Geometridae 
the one under consideration. It is the part of wisdom in every 
way to protect the birds. 
The canker-worm is widely distributed from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific. 
Genus ALSOPHILA Hiibner 
Only one species of the genus occurs within our limits. 
(i) Alsophila pometaria Harris. (The Fall Canker-worm.) 
Syn. restituens Walker. 
The Fall Canker-worm in many respects closely resembles 
the preceding species, but a critical eye can at once detect great 
differences both in the form and markings of the caterpillar and 
of the mature insect. The moths generally emerge from the 
pupal state in the late fall, or 
during mild spells of weather 
in the winter, and may even 
continue to come forth until 
the spring is well advanced. 
The eggs are not laid as those 
of the preceding species, sin¬ 
gly under the scales of bark, 
but are deposited in a com¬ 
pact mass fastened to the 
twigs by a strong gluey se¬ 
cretion, and are loosely cov- 
Fig. 197 .—Alsophila pometaria. a, egg, 
side view; b, do., top view; c, side view 
of segment of larva; d, top view of seg¬ 
ment of larva; /, mature larva; g, pupa; 
k, cremaster. (After Riley.) 
ered with gray hairs, which the female rubs from her abdomen. 
The caterpillars are not ornamented on the back by a multitude 
of fine lines, but have a broad brown stripe along the dorsal line. 
The moths are larger than those of the Spring Canker-worm, and 
have a distinct whitish spot 
on the costa of the primaries 
near the apex. The cater¬ 
pillar undergoes but two 
molts, and matures very 
rapidly. It has rudimentary 
prolegs on the eighth 
somite. The precautionary 
measures which have proved effective in combating the Spring 
Canker-worm are not efficacious in dealing with this species. 
To effectively destroy them the best means is to spray the foli- 
326 
SSd 6 
Fig. 198 .—A. pometaria. a, male; b , fe¬ 
male ; c, female antenna; d, segment of body 
of female, enlarged. (After Riley.) 
