Insect Study 335 



Describe the wall next to the pupa. How does this structure protect the 

 pupa from changes of temperature and dampness? 



4. Is the outside covering easy to tear? What birds are strong 

 enough to tear this cocoon apart? 



5. Are both ends of the cocoon alike? Do you find one end where 

 the silk is not woven across but is placed lengthwise? Why is this so? 

 Do you think that the moth can push out at this end better than at the 

 other? Do you think the caterpillar, when it wove the cocoon, made it 

 this way so that the moth could get out easily? 



The Pupa 



1 . Take a pupa out of a cocoon carefully and place it on cotton in a 

 wide-mouthed fruit jar where it may be observed. Can the pupa move 

 at all? Is it unable to defend itself? Why does it not need to defend 

 itself? 



2. Can you see in the pupa the parts that will be the antennae and the 

 mouth ? 



3. Describe how the wing coverings look. Count the rings in the 

 abdomen. 



4. Why does the pupa need to be protected by a cocoon? 



The Moth 



1 . What is the first sign which you discover that the moth is coming 

 out of the cocoon ? Can you hear the little scratching noise ? What do 

 you suppose makes it ? How does the moth look when it first comes out ? 

 If it were not all soft and wet how could it come out from so small an 

 opening? 



2. Describe how the crumpled wings spread out and dry. How does 

 the covering of the wings change in looks? 



3 . Make a water-color drawing or describe in detail the fully expanded 

 moth, showing the color and markings of wings, body and antennas. 



4. Do the moths eat anything? Why do they not need to eat? 



5. If one of the moths lays eggs, describe the eggs, noting color, size 

 and the way they are placed. 



The Caterpillar 



1. On what do you find the cecropia caterpillar feeding? Describe 

 its actions while feeding. 



2. What is the color of the caterpillar? Describe how it is orna- 

 mented. 



3 . Can you see the breathing pores, or spiracles, along the sides of the 

 body? How many of these on each segment? How do they help the 

 caterpillar to breathe ? 



4. Describe the three pairs of true legs on the three segments just 

 back of the head. Do these differ in form from the prolegs along the sides 

 of the body? What is the special use of the prolegs? Describe the prop- 

 leg which is the hindmost leg of all. 



5. Do you know how many times the cecropia caterpillar sheds its 

 skin while it is growing? Is it always the same color? 



6. Watch the caterpillar spin its cocoon, describe how it begins and 

 how it acts as long as you can see it. Where does the silk come from? 



