FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS. 



than their relatives, polyphemus larvae have the habit of 

 elevating the front part of their bodies and pulling in their 

 heads to assume a "terrifying attitude"; clicking their 

 jaws probably adds to the effect. Many books say 

 that the cocoon falls to the ground in the autumn (there 

 is but one annual generation) but this is by no means 

 always the case. The cocoon, which is more solid than 

 Luna's, contains a long, unbroken, easily unreeled thread 

 of silk which would be commercially valuable if labor were 

 cheaper. The wings are ochre, usually pinkish, and 

 each has a transparent spot, those on the hind wings being 

 bordered inwardly by blue and set in a black ring. 



The larvae of the lo Moth (Plate XLV) 

 Automeris 10 . . , . 



should be handled carefully since their 



spines are sharp and are connected with glands which 

 secrete an irritating fluid. They feed on a great vari- 

 ety of plants, including corn, and, when young, "fol- 

 low the leader, " spinning a silken path for the guidance 

 of those which are behind. The larva is easily recognized, 

 especially on account of the red (upper) and white (lower) 

 longitudinal stripes on the sides of the abdomen. The 

 thin, semitransparent, brown cocoon is spun among leaves 

 oh the ground. There are several other species which 

 may be recognized as Automeris from their general resem- 

 blance to io; another generic name is Hyperchiria. 



CERATOCAMPID^E 



The adults have mouth parts but probably do not 

 feed. Pupation occurs in the ground, no cocoons being 

 formed. Perhaps we should call this family Citheronidse. 



The black and yellow (or orange) larvae 

 of Anisota senatoria (Plate XLVIII) feed 

 on oak, often in large colonies. The adult female has a 

 yellow body and brownish-yellow wings, largely free from 

 dark dots and with a tendency toward violet at the mar- 

 gins of the front wings. The male is reddish brown and 

 the central halves of the front wings are slightly translu- 

 cent. The larva of A . virginiensis, on oak, is dark greenish, 



160 ^Lr 



