LEPIDOPTERA. 



323 



as long as the greater number of hairs. The long hairs are 

 more numerous near the caudal end than elsewhere, but are 

 nowhere gathered into pencils as with the Tussock-cater- 

 pillars. This larva varies greatly in color. The body is most 

 often of a pale yellow or straw color, with a black, more or 

 less interrupted, longitudinal line along each side, and a 

 more or less distinct transverse line of the same color be- 

 tween each of the segments. Sometimes the hairs are foxy 

 red or light brown, and the body brownish or even dark 

 brown. The head and the ends of the feet and forelegs are 

 yellowish, and the venter is dusky. The larva feeds on 

 almost any plant. The cocoon is light, and is composed 

 almost entirely of the hairs of the caterpillar. This insect 

 passes the winter in the pupa state ; and it is probable that 

 there are usually two or more broods each year ; but these 

 are not well marked. The moth (Fig. 395) is snowy white, 

 with the wings marked by a few 

 black dots ; these vary in num- 

 ber, but there are rarely more 

 than three on either wing. 

 There is a row of black spots 

 on the back of the abdomen, 

 and another on each side, and 

 between these a longitudinal deep yellow stripe. 



A very large number of species of Tiger-moths belong 



to the genus Eyprepia 

 (Ey-pre'pi-a). These 

 are perhaps the most 

 striking in appear- 

 ance of all members 

 of the family. The 

 fore wings are velvety 

 black marked with 



yellowish Or pink 



bands ; in some species the lighter color predominates, so 

 that the fore wings appear to be yellow or pink, spotted 



i FIG. 395 Spilosotna virginica. 



FIG. ^.- 



virgo. 



