I have noticed that among the moths bearing
large, outstanding antennae, the claspers are less prominent than
with those having small, inconspicuous head parts. A fine pair of
antennae, carried forward as by a big, fully developed Cecropia,
are as ornamental to the moth as splendidly branching antlers are
to the head of a deer.
The female now begins egg placing. This requires time, as one of
these big night moths deposits from three hundred and fifty to
over six hundred eggs. These lie in embryonic state in the abdomen
of the female. At her maturity they ripen rapidly. When they
are ready to deposit, she is forced to place them whether she has
mated or not. In case a mate has found her, a small pouch near
the end of her abdomen is filled with a fluid that touches each
egg in passing and renders it fertile. The eggs differ with species
and are placed according to family characteristics. They may be
pure white, pearl-coloured, grey, greenish, or yellow. There are
round, flat, and oblong eggs.
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