They are darker
in colour. The fore-wings lack the effect of being laid off in
lines. The colour is a mottling of almost black, darkest grey,
lighter grey, brown, and white. The back wings are crossed by
wavy bands of brownish grey, black, and tan colour, and the yellow
markings on the abdomen are larger.
In repose, these moths fold the front wings over the back like
large flies. In fact, in the south they are called the `Tobacco
Fly' ; and we of the north should add the `Tomato and Potato
Fly.' Because I thought such a picture would be of interest, I
reproduced a pair---the male as he clung to a piece of pasteboard
in the `fly' attitude.
Celeus and Carolina caterpillars come the nearest being pests of
those of any large moths, because they feed on tomato, potato,
and tobacco, but they also eat jimson weed, ground cherry, and
several vines that are of no use to average folk.
The Carolina moths come from their pupa cases as featherweights
step into the sparring. They feed partially by day, and their
big eyes surely see more than those of most other moths, that
seem small and deepset in comparison.
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