Entomological Notes. 



287 



plum trees. If noticed at all, the casual observer would pass them 

 by without thought of any object or purpose in their position, but 

 a slight examination shows that these seemingly harmless dead 

 leaves are held securely in their places by firm silken cords, and 

 ■on parting the leaves, while some will be found to contain only an 

 •empty cocoon, in others will be found, in addition to the old shell, 

 a mass of small round eggs, arranged in a somewhat irregular form, 

 but of a pyramidal shape, so as to present a convex surface to the 

 weather. These masses each contain from 350 to 500 eggs, nearly 

 round in form and white in color. These eggs are firmly glued to 

 the cocoon and to each other by a frothy, gelatinous looking sub- 

 stance, which was evidently deposited with them in a fluid state. 

 The whole mass is also covered with the same substance, present- 

 ing a smooth surface, impervious to water. Early in June these 

 eggs begin to hatch. Unlike many of our insect enemies, they do 

 not all hatch out at the same time, but different clusters in different 

 parts of the orchard hatch out at intervals extending through two 

 or three weeks. The same irregularity is also manifest in their 

 after development; for, as Mr. Riley observes, "some of the 

 same brood, hatched out on the same da}', will have produced moths, 

 while others are yet feeding in the caterpillar state." When it 

 first appears, the larva is about an eighth of an inch in length, and 

 of a grayish color; head of a reddish brown. Each segment or ring 

 has a number of tubercles, from which protrude clusters of hairs, 

 varying greatly in length and extending in different directions. 

 In about seven days the larva casts off the old skin and the hairs 

 become more numerous and longer, and the colors brighter. This 

 Is followed with two other moulting periods with the male larvte, 

 and three with the female. When full grown, the female larva is 

 over an inch long; the 

 male about three-quar- 

 ters of an inch; the head 

 is a bright red; the back, 

 of a velvety black; the 

 main part of the body, of 

 a bright yellow or orange 



color, with yellow hairs r, ,, -c ~ m n 



' J m Fig. 11. Full-Grown Tussock Cx 



scattered along its side. 



From the first segment two long tufts of black hairs extend for- 

 19— Hort. So. 







;a.terfillar 



