^20 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



the larva makes a felt-like cocoon composed largely of its 

 hairs. The adult has mouse-gray, unspotted wings; the 

 abdomen is yellow, with a row of black spots along the 

 middle of the back. 



The Hickory Tiger-moth, Halisidota carycs (Ha-lis-i- 

 do'ta ca'ry-ae). One of the most abundant of caterpillars 

 in the Atlantic States and westward during the months of 

 August and September is one clothed with dense tufts of 

 finely barbed white hairs (Fig. 391) ; there is a ridge or crest 



FIG. 391. Halisidota carytz larva. 



of black hairs on the middle of the back of the abdominal 

 segments, a few long white hairs projecting over the head 

 from the thorax, and others projecting back from the last seg- 

 ment ; there are also two pairs of pencils of black hairs, one 



on the first and one on the seventh 

 abdominal segment, and a similar 

 pair of pencils of white hairs on 

 the eighth abdominal segment. 

 This larva feeds on hickory, 

 butternut, and other forest-trees. 

 Its grayish cocoons, composed 

 almost entirely of the hair of the larva, are often found under 

 stones, fences, and other similar places. The fore wings of 

 the adult (Fig. 392) are dark brown spotted with white. 



FIG. 392. Halisidota carytz. 



