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!