Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-16
GAe40lL H. ED10W
How Scouts Can Raise
the Big-winged Moths
BY G. w. ]. CARR
Continued from tuesday,

/ WHERE TO COOP THE COCOONS.
After gathering the cocoons, they should
be placed in box, or cocoonery, covered
with wire netting. which can be made
in a few spare moments. Every few
days they should be sprinkled lightly with
. a little water so that they may he kept
in as near natural condition as possi-
bic. 1t s very important that cocoons
of the different species be kept i'm sep
arate compartments, as ! have lost many
beautiful moths by not separating them.
During the month of May your moths
will begin to come forth, and this is a
sight that one must see to realize the
wonderful wing expansion that takes
place.
The cecropia is the largest of our giant
slkworm moths. with combination of
colors in red, tan, white and black. with
brownish background. There are four
white crescent eyespots on the wings,
with a conspicuous band of red and white
running across the lower portions: be-
meath this come the tan and cream
colors, lined with Van Dyke brown The
body is striped red and white alternately.
Where the wings meet at the body the
red flashes into the brown edged with
white. while on the tip of each wing an
NJ is plainly outlined over the lavender
tingod background.
The male and female can easily he dis
tnguished by the antennae twhat you
would call the feelers), the male having
large. fern-like pair, while the females
are much smaller. If you have a female
and no males. the box should be left in
the open; in this way the males will he
attracted. II Is necessary that she mate
ii you want fertile eggs for raising the
caterpillars. After YOU have attracted
the moths to the box, carefully put one
inside and do not disturb them until the
eggs have been laid; this usually takes a
few days.
FEEDGNG THE CATERPGLLARS.
1t is best. when the eggs are being laid,
not to have any leaves in the box. This
will cause the female 90 lay them where
they can easily he seen from the outside.
After the caterpilars have hatched leaves
should then be placed in the box for
the young to feed upon. When they have
attained fairly good size jars partly
filled with water and containing branches
OF fresh leaves can be placed on the inside
50 that you need not change so often
and the larvae need not be disturbed
When it is necessary to remove the Jars
for fresh supply of leaves, try to force
your caterpillars to take hold of a new
branch. and if this cannot be done it
would be better TO fill a second jar and
place 1t next to the first. In this way
they will climb TO the new branches
for they should not be dis
eurbed while mOulting. The larvae will
make several changes. The cecropia
changes from a blacS To "A blush green
when full grown, and Is armed with rows
Of tubercles, those near the head being
dotted with a corai red, while the re-
are yellow and blue, armed with !
black bristles
When about four inches long the cater |
pillar. will begin weaving their cocoons.
and TO help them in this process few |
branches should be placed in the box.
The cocoons should not be disturbed for
some time, so that the larva will have |
ample time TO complete its final changes. |
THESE cOcoOns should not he allowed TO |
stay in the box undisturbed as they re- |
main in this condition until the following |
spring.
The 10 moth can be easily raised in the |
same manner upon the leaves of the |
oussy-willow. although they feed on a |
variety of other leaves. The luna, poly |
Ohemus and cynthia are others well worth |
'aising, and almost any one with a few |
spare hours can easily gather many CO. |
,oons of dinernt kinds and enjoy Witness
ng one of the wonderful feats of nature.
tMr. Carr will be at Boy Scout Head
quarters, 9Th and Chestnut streets, Sat
lrday afternoon, April "a. from TO 3 |
clock, to answer any questions scouts |
may wish to ask concerning the above |
article on moths.)