Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Birds
Flowers Trees
Insects
Stars
Reptiles and Antphihians
Manunals
Seashores Fishes
Weatlter
Rocks and Minerals
ULLOEM kL1LMTL UU1OL5
The Anerican Southwest
The Anerican Southeast
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The Anerican Northwest
These books ovailable in two editions:
Limp Bound $1.00 De Luxe Cloth $2.50
5?C15 1M FU11 CO1O8
J 1'JL J1JK JL'JW 'JJL1J
by
H E R B E RT S. ZI M, P h . D.
and
C LAR E NC E COTTAM, P h . D.
Director, Welder Wildlife Foundation;
Formerly Asshtanl Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
ILLUSTRATED BY
J AME S GOR DON I RV I NG
Sponsored by
The Wildlife Management Institute
J JLJ JJ1L 1JL
LLUW FK W YLKX
FOREWORD
Thi s book is one of the most ambi ti ous attempted i n the
Gol den Nature Gui de series. Because of its scope, unusu
al probl ems had to be sol ved al l al ong the way. The end
was achi eved because of the cooperati on of many people
who felt it i mportant to have a rel i abl e begi nner' s gui de
to i nsects. The authors express thei r appreciati on to all
who parti ci pated.
The arti st, James Gordon I rvi ng, made a superb contri
buti on. Hi s wi fe, Grace Crowe I rvi ng, hel ped in feld
studies, col l ecti ng, and research. Robert T. Mitchell was
most hel pful -i n compi l i ng lists from whi ch the ori gi nal
selecti ons were made; i n checki ng data; i n prepari ng
maps. Speci mens came from the Patuxent Research Ref
uge, the U. S. Nati onal Museum, and Melvi l le W. Osborne,
Rahway, N. J. Numerous speci alists generousl y ofered
suggesti ons on the plates-Wil l i am D. Field, Edward A.
Chapi n, Wi ll i am H. Anderson, Austi n H. Clark, George B.
Vogt, Reece I. Sai ler, Hahn W. Capps, L. L. Cartwri ght,
Paul W. Oman, Ashley B. Gurney, Barnard D. Burks, Kar l
V. Krombein, Ross H. Arnett, Jr. , Marion R. Smith, Al an
Stone, John G. Francl emont, Arthur B. Gahan, Curtis W.
Sabrosky, Grace B. Gl ance, C. F. W. Muesebeck, and
others.
In the present revi si on, si x addi ti onal pages of i nfor
mation have been added, plus a listi ng of scientifc names.
We hope readers will fnd thi s full er and more attractive
volume more useful .
MYJc !!'I
H. S. Z.
L.L.
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and Writers Press, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. by Wester n Printing and Lithographing
Com pany. Published by Golde n Press, Inc., Rockefeller Center, New York Z0, N. Y.
Published Si multaneously in Canada by The Musson Book Company , Ltd., Toronto
USING THIS BOOK
By deal i ng onl y with common, i mportant, and showy
i nsects, thi s book wi l l hel p the novice begi n a fasci nati ng
study. To i dentify an i nsect, turn to the key to the i nsect
groups (orders) on pages 4 and 5. This key may pl ace
your speci men wi thi n one of J groups. Thumb through
the secti on i ndicated t o fnd your speci men or somethi ng
si mi l ar. Study al l the i l l ustrati ons t o become aware of
i nsects you mi ght not otherwise notice. You may thus be
come abl e to i dentify some at frst si ght. Don't be dis
appoi nted wi th fai l ures. It may take an expert a year or
more, after fndi ng an i nsect, to make a fnal i denti fca
ti on. If you can pl ace i n thei r proper orders a quarter of
the i nsects you fnd, you have made a good start.
I nsects i n this book are often shown on thei r food pl ants.
Immature forms often appear wi th the adul t. If you can
not i dentify an i mmature i nsect, try to raise it to maturity.
In advanced study the Latin sci enti fc names of speci es
are used for greater preci si on i n desi gnati on . .ci entifc
_ names of species i l l ustrated i n thi s book are given on
pages J55-J57.
On pl ates, approxi mate l engths are given in i nches
("w. " i ndicates wi dth of wi ngs).
Range maps show occurrence of speci es withi n the
United States, j ust over the Mexi can border, and about
200 mi l es northward i nto Canada. Since di stri buti on of
many speci es i s l ittl e known, ranges given are onl y ap
proxi mate. Where ranges of two or more i nsects appear
on one map, each has a di ferent
col or or l i ne pattern, as i n the sam
pl e here. A red ti nt over a l i ne pat
tern i ndicates greater abundance (as
on page J7). Each caption is on or
next to the col or to whi ch i t refers.
4
KEY TO INSECT GROUPS
GRASSHOPPERS, ROACHES, AND THEIR
KIN (Orthoptera), pages 17-28. Medium to
large insects. Live on land. Forewings leathery.
Hindwings folded fan-like (some have no wings).
Development gradual. Chewing mouth- parts.
EARWIGS (Dermaptera), page 29. Small insects
with typical pincerlike tail. Usually four small
wings. Segmented antennae. Development
gradual.
TERMITES (lsoptera), pages 30-31. Ant-like in
sects, small and soft-bodied. Some have four
long wings. Live in colonies. Specialized
"castes" for working, fghting. Chewing mouth
parts. Development gradual.
LICE (Anoplura), page 32. Small, wingless in
sects with piercing and sucking mouth-parts.
Body fattened. Legs with clas for clinging to
warm-blooded animals.
LEAFHOPPERS, APHIDS, AND SCALE IN
SECTS (Homoptera), pages 33-41. Small to me
dium insects, most with two pairs of similar
wings held sloping at sides of body. Jointed
beak for sucking attached to base of head.
Land insects. Some scale-like.
TRUE BUGS (Hemiptera), pages 42-49. Range
from small to large in size. Two pairs of wings,
with forewings partly thickened. Jointed beak
for sucking arises from front of head. Develop
ment is gradual.
DRAGONFLIES AND THEIR KIN (Odonata),
pages 50-51. Fairly large insects with two pairs
of long, equal-sized wings. Body long and slen
der. Antennae short. Immature insects are
aquatic. Development in three stages.
MAYFLIES (Ephemerida) AND STONEFLIES
(Piecoptera), page 52. Both with two pairs of
transparent, veined wings. In mayfies, hind
wings are smaller; in stonefies they are larger.
Mayfies have long, 2- or 3-pronged tails.
NERVE-WINGED INSECTS (Neuroptera), pag
es 53-55. The two pairs of wings, usually equal
in size, are netted with veins. Four stages of de
velopment: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Chew
ing mouth-parts. Long antennae.
SCORPIONFLIES (Mecoptera), page 56. Small
insects with two pairs of slender, generally spot
ted wings. Legs long. Antennae long also.
Beak-like, chewing mouth-parts. Larvae live in
soil.
CADDISFLIES (Trichoptera), page 57. Most lar
vae live in fresh water. Some build or.namented
case. Adults with two pairs of wings with long,
silky hairs and with long antennae. Mouth-parts
reduced.
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES (Lepidoptera),
pages 58-101. Medium to large insects with two
pairs of scaly wings. Sucking mouth-parts. An
tennae knob-like or feathery. Development in
four stages.
FLIES AND THEIR KIN (Diptera), pages 102-
108. Two-winged, small to medium insects, with
sucking mouth-parts. Antennae small, eyes large.
Second pair of wings reduced to balancing or
gans. Development in four stages.
BEETLES (Coleoptera), pages 109-135. Fore
wings modifed to thickened covers. Hind wings
thin, folded. Size from small to large. Chewing
mouth-parts. Antennae usually short. All have
four life stages. Some aquatic.
BEES, WASPS, AND ANTS (Hymenoptera),
pages 136-149. Small to medium-size insects;
many social or colonial. Two pairs of thin, trans
parent wings. Hindwings smaller. Mouth-parts
for chewing or sucking. Only insects with "sting
ers." Development in four stages.
SEEING INSECTS
You can't hel p seei ng i nsects, for they are found every
where, even in the Antarctic. They have been on this earth
some 200 mi l l i on years, and seem here to stay. More i n
sects a
-
f
Q
0
: -.
are si mi l ar to adul ts. Mal es are
smal l er than femal es.
IU
KATYDIDS The mal e of the true katydi d makes the per
si stent "katydi d" cal l , whi ch, comi ng as often as once a
second, is an accepted part of a summer's eveni ng. Some
katydi ds are tree dwel l ers, feedi ng on l eaves of cherry,
oak, mapl e, and appl e. Others live in the grass. Most are
green, with thi n, l eaf- l i ke wi ng-covers, and so have the
advantage of protective col orati on. However, some spe
cies are brown or even pink. Al l have l ong antennae. At
the base of the outer wings or wi ng-covers of the mal es
are rasps and ri dges whi ch, when rubbed l i ke a fddl e
and bow, produce the cal l s of the di ferent speci es. Katy
dids hear by "ears" on the upper part of thei r front l egs.
The femal es, recogni zed by the l ong ovi posi tor, l ay
thei r oval eggs on l eaves or twi gs earl y i n the fal l . About
1 00 to 1 50 are l ai d. When the young emerge i n the spring,
they resembl e thei r parents, but are much smal l er, l i ghter
i n col or, and l ack wi ngs. In the South, two broods are
produced each season.
v
Z
MOLE
CRICKET
NWL AND CAMEL CRICKETS These nocturnal crick
ets l ive under rocks i n moist pl aces, or mostl y under
ground. The l arge mol e cricket burrows near the surface,
eating young roots and ki l l ing seedl i ngs. In the South, it
destroys peanuts, strawberries, and other garden crops.
The pal e brown, spoted, wi ngl ess camel (or cave) cricket
i s identifed by its hi gh, arched back.
Though a scavenger, i t often be
comes a nuisance around green
houses.
MORMON CRICKET
femal 1. male smal l er
MORMON CRICKET This serious pest of Western
grains and other crops is partly controlled by insect para
sites, small mammals, and birds. Gulls saved the crops of
the early Mormon settlers from hordes of these crickets
which descended upon them. The large, clumsy insects
devour everything in their path, including each other.
Some Western I ndians considered
them a delicacy and ate them roast-
ed. Small clusters of eggs are laid in
C
RAB LOUSE 0
.
1
-" BODY LOU
SE 0.1
(
LI CE are mi nute, wi ngl ess, disease-carryi ng i nsects that
l i ve and breed on thei r hosts. Al l are parasites. Biti ng l ice
(bird l ice), a di stinct group, feed on hai r, feathers, and
fragments of ski n. The sucki ng l i ce take the host's bl ood
di rectl y, by means of sucki ng mouth-parts. The hog l i ce
i n. ) are the l argest of thi s group. The head l ouse i n
fects humans and i s known to carry typhus, trench, and
rel apsi ng fever. Si x to 12 generations of l ice may mature
annual l y. Young, si mi l ar to adults, devel op rapi dl y.
BUFFALO
TREEHOPPER
0.4"
oo
TREEHOPPERS The common green and brown tree
hoppers are smal l , wi nged, sucki ng i nsects of curi ous and
pecul i ar shapes. They l ive on many pl ants, feedi ng on the
sap. Because of thei r protective col or and form, they are
usual l y noti ced onl y when movi ng. Near l y 200 speci es
are known i n thi s country, many with
bi zarre shapes. Eggs are l ai d in stems
and buds, someti mes causi ng mi nor
damage. Eggs hatch the fol l owi ng
spri ng. Young are si mi l ar to adul ts.
o4
LEAFHOPPERS These aHractive, slender, multicolored
insects are often abundant on plants where they can feed
by sucking the sap. This causes wilting and injury to grape,
apple, clover, beet, and other plants. Besides, leafhoppers
carry virus diseases from plant to plant and thus become
serious pests.
Leafhoppers exude "'honeydew" as they feed. This is
a somewhat sweet surplus sap which attracts ants and
bees, which feed on it. Leafhoppers are well known as
prodigious jumpers. They are sometimes called dodgers
POTATO LEAFHOPPER 0.3"
because of the way they slip out of sight when disturbed.
The female lays eggs in stems and leaves. Two or more
generations are produced each year. late eggs winter
over and hatch in spring. Adults hibernate and emerge
in spring also. The young that hatch resemble the adults
and pass through 4 or 5nymph stages before they mature.
leafhopper populations in felds may
reach as hi gh as a million per acre.
Of some 2,000known species, about
700 are found in the United States
.
oO
d
CI CADAS The cicadas, whose steady hum fl l s the l ate
summer ai r, are more often heard than seen. Mal es make
the sharp sound wi th pl ate- l i ke organs on the thorax.
Some speci es are cal l ed harvestfi es because of thei r l ate
summer appearance; others are cal l ed 1 7-year l ocusts,
though the 75 species of ci cadas difer wi del y in the ti me
they take to mature. The femal es cut sl its i n young twi gs
and deposi t eggs i n them. Thi s habi t causes damage i n
nurseri es and orchards, because t he sl it twi gs break easi l y
i n the wi nd. As the wi ngl ess, scal y young hatch, they drop
o
to the ground, burrow i n, and stay there 4 to 20 years
(dependi ng on the speci es and the l ati tude) as nymphs
l ivi ng on j uices sucked from roots. The ful l - grown nymph
cl i mbs a tree trunk. The ski n spl its down the back; the
adul t emerges. "Broods" or l arge col oni es may emerge
en masse. Adults ordi nari l y l i ve about a week-l ong
enough to mate and start another
broo
d. Many are eaten
by bi rds,
------------"- _
whi ch gather to feast on these abun-
dant i nsects.
|etlodi
.ei
o
SPI TTLEBUG Female spittlebugs make a froth on stems
and grasses to cover thei r eggs. The young nymphs make
a froth also to cover themselves while feeding. Open the
small mass of bubbles and you are likely to see the small,
dull, squat insect inside. Spittlebugs are also called frog
hoppers because the adults hop about from plant to plant
and seldom fly. Though spittlebugs
are of minor importance, some kinds
injure pine trees and various gar
den plants.
oV
APHI DS ore mi nute sucki ng i nsects, wi ngl ess or wi th
transparent or col ored wi ngs. They are abundant on many
pl ants, causi ng damage by sucki ng j uices or transmitti ng
vi rus di seases as they feed. Some form and l i ve i n gal l s.
Most have compl i cated l i fe hi stori es. Onl y wi ngl ess fe
mal es emerge from the eggs i n spri ng. These produce
generati ons of femal es al l summer-someti mes a dozen.
Winged femal es devel op i n the fal l . Thei r young are
normal mal es and femal es, which, after mati ng, produce
the eggs from whi ch new aphids emerge i n spri ng.
4U
SAN JOSE SCALE .1
SCALE INSECTS are a l arge group of smal l sucki ng
i nsects. I ndividual l y mi nute, these i nsects l ive i n col onies
whi ch often cover branches, tigs, and leaves of the
pl ants on which they feed by sucking j uices. Species difer
markedl y i n appearance. Many have a scal e- l ike cover
ing and are i mmobi l e when mature. Other species l ack
scal es, but are covered with a "honeydew" secretion eaten
by bees and ants. These species move very l ittl e. legs are
poorly devel oped. Mal es are smal l er and difer from the
femal es; when mature they have smal l wi ngs.
Scale insects attack and injure citrus, apple, and other
fruit trees, and greenhouse and ornamental plants. Scales
are difcult to control. ladybugs, certain small wasps,
and other natural enemies are used in fghting them.
Reproduction is complicated. Most scale insects spend
the winter as eggs, which the female deposits under her
shell before she dies. The eggs hatch in spring and the
young move to fresh growth before they settle down under
O scale. Some species produce several generations of
females before normal sexual reproduction takes place.
41
4Z
STINKBUGS AND SHI ELDBUGS There are several
hundred speci es of sti nkbugs and shieldbugs i n thi s coun
try. Al l have the fattened, shi el d-shaped body. Most suck
pl ant j uices but some feed on other i nsects. Most are col
ored green or brown, to match thei r envi ronment, and are
not easi l y noticed. A bl ack speci es common on bl ack
berri es and raspberri es is so wel l concealed i t i s someti mes
eaten. The col orful harl equi n bug is an excepti on, even
to its unusual eggs. The young, hatchi ng from the eggs,
pass through a series of growth stages t i l l the nymphs
become adul ts. The odor, whi ch comes from two gl ands
on the thorax and whi ch gives sti nkbugs thei r name, i s
al so characteristic of a number of other bugs. Bi rds are
not bothered by the odor and commonl y feed on the i n
sects. The harl equi n bug and several other speci es are de
structive to garden crops. The shi el dbugs are very si mi l ar to
sti nkbugs. In these speci es, the shi el d,
which devel ops from the thorax, i s
.
so l arge that it covers a good part of
the abdomen.
`.
4J
AA
SQUASHBUGS cause considerable damage to squash,
pumpkins, gourds, and related crops by sucking juices
from leaves and stems of young plants. The bugs have a
strong, ofensive odor. Eggs, laid in late spring, hatch in
about 2 weeks. The attractive nymph is green, soon turn
ing brown or gray. Adults hibernate over the winter. The
tachinid fly, which lays its eggs in
nymphs and adult squashbugs, par
asitizes these pests and helps reduce
their numbers.
.
SMALL MILKWEED
BUG 0.4"
LARGE
MILKWEED
BUG 0.5"'
MI LKWEED BUGS These bl ack and red or orange
bugs are si mi l ar and cl osel y rel ated to the ti ny destructive
chi nch bug (p. 47). About 200 species are grouped in the
sam e famil y wi th the mi l kweed bugs, but most are much
smal l er and l es attractive in col or and pattern. Mi l kweed
bugs feed on al l vari eties of mi l kweed and are of Hw
economi c i mportance. Adul ts whi ch
hi bernate over the wi nter produce
life. Fishermen prize the largl lar-
..
SCORPIONFL Y
0.6"
SCORPIONFLIES are not poisonous, and resemble
scorpions only in the modified tips of their abdomens.
Eggs are deposited in the soil, where they develop into
larvae. After the larvae pupate, the fly-like adults emerge
to live as scavengers, feeding on dead or disabled insects.
Adults are found on plants. They do not fly well or often.
One group of small, almost wing-
less scorpionfies live in northern
~.
d
antennae of butterfy (l eft) a n d moth
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS The largest, most attrac
tive, and best-known insects are grouped together in the
order Lepidoptera, the butterfies and moths. The order
scales of butterfies
includes 75 families of moths
and 5 of butterfies. About
7,000 species are known in
North America. All, except
very few, have two pairs of
wings. These and the body
are covered with scales or
modifed hairs, which give moths and butterfies their
color. The mouth-parts of adults are modifed into a suck
ing tube which is rolled into a tight coil when not in use.
Lepidoptera have four stages of development: egg,
larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon or chrysalis), and
adult. Most butterfy eggs are laid singly or a few at Q
time and are unprotected. Many moths lay a large num
ber of eggs in one place and may cover the egg mass
with a protective coat
ing which includes
hairs and scales from
the female's body.
There is no rule of
thumb for distinguish
ing caterpillars of
GI ANT SWALLOWTAI L
co1erp or
moths from those of butterfies. Both have chewing mouth
parts and some kinds do tremendous damage to crops.
Most caterpillars have 6 true legs on the thorax, and
from 4 to 1 0 unjointed false legs on the abdomen. A few
have irritating hairs or spines. Many caterpillars spin a
silken cocoon, some
t i mes covered wi th
hairs, in whi ch they
pupate. The butterfy
larvae make no co
coon but form a less
protected chrysalis.
Some Lepi doptera
wi nter as pupae;
some emerge i n a
short time.
The adult moth and
butterfy are usually
q u i t e d i f f e r e n t ,
though one group, the skippers, shows intermediate char
acteristics. Butterfies usually fy by day; moths ordinarily
fy by night. The former customarily rest wi th thei r wi ngs
folded back; moths rest with thei r wings i n a hori zontal
position. The antennae of butterfies are thin, ending in
a knob. Those of moths never end in knobs and are often
feathery. Though some butterfies are more attractive,
the moths form a larger, more diverse, and more im
portant group.
U
MONARCH Thi s common, attractive butterfy has
spread i nto Asi a and Austral i a. Mal es are i denti fed by
a bl ack spot on the thi rd vei n of the hi ndwi ng. Two or
three generati ons grow in one summer. I n fal l . swarms
of adul ts mi grate southward, coveri ng enti re trees when
they stop to rest. They do not hi bernate, as i s someti mes
.. .
bel i eved. Te pal e green,
.
coni cal
- - -.
eggs hatch H 3 to 5 days mto l ar
~
vae whi ch feed on mi l kweed. The
l arvae are not often eaten by bi rds .
VI CEROY Thi s butterfy i s noted because i n col or, pat
tern, fi ght, and habits i t mi mi cs the monarch. Li ke the
monarch i t i s abundant i n l ate summer. But the vi ceroy
i s smal l er and has curved bl ack l i nes crossi ng the vei ns
of the hi ndwi ngs: I ts eggs, and the l arvae whi ch feed on
popl ar and wi l l ow, resembl e those of the purpl es ( p. 2),
to whi ch the vi ceroy i s rel ated. The
l arvae hi bernate i n rol l ed l eaves for
the wi nter. There are two genera-
ti ons or more a year.
`
Z
PURPLES The banded purpl e has a conspi cuous whi te
band across its wi ngs with a border of red and bl ue spots
on the hi ndwi ngs. Eggs are l ai d on leaves of wi l l ow, bi rch,
and popl ar, on whi ch the l arvae feed. The red-spotted
purpl e i s so named for its red spots on the under si de
al ong the wi ng borders and at the base of the hi ndwi ngs.
The l arvae feed on wi l d cherry, wi l l ow, and other trees,
preferri ng shaded woods.
FRI TI LLARI ES The friti l l ari es, one of the l argest groups
of butterfies, are found not onl y in thi s country but i n
many other parts of the worl d as wel l . The fami l y of
whi ch they are the most i mportant members has front
l egs whi ch are reduced i n size and hel d cl ose to the
body. Onl y 4of the 6 l egs are used i n wal ki ng. Fri ti l l aries
are mostl y medi um-sized butterfies, orange or reddi sh
above, with si l very or l i ght spots on the under si de of the
hi ndwi ngs. Someti mes the mal es are a bri ghter red on
top than the femal es.
The diferent species of friti l l aries are distinct enough
to make general statements about them di fcul t. The
eggs are general l y coni cal i n shape and ornamented
with ri dges. Al l the caterpi l l ars are spi ny, with the spi nes
on the head a bi t longer than the others. Most feed at
night on such pl ants as vi ol ets, gol denrods, and other
composites. Whil e the earl y stages of the common frit
i l l ari es are known, there are many l ess common speci es,
and i nformati on on the egg and caterpi l l ar of these
species is i ncompl ete. The chrysal i s of fri ti l l aries i s usual l y
angul ar, forked at the top, and bordered wi th knobs. I t
i s often browni sh.
Of the many friti l l aries, those i l l ustrated are among
the most common and best known. The Gul f friti l l ary
bel ongs to a diferent group from the others and is not
consi dered a "true" friti l l ary.
GREAT SPANGLED FRI TI LLARY orvo
CHECKERSPOT
W. 1.
LMtLKtbHLb PM bPLl NLtb Of thi s group
of smal l , attractive butterfies, the two i l l ustrated are wel l
known. The Bal ti more caterpi l l ar i s bl ack, wi th orange
bands and bl ack bri stl es. I t feeds on turtl ehead and re
l ated pl ants. Bal ti mores are common l ocal l y, often i n
moist areas. The checkerspot l acks t he bri l l i ant orange of
fowers, whi ch are common i n the
- '
West.
d
QUESTION MARK
0. " W. Z. b"
ANGLE WI NGS Thi s group of smal l and medi um
si zed butterfi es has angul ar, notched forewi ngs. The
hi ndwi ngs often have short tai l s. Of 25 speci es found i n
thi s country, the question mark ( al so cal l ed the viol et-ti p),
comma, and the mourni ng cl oak ( p. ) are best known.
The browni sh l arvae of the question mark feed on hop,
el m, and nettl e. The greeni sh, often
"= . _ ___ _.-. _ *
pal e comma caterpi l l ar feeds on net-
tl es. Both caterpi l l ars have branched
....Vo;|
spi nes on each body segment.
MOURNI NG CLOAK
MOURNING CLOAK Thi s butterfy, l i ke the other
angl e wi ngs, hi bernates as an adul t and hence makes its
appearance very earl y in spri ng. Dark, barrel - shaped
eggs ar e soon l ai d on twi gs of popl ar, el m, hackberry,
or wi l l ow. The gregari ous caterpi l l ars occasi nal l y i nj ure
a tree by stri ppi ng the fol i age. The mourni ng cl oak i s
the enti re northern hemi sphere. I n
common and wi del y di stri buted over
he North it has one brood a year;
,
4
U the South, two.
. .
V
U
AMERI CAN PAI NTED LADY
! HUNTER' S B UTTERFLY}
0.8" W. 2.0"
RED ADMI RAL, AMERI CAN PAI NTED LADY, and
PAI NTED LADY Two of these three closely related but
al l ; its col or varies from greeni sh to g__
` =.
eOr y ye
J
4
AMERI CAN COPPER
.9 w. 1 .
BRONZE COPPER
.b w. 1 . "
COPPERS AND BLUES This large family of small but
terfies includes over 2,000 species, but not many species
are found in this country. These butterfies are common.
The family has three groups. The hairstreaks are usually
brownish or bluish, with hair-like tails at the tip of the
hindwings. About 0 species of hairstreaks live in the
United States. The second group, the coppers, are nearly
all a copper-red color with black markings. There are
some 1 8 species. The American copper is proba,bly our
most common butterfy. It is found everywhere east of the
Rockies. The last group, the blues, are very small. Western
MARI NE BLUE
EASTERN
TAI LED
BLUE
0. 4"
w. 1 . 0"
SPRI NG AZURE
. 9 w. 1 . 1 "
WESTERN PYGMY BLUE
0. 2" w. 0. 6"
pygmy bl ue, wi th a wi ngspread of a bit over 7z i nch, is
our smal l est butterfy. Bl ues are more common in the West.
Some 40 speci es, vari abl e in form and di fcul t to i dentify,
are l i sted for the United States. The spri ng azure has over
1 3 di ferent vari ati ons. The caterpi l l ars of al l thi s fami l y
are short, thi ck, and sl ug-l i ke. Some are fatened and
covered wi th tne hai r. They feed on a vari ety of
pl ants i ncl udi ng oak, hickory, hops,
and sorrel . One species has a car
nivorous caterpi l l ar whi ch devours
pl ant l i ce.
CABBAGE BUTTERFLY
0. 7" w. 1 .
CABBAGE BUTTERFLY Thi s al l -too-common speci es
ranges over most of the northern hemi sphere. I t frst en
tered thi s country i n 1 868 and wi thi n 20 years had spread
to the Rocki es. Now these i nsects are found i n every cab
bage fel d; the green caterpi l l ars feed al so on mustard
and rel ated wi l d I ents. Two or three broods mature each
d
V
d
SWALLOWTAI LS Here are our l argest and most
attractive butterfi es. Over 20 speci es occur in the United
States and many others are found el sewhere, maki ng the
swal l owtai l s a group that is wi del y known, admi red, col
lected, and studi ed. Cl osel y rel ated to the swal l owtai l s
are the parnassi ans, more common i n the West. These l ack
the "tai l " on the hi ndwi ngs t hat gives the swal l owtai l s
thei r name. The caterpi l l ars pupate on the ground. The
mountai n butterfy i s an exampl e of thi s group.
The swal l owtai l s are predomi nantl y bl ack or yel l ow.
Some speci es occur i n several forms. The femal e ti ger
swal l owtai l may be ei ther yel l ow or bl ack, the bl ack form
bei ng more common i n the South. Swal l owtai l eggs are
usual l y round, fattened at the base. The caterpi l l ars are
general l y smooth, l acki ng spi nes, though the pi pevi ne
swal l owtai l s have feshy horns (p. 8!) . Al l the l arvae can
emit a rather strong, musky odor whi ch may protect them.
The chrysal i s rests on i ts tai l end, supported by a l oop
of si l k at the mi ddl e. There are often two broods a year.
The swal l owtai l s i l l ustrated here are easy to i dentify i n
spite of vari ati ons i n col or. Thei r caterpi l l ars and food
pl ants are shown on the next page. The zebra swal l owtai l
has t he l ongest t ai l of any native speci es. The gi ant swal
l owtai l i s the l argest, wi th a spread of 4 to 5!z i nches.
I t i s most common i n the Southeast. Its l arvae are occa
si onal l y destructive to citrus orchards. Both mal e and
femal e bl ack swal l owtai l have a doubl e row of yel l ow
spots, but those of the femal e are smal l er. Yel l ow spots on
the forewi ngs and greeni sh hi ndwi ngs mark the spi cebush
swal l owtai l . The pi pevi ne swal l owtai l l acks the yel l ow
spots.
SPI CEBUSH on sassafras ZEBRA on pawpaw
PI PEVI NE on plpevlne
BLACK on parsley
GI ANT on orange
TI GER on wi l d cherry
SWALLOWTAI L CATERPI LLARS
and thei r food pl ants
b
OZ
ARCTI C SKI PPER
0.3" W. 0.9"
SKI PPERS About 200 kinds of skippers are native, and
this is only one-tenth of the total number. Their rapid,
darting fight gives them their name. These small butter
fies have characteristics of moths. Some rest with the
hindwings or both wings horizontal as moths do. The
smooth caterpillars have large heads and thin "necks. "
They feed on locust, clover, and
other plants. The silver-spotted skip-
per is the most common of the large
|t
k
"
M h | |
s 1ppers. any are muc sma er
than this.
ACREA MOTHS and BANDED WOOLL YBEARS rep
resent a fami l y of some 20 Ameri can speci es. Acrea i s
one of the most common eastern moths, easi l y i denti fed
by the spotted abdomen. The mal e is i l l ustrated. The fe
mal e' s hi ndwi ngs are white. Caterpi l l ars feed on grasses
and garden pl ants. The banded wool or I sabel l
moth caterpi l l ar, abundant i n
ed on pl antai n and ^
l ated pl ants. I t hi bernates as l arva
and pupates in spri ng. Both l arvae
use hai r i n maki ng cocoons.
dJ
b4
SPHI NX MOTHS Some !00 speci es of these thick
bodi ed, narrow-wi nged moths l i ve i n this country. Thei r
common names, as tomato worm and tobacco worm, i n
di cate the foods sought by some l arvae. leaves, and
someti mes frui ts, are eaten. Some l arvae feed on potatoes
and on wi l d members of the potato fami l y. Other speci es
eat bi rch, wi l l ow, catal pa, grape, and other pl ants,
occasi onal l y damagi ng nurseries and vi neyards. The
l arvae are l arge and usual l y have a tai l or horn. Some
rear back i nto a bel l i gerent attitude when mol ested, but
none are poi sonous, as is someti mes bel i eved. Braconi d
cocoons of
braconld wasp
on sphi nx l orva
wasps l ay thei r eggs i n the l ivi ng caterpi l l ars, which the
wasp l arvae eat. Caterpi l l a-rs of Sphi nx moths covered
wi th wasp cocoons are often seen. Caterpi l l ars pupate in
the ground, and some may be recogni zed by the free
tongue case, whi ch forms a loop at one end. The com
mon adults are i denti fed by abdomi nal or wi ng
marki ngs. The sucki ng-tube mout h
is l ong, enabl i ng Sphi nx moths to '
get nectar and pol l i nate tubul ar >
( Jo
fowers, such as ni coti ne, petuni a, .
honeysuckl e, and trumpet vi ne.
d
d
AI LANTHUS SI LK . MOTH
1 . " w. 4. Z
AILANTHUS SILK MOTH Thi s moth was i mported
from Chi na, where a coarse grade of si l k i s obtai ned from
its cocoons. Si nce !8! it has become frml y establ i shed
in the East. The si l k i ndustry, whi ch it was hoped this
moth woul d start, never materi al i zed. The l arge cater
pi l l ars are control l ed by natural enemies, and si nce they
` -~
bb
PROMETHEA MOTH
1 . 0" W. 3. 4"
cocooh
PROMETHEA MOTH This moth, sometimes cal l ed
the spi cebush si l k moth, has a bl ui sh-green l arva wi th wo
pai rs of short red horns near the head. I t feeds on sassa
fras, wi l d cherry, t ul i p tree, and sweet gum, as wel l as
on spi cebush. Col l ect the compact cocoons, each wrapped
in a dry l eaf, and watch the adults emerge in spri ng.
Recogni ze t he mal e by i t s darker
V !
VZ
UNDERWING MOTHS There are over 1 00 speci es of
these attractive moths in the United States, and a vari ety
of underwi ngs can be found in every l ocal ity. Col l ect
them i n woods at ni ght after pai nti ng tree trunks and
stumps wi t h a mi xture of brown sugar and fermented frui t
j ui ce as bai t. When the adul t rests on bark wi th its wi ngs
fol ded, it can scarcel y be seen. I n
fi ght, the bri ght col ors of the under
wi ngs are i n sharp contrast to the
drab pattern of the forewi ngs.
I MPERI AL MOTH
1 . 8" w. 4. 6"
l arva
on white oak
IMPERIAL AN0 REGAL MOTHS These moths are
cl osel y rel ated to the l arge si l k moths. The hai ry i mperi al
caterpi l l ar, wi th short horns near the head, vari es from
green to brown. I t feeds on pi ne, hi ckory, oak, mapl e,
and other trees. No cocoon i s formed, the pupa resti ng i n
the ground. The forewi ngs of the mal e are purpl i sh; those
The l arvae of regal moths, wh1 ch
""" -.
of the femal e are ri cher i n yel l ows.
curved horns.
. .
...
Vd
V4
CORN EARWORM
CORN EARWORM AND BORERS Everyone who has
husked sweet corn has seen the greeni sh or brown l arva
of the corn earworm, found al most everywhere. I t feeds on
other garden crops, too, and pupates underground. The
European corn borer became establ ished near Boston i n
1 91 7 and has spread widel y si nce, doi ng mi l l ions of
.
| h
. .
ieii . | | o
wr nter to contro t t s r nsect
.
o| |
.
b
. b w. 1 . Z"
w ng e88
femo e
CANKERWORMS These pests of appl e, other fruit, and
shade trees are worth watchi ng as they l ope al ong on
thei r true and fal se l egs. Someti mes they spi n a si l ken
thread and hang suspended i n mi d-ai r. Fal l and spri ng
cankerworms are equal l y obnoxi ous. The wi ngl ess femal es
l ay thei r eggs on bark. After feasti ng on l eaves, the
l arvae pupate underground. The
adul ts emerge l ate in fal l and can
be trapped by bands of sticky
paper around tree trunks.
PEA
C
HTREE BORER
9um on +un
cocoon
PEACHTREE BORER l arvae enter the tree as soon as
they hatch from the eggs, whi ch have been l ai d on the
bark. The l arvae burrows can be recogni zed by exudi ng
gum on the surface. After spendi ng the wi nter as a l arva,
the borer pupates i n a crude cocoon. The adul t emerges
i n about a month and mates. The femal e l ays a new mass
of several hundred eggs. Thi s pest
is O native i nsect whi ch i s bel i eved _
to have fed on wi l d pl um and cherry
before peaches were i ntroduced.
vv
CODLI NG MOTH Thi s pest is so wi despread that
sprayi ng appl e trees for its control i s a routi ne operati on.
I ntroduced from Europe, the codl i ng moth i s now wi del y
di stri buted. Ti ny eggs are deposited on l eaves. As they
hatch, the l arvae enter the new frui t. Later, l arvae hatch
from eggs l ai d on the appl es. After feedi ng i n the fruit,
l arvae pupate on the bark. There
are often several generati ons a year.
.
Late l arvae hi bernate and pupate
the fol l owi ng spri ng.
=a <
larva
i n ba9
arborvitae
U
BAGWORMS ore common but become seri ous pests onl y
l ocal l y. Thei r l ife hi story i s strange. The wi ngl ess and
footl ess femal e, after mati ng, crawl s bock i nto her "bog"
and l ays hundreds of yel l ow eggs, whi ch hatch i n spri ng.
The young l arvae feed on l eaves of many ki nds of trees,
bui l di ng their coni cal bogs as they feed. later they bi nd
thei r bogs to twi gs and pupate. The
mol e emerges, seeks the femal e, and
motes. Several rel ated moths make
bogs whi ch ore si mi l ar i n design.
! UZ
AEDES
MOSQUI TO
0. 3"
MOSQUI TOES This large group of small but important
insects has been ampl y studied as part of public-health
campaigns against mal aria and yel l ow fever. The con
quest of mal aria is a scientific mil estone. The common
carriers of the disease, the anopheles mosquitoes, are
recognized by the "three-pronged" beak of the femal e
and by the ti l ted position they assume when resting. The
aedes mosquitoes, one of which carries yel low fever, are
more like the common house and swamp mosquito in
appearance. The disease carrier is limited to tropics and
! UJ
larvae anc pMp
adult 0.
subtropics. Female culex mosquitoes lay rafts of several
hndred eggs, which hatch in a few days into larval wrig
glers. In a week or so these pupate, and the adults soon
emerge. Male mosquitoes are harmless. Their beaks are
not ftted for piercing. Females bite and hence can trans
mit disease. They are the only ones which buzz. Mosqui
toes have been controlled by draining swamps and by
the wide use of insecticides. The possibility of long-range
dangers in these methods, particularly when applied by
inadequately informed persons, needs further study.
\ U4
CRANE FLIES Adul t crane fies are someti mes mistaken
for giant mosquitoes. But the adults, often seen around
el ectric l i ghts, may not eat at al l . Some are apparentl y
predaceous. The femal e l ays several hundred eggs on
damp soi l . The l arvae burrow i nto the ground or decayi ng
wood. Onl y a few attack pl ants. I n a few weeks they
pupate, and i n about a week appear
as adul ts. Crane fies form a l arge
country.
ROBBER FLY
0. 8"
! UD
HORSE FLY 0. 9"
FLIES i ncl ude seri ous pests of pl ants and ani mal s whi ch
cause l osses runni ng i nto mi l l i ons. The vast maj ority ore
harml ess; some speci es ore benefcial . The robber fy
preys on i nsects, some l arger than i tsel f. The deer fy and
t he bl ock fy con make a camper mi serabl e. March fies
(whi ch ore more common l ate i n spri ng) ore often seen on
fowers. The bl ock horse fy, someti mes a ful l i nch l ong,
bites severel y. Many fies transmi t disease as they bi te i n
fected ani mal s and then others. I nsect repel l ents and i n
sectici des ore useful i n control l i ng them.
1 U
bLUtbLLt M KttMbLLt fLl tb
are attrac
tive i nsects, but thoroughl y obnoxi ous otherwi se. Eggs
are l ai d on dead ani mal s, garbage, sewage, or i n open
wounds of ani mal s. Some rel ated speci es parasitize and
ki l l ani mal s and even man. Eggs hatch very soon after
bei ng l ai d; l arvae are mature in l ess than 2 weeks. The
short l ife cycl e means several gen
erati ons a season; onl y conti nual
sprayi ng wi l l keep these pests under
control .
TACHI NI D AND OTHER FLI ES Tachinid fies are
benefcial insects which help control injurious ones. More
than 1 , 400 species have been described. Because these
fies are prolifc, their value as parasites is increased.
Syrphid fies, known as fower or drone fies, are similar
insects. They are often seen approaching a fower, coming
to an abrupt stop and hovering in mid-air. The larvae eat
aphids and scales. The fuzzy, squat bee fy lives in hives,
and its larvae often attack and feed on larvae of bees
and other insects.
Ud
mal e . Z beaded-wi n9
vesti gial wing
FRUI T FLY These smal l and rather i mportant fi es are
often seen around rotti ng or fermenti ng frui t. Thei r cl ai m
to fame rests on sci enti fc uses to whi ch t hey have been
put. Fruit fi es have been used i n hundreds of experi ments
deal i ng wi th i nheri tance. They have probabl y been stud
i ed from thi s angl e more i ntensely than any other ani maL
The fact t hat t hei r l ife cycl e i s l ess than 2 weeks enhances
thei r val ue i n thi s work. They are easi l y grown i n the
l aboratory, where i nteresti ng forms have appeared natu
ral l y or from exposure to experi mental radi ati on.
! U7
TI GER BEETLES These handsome beetles are often seen
on summer afternoons darting in and out of paths. They
are widely distributed and quite common, but agile, swift,
and difcult to catch. Eggs are laid in the soil. The preda
tory larvae, locally called "doodlebugs," dig deep bur
rows and wait at the openings to
catch passing insects in their power-
ful jaws. Some tiger beetles living on
beaches or other sandy areas are
protectively colored gray.
! ! U
JAPANESE BEETLE When these Japanese i nsects were
fi rst di scovered on pl ants in New Jersey i n 1 9 1 6, ex
perts coul d scarcel y fnd a dozen. Now thousands can
be col l ected dai l y, and control i s a seri ous probl em. The
smal l , whi te grubs feed on the roots of grasses, damag
i ng l awns. The l arvae di g deep for wi nter and pupat e
the fol l owi ng spri ng. The adults
emerge in mi dsummer and feed on
cul ti vated pl ants and frui ts. After
mati ng, eggs are deposi ted in soi l .
! ! !
! ! Z
LPl LM PM LVt btbLtb form a fami l y of over
1 00 speci es, i n two groups: the carri on and the buryi ng
beetl es. The former are smal l er, fattened i nsects whi ch,
as scavengers, feed on decayi ng ani mal matter. Some
ki nds are predators, feedi ng on worms and i nsects; a few
eat pl ant s. Both l arvae and adul ts have si mi l ar feedi ng
_
_
_
bC=I6
habis. It is reported that )he l arger
,
, -~
rs or pred
ators, have short wi ng-covers and superfci al l y resembl e
t he earwi gs ( p. 29) . They are a l arger group-over !,000
species are reported for this country.
Some l ive in fungi or i n ants' nests.
Some squi rt a mal odorous mi st or
dropl et at enemi es.
o
! ! 4
CLICK BEETLE
CLICK BEETLES form a fami l y of some 500 Ameri can
speci es. The eyed el ater is a stri ki ng exampl e. If it fal l s
or l ands on its back, i t l i es qui etl y for perhaps a mi nute.
Then, wi th a l oud cl i ck, it fi ps i nto the ai r. If i t is l ucky,
it l ands on its feet and runs away; otherwise it tri es agai n.
The l arvae of cl i ck beetl es, known as wi reworms, l ive i n the
ground or i n rotten wood. Most cl i ck
beetl e l arvae feed on roots, i njuri ng
potatoes and other crops. Some eat
other i nsects.
CATERPI LLAR HUNTERS are a group of fai rl y l arge
and very attractive beetl es. The fami l y to whi ch they
bel ong i s al so l arge (some 2,000 Ameri can species) and
i s rel ated t o the ti ger beetl es ( p. 1 09). These beetles are
al l predaceous, feedi ng on insects and other smal l ani
mal s. Larvae of the caterpi l l ar hunters attack and feed on
caterpi l l ars of the gypsy moth and
tent caterpi l l ars. Some adults squi rt
an acri d fui d on their victi ms or on
unwary col l ectors.
b
! !
fl LfLl Lb are not flies at al l , but soft- bodied beet l es,
and most unusual insects. About 50species are known in
this country, and many more, even more marvelous, ore
found widely distributed in the tropics. The light-giving
property, or luminescence, is not confned to the adults.
I n some species the eggs and larvae glow also. The
females of some species are wingless: these ore known
as glowworms. Firefies are of little economic importance.
They add to the pleasure of a summer's night: the tropical
display of thousands of these insects fashing in unison
is breathtaking. Fireflies have posed a probl em which
scientists have not yet solved-that of "cold" light. The
study of this phenomenon may have wide practical ap-
Z
plications. In the species shown, it is the last segment of
the abdomen which contains the light-producing tissue.
This is very fatty and includes a network of nerves and
airtubes. Through the latter, oxygen for the li ght-produc
ing process is obtained. In ordinary rapid oxi dation much
more heat than light is produced; here, heat production
is negligible.
The larvae live underground or in rotted wood or
rubbish. They feed on small insects. The adults are re
ported to eat the same food, but
.'
fore cold weather sets in and hiber -
Other
ladybi rds
1 5-
s
p
otted
nate under fallen branches or rocks.
.
Ladybi rd
ZU
GAR DEN BEET LES
Garden beetl es are pests of the garden as wel l as the
farm. They are the ones we spray, dust, and pi ck. Other
beetl es are destructive i n the garden al so, as the May
beetl e, Japanese beetle, and several weevi l s. These
beetl es i l l ustrate the point that any cul tivated crop i s a
banquet for the ri ght pl ant-eati ng i nsects. It takes eternal
vi gi l ance t o keep our cultivated pl ants heal thy and un
spoi l ed for our own use.
MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE i s rel ated to the common l ady
bird, and i s one of the fai rl y large group of the l adybi rd
fami l y that feed on pl ants. Eggs are l ai d on the undersi des
of l eaves. Spi ny, yel l ow l arvae eat the soft l eaf ti ssue,
l eavi ng the vei ns behi nd. They eat pods too, stri ppi ng a
pl ant in short order. Adul ts have si mi l ar feedi ng habits.
Bean beetles feed on members of the pea fami ly, wi l d and
cul tivated-peas, beans, al falfa, and soybeans.
COLORADO POTATO BEETLE is an exampl e of how a
rel ativel y uni mportant i nsect can change its rol e as the
envi ronment changes. Thi s beetl e was once native to the
Rocki es, l ivi ng on ni ghtshade and other wi l d members of
the potato fami l y. When settl ers began to grow potatoes,
thi s new food gave the beetles a fresh start. They pros
pered and spread, ti l l they now exist in practi cal ly al l of
the 4d states. Eggs are l ai d in cl usters on the l eaves, whi ch
l arvae eat. larvae pupate i n the ground. The adul ts
emerge and conti nue to feed on potatoes.
STRI PED BLI STER BEETLE or stri ped potato beetl e has
i nteresti ng rel atives that parasitize bees. Thi s speci es has
a compl ex l ife hi story wi th unusual l arvae. I t feeds on
potatoes, tomatoes, and rel ated pl ants. Other speci es feed
on gol denrod, alfal fa, cl over, and other wi l d pl ants .
=
Z
ZZ
STRI PED BLI STER BEETLE .7"
ZJ
orvo n roo18 of corn
Z4
CUCUMk IL5 The striped and spotted cucum
ber beetles are common garden pests. The l arvae of the
former attack roots, and the adults eat l eaves of cucum
ber, squash, and rel ated pl ants. The 1 2-spotted cucumber
beetl e is an even worse pest, feedi ng on many other pl ants
besides those of the squash fami l y. I t appears earl y in the
season and stays l ate. I n the South, the l arvae atack the
roots of corn, oats, and other grasses.
ASPARAGUS BEETLES, to species of them, ravage the
asparagus crop. Adults hi bernate in the ground, emerg
i ng i n spri ng to feed on young shoots. Eggs are soon
l ai d and l arvae attack shoots, "l eaves," and fruit, stri p
pi ng the pl ant. The l ife cycl e takes onl y about a month,
so there are several broods a year. Both speci es, the
common asparagus beetle and the spotted asparagus
beetl e, were i ntroduced from Europe, one about 90, and
the other about 70, years ago.
CONTROL OF GARDEN PESTS Control of garden
i nsects frst requi res a knowl edge of whi ch pests are i n
vol ved and somethi ng of thei r eati ng habits. I f you
cannot identify the i nsect, seek ai d of your county
agent, col l ege of agri cul ture, museum, or the U.S. Depart
ment of Agri cul ture. Once you know the i nsect, proper
control measures can be l earned from the same sources.
State and Federal agricul tural agenci es have pamphl ets
on control of garden pests. The
pamphlets are avai l abl e (usual l y
free or at a nomi nal cost) upon
request. Methods of pest control
are bei ng constantl y changed to
meet new conditi ons.
Z
Z
WHIRLIGIG BEETLES 0. 0"
WATER BEETLES are not to be confused with water bugs
{pp. 48-49), though they are found i n the same habitat.
The whi rl i gi g beetl es, true to their name, whi rl or swi m
at the surface. They di ve when di sturbed and are good
fi ers al so. Eggs are l ai d on water pl ants; l arvae feed on
water ani mal s. Eggs of di vi ng beetl es are deposited i n the
ti ssues of water pl ants. They hatch i nto l arvae commonl y
known as water ti gers, whi ch attack water i nsects, smal l
fs h, and even one another. After a month or so, l arvae
pupate i n the ground. Adul ts are active al l year. Thei r
method of carryi ng a bubbl e of ai r down wi th them at the
ti p of thei r abdomen is i nteresti ng to watch.
These and other water i nsects can be kept i n an aqua
ri um and fed bits of meat. The water scavengers, the
l argest water beetl es, are someti mes over d i nches l ong.
Eggs are l ai d i n a si l ken wrappi ng, attached to a foati ng
leaf. The predaceous l arvae feed l i ke those of di vi ng
beetl es. Pupae form i n soi l by l ate summer, and emerge
i n about 2 weeks. Adults al so are active i n al l seasons.
They carry ai r as a fl m on the undersi de of the body.
Zb
MAY BEETLES or June bugs form a group of over 1 00
Ameri can speci es, wi del y distri buted and difcul t to con
trol . White eggs are l ai d i n an earth-covered bal l ami d
roots on whi ch the white grubs feed for 2 or 3 years.
These pupate underground i n fal l , and adults appear the
fol l owi ng spri ng. Adul ts feed on l eaves of many common
trees. They are atracted to el ectri c
l i ghts. Bi rds and smal l mammal s,
such as skunks and even pi gs, root
out grubs and eat them.
ZV
GREEN JUNE BEETLE Often cal l ed the fgeater, thi s
beetle feeds on many pl ants, eati ng roots, stems, and
l eaves. Larvae ar e found i n soi l or manure. They move
by bristl es on thei r backs i nstead of by their short l egs.
Adults fy i n l arge numbers, maki ng a l oud buzzi ng
whi ch is somewhat si mi l ar to the buzzi ng of bumbl ebees.
These i nsects are more common i n
the South, where the adul ts damage
apricots, fgs, grapes, mel ons, and
other feshy fruits.
! d
SCARAB BEETLES, i ncl udi ng the rose chafer, Japanese
beetle, and May beetl e, form a l arge fami l y total l i ng
more than 30,000 speci es, of whi ch wel l over 900 are
found i n thi s country. Many are scavengers, adapted
for l ivi ng i n or on the ground. larvae are usual l y l arge
white grubs found i n the soi l . Of the many scarabs, the
dung beetl es or tumbl ebugs are outstandi ng. These are
the beetl es hel d sacred by the Egypti ans. The adults form
bal l s of dung and rol l them about givi ng the i mpression
of bei ng i ndustri ous workers. Eggs are l ai d in the bal l ,
whi ch i s buri ed. The feroci ous- l ooki ng rhi noceros beetl es
and thei r rel atives, the ox beetl es, are the l argest of the
scarabs. Al l are harml ess. Some are 2 i nches l ong; much
l arger tropi cal forms occur. Mal es have mor e promi nent
horns than femal es. The l arvae are found i n rotted wood
or ri ch soi l . Col l ectors pri ze the curi ous adul ts.
I d1
JZ
HORN BEETLE
1 . 4"
STAG AND HORN BEETLES are related to scarabs. The
large stags are so named because the huge mandibles
of the males resemble the antlers of stags. Mouth-parts of
the females are much smaller. large white grubs are
found in rotted wood-more commonly in the South than
el sewhere. Horned-beetle larvae and adults are often
found in large colonies in burrows
in rotted logs. These beetles make
noise by rubbing wing-covers or
legs. The adults are harmless.
TI LE- HORNED PRI ONUS 1 . 6"
DARKLI NG AND PRI ONUS BEETLES Darkl i ng beetl e
l arvae are the "meal worms" used for feedi ng bi rds and
other smal l pets. They feed on stored gr ai n and hence ar e
seri ous pests. There are a l arge number of cl osel y rel ated
speci es. The l arvae of pri onus beetl es are known as round
headed borers. These attack roots of frui t and ornamental
trees, grape, and other pl ants. The
antennae, wi th overl appi ng pl ates,
sl i ghtl y l onger i n the mal e, i dentify
the pri onus beetl es.
JJ
J4
FLAT-HEADED AND LONGHORNED BORERS Larvae
of many beetles bore into wood, but fat-headed borers
(Buprestids), l i ke exampl e above, and l onghorned borers
(Cerambycids), represented by the l ocust and el der borers
and the pi ne sawyer, are vi ci ous pests of orchard, shade
and forest trees. larvae of fat-headed borers (at l east 500
speci es i n thi s country) feed mostl y just beneath the bark,
whereas l onghorned borers (over 1 ,000 speci es) usual l y
channel far i nto the trunk. The attractive l ocust borer adul t
i s often found on gol denrod.
COTTON BOLL WEEVI L 0.3"
! JO
WEEVI LS are small beetles with mouth-parts modifed
into a downward-curving beak or snout. Many are impor
tant pests of grain. The damage done by weevils is esti
mated at over $500,000,000 annually. For years, as the
cotton boll weevil spread north from Mexico, warnings of
the danger went unheeded. The plum curculio damages
peach, cherry, and plum trees. Nut weevils are found in
acorns and all other edible nuts. The granary weevils,
found in grain, are prolifc, with a life cycle of only 4
weeks. Some feed on the roots, others on stored grain.
1 J
PIGEON
HORNTAI L 1 . 9"
orvo
HORNTAILS AND SAWFLI ES, cl osel y rel ated, bel ong
wi th the bees and wasps but l ack the constri cted ab
domen. Horntai l s l ay thei r eggs on dead or dyi ng trees.
The l arvae are borers, whi ch pupate in thei r deep tun
nel s. Most sawfy l arvae feed on l eaves. Horntai l s are
hosts to the i chneumon fi es ( next page), whi ch parasitize
the l arvae. The femal e i chneumon
fy can l ocate a horntai l burrow un
der several i nches of wood and de
posit her eggs therei n.
1 J
I CHEUMON FLY 1 . 4"
I CHNEUMON FLI ES, of whi ch there are over 3,000
American speci es, pl ay an i mportant rol e in control l i ng
many harmful i nsects. They are more cl osel y rel oted to
wasps than to fies. Thei r l arvae are parasites of cater
pi l l ars and of l arvae of beetl es, fies, and other pests. The
femal e i chneumon fy, wi th her unusual l y l ong ovi positor,
attracts attenti on and i s someti mes
feared by those who do , not know
she is harml ess. Thi s ovi positor can
pierce several i nches of wood.
Jd
CARPENTER ANTS Of over 2,500 species of ants
known, al l are social animals, living and working to
gether in ways that have astonished laymen and natural
ists al ike. Among t he most familiar of insects, t hey have
inspired many a comparison with human society. Car
penter ants and their relatives form one of the l argest
groups of ants. They bui l d nests and burrows in dead
wood, logs, and the ti mbers of buildings, where they may
do considerabl e damage if al l owed to spread. Carpenter
ants are found the worl d over in
temperate regions. The workers,
whi ch are inferti l e femal es, are
among the largest known ants.
JV
FI RE AND CORNFI ELD ANTS The fre ants of the
Southeast have been known to atack baby bi rds and sti ng
them to death. Cornfel d ants are l ess feroci ous and more
i nteresti ng. These ants eat the sweet secreti ons of corn
root aphi ds. Aphi ds l ay eggs i n the ant burrows. When
these hatch i n spri ng, the ants pl ace the aphi ds on knot
weed roots ti l l the corn is pl anted and growing. Then the
ants transfer the aphi ds to the corn roots, thus i nsuri ng a
constant food suppl y. Cornfel d ants are widel y distri bu-
ted and very abundant. Lutz states g
4U
HOUSEHOLD ANTS Pharaoh's ants are smal l but nu
merous. They are common i nvaders of homes, feedi ng on
any sweet foodstufs. The Argenti ne ant, native to that
country and Brazi l , was frst found i n New Orl eans i n
1 891 , and has si nce become a seri ous househol d and
garden pest 1 n the South. They may i nvade nests of other
ants and hives of bees. Fortunatel y they are semitropical
and are l i mited in thei r movement northward. These ants
protect aphi ds to secure the honey-dew they produce.
Li tl e bl ack ants are found outdoors more than withi n.
! 4!
_ I NSECT GALLS are not wel l understood. Smal l , wasp
l i ke i nsects (Cyni pids), fies, and others l ay eggs i n pl ant
tissues. Each i nsect sel ects a speci fc pl ant. As eggs hatch,
t he pl ant ti ssues around t he l arvae begi n to swel l , form
i ng a characteristic gal l . The l arvae feed on pl ant j ui ces
and pupate i n the gal l . The adul t emerges by burrowi ng
through the si de. Some gal l s are l ar ge and woody, some
soft, some knobby and spi ny. Best-known gal l s are the
oak appl es and the gal l s commonl y seen on roses, bl ack
berry, and gol denrods.
! 4Z
MASON WASP 0. 5
"
MUD WASPS Several fami l i es of wasps are repre
sented among those bui l di ng thei r nests with mud. Potter
wasps are sol itary, each bui l di ng a vase-shaped nest of
mud on pl ants. These wasps prey on caterpi l l ars and
beetl e l arvae. Most mason wasps, i n t he same fami l y as
the potters, nest i n burrows i n t he soi l , but t he speci es
i l l ustrated makes a cl ay nest on a branch. Best- known
mud wasps are the mud daubers, whi ch make l arge nests
on wal l s i n attics or deserted bui l di ngs. The femal e bui l ds
the nest of many mud cel l s. I n each she pl aces several
paral yzed spi ders or other i nsects before she l ays the
egg and seal s the cel l . The bl ue mud dauber uses nests
made by the common mud dauber. The femal e moistens
the cel l wal l , di gs through, removes the contents, and
refl l s the cel l with her own spiders and egg. The cuckoo
wasp, named after the European cuckoo, awaits i ts oppor
I NDEX ( continued )
Pests: Scientifc names, 1 55
Ti cks, * 1 51 - * 1 5
ani mal , * 1 51 , 1 52-
Scorpionfies, *5 Ti ger beetl es, *I 09
* 1 53 Seventeenyeor locust, Tiger swal lowtai l , *79,
garden, 1 24
36 80, *81
househol d, * 1 40, Sheep tick, * 1 51 Ti l ehorned prionus,
* 1 50, 1 52- * 1 53
Shi el dbugs, 42- *43 * 1 33
Pharaoh' s ant, * 1 40
Short-nosed cattl e Tobacco worm, 84
Pigeon horntai l , * 1 36
louse, *32 Tomato hornworm,
Pine sawyer, * 1 3.
Si l k moth, *86 *84
Pi pevine swal lowtai l ,
Si l ver-bordered fri ti l - Treehoppers, '33
80, *81
l ory, *65 Tumbl ebug, * 1 30- 1 31
Pl um curculio, * 1 35
Si lverfsh, 1 52-* 1 53 Tussock moth, *95, 96
Pol yphemus moth, *89
development of, * 1 1 Twel ve-spotted cucum-
Potato beetles, 1 20,
Si lverspotted ski pper, ber beetle, * 1 23,
* 1 22
*82 1 24
Potato leafhopper, *35
Si x- spotted tiger Two-spotted ladybird
Potter-wasp, * 1 42
beetle, *1 09 beetl e, * 1 1 9
Praying mantis, 24- *25
Skipper butterfies, *82
Ul tronia underwing
z
Prionus beetl es, * 1 33
Sol i tary wasps, * 1 44,
W
C Promethea moth, *88
* 1 45
moth, *92
m
Pupa, *59
Sphinx moths, a4-*a5
Underwing moths, *92
4
Purples, *62
SpicebuJh moth, 8a
Unicorn beetl e, * 1 31
0
Purpl e ti ger beetle,
Spicebush swal lowtai l ,
beetle, 1 24-* 1 25
Viol et-tip, 6a
<
Range maps, use of, 3
Spring azure, *75
Stag beetles, * 1 32
m
m
per, *34
Stinkbugs, 42-*43
Water beetl es, * 1 26-
J
Red-l egged grasshop-
* 1 27
4
Stonefies, *52
Water boatman, *48-49
x
per, *28
Striped bl i ster beetle,
Red-spotted purple, *62
1 20, * 1 22
Water bugs, *48-*49
Water scavenger, * 1 26
Regal frit i l l ary, *64-
Striped cucumber
Water strider, *49
*65
beetle, * 1 23, 1 24
Regal moth, 93
Sul phurs, *77
Water tigers, 1 26-* 1 27
Rhinoceros beetle, * 1 30-
Swal l owtai l s, *7a-a1
Webworm, fal l , *97
1 31
Swamp mosqui to, 1 02
Weevil s, * 1 35
Robber fy, * 1 05
Western bl ues, *75
Sweat bee, * 1 4
Whirl i gig beetl es,
Rose chafer, * 1 1 0, 1 30
Syrphid fy, * 1 07
Rose leafhcpper, *35
* 1 26-* 1 27
Round-headed borers,
Tachinid fy, *44, * 1 07
Whi te ants, 30
* 1 33
Tarnished pl ant bug,
Whi te-faced hornet,
Rove beetles, 1 1 2-* 1 1 3
*47
1 4- * 1 47
Ten-spot dragonfy, *51
Wi reworms, * 1 1 4
San Jose scal e, *40
Tent coterpi l iar, *97
Wool lybear, a3
Satyrs, *72- *73
Termites, *30- *31
Yel low jackets, 1 46-
Sawfi es, 1 36
Terrapin scal e, *40
Scal e insects, *40- *41
Thi stl e butterfy, 71
* 1 47
Scorab beetl es, 1 1 0, Three-banded l eaf
Zebra swal l owtail ,
* 1 30- * 1 31 , 1 32 hopper, *35
*79, ao, at
K
IMNk4
A GOLD E N NATU R E G U I D E
HERBERT S. ZI M, Ph. D. , outstandi ng authority
on sci ence educati on and formerl y Professor
of Educati on, University of I l l i nois; is wel l