REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



185 



the leaves are sufficiently developed to furnish food for the 

 young caterpillars. 



Fig. 1. Egg Cluster of Gipsy Motli. 



LARVA OR CATERPILLAR. 



The young caterpillars hatch from the first to the middle of 

 May. They are so small as not to be seen by the casual observer, 

 as they crawl up the trees. They are almost black in color, with 

 very slight bodies about one-twelfth of an inch in length, covered 

 with numerous hairs. As they grow they shed their skins, or 

 moult, several times before reaching maturity. In the advance 

 stages, the most of the feeding is done during the night. They 

 reach their full growth from the first to the middle of July, 

 depending upon the season. They are then large, robust look- 

 ing caterpillars (Fig. 2) from 23^ to 3 inches in length, varying 



Fig. 2. Larva or Caterpillar of Gipsy Moth. 



