CHAPTER XI The Garden Fly:  Protoparce Carolina

Protoparce Carolina is a ‘cousin’ of Celeus, and so nearly its double that the caterpillars and moths must be seen together to be differentiated by amateurs; while it is doubtful if skilled scientists can always identify the pupa cases with certainty.  Carolina is more common in the south, but it is frequent throughout the north.  Its caterpillars eat the same food as Celeus, and are the same size.  They are a dull green, while Celeus is shining, and during the succession of moults, they show slight variations in colour.

They pupate in a hole in the ground.  The moths on close examination show quite a difference from Celeus.  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.  Their legs are long, and not so hairy as is the rule.  They have none of the blind, aimless, helpless appearance of moths that do not feed.  They exercise violently in the pupa cases before they burst the shields, and when they emerge their eyes glow and dilate.  They step with firmness and assurance, as if they knew where they wanted to go, and how to arrive.  They are of direct swift flight, and much experience and dexterity are required to take them on wing.

Both my Carolina moths emerged in late afternoon, about four o’clock, near the time their kind take flight to hunt for food.  The light was poor in the Cabin, so I set up my camera and focused on a sweetbrier climbing over the back door.

The newly emerged moth was travelling briskly in that first exercise it takes, while I arranged my camera; so by the time I was ready, it had reached the place to rest quietly until its wings developed.  Carolina climbed on my finger with all assurance, walked briskly from it to the roses, and clung there firmly.