THE CAXADIAX EXTOMOLOGIST. 



227 



ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. 



JVo. IS- THE 10 MOTHSatuniia (Hypcrchiria) Jt\ Fabr. 



BY E. B. REED, LONDON, ONT. 



This lovely moth is well worthy a place in the cabinet of the collector, 

 .and is always sure to attract notice and admiration. The larya, of which 

 fig. 2 7 represents a full-grown specimen, is of a most delicate apple or 

 pea gi-een colour, with a broad, dusky 



white stripe at each side, bordered 

 with lilac on tlie lower edge. The 

 body is covered with clusters of green 

 bristles, tipped with black. These 

 bristles are exceedingly sharp, and 

 when the insect is handled, will pro- 

 duce a very irritating sting, similar 

 to, but much sharper than that of 

 the nettle, and the effect of which 

 causes a reddening of the flesh and 

 the immediate appearance of raised 

 white blotches, which last for a 

 considerable time. 



Fig. 28 shows the ai)pearance 

 of these bristles, some of them, as 

 b, being stouter and more acute than the others, and able to inflict a sharper 

 and more penetrating sting. According to Mr. Riley, the irritating 

 Fig. 28. property belongs to the substance of which the spines 



are formed, and his opinion was strengthened by the 

 fact that the spines of a cast off skin, which had been 

 in his cabinet for years, still retained the irritating 

 power. 



In the earlier stages the caterpillars are gregarious, 

 feeding together side by side, and in going to and returning from their 

 place of shelter, moving in regular files, like the ])rocessionar}^ caterpillars 

 of Europe {Lasiocampa proccssio7ied). When about half grown they 



