CHAPTER IX The Sweetheart and the Bride: Catocala Amatyix-- Catocala
Neogama
There are no moths so common with us as these, for throughout their
season, at any time one is wanted, it is sure to be found either
on the sweetbrier clambering over the back wall, among the morning-
glories on one side, the wistaria and wild grape on the other, or
in the shade of the wild clematis in front. On very sunny days,
they leave the shelter of the vines, and rest on the logs of the
Cabin close the roof of the verandas. Clinging there they appear
like large grey flies, for they are of peculiar shape, and the front
wings completely cover the back when in repose. A third or a half
of the back wings show as they are lifted to balance the the moths
when walking over vines and uncertain footing. They are quite conspicuous
on our Cabin, because it is built of the red cedar of Wisconsin;
were it of the timber used by our grandfathers, these moths with
folded wings would be almost indistinguishable from their surroundings.
Few moths can boast greater beauty. The largest specimen of the
'Sweetheart' that homes with us would measure three and one half
inches if it would spread its wings full width as do the moths of
other species. No moth is more difficult to describe, because of
the delicate blending of so many intangible shades. The front wings
are a pale, brownish grey, with irregular markings of tan, and dark
splotches outlined with fine deep brown lines. The edges are fluted
and escalloped, each raised place being touched with a small spot
of tan, and above it a narrow escalloped line of brown. The back
wings are bright red, crossed by a circular band of brownish black,
three-fourths of an inch from the base, a secondary wider band of
the same, and edged with pale yellow.
There is no greater surprise in store for a student of moths than
to locate a first Catocala Amatrix, and see the softly blended grey
front wings suddenly lift, and the vivid red of the back ones flash
out. The under sides of the front wings are a warm creamy tan, crossed
by wide bands of dark brown and grey-brown, ending in a delicate
grey mist at the edges. The back wings are the same tan shade, with
red next the abdomen, and crossed by brown bands of deeper shade
than the fore-wings. The shoulders are covered with long silky hair
like the front wings. This is so delicate that it becomes detached
at the slightest touch of vine or leaf. The abdomen is slightly
lighter in colour on top, and a creamy tan beneath. The legs are
grey, and the feet to the first joint tan, crossed by faint lines
of brown.
The head is small, with big prominent eyes that see better by day
than most night moths; for Catocala takes precipitate flight at
the merest shadow. The antennae are long, delicate and threadlike,
and must be broken very easily in the flight of the moth. It is
nothing unusual to see them with one antenna shorter than the other,
half, or entirely gone; and a perfect specimen with both antennae,
and all the haif on its shoulders, is rare. They have a long tongue
that uncoils like Lineata, and Celeus, so they are feeders, but
not of day, for they never take flight until evening, except when
disturbed. The male is smaller than the female, his fore-wings deeply
flushed with darker colour and the back brighter red with more black
in the bands.
Neogama, another member of this family, is a degree smaller than
Amatrix, but of the same shape. The fore-wings are covered with
broken lines of different colours, the groundwork grey, with gold
flushings, the lines and dots of the border very like the Sweetheart's.
The back wings are pure gold, almost reddish, with dark brownish
black bands, and yellow borders. The top of the abdomen is a grey-gold
colour. Underneath, the markings are nearly the same as Amatrix,
but a gold flush suffuses the moth.
There are numbers of these Catocala moths running the colour scheme
of-yellow, from pale chrome to umber. Many shade from light pink
through the reds to a dark blood colour. Then there is a smaller
number having brown back wings and with others they are white.
The only way I know to photograph them is to focus on some favourable
spot, mark the place your plate covers in length and width, and
then do your best to coax your subjects in range. If they can be
persuaded to walk, they will open their wings to a greater or less
degree. A reproduction would do them no sort of justice unless the
markings of the back wings show. It is on account of the gorgeous
colourings of these that scientists call the species `afterwings.'
One would suppose that with so many specimens of this beautiful
species living with us and swarming the swamp close by, I would
be prepared to give their complete life history; but I know less
concerning them than any other moths common with us, and all the
scientific works I can buy afford little help. Professional lepidopterists
dismiss them with few words. One would-be authority disposes of
the species with half a dozen lines. You can find at least a hundred
Catocala reproduced from museum specimens and their habitat given,
in the Holland "Moth Book", but I fail to learn what I
most desire to know: what these moths feed on; how late they live;
how their eggs appear; where they are deposited; which is their
caterpillar; what does it eat; and where and how does it pupate.
Packard, in his "Guide to the Study of Insects", offers
in substance this much help upon the subject: "The genus is
beautiful, the species numerous, of large size, often three-inch
expansion, and in repose form a flat roof. The larva is elongate,
slender, flattened beneath and spotted with black, attenuated at
each end, with fleshy filaments on the sides above the legs, while
the head is flattened and rather forked above. It feeds on trees
and rests attached to the trunks. The pupa is covered with a bluish
efflorescence, enclosed in a slight cocoon of silk, spun amongst
leaves or bark."
This will tend to bear out my contention that scientific works are
not the help they should be to the Nature Lover. Heaven save me
from starting to locate Catocala moths, eggs, caterpillars or pupae
on the strength of this information. I might find moths by accident;
nothing on the subject of eggs; neither colour of body, characteristics
nor food, to help identify caterpillars; for the statement, 'it
feeds on trees,' cannot be considered exactly illuminating when
we remember the world full of trees on which caterpillars are feeding;
and should one search for cocoon encased pupae among the leaves
and bark of tree-tops or earth?
The most reliable information I have had, concerning these moths
of which I know least, comes from Professor Rowley. He is the only
lepidopterist of four to whom I applied, who could tell me any of
the things I am interested in knowing. He writes in substance: "The
Bride and Sweetheart are common northern species, as are most of
the other members of the group. The Amatrix, with its red wings,
is called the Sweetheart because amor means love, and red is love's
own colour. The caterpillar feeds on willow. The Catocala of the
yellow "after-wings" is commonly called the Bride, because
Neogama, its scientific name, means recently wedded. Its caterpillar
feeds on walnut leaves.
"If you will examine the under side of the body of a Catocala
moth you will find near the junction of the thorax and abdomen on
either side, large open organs reminding one of the ears of a grasshopper,
which are on the sides of the first abdominal segment. Examine the
bodies of Sphinges and other moths for these same openings. They
appear to be ears. Catocala moths feed on juices, and live most
of the summer season. Numbers of them have been found sipping sap
at a tree freshly cut and you know we take them at night with bait.
"New Orleans sugar and cider or sugar and stale beer are the
usual baits. This 'concoction'is put on the bodies of trees with
a brush, between eight and ten o'clock at night. During good Catocala
years, great numbers of these moths may be taken as they feed at
the sweet syrup. So it is proved that their food is sap, honeydew,
and other sugary liquids. Mr. George Dodge assures me that he has
taken Catocala abbreviatella at milk-weed blooms about eight o'clock
of early July evenings. Other species also feed on flowers."
You will observe that in his remarks about the "open organs
on the side of the abdominal segment," Professor Rowley may
have settled the 'ear' question. I am going to keep sharp watch
for these organs, hereafter. I am led to wonder if one could close
them in some way and detect any difference in the moth's sense of
hearing after having done so.
All of us are enthusiasts about these moths with their modest fore-wings
and the gaudy brilliance of the wonderful 'after-wings,' that are
so bright as to give common name to the species. We are studying
them constantly and hope soon to learn all we care to know of any
moths, for our experience with them is quite limited when compared
with other visitors from the swamp. But think of the poetry of adding
to the long list of birds, animals and insects that temporarily
reside with us, a Sweetheart and a Bride!