Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-15
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDell.
"KENSINGTON, Md.

hCNS1NI1ON, MO.
Dear Sir:
II think met you In toy shop in
Chevy Chase one day. That evening I
was watering my cocoons. have a
small variety of six kinds Of cocoons.
I also have two kinds OF pupas. Among
my collection have two lunas. I have
seen the moths, cocoon and eggs. I
have seen small luna caterpillars, but
have never seen the full-grown cater
pillar. would be very glad to know
little bit about the full-grown parvae.
1.-THE things would like to know are
the size around, the length and the
color. know of three trees they feed
on-oak, hickory and walnut. would
be very glad to receive any information
on the luna or other June night moths
that could. In some Of my moth and
butterfly books they have descriptions Of
luna caterpillars but they are all diff
ferent in every book.
Yours truly. J. T."
Ex y
The luna moth is like vitamin 3D.. It
is susceptible to light. Just as this
vitaInin, sometimes called vitamin G,
chemically known as ribodavin, loses
itself when exposed to light, so the luna
moth loses it's beautiful green in day.
light.
This moth, also called the "Pale EN-
press of the Night" most poetic name,
Is regarded as one Of the most beautiful
Of all insects.
The color is q delicate light green
with purple band on the wings, and a
spot resembling an eye in the middle
Of the front and hind wings.
The coloration makes the insect safe
among leaves. No doubt many person
has looked squarely at one without ever
realizing it.
The best advice we can give this
young correspondent is to 60 to the
National Museum and see the great
collection of moths they have there.
We will never forget the visit we paid
to an old lady many years ago. Her
son was a scientist who specialized in
moths. There were rows upon rows of
cases, all filled with moths. Some of
them were alive, others preserved speci-
mems.
This was our first personal introduc-
ton to these insects, and it was truly
a revelation
This lady was interested in religious
subjects, and before we left sold us a
pamphlet for so cents. She did this on
the sly, as it were, saying that her son
did not approve of her doing 1T.
But I have found" said the old lady,
with the wisdom of the aged, that no.
BODY reads what they do not pay for.
L ma that they are sure to read what
they pay for, whereas, if I give it to
them they probably will lust throw it
away"
Residents of Washington and nearby
sections have great advantage over
people in other sections of the country,
IN that they may easily visit the various
scientific exhibits to be found here.
In the National Museum, for instance,
Will be found stuffed specimens of all
the 300 species of birds to visit the
washington area. CThis area roughly
comprises circle 20 miles across. with
the city as the hub)
Scientists are busy men, but they are
always eager to take time out to help
people In regard to the subjects of their
specialties. They will be glad to help a
schoolchlld. They will give freely of
their information to any one who calls
on the telephone.
Persons resident in this area have a
marvellous mine of information open to
them, If they will avail themselves of
the opportunity. They should know
what they want, however, and be as
concise as possible, especially with de-
scrlptions of strange insects, etc.
No book can give one an insect, bird,
etc, as we'll as the actual specimen,
whether alive or dead
Specimen moths are kept in cases so
that light does not change them.
No one who genuinely seeks informa-
ton should hesitate to apply to the
Government for it. A touch of humor
makes the whole world kin, it has been
said, and this is equally true of a desire
for information.
The scientist hnds brother or sister
IN any young person who wants TO know.