THE INSECTS OF NEW JERSEY. 511 



Family LIMACODID^. 



These are moderate sized or small moths, termed "Cochlidiidae" in the 

 last edition, with plump or shaggy bodies, retracted head, weak tongue 

 and often pectinated antennae. The wings are short and broad, often very 

 thickly scaled, the colors usually brown, often with green markings. 



The larvas are even more easily recognized than the adults by their 

 slug-like character. The feet are in large part obsolete, while the belly 

 is flattened, soft and fleshy, the larva using the entire under surface in 

 walking. Another peculiarity is the poisonous character of the 

 spinous clothing, the tips being very finely pointed, easily broken off and 

 extremely irritating when imbedded in the flesh. This "nettling" is some- 

 times very serious and may cause swellings, inflammation and even high 

 fever. Local application of soda or zinc washes or dilute mixtures of 

 phenol and soda usually afford relief. 



Dr. Dyar says, concerning these larvae, that most of them are feeders 

 on any smooth-leafed tree, and this may be assumed unless special food 

 plants are mentioned. None of them are really injurious to cultivated 

 plants, although a number of such are fed upon. 



SIBINE H. S. 



S. stimulea Clem. Throughout the 

 State, June and July, locally com- 

 mon. The larva is known as the 

 "saddle-back" caterpillar and oc- 

 curs in late summer on pear, 

 cherry and apple, sometimes par- 

 tially defoliating young trees. It 

 also feeds on a great variety of 

 other trees and plants and suc- 

 cumbs readily to arsenical sprays. 



EUCLEA HLn. 



E. delphinii Bdv. Occurs throughout 

 the State, VI and VII. The larva 

 in late summer on pear, cherry, 

 oak, chestnut, blackberry, wax 

 myrtle and a variety of other 

 trees and shrubs. Five varieties 

 based on color differences have 

 been recognized, and all occur 

 within our boundaries; they are 

 "querceti" H. S., "interjecta" 

 Dyar, "viridiclava" Wlk., "elliotii" 

 Pears, and "pasnulata" Clem. 



Fig. 214. The saddleback caterpillar. 



Fig. 215. Sibine stimulea: parent of 

 the saddleback caterpillar. 



