A. species, h a v e l a rge,
sto ut l a rv a e t h a t h o l d t h e body erect, i n a s p h i nx - l i k e
positi o n . Most l a rvae have a h o r n at t h e rea r of t h e
b o d y . A d u lts a re powerfu l f l i e rs; they often have a l o n g
p roboscis, u s e d to s u c k n e cta r. Some a re c a l l e d h awk
moths for t h e i r swooping f l i g ht; othe rs, h u m m i n g b i rd
moths because they h over w h i l e fee d i n g .
P I N K - S P O TT E D H AW K
M OTH ranges throughout most
of the Weste r n Hem isphere. The
l a rva, o r Sweetpotato Hornworm,
feeds o n Sweet Potato vines and
c l osely related p l a n ts. This hawk
moth is a stro n g flier and has
been seen far a t sea.

read ily told from the F ive-spotted

Hawkmoth by the p a rtial fusion
of the two middle black stripes
o n the hindwin g . The l a rva, or
Tobacco Hornworm, feeds o n to4
bacco and tomatoes throughout
the U.S. The p u pa, formed under
ground, has a l o n g e r tongue case
than the Tomato Hornworm's.

R U ST I C S P H I NX, or Six-spotted Sphinx, is

common in southern states. On the sides of the
body are three p a i rs of yel low spots. la rva re
sembles Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms, but
the skin is rough i nstead of smooth where the
m a r k i n g s a p pear. Feed s m a i n l y
o n the F r i n g e T r e e a n d jasm i n e .

M OTH, u n l i ke C a rol i n a Sphinx,

has the black stripes o n the h i n d
wing sepa rated . la rva, the To
mato H o rnworm, commo n ly feeds
on t o b a c c o . W h i te a b d o m i n a l
marks form a n a n g l e i n stead of
a single o b l i q u e l i n e as on the
Tobacco Hornworm. Widespread
i n tempe rate N . A .

83

.... WAV E D S P H I N X resembles the Ca

talpa Sphinx but is brig hter, with more
wh ite scales on the forewings. The l a rva,
which feeds mostly o n ash but also on
privet and lilac, is g reen a n d smooth. It
has the oblique ma rks typical of sphinx
larvae and often has pink legs, horn,
a n d face.

is the d estructive Catal paworm,

which when n u merous strips ca
talpa trees of all foliage. The
moths lay masses of w h ite eggs
o n the undersides of the leaves.
The velvety larvae occ u r i n two
color forms, as shown. There are
commonly two broods each yea r.
The larvae are so h i g h l y su bject
to attac k by a parasitic wasp that
few of them survive to become
p u pae and moths.

FOU R- H OR N E D S P H I NX, or E l m
Sph inx, occu rs from C a n a d a to Florida,
a n d west thro u g h the Miss. Valley . Adu lt
has p a l e r col o r on front margin of fore
wing than Catalpa and Waved sphinxes.
The l a rva, which feeds on e l m o r birch,
has fo u r g reen o r b rown rough p rojec
tions o n the thoracic seg ments.

H E R M I T S P H I N X l a rva, which
feeds o n m i n ts, has a n abrupt
hump near its front e n d . Herm it
l i ke S p h i nx, of the Southwest, is
similar but is light g ray a n d lacks
the long black stri pe down the
middle of its a bdomen .
PAWPAW S P H I N X is brown
of varying shades, with sma l l
wh ite spots o n each side o f the
center abdominal stripe. The
la rva feeds o n leaves of Pawpaw

a n d Black Alder.

85

E L EGANT S P H I N X is m uch
like the Great Ash Sphinx but is
a darker g ray. These m oths are
fre q uently seen at eve n i n g prim
rose flowers. The l a rva is some
times a pest of a pple and p l u m

Great Ash
Sphinx
l a rva

G R EAT A S H S P H I N X, o r Pen
marked S p h inx, g ets the latter
name from the black wavy
streaks o n the forewings. I ts
thorax is lig hter than that of the
A p p l e S p h i n x o r Wild C h erry
Sphinx and lacks the w hite
streaks on the sides. The larva
feed s mostly on ash trees but
also on lilac a n d privet. I t is
doubl e-brooded i n some a reas,
but i n others it occurs i n a l l
stages from spring t o fa l l .

86

L A U R E L S P H I NX, in spite of
its n am e, feeds mostly on the
leaves of lilac a n d Fringe Trees.
I t closely resembles the Apple
a n d Wild C herry Sphinx Moths
i n form but has a d istinct brown
color.

A P P L E S P H I NX resembles the
Wild C herry Sphinx but lacks
both the white shading along the
front edge of the forewing and
the black band d own the side of
the abdomen. I t occu rs i n mid
summer. The l arva is bright g reen
a n d has seven sla nted white l ines
edged with pink. I t feeds mainly
o n apple, ash, wild rose, Myrtle
a n d Sweet Fern.
WILD C H E RRY S PH I NX looks
much like Apple Sphinx but has
a lateral black band on the ab
domen. The larva feeds on
cherry, p l um, a n d apple. U n l ike
most other hawkmoth larvae, it
hides d u ring the day. I t is d a rker
than the larva of Great Ash
Sphinx and has violet body
stripes. I n the Apple Sphinx these
are p i n kish; i n the La u re l Sphinx
they a re often b l u ish ma rked
with black.

87

E LLO S P H I N X i s co m m o n from
t h e Gu l f states to t h e t ropics a n d
often strays nort hwa rd . Fe m a l es
l a c k t h e d a r k strea ks i n t h e fore
w i ngs. The l a rva feeds most l y on
po i nset t i a a n d

ABBOT'S P I N E SPH I N X is some

what v a r i a b l e in ca l o r pattern a n d
rese m b les N o r t h e r n , a s does t h e
l a rva . T h e l a rva feeds on p i nes
a n d , l i ke the Northern l a r va , may
beco m e destruct i ve .

88

Abbot 's P i n e te n d t o i n tergrade

w h e re ra nges ove r l ap. T h e l a r v a ,
w i t h t r i a ng u l a r h e a d a n d no typi
ca l ca u d a l h o r n , feeds on w h i te ,
p i tc h , a n d j a c k p i nes.

B i g Pop lar Sphinx

3.5-5.5"

i n b o t h a pale a n d
form. The larva has
g ra n u l a r skin a n d a n
short caudal horn. I t
poplars a n d w i l lows.

occu r s
a d a rker
a rough,
u n us u a l l y
feeds o n

A B BOT'S S PH I N X has two

forms of matu re l a rva, one shown
above and a n other bright g reen
with brown spots. Young l a rvae
are like that i l l ustrated. La rvae
feed o n grape and wood bine.

S E Cj) U O I A S P H I N X was fi rst

found resting o n a Seq uoia tree
and was so n a m e d . It freq uents
the blossoms of Wild C h e rry a n d
buckeye. T h e l a rva feeds o n Wild
C h erry leaves.

89

ONE-EYED SPH I N X is d a r k e r
a n d more c o m m o n i n t h e western
part of its range. Larva (an w i l low)
rese m b l e s t h e S m a l l -eyed Sph i n x
b u l l o c k s red spats a n d h a s a p i n k ,
v i o l et, or b l u e ho r n.
...
2.0-2.5"

H U C KLEBE RRY SPH I N X m a y

be c o n f u s e d w i t h S m a l l - e y e d
Sph i n x , but t h e o u t e r e d g e of t h e
forew i n g is stra i g h t i n stead of co n
cave. T h e l a rva feed s o n b l u e berry
and h u c k l e berry.

SMALL-EYED SPHINX a n d other

eye- spoiled sph i n xes rest w i t h a
l o be of t he h i n d w i n g exten ded
before the forew i n g a n d , in the case
of the m a l e , w i t h the a b d o m e n
cu rved upwa rd. Spots on l a rva v a r y
o r a re a b se n t . Prefers W i l d C h erry
b u t a l so feed s o n b i rc h a n d other
trees. Occ u r s from sou t h e r n Ca n
a d a t o F l o r i d a a n d west t o t h e
Roc k i e s.

TWIN-SPOTTED SPHINX gets it s

name fr o m the b l u e ba r across eac h
eyespat o n t h e h i n d w i n g . L arva
ca n not be to l d from t h a t of O n e
ey e d S p h i n x . I t f e e d s o n W i l d
C h e rry, b i rc h , a n d w i l low.
WALNUT SPHINX is a re l a t i v e l y
co m m o n s p h i n x mo th fo u n d from
New E n g l a n d s o u t h to F l o r i d a a n d
west t o Ma n i toba a n d Tex a s . T h e
act i ve l a rva feeds o n l y o n wa l n u t,
Buttern u t , peca n , a n d h ickory, a n d
i s somet i m e s co m mo n i n peca n
o rc h a r d s . T h e m o t h s v a r y con s i d
era b l y i n co l or. T h e l a r vae v a r y i n
co lo r a l so, f r o m g reen t o redd i s h .

BLI N D E D S P H I N X
es t h e
Sma l l -eyed, but its forew i n g s have
sca l l o ped m a rg i n s . The l a rva a l so
looks l i ke that of S m a l l -eyed . It
feeds o n a v a r i ety of trees but pre
fers b i rc h , w i l l ow, and cherry.

N E S S U S S P H I N X fl ies at early
d usk. The l a rva resembles that of
the Hog Sphinx but has a s horter
horn and more o b l i q u e ma rks on
the side of the body. I t feeds on
grape and Virg i n i a C reeper.
AZALEA S P H I N X resembles
the Hog S p h i n x a l so, but the
forewi n g i s brown i nstead of
g reenish and the h i n dwings are
entirely orange-brown. The larva
feeds o n v i b u r n u m a n d azalea.
H O G S P H I N X, o r Virg i n ia
Creeper S p h i nx, shown a t rest,
has h i ndwings a l most entirely
bright orange-brown. I t is com
m o n a n d sometimes becomes a
pest in vineyards. U n l i ke most
hawkmoth l a rvae that b u r row i n
the g ro u n d t o p u pate, a Hog
Sphinx l a rva forms a loose co
coon of sil k among dead leaves
on the g ro u n d .

92

H Y D RA N G EA S P H I N X occurs
i n much the sa m e range a s Hog
Sphinx. At rest it assumes the po
sition shown for Hog Sphinx. The
l a rva feeds on Hydrangea, But
ton bu sh, a n d Swa m p loosestrife.

AC H E M O N S P H I N X l a r v a
rese m b l e s t h a t o f P a n d o r u s S p h i n x
except t h o t t h e spots o n t h e s i d es
of t h e body a re long and a n g u l a r
i nstead o f ova l . T h i s s p ec i e s feeds
on g r a pe a n d V i rg i n i a C reeper.

&
PAN DORUS SPHINX, w h e n a n
a l most h a l f-grown l a rv a , loses i t s
h o r n a n d acq u i res a g l a ssy eye
spot i n i t s p l ace. The l a rva , g reen or
redd i s h brow n , feeds o n g ra pe a n d
V i rg i n i a C reeper.
LESSER V I N E SPHINX, a trop i
ca l spec i e s , stra y s i n to New E n g .
La rva fee d s on g ra pe a n d Va .
C reeper. It i s m a rked w i t h b l a c k ,
w h i te , a n d r e d , a n d h a s a n eye
spot i n p l ace of a h o r n .

Common C learwing, va ries in

color with season a n d race. The
''clear" wing appears as scales
weor off soe:>n afte r the moth
emerges. Feeds at flowers by day.
S N OW B E R R Y C L E A R W I N G
a l so h a s seaso n a l a n d rac i a l for m s .
I t d i ffers from t h e H u m m i ng b i rd
Moth i n h a v i n g o n u n sea l ed ce l l o n
t h e f r o n t e d g e of t h e fore w i n g n e a r
the body.

W H I T E - L I N E D S PH I N X, or
Striped Morn ing Sphinx, often
flies by day. The larva is some
times g reen with a series of yel
low spots. When a b u n dant it is
a pest, feed ing on many broadplants from southern Can
ada i nto Centra l America.
G A L I U M S PH I NX is from the
Old World. The l a rva, like that of
the White-l ined Sphi nx, has two
color forms. In E u rope it feeds on
bedstraw (Galium) b u t in Amer
ica mainly on Epilobium and
other plants.

94

CYNTH I A M OT H , i ntrod uced

from C h i n a, is fou n d in cities from
Boston to Sava n n a h and west
ward to I nd i a n a _ The l a rva, which

feeds on Ailanthus, resembles the

Cecropia l a rva, but all t u be rcles
a re b l u e _ The cocoon s h a n g l i ke
those of the Promethea Moth_

G IA N T S I L K M O T H S , most of w h i c h a re l a rg e and at
tra ctive, n u m be r a bout

42 species n o rth of Mexi co. S o m e

h ave c l e a r spots, o r "wi n d ows," i n their w i n g s . I n s o m e

the sexes d i ff e r i n s i z e a n d c o l o r, but m a les c a n a lways
be told by their m o re feathery a nte n n a e . The proboscis
is barely d eve loped, i n d i cati n g that a d u lts d o not feed .
The h i n d w i n g h a s no fre n u l u m _ T h e l a rva, w h i c h feed s
m ostly on leaves of trees a n d s h r u bs, is o r n ately a rmed
with tubercles a n d spines_ The cocoo n , l o n g a n d ova l ,
is m a d e of si l k a n d i s atta ched t o t h e food p l a nts. Easily
spotted i n winter_ T h ese n i g ht-flyi n g moths c o m e to lig hts,
a n d u n mated fe m a les attra ct d i sta nt m a les. You can o b
ta i n speci m e n s a n d study m ati n g , egg layi n g , a nd g rowth
by p l a c i n g a newly e m e rged fem a l e in an o ut-of-d oors
cage and wa iti n g for the m a les to rea c h the cage.

95

CECROP I A M OTH is sing le

brooded. The female lays 200 to

300 wh itish ova l eggs, a few at a

time, usually on the u nde rsides of

l eaves. The l a rva feeds o n a va
riety of trees and s h r u bs but
m a i n l y o n c h e r ry, p l u m, elder
berry, a p ple, box-e lder, maple,
wa l n ut, b i rch, a n d willow. The
overwinte r i n g cocoon does not
h a n g but is attached len gthwi se
to a twig of the p l a n t on which
the l a rva has fed .

96

G L OV ER'S S IL K M OTH re
se m b l e s Cecropia in early stages,
but ma t u re l a rva has yel low i n
stead o f red t h o racic tu bercles.
Feed s a n che rry, wil low, alder,
wild cu rra nt, a n d other p l a nts.
C EANOTHUS S IL K MOTH i s
s i n g le-b rooded . la rva resembles
that of G l over's, b u t its yellow
thoracic tu bercles a re ringed with
black at the m i d d l e . Prefers buck
bush (Ce a nothus) l eaves.

97

2.0-3.3"
COLUMBIA S I LK MOTH l a rva
h a s red thoracic t u be r c l e s l i ke t h a t
o f Cecrop i a , b u t t h e y a re r i nged
with black a t t h e base . T h e cocoo n ,
attached l e n g t h w i se , h a s s i l v e r y
strea k s . A d u l t rese m b l e s a s m a l l
Cecro p i a Moth b u t l ac k s redd i s h
m a rg i n s t o t h e w h i te w i n g ba n d s .

PAN DO RA MOTH, a pest o f p i ne

forests, h a s a two-yea r l i fe cyc l e .
The f i r s t w i nter i s s p e n t a s a pa r t l y
g rown l a rva o n trees a n d t he sec
ond a s a p u pa in the g ro u n d . No
cocoon is s p u n .

98

POLYPH E M U S M O T H , per
haps the commonest giant silk
moth, was named after the one
eyed g i a n t Polyphemus of Greek
mythology because of the large
eyespots on its h i ndwings. I n the
South it has two broods. The
accordi!>n-shaped l a rva feeds on
a variety of trees a n d shrubs,
especially o n oak, hickory, elm,
m a ple, a n d birch. The rounded,
tough, parchment-l ike cocoon is
found h a n g i n g o n the food plant.

99

P R O M E T H E A M OT H , a l so
called the Spicebush Si l k Moth,
was once considere d a s a pos
sible basis for deve lopmen t of a n
American si l k i n d u stry. Males fly
i n the late afternoon-an u n usual
habit. Spicebush, Sassafras, T u l i p
tree, a n d W i l d C h e rry are pre
!erred foods of the l a rva. The
cocoon is a lways s u s p e n d ed on
the food p l a n t, where it can eas
ily be seen in winter. There a re
two brood s yearly in the South.

1 00

cocoon

T U L I P -T R E E S I L K M OT H
l a rva feeds mostly o n t u l i p trees.
I t rese m b l e s the Prometheo l a rva
but has fewer and shorte r tu.
bercles. The cocoon i s not fas
tened to the food plant a s with
most other l a r g e silk moths. The
male looks more l i k e its mote
than does the m o l e P rometheo.
The T u l i p -tree Silk Moth flies o n l y
at n ig ht. L i k e Prometheo, it i s
d o u b l e-brooded i n the S o u t h , but
it is not a s common a s Promethe a .

101

seaso n a l
f o r m s where it i s d o u b le-broode d .
The summer form has y e l l o w wing
margi ns, whereas the spring form
h o s p i n k to p u rple w i n g marg i n s.
La rva feeds m a i n l y on Sweet
Gum, hicko ry, w a l n u t, birch, a n d
o a k . Pupa is active i n i t s papery
cocoon, usually s p u n on the
g ro u n d .

1 02

mole
2.03.0"

1 0 M OT H , n a med for a mythi

cal G reek maiden, has conspicu
o u s eyespots o n the h i ndwings.
Egg s a re laid i n c l u sters. The
l a rvae, which have i rritati n g
s p i n es, stay to g ether a n d move i n
l o n g train s. T h e y feed o n a wide
variety of p l a n ts, i n c l u d i n g corn
a n d roses. The l a rvae spi n thin,
papery cocoon s o n the g ro u n d .
SHEEP MOTH eggs, laid i n
masses a r o u n d twigs, h atch i n the
sprin g _ The l a rva feed s m a i n ly on
p l ants of the rose family. When
mature it is b rownish-black with
tan a n d black spines, red spots
d own the midd le, and a red l i n e
o n e a c h s i d e . P u pates early. T h e
m o t h emerges i n the summer,
some in the second summer.

B U C K M OTH flies by day. I n

fal l, females lay eggs i n c l u sters
around a twig, usually oak. The
eggs h atch i n spring. Like those
of the lo, B uck l a rvae feed to
g ether and have sti n g i n g spines.
la rvae d o not spin cocoons but
b u rrow into the ground a n d pu
pate. Most moths emerge i n fal l ,
s o m e the n ext s p r i n g o r the fol
lowing fa l l .

the Buck Moth i n most respects.

The l a rva i s greenish instead of
g ray and has b rown spots on
each side of the back a n d along
the sides of the body. The spi
racles are yell ow, edged with
b rown . The larva feeds o n wil low
and poplar. Moths are found
from September to Nove mber.

1 04

RAN G E CAT E R P I LLAR, a

riaus range pest in the South
west, feeds o n g rasses a n d some
times attacks corn a n d other
crops. Moths occ u r i n the fa l l
a n d , although d ay-flying, a r e at
tracted to lig hts at nig ht- The
eggs are laid in masses around
plant stems. The cocoon is of
loosely joined plant fragments.

T R U E S I LK M OT H S a re not native to N o rth A m erica .

T h e si l kworm that produces the si l k used for th read comes
from Asia, w h e re the C h i n ese fi rst learned to u n ravel the
si l k from cocoons so m e

5,000 years a g o . I n c o m m e rcia l

si l k p rod ucti o n the moths a re i n d uced to lay eggs o n

cards. T h e eggs hatch i n a bo ut

1 0 days, a n d t h e "wo rms"

a re fed m u l be rry leaves. T h ey eat stead i l y u nti l i n a bout

a m o nth t h e si l kworm becomes f u l l - g row n . Soon every
la rva is ready to spi n a cocoo n . A few cocoons a re a l
lowed to develop i nto m oths, but m ost a re p l a ced i n boi l
i n g water so t h ey ca n be u n raveled easily. T h e si n g l e

500
1 ,300 yards l o n g . Stra n d s a re com b i n ed to make a

stra n d o f si l k t h a t m a kes e a c h cocoon m a y be from

to

th read not yet d u p l i cated by a n y synthetic fiber.

R EGAL, O R R OYAL , M OT H S a re medi u m - to l a rge

si zed . There a re fewer tha n twe n ty sp ecies in A m e ri c a
n o rth of Mexico. Caterpi l l a rs, genera l ly spi ny, f e e d o n
m a n y k i n d s of trees. la rva e o f so m e species a re destruc
tive to forests and shade planti n g s . The caterpi l l a rs d o
n ot spi n cocoons b u t bu rrow i nto the g r o u n d , where the
p u pa i s fo rmed. At rest, Rega l Moths usua l ly fold their
wings roof- l i k e over their bodies. like si l k m oths they a re
n ot attracted to bait but a re attra cted to lig hts.

M OT H
varies i n the color o f its wings
a n d in the presence or a bsence
of forewi ng markings. The la rva
feeds on Honey Locust a n d Ken
tucky Coffee Tree. This m oth is
d o u b lebrooded. I t ove rwinters
a s a p u pa i n the g r o u n d .
RO SY M A P L E M OTH l a rva,
called the Greenstriped Maple
Worm, overwinters a s a pupa.
Like oakworms (p. 1 07) they feed
i n large colonies and sometimes
strip Red and Silver m a ples of
their leaves. There a re two
broods yearly.

OAKWO R M M O T H S a re easier to te l l a p a rt as l a rva e

th a n as a d u lts. La rva e feed in colon ies, someti m es so
populous as to co m p l etely strip forests. F e m a l es a re l a rg e r
t h a n m a l es, with t h i n n e r a nte n n a e a n d sto uter bodies.
O R A N G E-ST R I P E D
WORM The male

OAK

of the fem a l e are thinner a n d

less speckled than those o f the
female Spiny Oakworm.

S P I N Y OAKWORM
is the
la rgest of the species i l l u strated.
The male resembles the female
more closely than i n the other
Oakworm species.

P I N K - ST R I P E D OAKWORM
Male has na rrower, more tria n g u
lor forewings, thinner beyond
the spot than other species. Fe
male lacks spotting o n

-y

ROYAL WALN UT MOTH or Reg o l

Mot h , o s a l a r v a , i s ca l l ed t h e
H i ckory Hor ned Dev i l f o r i t s sca ry
a p pea rance a n d i ts food p l a nt
h i c kory. l t a l so eats wa l n u t, peca n ,
sweet g u m , a n d s u m a c . T h e mot h ,
seen i n m i d s u m m e r, h a s o n l y
o n e brood a yea r. The
p u pa l stage of a few
moths may l a s t for
two w i n t e r s .

1 08

IMPERIAL M O T H is dimorph ic,

the female being much larger a n d
yellower t h a n the male. A t rest
thei r wings a re p a rtly spread, as
show n . The l a rva, usually g reen
but someti mes tan o r dark brown,
feeds m a i n ly o n oak, maple, p i n e,
sycamore,
Sweet
G u m, and Sasso
fras. I t i s sing le
brooded .

1 09

T I G E R M OT H S a re sma l l to m ed i u m i n size a n d g e n e r
a l ly light i n color. Ma ny have conspicuous spots or stripes.
O n ly a few of some

200 species n o rth of Mexico h a ve

f u n ction a l m o uth parts. Adu lts, especia l ly m a les, c o m e

rea d i ly to lig hts. Most l a rvae a re covered w i t h a dense
coat of h a i rs, which a re shed a n d mixed with si l k when
the cocoon i s made. Most cate rpi l l a rs m ove a bo u t ra pi d l y
a n d a re a ctive by d a y . They com m o n ly r o l l i nto a ba l l
disturbed .
G R EAT L E O P A R D M OTH is
well named far its wing spots.
The hairs on the cate r p i l l a r a re
very stiff, a n d crimson rings be
tween seg ments show d istinctly
when the la rva rolls i nto a ba l l .
Feeds o n plantain. Cocoon i s
s p u n i n spr i n g . La rva overwinters .

.'

ACREA M OTH larva, called

the Salt Marsh Caterpillar, feeds
on herbaceous pla nts. It is
double-brooded. The larvae are
often abundant i n fall and over
winter as pupae in cocoons. Ad u l t
w i n g s are profusely spotted. T h e
f e m a l e has white h i ndwings.

ISABELLA MOTH i s not as we l l

known a s its caterp i l l a r, the Banded
Woo l l y Bea r. The a m o u n t of b l a c k
o n each e n d of i t s b o d y d o e s not,
of course, pred i ct t h e co l d n e s s of
the co m i ng w i n te r. T h e re a re two
broods yea r l y ; cocoo n s a re formed
i n spring a nd s u m m e r.

cocoon

111

G A R D E N T I G E R M OTH is so
vo rioble thot its forms look like
different species. The hindwings
may be yellow with d a r k spots,
a n d the forewings may bear very
broad white ba nds.
FA L L W E BW O R M is a lso vari
able. Some moths have heavily
spotted wings. Others have anly
a few black d ots. The bodies of
some a re yel l ow with b lack d ots
on the sides, while others a re
p l a i n white. The social l a rvae ex
tend their webs ove r the foliage
of the m a n y deciduous trees on
which they feed . The webs may
soon cover l a rge branches. These
webs a re sometimes confused
with those of tent caterpil l a rs
(p. 1 38). Large n u m bers of eggs
a re laid i n ma sses, u s u a l l y on
the undersides of leaves. P u pae
overwinter i n cocoons.

...
CLY M E N E is a H a plaa Tiger
Moth, of which there are five
species north of Mexico. In some
the hindwings are white or buff.
Clymene hos one brood. The
moths occ u r i n m idsummer.
A P A N T E S I S TIGER MOTHS
i n c l u d e some 30 species, often
varyi n g g reatly in color. In gen
eral their forewi n g s ore jet black
with i r reg u l a r w h ite strea ks, a n d
t h e i r h i n dwings a re yel l ow or red
with black spots or bands. The
h a i ry caterpi l l a rs l ive over the
winter and feed mostly o n herba
ceous p l a nts. Males are common
ly captu red at lig hts.
ARGE is d o u b l ebrooded, with
moths occurring J u ne and Sept.
VI RGO has a typical Apa ntesis
color
patte r n .
I t is sing le
brooded, with m oths on the wing
mainly i n J u ly.

Vi rgo Tiger Moth

1 .83.0"

1 13

HIC KORY TU SSOCK MOTH is a

forest pest of h i ckory, wa l n u t, a n d
other trees. T h e m o t h i s fo u n d i n
m i d s u m m e r. E g g s a r e l a i d i n
m a s ses, a n d t h e l a rvae feed i n
co l o n i es b u t d o not m a ke webs.
They m a y be com mo n i n l a te s u m
mer a nd fa l l .

ca l l ed t h e B a n ded Tussock Mot h .

T h e l a rva, f r o m ye l l o w i s h t o g ray,
feeds on a v a r iety of trees. L i fe
h i story i s l i ke t h e Spotted . It over
w i nters in a soft, h a i r y cocoo n . A
Syca more Tussock Moth is very
s i m i l a r.

1 14

YELLOW WOOLLY
BEAR
l a rvae are seen more commonly
than the a d u lts. They vary from
pale yellow to reddish a n d a re
confused with Acree Moth la rvae
(p. 1 1 1 ), but have black heads.
There a re two broods.

1 .0 - 1 .8"

RA N C H M A N ' S T I G E R M OTH
is one of the la rgest a n d m ost
attractive mem bers of this g r o u p .
Another com m o n f o r m of this
moth has yellow hindwings a n d
a yellow

D O G B A N E T I G E R M OT H
varies in the a m o u n t of yellow
on the front edge of the fore
wing. I t is probably double
brooded. The caterpil l a r, with a n
u n usually l i g ht hairlike covering,
feeds a l most entirely on dog
bane. May be very common.

1 .3-1 .8"

1 15

S H OWY H O L O M E L I N A is the
brightest of the eight or so holo
melina moths of North America.
Others a re mainly yellowish,
g ray, or d u l l red. The l a rva, l i ke
that of the Dog bane Moth, has
a soft, h a i rlike covering. The co
coon is very thin, with few hairs.
MILKW E E D TU SSOCK MOTH i s
bette r k n o w n b y i t s l a r v a , w h i c h i s
fo u n d i n l a te s u m m e r feed i n g i n
co l o n i es o n m i l kweed . W h e n d i s
tu rbed it freq u e n t l y rol l s i n to a ba l l
a n d d rops from the p l a n t . The pupa
ove r w i nters i n a cocoo n w h i c h i s
very h a i r y.

BELLA M OT H , o r Ra!!lebox
Moth, is loca l ly common but is re
stricted to the vici n ity of its food
pla nt, Rattlebox, and othe r kinds
of Crota/aria. The la rva lacks the
hairs typical of tiger moths. The
pupa, which is u n usually o rnate,
overwinters.

1 16

CTE N U C H A M O T H S , dayti m e fl iers, look like wasps

when feed i n g at fl owers. La rva e feed on ma rsh g ra sses.
H a i ry cocoons and larvae rese m b l e those of so m e c losely
related ti g e r moths. A m o u nts of yel low a nd black h a i rs
va ry i n Virginia Cte n u c h a la rvae. S m a l ler, n a rrower
winged Brown Cte n u ch a Moth has a more south e r n ra n g e .

FO R E S T E R MOTH S M o r e than two d o z e n American

species a re known. They differ from m ost noctuid m oths
(p. 1 1 8) in having the ends of the a n te n n a e thickened.
The Eig ht-spotted Forester is below. Its d o u b l e - b rood ed
larva feeds o n g r a pe and wood b i n e .

DIOPTID MOTHS a re represehted by o n l y o n e species

in N orth Am erica n orth of Mexico, the C a l ifornia Oak

worm Mot h . It is a pest of live oaks i n C a l ifornia, some

times stri p p i n g these trees.
The C a lifornia Oakworm, brown
with

n ea r l y tra nsparent wings, is

double-brooded. It ove rwi nters as

eggs o r ti n y l a rvae. The fem a l e Cali
fornia Oa kworm Moth lacks the yel
lowish patch n ea r t h e m id-forewi n g .
C a lifornia Oakworn:t larva

NOCTUI D MOTHS (pp. 1 1 8- 1 3 1 ) n u m ber over 2,600

kinds in America n orth of Mexico. Many are serious pests

of farm a n d garden c rops a n d forest a n d shade trees.
Among these are the we l l- k n own a rmyworms, c utworms,
and Corn Earworm . N octu ids va ry g reatly in habits, but
m ost a d u l ts fl y at night and feed on the n ectar of fl owers.
Most n octu ids are attracted to lig hts and to ba its contain
i n g sugar. Some overwinter as p u pae i n the ground or i n
t h i n cocoons above g r o u n d . Oth ers overwi nter a s la rvae
and a few as eggs or adu lts. They are someti mes cal led
owlet m oths, from the way their eyes shine i n the dark
when a l i g ht strikes them.
B L A C K W I T C H , o r Giant Noctu id, is the
la rgest of the family within our range. I t is a
tropical species, sometimes straying n orthward
i nto Canada in the f a l l . Its shade af b rown
varies. The wings of the fema les come to a less
sharp point at the a pex. La rva feeds on acacia
and similar pla nts. Conside red a pest i n Hawa i i .

3 .5-6.0"

1 18

AM E C A N DAGG E R M OTH
is the l a rgest o f the daggers. The
la rva feeds on a variety of trees.
Winter is passed as a p u pa, often
in an old stu m p . The cocoon in
cludes the hair of the l a rva .

DAGG E R M O T H S (so m e 70 kinds) a re so n a m ed for

the dagger-like mark n e a r the forewi n g o uter m a rg i n .

Ad u lts a re s i m i l a r but m a n y o f the l a rvae a re q uite differ

ent. Some a re h a i ry, with cha racteristic tufts of l o n g e r
h a i r ca l led pencils. Oth e r la rvae lack h a i r a n d may be
spi n y . Dagger moths overw i n te r a s p u pa e .

S M E A R E D DAG G E R M OT H
occurs more commonly i n wet
l a nds, where the la rva feeds o n
willow, sma rtweed, a lder, Button
bush, a n d catta i l . Overwi nterin g
cocoon is thin but stro n g .

COTTO N W O O D
DAGGER
M OTH varies g reatly i n m a r k
i n g s. la rva has soft yellow h a i r
l ike America n Dagger but has
five hair pencils on its abdomen.
I t feeds o n poplars a n d willows.

1 19

C U TWO R M M OT H S a re n o ctuids w h ose l a rvae, o r

c u tworms, cut o ff y o u n g p l a nts j u st a bove t h e g ro u n d .

S o m e c u tworms d r a g c ut-off porti o n s of p l a n ts i nto a h o l e .
S o m e a re c l i m bers, feed i n g o n fo l i a g e of b u s h e s a n d
trees. A l l feed at n i g h t. C e rta i n species o c c u r o n l y i n
sp ri n g , others o n l y i n fa l l ; m a n y have severa l broods e a c h
yea r. S o m e f u l l - g rown la rva e re m a i n at rest with o u t feed
ing from spri n g to late s u m m er, when t h ey p u pate.

BLACK
C U TW O R M ,
a l so
called the G reasy C utworm, oc
c u rs throughout the U.S. and
southe r n Canada. Larva is a b u r
rower, found mostly in low spots.
Overwi nters a s a p u p a .

S POTT E D C U TW O R M i s one
of the most d a m a g i n g , feed ing
o n a wide va riety of pla nts a n d
often c l i m b i n g t h e m . It over
wi nters a s a nearly mature l a rva.
May have th ree broods yearly.

W-M A R K E D C U TWORM i s a
c l i m ber, feed i n g on a wide va
riety of trees, s h r u bs, and her
baceous pla nts. I t overwinters a s
a larva a n d , i n m ost a reas, has
two breeds each year.

PALE-S I D E D C U TW O R M l ives
m ostly i n a t u n n e l i nto which it
d rags p ieces of cut-off pla nts for
food . There may be four broods
yearly. The winter i s passed in
the pupal sta ge.

PALE W E ST E R N C U TWORM
moths occ u r i n A u g . a n d Sept.
and lay eggs o n newly c u ltivated
l a n d . Overwintering may be as
eggs or yo u n g l a rvae. Pla nts a re
attacked below the soil s u rface.

1 .3 1 .5"

C U T
GARDEN
ST R I P E D
WO R M is sing le-b rood ed. The
moth occu rs throughout most of
U.S. in s u m m e r . L a rvae rest ex
posed on food p l a nts. They ma
ture and p u pate i n f a l l .

G LASSY C U TW O R M occu rs
from C a n a d a to N . J . a n d west
to the Pacific. It feeds o n roots
and lower ste ms of g rasses. I t is
sing le-brooded a n d overwi nters
os partly g rown l a rv a .

larva

larva

1 .3 - 1 .5"

S POTT E D - S I D E D C U TWO R M
h a s one g e n eration. The moth
occ urs from Al berta a n d Texas
eastward i n the fa l l . F u l l -g rown
l a rvae a p pea r o n dock and c h ick
weed i n early s p r i n g .

121

DARK- S I D E D C U TWORM is
a clim ber, sometimes very d e
structive to orchards a n d shrubs.
Eggs hatch d u ring winter and
la rvae become f u l l-g rown by
J u n e. There i s o n e brood.

STRI P E D CUTWORM closely

resembles Dark-sided C u tworm
but d iffers m uc h i n life history.
Eggs hatch i n the fa ll and partly
g rown larvae h ibernate in the
soil, feed ing again in spring.

B R O N Z E D C U TWORM prefers
g rasses and cerea ls. Moths occur
i n Sept. a n d Oct. a n d eggs hatch
d u ring winter. By April or May
the larvae are f u ll-g rown, but
they d o not p u pate until J u ly.

WHITE C U TWORM sometimes

damages the buds and young
l eaves of grapes a n d fruit trees.
I ts life h istory i s l i ke that of the
Striped Cutworm . Head and spir
acles of la rva vary in color.

1 22

D I N G Y C U TW O R M wi nters a s
immature l a rva, matu ring i n late
spring. I t l ies i nactive (estivates)
until A u g ust, when it p u pates,
emerg i n g a s a math i n a month
or so.

B R I STLY C U TW O R M often oc
c u rs i n clover with the Dingy C ut
worm. It is d o u b l e-brooded.
La rva com pletes g rowth i n the
spring like that
D i n g y C ut
worm but d oes n n1fl >d;,,nt..

C U TWO R M ,
probably t h e mast d estructive
cutworm, attacks m a n y d iffe rent
cra ps. I t overwi nters as a p u p a
a n d may h a v e four broods. Oc
curs throughout North America .

ARMY
WO R M , also cal led Cotton C u t
worm beca use it bores i n to cotto n
bolls, is com mon in the South.
Feeds on many plants. Winter is
passed as a p u pa.

1 23

FALL A R M YWORM by mid

summer spreads north from the
Gulf states b u t d ies out by win
ter. In the South there may be
three broods. Prefers g ra sses a n d
often attacks c o r n .

ARMYWORM has t w o or m o re
broods. The spring o n e is m ost
destructive, especia l ly to oats
and s m a l l g ra i ns. Natural ene
m ies red uce later broods. It over
winters as m oth, p u pa, o r l a rva.

A R M YWO R M M OT H S a re n octuid m oths wh ose l a r

vae tend to m i g rate i n "a rmies" to n ew feed i n g a reas
after d estroy i n g vegetati o n in fields where t h e i r eggs
were l a i d . Active a t n i g h t a nd h i d i n g by day, the l a rvae
feed m ostly o n g ra sses a n d sma l l g ra i n s .
B E ET A R M YWORM is a com
mon pest of s u g a r beets i n the
West. la rva resembles that of
Fall Armyworm, but the pale cen
tral line along the back is less
d isti nct. Overwinters a s p u pa .

1 24

W H EAT H EAD A R M YWORM

feeds mainly o n tim othy a n d
wheat h e a d s , attacking at n ight.
F u l l-g rown l a rva is about one
inch l o n g with n a rrow pale
stri pes. Ove rwinters a s a pupa.

occ u rs in vast n u mbers a n d trav

e l s i n huge a rmies. Moths emerge
i n late summer a n d lay eggs in
the so i l . Y o u n g l a rva ove rwinters.
Two a d u l t forms shown : ( 1 ) , (2) .

on a wide variety of g a rd e n a n d
fi e l d cro ps. T h e r e are u s u a l l y two
b roods each year, moths occu r
ring in May a n d Aug ust. Over
winters i n p u p a l stag e .

COTTON L E A FWORM is a
slender, l o o p i n g l a rva that feeds
only o n cotto n . Spines at end of
the moth's t o n g u e sometimes i n
j u r e r i p e f r u it. T h i s tropical spe
cies ca n n ot su rvive U .S. w i n ters.

G R E E N C L O V E RWO R M , a
looping la rva, feeds on clover,
a lfalfa, and other legu mes. W i n
ter is usually p assed a s a n a d u lt
but some may w i nter as p u pa e .
T h e r e are t w o to four broods.

1 25

ALFALFA LOO P E R , in spite of

its n a me, feeds on a wide va
r iety of pla nts, i n c l u d i n g cereals.
Winte r is passed i n pupal a n d
a d u l t stages. There are two
b roods, the secon d in J u ly.

CABBAGE L O O P E R , a com
m o n species, feed s mostly o n cab
bage and other members of the
cabbage fa mily. Two b roods oc
c u r i n the North. H ibernates as
p u pa i n loosely woven cocoon.

LOO P E R S is a n a m e m ost c o m m o n l y used for l a rvae of

geom eter moths ( p. 1 40), but l a rvae of some n octu id
m oths are a lso ca l led loo pers beca use they h u m p their
backs when craw l i n g . The noctuid l a rvae have fewer t h a n
t h e n o r m a l fou r pa i rs of prolegs a n d claspers.
C E L E RY LOO P E R i n the l a rva l
stage c losely resem bles the Cab
bage Looper. There a re at least
two b roods. The summer form is
b rown, as i l lustrated. A spring
form is g ray.

1 26

B I LO B E D LOO P E R feeds o n a l
falfa, clover, a n d m a n y other
pla nts. Larva resem b les Cabbage
Leaper's but has stripes a n the
sides of its head. I t hibernates
as a p u pa i n a thin cocoon .

FORAG E LOO P E R is some

times d estructive to clover. Mark
ings of forewings a re m uc h less
d istinct in females. Three broods
occ u r from spring to fal l . P u p a
overwinters o n l eaves.

LU NATE ZALE often has I o rg e

g reen patc h e s o n t h e w i ng m a r
g i n s . P u pa ove r w i nters in soi l . T h e
l a rva v a r i e s g re a t l y i n co l o r a n d
looks l i ke those of t h e u n d e rw i n g
moths ( p . 1 2 8 ) .

G R E E N FRU I TW O R M eats i n
to y o u n g a p ples, pea rs, cherries,
and other fruit i n spring. Moths
emerge in the fal l and overwinte r .
T h e l a rva resembles t h a t of C o p
p e r U n derwi ng (p. 1 30).

D R I E D L EA F M OTH , o r Litte r
Moth, l a rva feeds on l ichens a n d
d e a d leaves. T h e d evelopment
from tiny eggs is very slow. The
moths a re o n the wing i n mid
summer a n d a re sing l e-brooded.

1 27

W I DOW U N D E RW I N G is one
of some seventeen cotoca l a moths
with plain dark brown under
wings. This caterpi l l a r feed s
m ostly on w a l n u t a n d h ickory.

U N D E RW I N G , OR CATOCALA, M OT H S (about
1 00 kinds i n A m e rica n o rth of Mexi co) rea d i l y c o m e to

l i g h t and bait. Oth e rwise they would rarely be see n , fo r

in d a y l i g h t they rest we l l c a m o ufl a ged on tree t r u n k s with
t h e i r u n de rw i n g s h i d d e n . la rvae a lso rest by day on
t r u n k s o r l i m bs, o r u n d e r debris o n the g ro u n d where the
th i n cocoons a re a lso fo u n d . They have one b rood a n d
overwinter a s eggs o n ba rk of trees.

W H I T E U N D E RW I N G varies
g reatly i n the fo rewi ng patte r n .
The cate r p i l l a r closely resemb les
that of the Widow U n d erwing
but feeds o n willow and poplar.

1 28

A H O L I BAH U N D E RW I N G is
hard to tell from several other
catocala moths. Note its large
size, with a wingspread occasion-

a l ly exceed i n g th ree i n ches. Lar

va feeds o n oak. I t lacks the
striped sadd l e patch of the Wi
d ow U n derwing l a rva.

T I N Y N Y M P H U N D E RW I N G
i s o n e o f several species of small
catocalas with similar yellow un
derwings. The forewi ngs vary
g reatly i n patte r n . The l a rva
feeds on oak.

P E N I T E N T U N D E RW I N G flies
from July to October. La rva lacks
the fringe of hairs a n d swol l e n
sadd l e patch of the W i d o w U n
derwi ng cate r p i l l a r larva. Feeds
o n wa l n ut and h ickory.

C O P P E R U N D E RW I N G occurs
from midsummer to fall but hides
i n cracks d u ring the d ay. In the
spring, l a rva feeds o n many
pla nts, including Wood bine. It,
too, is not a catocal a u nderwi n g .

1 30

P E A R LY
is
o n e of th ree wood nymphs. Bea u
tiful Wood Nymph is l a r g e r a n d
has a d a r k m a r g i n o n t h e hind
wing. Calif. Wood Nymph has a
black dot on hindwing.

White-vei ned Dagger

1 .0 - 1 .8"

W H ITE-VE I N E D DAG G E R re
sembles the Smeared Dagger ( p .
1 1 9) i n the l a rval stag e b u t has
finer h a i r. Feeds o n marsh pla nts,
especially catta il. Cocoon is made
in folded leaves.

STA L K B O R E R , a pest of corn,

feeds i n the stal ks of many pla nts,
especia lly Giant Ragweed . Eggs
laid i n fall h a tc h very early i n
spring. Bright b o d y stripes are
lost a s the l a rva matu res i n sum
mer. There i s only o n e genera
tion a n n u a l ly.

C O R N EA RWO R M , the famil

i a r worm i n e a rs of corn, is also
called Tomato Fru itworm and
Bollworm. la rvae are often found
i n the fruit of m a n y pla nts. Win
ter is passed as a p u pa i n the
soil. There may be several broods
each year.

131

T H E P RO M I N E N T S , n u m bering a bo u t 1 00 species
n o rth of Mexico, rese m b l e noctuids. Rea d i ly a ttra cted to
lights. Many of them ca n be told by their h a i ry legs w h e n
a t rest. la rva e of m ost species l i v e o n t r e e leaves. Ma n y
species l a c k a n a l p r o l e g s a n d h o l d their rea r e n d s erect.
1 .0-1 .8"

T E N T
on poplar
a n d willow. la rva resem b les that
of the Poplar Te ntmaker. I t over
winters as p u pa, often in its tent.
POPLAR T E N T M A K E R is one
of seven tentmakers. A l l tent
maker l a rvae a r e g regarious.
They l ive i n a s i l k-lined tent made
by d rawing l eaf edges together.
This
d o u bl e-b rooded
species
feeds o n willow and poplar.
T E N TAC L E D
P RO M I N E N T
occ urs from Q u e . a n d I l l . south
to Fla. and Tex. S i m i l a r species
occ u r throughout the U.S. la rva
feeds on aspen a n d wil low a n d
waves vivid
tentacles when
a l a rmed. The p u p a overwi nters

1 32

Y E LLOW- N E C K E D
CATE R
P I L L A R feeds o n m a n y kinds of
trees, p refe rring apple. U n like
most hand-maid moths, it has a
sca l l oped outer m a r g i n on the
forewi n g .

H A N D - MA I D M OT H S n u m be r 1 2 s p e c i e s that re
se m b le one a n oth e r c losely. The la rvae feed i n colonies
a n d m a y be n u merous e n o u g h to strip trees. W h e n dis
turbed they h o l d both e n d s of their bodies erect. Most
species a re s i n g le- brooded, ove rwi nteri n g as p u p a e i n
the g ro u n d . The Wa l n ut Caterpi l l a r feeds o n wa l n ut a n d
h i ckory. T h e S u m a c Caterpi l l a r feed s o n ly o n s u m a c . T h e
outer m a r g i n s of the forewi n g s o f th ese two moths a re
straig ht. T h e moth of the Wa l n ut Caterpi l l a r is d a r k .

1 33

S A D D L E D PROM I N E N T is so
named for the sad d l e m a r k o n
the back of the g reen, pointed
tailed l a rva, which feeds m a i n ly
on leaves of beech a n d maple.
The moth resembles that of the
Va riable Oak Leaf Cate r p i l l a r.
V A R I A B L E O A K L EA F CAT
E R P I LLAR, found i n late s u m
mer and fall, m a y lay 500 e g g s
singly, on oak. La rva overwinters
i n the soil and p u pates i n spri n g .

A N G U I N A M OTH is commonly
recog nized by its u n usual cater
pillar, which feeds o n va rious
legumes, especi a l l y locust. The
Anguina Moth is d o u b l e-brooded .
E L M LEAF CATE R P I L L A R is
well camouflaged on e l m foliage.
Moths occu r in J u ne a n d August.
P u pae spe n d winter i n cocoons o n
the g ro u n d .

1 34

is d o u b l e-brooded. The
moth lays eggs i n masses on the
u n d e rsides of a p ple, cherry, and
other leaves. The l a rvae are g re
garious. Cocoons overwinter on
the g r o u n d ; p u pate i n spring.

U N I CO R N CAT E R P I LLAR has

a life h istory similar to the Red
h u m ped Caterpilla r's, but it is
not g regarious and feeds mostly
o n Wild C herry and willow.

ROU G H P RO M I N E N T
d o u b l e-brooded only i n
northern pa rt o f its range. T h e
la rva, w h i c h feed s mostly on
oaks, p u pates i n the soil.
R E D - H U M P E D OAKWORM is
g regarious only a s young l a rva.
I t feeds on varieties of oaks a n d
i s d o u b l e-brooded i n t h e South.
The cocoon is spun on the g r o u n d .

1 35

MOTH is E u rasia n .
F o u n d i n Mass. a n d B r . Columbia
i n 1 920, it has spread through
N . E . a n d N.W. U.S. a n d Canada.
I n J u l y eggs a re laid i n masses.
La rva prefers poplar and wil low.
I t hibernates when partly g rown.

, num

a bout 30 sp eci es, get

their n a m e from the brightly colored tufts of h a i r on the

l a rvae. Hairs of some species are i rritati n g . Ad u lt legs
a re h a i ry. Some fe ma les a re a l m ost w i n g less. T h e a n
te n n a e o f ma les a re feath ery. Tussock moths h a v e n o
to n g u e . Severa l tusso c k m o t h s , i n c l ud i n g t h e S a t i n a n d
Gypsy Moths, a re pests o f forest a n d s h a d e trees.
G Y P S Y M OT H , a cc i d e n t a l l y
introd uced from E u rope a bout 1 868
i n to M a ss . , now occ u r s from Co n .
t o N . C . w . t o M i c h . a n d I l l . I t over
w i n ters a s eggs. Larvae feed g re
g a r i o u s l y o n m a n y k i n d s of trees,
espec i a l l y oa k s . They becom e f u l l
g rown i n J u l y.
larva

1 36

WH I T E - M A R K E D T U S S O C K
M OTH is a serious pest of m a n y
decid uous trees. I t is d o u ble
brooded. The w i n g l ess female
l ays eggs, w h ic h overwinter, o n
her cocoon. The p u pa l stage lasts
about 2 weeks.
W ESTERN T U S S O C K M OT H
i s s i n g l e-brooded, overwinters a s
eggs o n the cocoon . Lo rva feeds
o n many trees and sometimes
damages a pp l es. Except for
black heads and crimson prolegs,
it resembles l a rva of White
m a rked Tussock Moth.
RU STY
TUSSOCK
M OTH
m a l e is r ust b rown i n color. U n
l ike the t w o a bove species, e g g s
are not covered w i t h h a i r from
the female. La rva h a s black
head a n d black hair pencils on
sides of abdomen.
P I N E TUSSOCK MOTH is a
pest of J ack, Pitch, a n d Red
p i n es, spruce, and sometimes fir.
I t is s i n g l e-brooded, overwinters
a s h a ir-covered eggs. Male fore
wings are relatively wel l-marked.

1 37

LAS I OCAM P I DS a re a fa m i ly of some thi rty N o rth

America n m oths of m e d i u m size with sto ut h a i ry bodies.
T h ey a re rea d i ly attra cted to lights. Females a re like the
m a les but larger. T h e m ost fa m i liar species a re t h e tent
caterp i l l a rs, pests of fo rest, shade, and orch a rd trees.
EAST E R N TENT CAT E R P I L
LAR overwinters in "va r n ish
coated" egg masses a ro u n d
twigs. The la rvae h a t c h i n e a rly
spring, form ing silky tents i n
crotches o f limbs. T h e y f e e d out
side their te nts, using them only
for resting, u n l ike F a l l Web
worms which feed o n the l eaves
enclosed withi n their silken webs.
Apple a n d cherry are the most
common food pla nts.

WESTERN TENT CATERPI LLAR

has a l i fe h i stor y s i m i l a r to the
E a s t e r n Te n t C a t e r p i l l a r ' s , b u t
u n l i ke t h a t spec i e s , i t i n c l udes oa k
a mo n g i t s m a n y food p l a n t s .

1 38

LAR feeds on a va riety of de

cid uous trees. The l a rvae d o not
make tents but spin silken mats
on tru nks o r limbs where they
rest a n d molt. The egg masses
ove rwi nter. There is one brood .

ZAN O L I D S a re c l osely related to t h e pro m i n e nts (pp.

1 32- 1 35). There a re o n ly th ree species in N o rth America,

a l l occurri n g east of the Rockies. Eggs a re fl a t a n d wafer
like. T h e densely h a i ry l a rvae feed si n g ly o n leaves of
trees and bush es. They m a ke n o cocoon but pu pate in the
g r o u n d and overwinter there.

man

in

some y e a rs .

The

l a rva,

w i t h d e n se, long, shaggy ca n a ry

y e l l ow h a i r, feeds m a i n l y on W i l d
C he r ry . T h e W i l d

C h e rry

Moth

h a s one b rood a n n u a l l y.

1 39

G E O M E T E R , m e a n i n g ea rth m e a s u rer, refers to t h e way

the cra w l i n g l a rvae of th ese species draw the rea r of the
body up to the front l e g s, form i n g a loop, and t h e n exte n d
the body a g a i n . T h e cra w l i n g pattern is a ssociated with
only two o r t h ree p a i rs of a b d o m i n a l l egs. Geom eters are
a l so ca l l ed l o o pers, i n chworms, m e a s u r i n g worms, a n d
spa nworms. Most geometer m oths h a v e t h i n b o d i e s a n d
relative l y b road, de l icate w i n g s . T h e fe m a l es of some
species a re w i n g l ess. More t h a n 1 ,000 species of geome
ters l ive i n N o rth America; som e a re serious pests.
fema le and eggs

FALL C A N K E RW O R M feeds
o n many kinds of trees but pre
fers a p p l e and e l m . The moths
emerge late i n fall when the
wingless females lay eggs i n
masses o n tree t r u n ks. T h e eggs
hatch i n spring.
SPRING
C A N K E RW O R M
l a rvae differ from F a l l C a n ker.
worm1s i n having two rathe r than
th ree abdominal p rolegs, but,
l i ke them, p u p ate in the soi l .
The moths occ u r mostly i n spring.
B R U C E S PA N W O R M occurs
from N.J. to Quebec, and west to
Al berta. The moth occ u rs i n fa l l
o n Sugar Maple, poplar, beech,
and other trees. The fem a l e is
wingless. The l a rva resembles
Spring C a n kerworm's i n form but
has six n a r row wh ite stripes.

0.91 .4"'

1 40

S P E A R- M A R K E D B L A C
M OTH h a s variable amou nts of
black and wh ite. I t has two
b roods per year. Larvae live to
g ether i n nests of leaves, mostly
b i rch and willow. Pupae over
winte r in soi l .
C H E RRY
SCALLOP-SH E L L
M OTH i s commonly seen i n the
l a rval stag e i n n ests of wild
che rry l eaves. D o u bl e-brood ed.
The p u p a overwinters i n the soi l .
C U RRANT S P A N WORM is a
pest of c u rrant a n d g ooseberry.
Eggs a re l a id i n early sum mer
but d o not hatch u ntil the next
spring. La rva p u pates i n the soil
i n May or early J u ne.

occ u r i n early spring. The fe

m a les are w i n g l ess. La rva feeds
mainly on Live Oak but also at
tacks Engl ish Wa l n u t a n d othe r
f r u i t trees. Single-brooded.

<IIIII

L I N D E N LOO P E R moths occ u r

i n fa l l . T h e f e m a l e is wingless.
Eggs are laid singly or i n small
grou ps. They hatch in spring.
La rva feeds o n m a n y kinds of
l eaves besides linden.

P E P P E R-AN D-SALT
occurs in late spring a n d early
s u m m er. Both sexes a re winged.
The l a rva, cal led C l eft-headed
Spa nworm, feeds on many decid
uous trees. Pupa overwinters.

Snow-wh ite Linden

is
Moth. Groups of eggs are laid
i n J uly o n bark of trees, pass the
winter th ere, a n d hatc h i n spring.
La rva feeds o n m a n y trees be
sides e l m .

1 . 1 - 1 .5"

1 42

H E M LOCK LOO P E R feeds

mostly o n hemlock and Balsam
Fir. Moths occu r i n late summer.
Their eggs, w h ich hatch the fol
lowing spring, a re laid singly ar
i n small g r o u ps a n bark a r
need les.

CHAI N -SPOTTE D G E O M
ETER moths occu r from Aug. to
Oct. Eggs ove rwinter, hatching
late i n spring. larva feeds mostly
on shrubs a n d sma l l trees. P u pae
form on leaves i n loose cocoons.

ll;lar;va -

...___

..,.....

T H R E E-S POTT E D F I L L I P is
single-broode d . Moths occ u r in
early summer. larva is green
with n arrow, broken, white l ines
and a yellow stripe on each side
of the back. I t feeds o n maple.
C ROC U S
G E O M ETER,
or
Cranberry looper, feeds o n
m a n y l ow-g row i n g pla nts. Moths
occ u r in early summer. They vary
g reatly in a m o u n t of wing spotting. Females are often spotless.
P u pa overwinters.

LARGE M A P L E SPANWORM
prefers maple a n d oak to its
many other food plants. The l a rva
resembles a twig . There a re two
b roods. Moths occ u r lhroug h the
summer. P u pa overwinters.

1 43

BAGWO R M , or Evergreen Bog

worm, is common from Moss. and
Kans. south to Fla. and Tex.
Feeds mainly on evergreens as
well as locust, syca more, a n d wil
l ow. Eggs overwinter i n bag.
Moths emerge i n fal l .

BAGWO R M M OT H S o re n a med for t h e si lken bag

which the la rva covers with bits of the food plant. W h e n
f u l l - g rown, it faste ns the b a g to a twi g a n d c h a nges to a
p u p a . The fe m a l e moth is wing less a n d leg less. S h e lays
her eggs i n side the bag . There o re a bout 20 species of
bagworm m oths in N o rth America .

CLEARW I N G M O T H S , with tra n spa rent wings, re

se m b le bees and wasps. T h ey fly in the dayti m e and feed
at fl owers. la rvae o re borers i n bark, ste m s, o r roots of
trees, or in stem s or roots of s m a l l e r p l a nts. A few of the

1 25 N o rth American species a re pests.

PEACH T R E E BORER attacks
stone fruit trees near the g round.
I t occurs i n southern Canada and
the U n ited Stoles. Color pattern
varies throughout its range. It is
sing le-brood ed.

1 44

SCj)UASH V I N E B O R E R occ u rs
in most of North America except
along the Pacific coast. La rva
feed s in squash stems a n d is a
serious pest. It overwinters in the
ground; p u pates i n the spring.

CAT E R P I LSA D D L E BAC K

L A R , named for the ova l brown
spot o n its back, has d isti nctive
stinging spines. I t feeds o n vari
ous p l a nts, i n c l u d ing corn, rose,
cherry, and Pawpaw.

S P I N Y OAK-S L U G a lso h a s
sti n g i n g spines. Besides oak, it
feed s o n pea r, w i l l ow, che.rry,
and other trees. The moth occurs
i n J u ne. The n u m be r of g reen
spots o n the forewing varies.

S L U G CAT E R P I L LA R M OT H S n u m be r ove r 40 N o rt h
A m e r i ca n species. The l a rvae c r a w l l i ke s l ugs; t h e i r t h o
racic l egs a r e sma l l a n d i nstead of prol egs t h e y h a v e suck
i n g d i scs. T h e ova l to s p h e rical cocoo n , m a d e of dark
b rown sil k, h a s a l i d a t o n e e n d w h i c h the emerging moth
pushes aside. la rva e overwinter i n t h e cocoo ns.
HAG M OTH feeds mostly o n
shrubs. The l a rva, sometimes
called Mon key Slug, has projec
tions bea ring sti n g i n g
h a i rs
along its sides. These hairs are
woven i nto the cocoon .

S K I F F M OT H occurs i n mid
summer. Eggs a re foot a n d wafer
l i ke. la rva, without h a i r or sti ng
ing spines, p refers oak, Wild
C herry, a n d syca more. H a s dis
tinct races varying in color.

1 45

Ragweed
Plume Moth

0.4-0.5"

P LU M E M OT H S are n a med for the p l u m e - l i k e divisions

of their wings. The forewi n g m a y be sepa rated i nto two
pa rts, the h i ndwing into t h ree. Ragweed P l u m e Moth
o c c u rs widely i n the U .S. la rva and p u pa are h a i ry. There
a re over l 00 species i n N o rth America .

FLAN N E L M O T H S a re n a m ed for the text u re of t h e

wings. The la rva, a bo ut a n i n c h l o n g w h e n f u l l - g row n , i s
s l u g - l i k e a n d bea rs sti n g i n g h a i rs. It h a s seven pa i rs o f
p ro l e g s . The P u s s Caterpi l l a r of eastern U . S . is w h ite w h e n
yo u n g . It overwi nters i n the cocoo n .

LEAF R O L L E R S m a ke u p a very large fa m i ly, i n c l u d i n g

m a n y serious pests. The larva ro lls a l e a f or leaves to
get h e r a n d l ives i n side t h e m . Cocoo n s a re m a d e of t h i n ,
soft s i l k o n o r near the food pla nt.
S P R U C E B U DWO R M , one of
o u r worst forest pests, feeds
mainly on fi rs and spruces. It oc
c u rs i n Canada, northern U .S.,
and Colorado. Eggs a re laid in
midsummer. La rvae overwinter.

FRU I T T R E E L E A F ROLL E R
occu r s i n a p p le-growing a reas o f
t h e U . S . a n d C a n a d a . E g g s are
laid i n m asses on tree l imbs,
where they overwi nter. They
hatch early in spring.

LEOPA R D MOTH, accidenta l l y

i n t ro d u c e d f r o m E u r o p e a b o u t
1 8 79, i s a pest, m a i n l y o f e l m s a n d
m a p l e s . O n e moth ca n l a y a bo u t
8 0 0 egg s . L a r v a e m a t u re i n a bo u t
t w o yea r s .

CAR PE NTER WOR MS a re g r u b- l i ke l a rvae that bore

in trees, even in sol i d wood . They p u p a te w i t h i n the
bored t u n ne l s . W h e n e m e rg i ng , mot h s , w h i c h l oo k l i ke
Sph i n x Mot h s ( p . 8 2) , shed the p u pa l s k i n at the t u n n e l
e x i t . They l a y egg s o n ba r k or i n tu n n e l s from w h i c h
t h e y ca m e . S o m e 4 0 spec i e s occ u r n o r t h o f Mex i co.
CARPENTERWORM MOTH i s a
pest of m a n y h a rd wood s , m a i n l y
a s h , oa k , e l m , l o cus t, a n d m a p l e .
E g g s a re l a i d o n ba r k , often n e a r
wou n d s . T h i s m o t h h a s a l i fe cyc l e
of f r o m t h ree t o fo u r yea r s .

G R A P E L EAF FOL D E R is com

m o n from Mexico i n to southern
Conodo. Female hos two white
spots o n h i n d w i n g . I t is d o uble
brooded. P u pa overwinters in
folded g r a pe o r wood bine l eaves.

Z I M M E R M A N P I N E M OT H
occ u rs in no. U . S . a n d s o . C a n
ada, attacking p i n es. la rvae
often feed a n d p u pate on twigs
infested by a n other i nsect. Eggs
or l a rvae overwinter.

S N O U T M OTHS make u p a l a rg e fa m i ly of nearly

1 ,000 species n o rth of Mexico . Mostly medium- to s m a l l

sized m oths, t h e y va ry g reatly i n a ppea ra n c e . T h e m a i n

co m m o n feature is the s n o ut- l i k e p rojection i n f r o n t o f
the h e a d , com posed o f mouthparts c a l led p a lp i . Ma ny
snout moths a re i m porta nt pests of c ro ps and stored g ra i n .
T h e l a rvae usua l ly live i n t h e ste m s o r ro l l ed leaves o f the
food p l a nt. Most k i n d s make t h i n cocoo ns.
E U ROPEAN CORN BORER
occ u rs in corn-growing a reas o f
No rth America. La rva bo res i n to
sta l k s a n d e a rs of corn . It also
feeds on about 200 other p l a n ts,
i n c l u d i n g dock, m i l let, pigweed,
sorg h u m , a n d d a h l i a . Matu ri n g in
about a month, the la rva over
winters in its tun nel and p u pates
there in spring .

fema le

S O U T H E R N C O R N STA L K
B O R E R occ u rs from Md. a n d
K a n s . south t o Flo. a n d M e x . a n d
west to A r i z . lorvo hibernates i n
c o r n sta l ks j u st above the roots.
The species is d o u b le-brooded.

G R EAT E R WAX M OTH is a

nation-wide pest of beeh ives.
Eggs are laid o n o r near the
comb, o n w h ich the la rva feed s.
There are 3 broods. Winter i s
passed a s a p u pa .

C E L E RY L E A F T I E R is widely
d istributed. I t s u rvives cold win
ters only i n greenhouses. Besides
celery, it is a pest of many g a r
d e n a n d g re e n house p l a nts,
feed i n g and p u pating in leaves.

GA R D E N W E B W O R M , a pest
of alfalfa and other crops, ranges
from S. America to so. Canada .
Webbing is conspicuous in b a d l y
i n fested fields. Several broods
occ ur. P u p a passes winter i n soi l .

I N D I A N - M EAL M OT H feeds
on many kinds of stored foods.
The l a rva webs the materials to
gether, making a thin cocoo n .
I n d oors it breeds conti n u o u sly.
M EAL MOTH is com m o n and
widespread. The d i rty-wh ite l a rva
l ives in a silken tube. It feeds
most commonly o n cereals a n d
cereal prod u cts.
M E D I T E RRAN E A N FLO U R
M OTH feeds o n whole grains
a n d cereals but p refers fl o u r,
which the pinkish l a rvae web
a r o u n d them i n m a sses. Since
1 890 it has spread across a l l of
North America.

CAS E B EA R E R la rva lives i n a thin, to u g h sa c . W h e n

full-g row n , it u s e s the c a s e a s a cocoo n . Of m o re t h a n

1 00 species, t w o of the m ost co m m o n , t h e C i g a r a n d Pistol

Case Bea rers, a re p ests of apple and oth e r fruit trees.

LEA F M I N E RS d a m a g e leaves. The tiny, flat la rvae

feed on the i n n e r ti ssu e . Most of the m o r e tha n 200 N o rth

A m e r i c a n species h ave s h i n i n g scales a n d p l u m es . O n e of

the best k n o w n i s the Solita ry Oak Leaf M i n e r .
0.2-0 .3"
Pistol C a se Bearer

,.1 t t,

,:

....

.i1 f I
'
"

'

0.60.8"

Ia rva i n seed

occurs from the Atla n tic west to

Colo., I d a ho, a n d so. C a n a d a . I t
hibern ates as a l a rva i n a cocoo n .
The l a rva feed s i n folded leaves.
There are 2 to 3 g e nerations.

M EX I C A N J U M P I N G B E A N S
a r e seeds, u s u a l ly o f a species of
croton from Mexico, that contain
a n active l a rva of a relative of
the Codling Mot h . la rvae over
winter i n the seeds.

O L ETH R E U T I D M O T H S c l osely rese m b l e leaf R o l

l ers (p. 1 46) a n d G e l e c h i i d s (p . 1 52). T h e re a re o v e r 700

N o rth A m e r i c a n species, w h i c h may d iffe r g reatly in their
h a b its. Ma n y a re serio us pests of farm a n d forest.
O R I E N TA L F R U I T M OT H , of
the East a n d Southwest, chiefly
attacks peaches. The la rva bores
d i rectly into the twig s early in
the spring; later g e n e ratio n s
enter t h e fru it. La rva winters i n a
thin cocoon .

C O D L I N G M OT H o cc u rs
where a p p le s g row. After winter
i n g as l a rvae i n cocoo n S1 moths
emerge i n early s p r i n g . The
l a rvae infest pears and other
fruits of the apple family, a lso
E n g l ish Wa l n uts.

P I N E S H OOT
M OT H , a serious pest of Red,
Scotch, Austrian, a n d M u g h o
Pines, l a y s eggs i n e a r l y s u m m e r
near the t w i g t i p s . La rva feeds i n
n eedles at fi rst, l a t e r e nters buds.
Pitch forms over thei r b u rrows.
Larva overwinters in b uds.

TWI G M OTH emerges

i n late May and J u n e . Eggs are
l a id on the twigs of Virg i n i a a n d
other h a rd pines i n t o w h i c h the
l a rva bores. Pitch m asses form
where the l a rva t u n nels. The
p a rtly g rown la rva overwinters
i n twig s and feeds i n spri n g .

G E L E C H I I D M O T H S (below) n u m be r more tha n 400

species in N o rth Am erica . Many of these sm a l l m oths a re

pests. Some la rva e feed i n stems. Oth e rs feed i n rol led

leaves o r i n leaves tied togeth er. A few m i n e needles.
Fo rewi n g s a r e n a rrow, h i ndwi n g s somewhat a n g u la r .
G O L D E N RO D S P I N D L E
GALL mig ht be confused with
the round g a l l of a fly. Before
p u pati ng i n the g a l l , the l a rva
m a kes a n exit hole. Moths
emerg e through it i n the foi l .

A N G O U M O I S G RA I N M OT H
i s a serious pest o f stored, whole
kernel g ra ins, especia l l y wheat
a n d corn, throughout the U n ited
States. Some g ra i n is attacked i n
the field at ha rvest time.

0 .3 -0.8"

1 52

ebbing Clothes Moth

0.3 -0.6"

Case-ma king
Carpet Moth

Clothes Moth

0.3-0.6"

0.3 -0.6"

T I N E I D M O T H S i n c l u d e more t h a n 1 25 N o rth American

species. Some eat leaves, some f u n g us, and some wool
fa bric o r fur. T h e Carpet Moths a n d C loth es Moths belong
to t h i s fa mi ly. T h e Webbi n g Clothes Moth i s m ost com m o n .
T h e Case- m a k i n g C lothes Moth is da rker. I t s la rva lives i n
a movable, o p e n -ended case.

OTH E R M OT H S

The m oths and butterfl ies o n t h e pre

vious pages rep rese n t t h i rty-six fa m i lies of Lepidoptera .

Some t h i rty m o re fa m i lies exist i n N o rth A m e rica, i n c l u d
i n g m a n y i n conspicuous moths. The fol low i n g two moths
ore exceptio n s .
M I M O S A W E BWORM occurs
o n m imosa a n d Honey Locust i n
the East. I t ties leaves togethe r
a n d feeds within t h e webbin g .
D o u ble-brood ed, it overwinters
as a pupa i n a soft, white cocoon .

Y U CCA M OT H is essential for

the Yucca's reprod uction. The
fem o l e moth ca rries pol len to the
stig ma, fertil izing the eggs which
form seeds. La rva feeds i n t h e
seeds, p u pates i n spring.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Red-spotted Purple,
Limenitis orthemis astyonax
21 Pipevine: Bottus philenor
Polydomos, B. polydamas
22 Block, Papilio polyxenes
Bo ird's, P. bairdii
Anise: P. zelicaon
23 lndra, P. indro
24 Polomedes, P. polamedes
Alaskan: P. machaon oliaska
: ;ffuontes
27 Eastern, P. glaucus
Western: P. rutulus
28 Two-toile& P. multicaudata
Pole, P. eurymedon
Zebra: Eurytides marcellus
29 Clodius: Porno!isius clodius
Smintheus: P. phoebus smintheus
30 Colias eurytheme
31 Clouded, C. philodice
Pink: C. interior
32 Sora, Anthocharis sara
Fa lcote, A. midea
Olympia' Euchloe olr.mpia
33 grJI: ;h; eo
, s
34 Coli!., Zerene eurydice
Southern: Z. cesonio
little: Euremo lisa
35 Sleepy, E. nicippe
Fairy, E. daira
Dainty: Nothalis iole
Mustard: Pieris nopi
36 Pine: Neophosio menapio
Great: Ascio monuste phileto
Giant: Gonyra ;osephino
Florida: Appios drusilla neumoegenii
37 Checkered: Pieris protodice
Cabbage, P. rapoe
38 Donaus plexippus
39 D. gilippus berenice
40 Eyed, Lethe eurydice
Creole, L. creola
Pearly, L. portlandia
41 little, Megisto cyme/a
Gemme& Cyllopsis gemma
Carolina: Hermeuptychio hermes
Georgia: Neonympha oreolotus
Plain: Coenonympho inornota
Calif.: C. california
42 Riding's: Neominois ridingsii
Common: frehio epipsodeo
Common Wood: Cercyonis pegola
Nevada: Oeneis nevodensis
43 Gu If, Agraulis vanillae
Julio: Dryas ;ulio
Zebra: Heliconius choritonius
44 Variegated: fuptoieta claudio
Rego I, Speyeria idalia
45 Great, S. cybele
Aphrodite, S. aphrodite
46 Diona: S. diana
Nevada: S. collippe nevodensis
19

1 54

47

Eurynome: S. mormonio eurynome

e n
ina

u t':JJ'
t:-/nB.r!epithore
Western:

Baltimore, Euphydryas phaeton

Silvery, Charidryas nycteis
Harris': C. horrisii
Cholcedon, Occidryas chalcedono
49 Mylitta, Phyciodes mylitta
Field, P. campestris
n
rl rtttt,
50 Question Mark, Polygonia
interrogationis
Satyr, P. satyrus
5 1 Comma: P. comma
Fawn: P. faunus
Zephyr, P. zephyrus
52 Junonia coenia
53 Painted: Vanessa cardui
West Coast, V. corye
54 Red Ad m i ro I, V. atalanta
American: V. virginiensis
55 Compton, Nympha/is j-album
Mil bert's, N. milberti
i
n
56 hy;; Lie it hemis arthemis
Viceroy: L. archippus
57 Weidemeyer's: L. weidemeyerii
lorquin's: L. lorquini
Red-spotted: L. orthemis astyanax
58 Calif., Adelpha bredowii
Goatweed: Anoea andria
Morrison's: A. aideo morrisonii
59 Hackberry, Asterocampo celtis

60 ;rJ =1 ur:atilista tatilista

Ruddy, Morpesia petreus
Mimic: Hypolimnos misippus
61 little: Liephelisca virginiensis
Swamp: L. muticum
Northern: L. borealis
62 No is: Apodemia nais
Mormon Dark: A. mormo mormo
Mormon light: A. mormo mejiconus
Snout: Libytheona bachmanii
s
s
63
n
g ; : de :
Colorado: Hypourotis chrysolus
64 White-M: Parrhasius m-olbum
Edward's: Satyrium edwardsii
Acadian: S. acodico
Southern: S. favonius
Red-bonded, Calycopis cecrops
Coral: Harkenclenus titus
65 Calif.: Satyrium californicum
Bonded: S. calanus falacer
Hedgerow: S. saepium
Striped, S. liporops
Sylvan: S. silvinum
Olive: Mitoura gryneus
66 West: lncisalia eryphon
Bonded, I . niphon
Brown: I. augustus
48

67

68
69
70
71

72

73

74
75

76

77

78

79

80

81
82
83

Western: I. iroides
Hoaryo I. polios
Henry's: I. henrici
Frosted: I. irus
American: Lycaena hypophlaeos
Great: L. xonthoides
Ruddy, L rubidus
Purplish, L helloides
gon
,,;'e } t
Harvester: Feniseco torquinius
;; E c ntas
: f b
Pygm : Brephid;um f"Xilis
{
g;: f'a;k,don
Marine: leptotes marino
Reokirt's: Hemiorgus isola
Acmon: Plebejus acmon
Orange: P. melissa
Soepiolus: P. soepio/us
Silveryo G/oucopsyche lygdamus
Sonora: Phifotes sonorensis
Square-spotted, P. bottoides
Hoaryo Acholorus lyciades
Silver: Epor yreus cfarus
Northern, Torybes plyades
Southern, T. bothyllus
Golden, Autochton eel/us
long-tailed: Urbonus proteus
Sleepy: E nnis brizo
Dreamy: (. ice/us
Juvenal's: E. ;uvenalis
Mottled: f. martialis
Mournful : E. tristis
Funereal: f. funeralis
Checkered: Pyrgus communis
Grizzled: P. centaureae
Broz., Calpodes ethlius
Common: Pholisora catullus
Southern, Staphylus hayhurstii
least: Ancyloxypha numitor
e i cas
b :{t
: u
/ n. ':ssacus
leonard's: H. leonordus
Golden: Co eodes ourontioca
Broken Das: wallengrenia otho
long Dash: Polites mystic
Vernal: Pompeius verna
Peck's: Polites coras
Fiery, Hylephila phyleus
Field: Ata/o es campestris
Hobomoko
oanes hobomok
Zebulon: P. zobulon
Roadside: Amblyscirtes vialis
Ocala: Panoquino ocola
Yucca: M othymus yuccoe
Porotreo pj!ebe;o
u
rl; ':fujta
Rustic: Monduca rustico
Five-spotted: M. quinquemaculata

Waved: Cerotomio unduloso

Catal a' C. catalpoe
Four- orned: C. omyntor
Hermit: Sphinx eremitus
Pawpaw, Dolbo hyloeus
86 Elegant, Sphinx pere/egans
Great Ash, S. chersis
87 laurel, S. kalmiae
leo S. gordius
i kd Cherry: S. drupiferarum
88 Ella, Erinnyis ello
Abbot's: Lapora coniferarum
Northern, L bombycoides
i
89
h
esta
! g:C,P."st::, 'b'bo"::f
Sequoia: Sphinx sequoioe
90 One-eyed: Smerinthus cerisyi
Huckleberry: Poonias ostylus
Small-eyed, P. myops
9 1 Blinded: P. excoecatus
Twin-spot: Smerinthus jamaicensis
Walnut, loothae i londis
92 Nessus: Amphion ';Pc
oridensis
Hydrangea: Dorapsa versicolor
Azoleoo D. pholus
Hog, D. myron
93 Achemon: Eumorpha achemon
Pandorus: E. satelfitia
lesser: E. fasciata
94 Hummingbird, Hemoris thysbe
Snowberryo H. diffinis
White-line& H /es lineota
Galium: H. galrii
95 Samia cynthia
96 H alophora cecropia
97 Gtover's: H. gloveri
Ceanothus: H. euryalus
98 Columbia: H. columbia
Pandora: Colorodio pandora
99 Antheraeo polyphemus
1 00 Co//osomio prometheo
1 0 1 C. ongulifero
1 02 Actios luna
1 03 Ia: Automeris io
Sheep: Hemileuca eglanterina
1 04 Buck: H. maio
Nevada: H. nevadensis
1 05 Range: H. oliviae
Silk, Bomb x mori
1 06 Honey: Sphingicampo bicolor
Rosy: Dryocompo rubicundo
1 07 Orange: Anisate senatoria
Spiny: A. stigma
Pink: A. virginiensis
1 08 Citheronio regalis
1 09 fades imperio/is
1 1 0 Ecpontheria scribonia
1 1 1 Acreo: E stigmene ocreo
I so bello, Pyrrhorctia isabel/a
1 1 2 Gorden: A retia ca;a
Folio Hyphantria cuneo
1 1 3 Clymene, Hoploa clymene
Arge: Apontesis orge
Virgo: A. virgo
84

85

1 55

1 14
1 15
1 16
1 17

1 18
1 19
1 20

121

1 22

1 23

1 24

1 25

1 26

1 27

1 28
1 29
1 30
131
1 32

1 56

Hickory: Lophocampo caryoe

Spotted, l. moculoto
Pole, Halisidota tessellaris
Yellow: Spilosomo virginica
Ranchmon's: Platyprepia guttato
Dogbane: Cycnio tenero
Showy: Holomelina ostenta
Milkweed, Euchaetes egle
Bello, Utetheisa bella
Brown: Ctenucha brunneo
Vir inio: C. virginica
Eig t-s otted, Alypio octomoculoto
Calif. : hrygonidio colifornico
Ascolopho odoroto
American: Acronicto americana
Smeared, A. oblinita
Cottonwood: A. le usculina
Black: Agrotis ipsifoon
Pole-sided, A. malefida
Spotted, Xestio dolosa
W-morkedo Spoelotis clandestine
Pole: A rotis orthogonio
SpolteJ.-sided' Xestia bodinodis
Glossy, Crymodes devastator
o
5kdd r:!
Striped, E. tessellate
Bronzed: Prorello emmedonia
White: Pleonectapodo scondens
Dingy, Feltia subgothica
Bristly: Lacin lia renigero
Variegated: eridroma saucia
Yellow, Spodoptera ornithagalli
fall, S. frugiperda
Armyworm: Pseudoletio unipundo
Beet, Spodoptero exiguo
Wheat, Thurberiphaga diffuse
Army: Chorizo rotis ouxiliaris
Zebra: Melonero picto
Cotton: A/ahoma orgillaceo
Green: Plathypeno scobro
ha californica
l ' ut
i ld , 1 b/ftf:,
Cabbage, Trichoplusia ni
Celery, Anagrapha falcifera
Forage: Caenurgino erechteo
lunate: Za/e lunata
Green: Lithophone ontennoto
Dried: ldio lubricalis
Widow: Cotocalo viduo
White: C. relicto
Aholibah, C. aholiboh
Tiny: C. micranympho
Penitent: C. piotrix
locust: Euporthenos nubilis
Copper, Amphipyra pyramidoides
Pearly: Eudryas unio
White-veined: Simyro henrici
Stalk, Popoipemo nebris
Corn: Heliothis zeo
White-marked: Clastero albosigmo
Poplar: C. inclusa
Tentacled: Ceruro
scitiscripto multiscripto

1 33
1 34

1 35

1 36
1 37

1 38
1 39
1 40
141

1 42

1 43

1 44

1 45

1 46

1 47
1 48

1 49

Yellow: Dotano ministro

Walnut: D. integerrima
Sumac: D. perspicua
Saddled, Heterocompo guttivitta
Variable: Lochmaeus manteo
ina
L'r :fcb"r:
Red-humped Caterpillar,
Schizuro concinno
Unicorn: S. unicornis
Rough, Nadata gibbosa
Red-humped Ookworm,
Symmeristo olbifrons
Satin: leucoma salicis
psy: Lymantria dispar
hite-marked:
Orgyia leucostigmo
Western: 0. vetusta
Rusty: 0 . antiquo
i
s
;:, M/s ericanum
Western: M. californicum
Forest: M. disstria
Wild Cherry, Apotelodes torrefacta
Fall, Alsophila pometorio
Spring: Poleocrito vernota
Bruce: Operophtero bruceota
S ear-marked: Rheumoptero hostato
C erry, Hydric undulate
Currant: /tame ribeorio
Walnut: Phigolia plumogerorio
linden: fronnis tilioria
Pepper-and-salt: Biston cognotorio
Elm: fnnomos subsignorius
Hemlock: Lambdina
fiscellaria
Chain-spotted: Cingilio cotenoria
Lorge Maple, Prochoerodes
transversato
Three-spotted, Heterophleps
triguttorio
Crocus: Xonthot sospeta
Bagwarm: Th c.';ifo::.
apteryx
ephemerae rarmis
Peach Tree: Sanninoideo exitiosa
Squash: Melittio curcurbitae
Soddlebock, Sibine stimuleo
iny, Euclea delphinii
h
sff: ';;
Ragweed: Adoino ombrosioe
Puss: M olopygo operculoris
Spruce: dhoristaneuro fumiferono
Fruit Tree: Archips orgyraspilus
leapa rd: Zeuzero yrino
Carpenterwarm: p,rionoxystus
robinioe
Grope leaf: Desmio funerolis
Zimmerman: Dioryctrio
zimmermoni
n:
b
h:n : aboides
Greater: Galleria mellonella
Celery, Udea rubigalis
Garden: Achyro rantolis

1 50 I nd i a n - m ea l : Plodia interpunctella
Mea I : Pyrolis farina lis
Med i terra n ea n : Anogasto kuhniello
C i g a r : Coleophora cerasivorella
Pisto l : C . malivorella
So l i ta r y , Cameraria hamadryadella
1 5 1 Stra wberry : Ancylis comptana
Mexica n : Cydio deshaisiona
Ori e n ta l : Gropholitha molesto
Cod l i n g , Cydia pomonella

1 52 E u ropea n : Rhyocionia buoliano

P i tc h : Petrovo comstockiono
Go l d e n rod: Gnorimoschemo
galloesolidoginis
1ella
r
i
;
e
1 53
Carpet, richophaga tapetzel/a
Case-ma k i n g , Tinea pellionella
M i mosa : Homadoulo anisocentro
Yucca : Tegeticula yuccasella

b'b;f T JHUa

INDEX

Aste r i s k s ( * ) d e n ote p a g e s o n w h i c h i l l u s t r a t i o n s a p pe a r .
Abbot's P i n e S p h i n x , 8 8 * B e l l a M o th , 1 1 6 *
Abbot's S p h i n x , 8 9 *
B i g P o p l ar, 8 9 *
Aca d i a n H a i r strea k , 6 4 * B i l o bed looper, 1 2 6 *
Achemon S p h i n x , 9 3 *
B l a c k C u two r m , 1 2 0 *
Acmon B l u e , 7 2 *
B l a ck Swa l l owta i l , 2 2 *
Acrea Math, 1 1 1 *
Black Witch, 1 1 8 *
B l i nded S p h i n x , 9 1 *
Admirals, 56*-57*
Ah o l i ba h U n d e rwi n g ,
B l u e C o pper, 6 8
1 29 *
B l u es, 7 0 * - 7 3 *
A l a s k a n Swa l l owta i l , 2 4 * B ra z i l i a n S k i pper, 7 7 *
B r i s t l y Cutworm, 1 23 *
A l f a l fa B u t t e r fl y, 3 0 *
A l f a l fa looper, 1 2 6
Broken D a s h , 7 9 *
B r o n ze C o p p e r , 6 9 *
Amer. C o p per, 8 * , 6 8 *
A m e r . Dogger M o t h , 1 1 9 * Bronzed C u two r m , 1 2 2 *
Amer. P a i nted l a d y, 54 Brown C t e n u c h a Math ,
Angle Wings, 50* -5 1 *
1 1 7*
A n g o u m o i s G ra i n , 1 5 2 *
Brown E l fi n , 6 6 *
A n g v i n a Moth, 1 3 4 *
Bruce Spanworm , 1 40 *
A n i se Swa l l owta i l , 2 2 , 2 3 * B ru s h - footed Bu t t erf lies,
Apante s i s T i ger, 1 1 3 *
3 8 * -60*
Buckeyes, 5 2 *
Aphrod i t e , 4 5 *
B u c k Moth , 1 04 *
Apple Sphinx, 87*
Arge T i g e r M ot h, 1 1 3 *
B u t ter f l i e s , 1 9 * - 7 3 *
A r m y C u two r m , 1 2 5 *
A r m yworm Moths, 1 2 4 * - Cabbage B u t te r f l y, 3 7 *
1 25 *
Cabbage looper, 1 2 6 *
Catalpa Sphinx, 84*
Atlantis, 4 5
C a l i f o r n i a Dog-face, 3 4 *
A z a l ea S p h i n x , 9 2 *
C a l i f . H a i r strea k , 6 5 *
C a l i f . Oakworm Moth,
Bagworm Moths, 1 44
B a i rd's Swa l l owta i l , 2 2 ,
1 1 7*
C a l i f o r n i a R i ng l e t , 4 1 *
23*
B a l t i more C h e c k e r s p o t ,
C a l i f o r n i a S i ster, 5 8 *
C a l i f . Wood N y m p h , 1 3 0
48*
C a r o l i n a Sa tyr, 4 1 *
Banded E l fi n , 6 6*
C a ro l i n a S p h i n x , 8 2 *
Banded H a i r strea k , 65 *
Banded Woo l l y Bear, 1 1 1 * C a r penterworm Moths,
Beautiful Wood N y m p h ,
1 47 *
C a rpet Moth, 1 5 3 *
1 30
Case Bearers, 1 50 *
Beet Armywo r m , 1 2 4 *

C a se - m a k i n g C l othes
Mo t h, 1 5 3 *
Catalpa Sphinx, 8 4
C a t a l pawo r m , 8 4 *
Catoc a l a s , 1 2 8 * - 1 3 1 *
C e a n o t h u s S i l k Ma t h, 9 7 *
C e c r o p i a Moth, 9 6 *
C e l e r y leaf T i e r, 1 4 9 *
C e l e r y looper, 1 2 6
C h a i n -spot ted Geometer, 1 4 3 *
C h a l c e d o n C heckerspot,
48*
C heckered S k i pper, 7 7 *
Checkered W h i t e , 3 7 *
Checkerspots, 4 8 *
Cherry Scal lop-she l l ,
141*
C i g a r C a se Bearer, 1 5 0 *
C l ea r w i n g Moths, 1 44 *
C l e f t - h eaded S p a n worm, 1 42 *
Cladius, 2 9 *
C l o u d e d S u l p h u r, 3 1
C l o u d l e s s S u l p hur, 33
Clymene, 1 1 3 *
C o bweb S k i pper, 7 8 *
Cod l i n g M o t h , 1 5 1 *
C o l o r a d o H a i rstrea k , 63 *
C o l u m b i a S i l k Moth, 9 8 *
Comma, 6*, 5 1 *
Common Alpine, 42*
Common Blue, 7 1 *
C o m m o n H a i rstrea k , 6 3 *
C o m m o n S n o u t , 62 *
C o m m o n Sooty-w i n g , 7 7 *
C o m m o n S u l p h u r, 3 1
Common White, 37*
C o m m o n Wood N y m p h ,
42 *

1 57

C o m pton To r t o i se She l l ,

55*

Coppers, 68* -69*

Copper U n d e rw i n g , 1 30 *
C o r a l H a i rstreak, 64 *
Corn E a rw o r m , 1 3 1 *
Cotton lea/wo r m , 1 25 *
Cottonwood Dagger,

1 1 9*

Creole Pea r l y Eye, 40*

Crescents, 4 9 *
Crocus Geometer, 1 4 3 *
Ctenucha Moths, 1 1 7*
C u r r a n t Spanwo r m , 1 4 1
C u t w o r m Moths, 1 20 * -

....

1 23 *

Cynthia Moth,

r-

"'
J:

;(

(!)
"' Z
Qi!
:::>
"'
<(
w

95 *

Dagger Moths, 1 1 9 *
Dogger W i n g s , 60*
D a i n t y S u l p h u r, 3 5 *
Dark- sided Cutworm,

1 22*

Diana, 46*
D i n g y Cutworm, 1 23 *
D i n g y P u r p l e W i n g , 60
Di o p ti d Moths, 1 1 7 *
Dogbane T i g e r Moth,

1 1 5*

Dreamy Dusky-w i n g , 76*

Dried leaf Moth, 1 27 *
Dwa r f B l u e , 71 *
Eastern Meadow F r i t i l l o r y, 47*
Eastern To i l e d B l u e Butterll y, 6 * , 70 *
Ea stern Tent Cate r p i l lar,

1 38 *

F a i r y Ye l l ow S u l phur, 3 5 * Great P u r p l e H a i r strea k , 6 3 *

Fal cate Orange T i p , 3 2 *
F a l l Armywo r m , 1 24 *
Great Southern W h i t e ,
F a l l Cankerwo r m , 1 40*
36*
F a l l Webwor m , 1 1 2 * ,
Great Spang led F r i t i l 1 38
l o r y, 8 * , 1 1 * , 4 5 *
Green C l overwo r m , 1 25 *
fawn, 5 1 *
Green F r u i tworm, 1 2 7*
Field C rescent , 49*
Green-stri ped Maple
F i e l d S k i p per, 7 9 *
Wor m , 1 06 *
F i e r y S k i p per, 79*
F ive-spotted Hawkmoth,
G r i z z led S k i pper, 77*
G u l f F r i t i l l a r y, 43 *
9* ' 83*
Gypsy Mot h , 1 36 *
F l a n n e l Moths, 1 46 *
F l a . P u r p l e W i n g , 60*
H a c k berry, 5 9 *
F l a . Wh it e, 3 6 *
Forage looper, 1 27 *
H a g Mo t h , 7 * , 8, 1 45 *
H a i rstrea k s , 63* -65*
Forester Mot h s , 1 1 7 *
F o r e s t Tent Caterp i l l a r,
H o n d - m o i d Moths,

1 39 *

Four-hor ned S p h i n x , 85*

F r i t i l l o r i e s , 4 4 * -47*
Frosted E l fi n , 67*
Fruit Tree leal R o l ler,

1 46*

Funereal Dusky-w i n g ,

76*

G a l i u m S p h i n x , 94 *
Garden Tiger Moth, 1 1 2 *
Garden Webworm, 1 49 *
Gelec h i i d Mot h s , 1 52 *
Gemmed Satyr, 4 1 *
Geometer, 1 40 * - 1 43 *
Georg i a Satyr, 41 *
G i a n t S i l k M o t h s , 95 *-

1 04 *

G i a n t Swa l l owta i l , 25 *
G i a n t White, 3 6 *
G l assy C utwo r m , 1 2 1 *
G l over's S i l k Moth, 9 7 *
Goatweed , 5 8 *
Golden- banded S k i p per,

Eastern T i g e r Swa l l owta i l , 2 7 *

Edwards' H a i rstrea k , 64 *
75*
E i g h t - spotted Forester,
Goldenrod S p i n d l e G a l l ,

1 1 7*

E l egant S p h i n x , 86*
E l li n s , 66*-67*
E l l a S p h i n x , 88*
El m leal Caterpi l l a r,

1 34*

E l m Spanworm, 1 42 *
E m peror B u t terflies, 59*
Eur. C or n Borer, 1 48 *
E u r . P i ne Shoot, 1 52 *
E u ry n o me , 4 6 *
Eyed B rown , 40*

1 58

1 52 *

G o r g o n Copper, 69*
G o s s a m e r W i n g s , 63 *-

7 3*

Grape lea/ Fol der, 1 48 *

Gray H a i rstrea k , 63 *
Great A s h S p h i n x , 8 6 *
G r e a t C opper, 68*
Greater F r i t i l l a r i e s , 4 4 * -

1 33 * - 1 3 5 *

H a p l o a T i g e r Mot h , 1 1 3
H a r r i s ' C heckerspot, 48*
Ha rvester, 70*
Howkmoths, 82* - 8 3 *
Hedge row H a i rstreok,

65*

Heliconians, 43*
H e m l o c k loo per, 1 42 *
Henry's E l fi n , 67*
Herm i t - l i ke Sph i n x , 8 5
Hermit Sphinx, 85*
H i c k o r y H orned Dev i l ,

1 08 *

H i c k o r y Tussock Mot h ,

1 1 4*

Ho ary-edged S k i p per,

74*

H o a r y E l fi n , 6 7 *
Hobomok S k i pper, 80*
H o g Sphinx, 9 2 *
Honey-locust, 1 0 6 *
Hu c k leberry S p h i n x , 90*
H u m m i ng b i rd Moth, 94 *
Hydrangea Sph i n x , 92*
I m p e r i a l Moth, 1 09*
I n d i a n - meal Mot h , 1 50 *
I n d i a n S k i p per, 7 8*
l ndra , 2 3 *
lo m o t h , 6 * , 7 * , 8, 1 03 *
I s a be l l a Moth, 9 * , 1 1 1 *

J u b a S k i pper, 7 8 *
46*
Julia, 43*
Greater W a x M o t h , 1 49 * Juve n o l 's Dusky-wing ,
G r e a t leopa r d , 1 1 0 *
76*

large Maple Spanworm,

1 43 *
lasioca m p i d s , 1 3 8 * 1 39*
laurel Sph i n x , 8 7 *
leaf M i n e r s , 1 50 *
leaf R o l l e r s , 1 46 *
leafw i n g Butterflies, 5 8 *
least S k i pper, 7 8 *
leonard's S k i p per, 7 8 *
leopard Moth, 1 4 7 *
lesser F r i t i l l a r i e s , 4 7 *
lesser V i n e S p h i n x , 9 3 *
linden looper, 1 4 2 *
l i t t l e Meta l m a r k , 6 1 *
l i t t l e S u l p h ur, 34 *
l i t t l e Wood Satyr, 4 1
locust Underw i n g , 1 3 0 *
long D a s h , 79 *
long Ta i l ed S k i pper, 7 5 *
looper s , 1 2 6 * - 1 2 7 *
lorq u i n's Ad m i r a l , 5 7 *
luna Moth, 1 0 2 *
lunate Z a l e , 1 2 7 *

Noctu i d s , 1 1 8 * - 1 3 1 *
P l u m e Moths, 1 46 *
" P o c a h o n ta s , " 8 0 *
N o r t h e r n C l oudy W i n g ,
P o l yd a m a s Swa l l owta i l , 2 1 *
75*
N o r thern Metal m a r k , 6 1 P o l y p h e m u s , 6 , 9 9 *
N o r t hern P e a r l y E y e , 40
P o p l a r Te ntma ker, 1 3 2 *
N o r thern P i n e S p h i n x , B B * P r o methea M o t h , 9 * , 1 0 0 *
P r o m i n ents, 1 3 2 *
O a k w o r m Mot h s , 1 0 7 * P u r p l e W i n g s , 60*
1 09 *
P u r p l i s h C o p per, 69 *
Ocola S k i pper, 8 0 *
P u s s Cate rp i l lar, 7 * , 8 ,
Olethreutids, 1 5 1
1 46 *
O l ive H a i rstrea k , 6 5 *
Pygmy B l u e , 7 1 *
Olympia Marble, 32*
One-eyed S p h i n x , 9 0 *
Qu e e n, 3 9 *
Orange -barred S u l p h u r,
Question Mark, 5 0 *
33*
Orange-bordered B l u e ,
Ragweed P l u m e Moth, 1 46 *
72*
R a n c h m a n 's T i ger, 1 1 5 *
Orange S u l phur, 3 0 *
R a n g e C a t e rp i l l a r, 1 05
Oriental F r u i t , 1 5 1 *
Rea k i r t's B l u e , 7 2 *
Red Admiral, 54*
R e d- banded H a i rstrea k ,
P a i nted lady, 5 3 *
P a l a medes Swa l l owta i l ,
64*
24
Red - h u m ped C a ter p i l lar,
P a l e - s i d e d Cutwo r m , 1 2 0 *
1 35 *
P a l e Swa l l owta i l , 2 8 *
Red - h u m ped Oakwo r m ,
Marine B l u e , 7 2 *
P a l e Tu ssock Moth, 1 1 4 *
1 35 *
Meal M o t h , 1 50 *
Med i i . F l o u r M o t h , 1 50 * P a l e W . C u two r m , 1 2 1 *
Red-spotted P u r p l e ,
1 9* , 57*
Pandora M o t h , 9 8 *
Meta l ma r k s , 6 1 * - 6 2 *
Pandorus S p h i n x , 9 3 *
Mex i c a n Fri t i l l a ry, 4 4
Regal F r i t i l l a r y, 4 4 *
Parnass i u s , 2 0 , 2 9 *
R e g a l M o t h s , 1 06 *
M i l bert's To r t o i s e Sh e l l ,
55*
Pawpaw S p h i n x , 8 5 *
R i d i ng 's Satyr, 4 2 *
P e a c h Tree Borer, 1 44 *
R o a d s i d e S k i p per, 8 0 *
M i l kweed Butterfl i e s ,
38* -39*
P e a r l C rescent, 4 9 *
Rosy Maple Moth, 1 06 *
R o u g h P r o m i ne nt , 1 3 5 *
Pearly Eye, 4 0 *
M i l kweed Tu ssock Moth,
R o y al Mo ths , 1 0 6 *
Pearly Wood N y m p h ,
1 1 6*
R o y a l Wa l n u t , 1 0 8 *
1 30 *
Mimic, 60*
R u d d y C o p per, 6 8 *
Mimosa Webwo r m , 1 5 3 * Peck's S k i p per, 7 9 *
Mona r c h , 6 * , 3 8 * , 3 9
P e n i te nt U nderw i n g , 1 2 9 * R u d d y Dagger Wing, 60 *
Rustic Sphinx, 8 3 *
Mormon Meta l m a r k , 6 2 * Pepper-a nd-sa l t , 1 42 *
Mor r i s o n 's Gootweed, 5 8 * P h a o n C r escent, 4 9 *
R u s t y Tu ssock, 1 3 7 *
P i n e E l fi n , 66*
Mot h s , 8 1 * - 1 5 2 *
Mot tled Dusky-wi n g , 7 6 * P i n e Tu ssock Moth, 1 3 7 *
Saddleback, 7 * , 8, 1 45 *
Mounta i n Swa l l owta i l ,
P i n e White, 3 6 *
Saddled Prominent, 1 34 *
23*
P i n k -edged S u l p h u r, 3 1 * Sae p i o l u s B l u e , 73 *
Mournful Dusky-wi ng, 76* P i n k - spotted Hawk m o t h , S a l t Mars h Cater p i l l a r,
1 1 1 *
Mou r n i n g C l o a k , 5 5 *
82*
Mustard Whi t e, 3 5 *
P i nk-str i ped Oa kwo r m ,
Sara Orange T i p , 3 2 *
1 07*
Satin Moth, 1 36 *
My l i tta Cresce n t , 4 9 *
P i pevine Swa l l owta i l ,
Satyr A n g l e W i n g , 5 0 *
Nais Metolmork , 6 2 *
Satyrs, 4 0 * - 4 2 *
9 * , 1 9 * , 20 * , 2 1 *
Nessus Sph i n x , 9 2 *
P i stol C a s e Bearer, 1 50 * Seq u o i a Sph i n x , 8 9 *
P i tch Tw i g m o t h , 1 5 2 *
N evada Arct i c , 4 2 *
Sheep Moth, 1 03*
N evada B u c k , 1 04 *
P l a i n R i n g let, 4 1
S h o r t - t a i l e d Swa l l owNevada F r i t i l l a r y, 4 6 *
Plebeian Sphinx, 8 1 *
ta i l , 23

1 59

;;)
"'

o.

S howy H o l o m e l i n a , 1 1 6 *
S i l k Mot h s , 1 0 5 *
S i lvered -borde red f r i t i l
lary, 4 7 *
S i lvery C heckerspot, 4 8 *
S i lver-s potted S k i pper,
74*
S i lvery B l u e , 7 3 *
S i sters, 5 6 , 5 8 *
S k i ff Moth, 1 45 *
S k i ppers, 74 * - 8 0 *
S l eepy D u s k y - w i n g , 7 6 *
S l eepy Or a n g e , 3 5 *
S l u g Cate r p i l l a r, 1 45 *
S m a l l -eyed S p h i n x , 9 0 *
S me a red D a g g e r , I 1 9 *
S m i nthe u s , 2 9 *
Snout B utterfl i e s, 6 2 *
Snout Moths, 1 4 8 * - 1 50 *
Snowberry C l earwi n g ,
94*
*
- h
i
n .
1 50 *
Sonora B l u e , 73 *
Southern C l oudy W i n g ,
75 *
Southern Cor nsta l k
Borer, 1 49 *
Southern Dog-face, 34 *
Southern H a i rstrea k , 6 4 *
Southern Sooty-w i n g ,
77*
Spanworms, 1 40 * - 1 4 3 *
Spear -m a r ke d B l ack
moth , 1 4 1 *
S p h i n x Moths, 8 2 * - 9 4 *
S p i cebush Swa l l owta i l ,
26*

Stri ped Ga rden Cut

worm, 1 2 1 *
Stri ped H a i rstreak, 65 *
S u l ph u r s and W h i tes,
30* -37*
Sumac Cater p i l lar, 1 3 3 *
Swa l l owta i l s , 2 0 * - 2 8 *
Swamp Meta l m a r k , 6 1 *
Sweetpotato H o r nwor m ,
82
Sycamore Tu ssock Mo t h ,
1 14
Sylvan H a i rstrea k , 6 5 *

Wa l n u t S p h i n x , 9 1 *
Waved S p h i n x , 8 4 *
Web b i n g C l othes Moth,
1 53 *
We idemeyer's Adm i r a l ,
57*
West C o a s t lady, 5 3 *
We stern Banded E lfi n , 6 6
Western E lfi n , 6 7 *
Western Meadow F r i t i l lary, 47*
Western Ta i l ed B l u e , 7 1 *
Western Tent Cater p i l
lar, 1 3 B *
We stern Ti ger Swa l l owTawny E m peror, 5 9 *
Te ntacled P r o m i nent,
ta i l , 2 7 *
We stern Tu sso c k , 1 3 7 *
1 32 *
Tent Cater p i l l a r s , 6 * ,
Wheat Head Armywo r m ,
1 38 * - 1 39*
1 24 *
Thistle Butterfl i e s , 53 * White A d m i ra l , 5 6 *
W h i te C utwo r m , 1 2 2 *
54*
Three-spotted f i l l i p , 1 4 3 * W h i te- l i ned S p h i n x , 9 4 *
Three- ta i l ed Swal lowWhite-ma rked Tentmaker, 1 3 2 *
ta i l , 28
Ti ger Moths, 1 1 0 * - 1 1 6 *
White-ma rked Tu ssock
Tineid Mot h s , 1 5 3 *
Mot h , 1 3 7 *
Ti ny N ymph U nderwi n g ,
W h i te-M H a i rstrea k , 6 4 '
W h i tes a n d S u l p h u r s ,
1 29 *
Tobacco H ornworm, 8 2 *
30*-37*
Tomato Hornworm, 8 3 *
W h i te U n derw i n g , 1 2 8 *
Wh ite-veined Dagger,
Tor t o i se S h e l l s , 5 5 *
131 *
Tro pi c Queens, 60*
W i d ow Un d erw i n g , 1 2 8 '
True S i l k Moths, 1 05 *
W i l d Ch erry Mo t h , 1 3 9 *
Tu l i p - tree S i l k , 1 0 1 *
Tu ssock Moths, 1 3 6 * W i l d Cherry S p h i n x , 8 7 *
W-Marked C utwo r m , 1 2<
1 37 *
Tw i n -spot ted S p h i n x , 91 *
Two -ta i led Swa l l owta i l ,
Xerces B l ue, 1 2 *
28*
Ye l l ow-necked Caterp i i S p i n y O a k - s l u g , 1 45 *
S p i n y Oakworm, 1 07 *
U nc as Ski pper, 7 8 *
lar, 1 3 3 *
S potted Cutworm, 1 2 0 *
Underw i n g s , 1 2 8 * - 1 3 1 *
Ye l l ow-striped ArmySpotted - s ided Cutwo r m ,
U n i corn Cater p i l lar, 1 3 5 *
wo r m , 1 2 3 *
Ye l l ow Woo l l y B e a r, 1 1 5 *
121 *
Yucca Moth, 1 5 3 *
Va r i a b l e O ak leo/ CatSpot ted Tu ssock Moth,
Yucca S k i pper, 8 0 *
erpi l l a r, 1 3 4 *
1 14*
S p r i n g C a nkerwo r m ,
Va r i egated Cutwo r m , 1 2 3 *
Va r i egated f r i t i l l a r y, 4 4 * Z e b u l o n S k i pper, 8 0 *
1 40 *
Ver n a l Ski pper, 7 9 *
S p ruce Budworm, 1 46 *
Zano l i d s , 1 3 9 *
Zebra, 4 3 *
Square-spotted B l ue, 7 3 * Vice roy, 9 * , 5 6 *
Squash V i n e Borer, 1 44 * V i r g i n i a Ctenucha, 1 1 7 *
Zebra C a te r p i l lar, 1 2 5 *
Virgo Tiger Mot h , 1 1 3 *
Sta l k Borer, 1 3 1 *
Zebra Swa l l owta i l , 2 8 *
Strawberry leaf R o l ler,
Zephyr, 5 1 *
Wa l n ut Cater p i l l a r, 1 3 3 * Z i mmerman P i n e Moth ,
151 *
Stri ped Cutworm, 1 2 2 *
Wa l n u t Spanwo r m , 1 4 1 *
1 48 *

:;: ::tM

oo u

<

1 60

f
I

BUTTERFLIES
AND MOTHS

a. C3uu:k
HERBERT S. ZIM, Ph . D. , Sc. D. , an originator and former
editor of the Golden Guide Series, was also an author for
many years. Author of some ninety books and editor of
about as many, he is now Adjunct Professor at the Uni
versity of Miami and Educational Consultant to the Amer
ican Friends Service Committee and other organizations.
He works on educational, population and environmental
problems.

ROBERT T. MITCHELL, Wildlife Biologist (retired), Pa

tuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland. A
graduate of Ohio State University in applied entomology
(M . Sc. , 1940), he was associated with Federal agencies for
over 30 years, conducting research on insects and birds,
especially in relation to agriculture and wildlife areas. His
knowledge of butterflies and moths stems mainly from a
hobby started in his youth and from subsequent special
ized avocational studies on parasites of Lepidoptera.
0

ANDRE DURENCEAU is a well-known painter of mu

rals as well as a book and magazine illustrator. He ren
dered the illustrations for this book from specimens sup
plied by the Smithsonian I n s titution, United States
National Museum, as well as from color photographs
taken by the author of Lepidoptera eggs, larvae, and
adults raised in his laboratory. The artist a lso did paint
ings for the Golden Press special edition for young read
ers of Oliver La Farge's The American Indian . Durenceau
received his art training in France.

u s $5 .95
Can $8 95

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