The Cigar-case Bearer. 



291 



referred it to the Tineid genns Coleojyhora. It was not until 1892, 

 however, that it received a specitic name. Then Dr. Fernald named 

 \t fletoherella^ in honor of Mr. Fletcher, who gave us the tirst ex- 

 tended account of its habits and life history. Thus, the insect 

 is "scientifically known as ColeopTiora 

 fletcherella. 



Its Life History. 



This little case bearer is one of the 

 most interesting insects, as regards its 

 life history and habits that it has been 

 our pleasure to study. It has been 

 under almost daily observation here at 

 the insectary from the time it awakes 

 from its winter's sleep until it passes 

 through its wonderful transformations 

 into the delicate little moth, from 

 whose beautifully sculptured eggs the 

 little caterpillars hatch ; and these soon 

 demonstrate that they are both miners 

 and tailors. We have also been fortu- 

 nate enough to secure pictures of some 

 of the most interesting phases of its life ; 

 no illustrations of the insect or its work 

 have heretofore been publshed. 



Hibernation. — By September 15th 

 most of the little creatures have gone 



into winter quarters as minute, half-59._Tiie smaii curved cases in which 

 grown, orange-yellow caterpillars en- [!;!g.Trh?u;fpe^rp'aV'^of^hU^gure'^^ 

 cased in a small curved suit, and firmly Sstretwicetaturai'lize'"'^ ''""' 

 attached to the bark, usually on the smaller branches. In Fig. 59 

 are shown many of the insects in hibernation ; the upper part of the 

 figure shows the cases natural size. The large case so conspicuous 

 on the right hand twig is one of the cigar-shaped cases fastened 

 there during the summer by a mature caterpillar ; it serves well to 

 contrast the two suits worn by the caterpillars during their lifetime. 

 Where the insect is numerous, they may be quite easily discovered 

 in their winter quarters ; the specimens ligured were recently sent 

 in by a correspondent at ]Sroi'th Parma, N. Y. 



