346 



AGRICUI.TURE OF MAINE. 



they molt four times. The full grown larvae enter the ground 

 for pupation. In Maine pupation takes place from mid July to 

 late August, the majority of larvae burying late in July. They 

 pass the winter in the pupal stage, under the leaf mold, and the 

 moths emerge in the spring. 



The eggs are deposited singly by the female which in cap- 

 tivity applies the eggs to both sides of the leaf. From the rea- 

 son that the tops of the trees are stripped first and then the 

 lower branches it is to be concluded that the moths by prefer- 

 ence deposit the eggs upon the upper leaves. Perhaps the same 

 tendency to fly high may account in part for the fact that the 

 hillside forests are in general more largely attacked than the 

 lowlands. 



The full grown larva drops or climbs to the ground and con- 

 structs a cell in the earth or under the leaves at a distance of 

 I to 3 inches below the surface. This cell is oval and is lined 

 by a thin spinning of silk. 



The insect after remaining in the pupal 

 emerges with the warm spring days. 



stage 



all winter 



(After Packard). 



Fig. 12. IVIale. Fig. i.^ Female. 



(Fig. 12 and 13 from ^le. .Ag. Exp. Sta. Bui. 161). 



COMBATIVE MEASURES. 



For the orchard or shade trees there are several practical 

 measures which have proven successful the past season in pre- 

 venting serious injury from the saddled prominent. 



Spraxing. — This species is susceptible to arsenical poisons 

 and the caterpillars readily died on apple trees which were thor- 



