Very large, hairy moths Large, feather-like antennae Two species occur in our area: Cecropia Moth (_Samia cecropia_): It is the largest moth in our area, having varying colors of brown and yellow. Luna Moth (_Tropaea luna_): New England’s most beautiful moth, the Luna is pale green, with a brown leading edge on the forewing and a long tail-like extension from the hind wing. [Illustration: Tiger Moths] Tiger Moths (Arctiinae) Yellowish-brown body Three rows of black spots on body The larvae of these moths are the well-known “Woolly Bear” caterpillars that are covered with a dense coat of rusty-red and black hairs. They are not beneficial. Two common examples are: Salt-marsh Caterpillar (_Estigmene acrea_): This caterpillar is covered with rose-colored hair. It feeds on practically every type of leaf in the fall. Webworm (_Hyphantria cunea_): It covers the ground for several feet with its silky web. In large numbers, Webworms can denude a tree in short order. Periodic outbreaks of these “Soldier Worms” are common at the beach. [Illustration: Eastern Tent Caterpillar] Eastern Tent Caterpillar (_Malacosoma americanum_) Adult moth is reddish brown Extremely hairy, even on legs The adult is less readily recognized than is the web home of these caterpillars. In the spring, the webs may be found on most of the Black Cherry trees in the area. [Illustration: Measuringworms] Measuringworms (Geometridae) Small gray or brown Moths Margin of wings frilly or scalloped The caterpillars of these moths are the famous “Inch-worms” which move along by arching the body to bring the tail up to the head, then throwing the head out as if measuring the inches with the body. _The Two-winged Insects: Flies and Mosquitoes_ Flies differ from other insects in having only two wings (one pair). The second pair has degenerated into a tiny club-shaped structure that aids the Fly in keeping its balance. [Illustration: Biting Midges] Biting Midges (Certaopogonidae) Minute size (usually felt rather than seen!) Also called “No-see-ums” and “Sand Flies,” these tiny blood-sucking Flies are altogether too common at the beach. So small that they can pass through window screening, they are best discouraged with a liberal dose of insect repellent. [Illustration: Crane Flies] Crane Flies (Tipulidae) Resemble overgrown Mosquitoes Extremely long, threadlike legs Crane Flies are associated with the wet, swampy areas behind the beach. In spite of their mosquito-like shape, they can’t bite. [Illustration: Gall Midges] Gall Midges (Cecidomyiidae) Minute Flies with humpback Antennae as long as body The galls appear as unnatural swellings on plant stems or leaves. Each species of these flies has a specific-shaped gall, made on a specific type of plant, and at a specific place on the plant. [Illustration: Horse and Deer Flies]