The Pistol-Case-Bearer. 15 



the leaf-hairs, and thus forms around its body a tiny cylindrical 

 case or suit. We have several of these cases that were made July 

 22, 1896. The caterpillars continue to eat holes in the leaves 

 during July and August, making additions to their suits from 

 time to time and gradually giving them the pistol-shape. 



Preparations for winter. — On August 26th, several of the little 

 case-bearers in our cages migrated from the leaves and fastened 

 their cases to the bark of the apple branches. These cases were 

 of the same shape as those shown at c, plate i, but about one-half 

 as large. Doubtless most of the caterpillars stop feeding and 

 fasten their cases to the branches before September 15th, In 

 these snug, warm, and secure quarters the insect passes the winter. 



Briefly summarized, the life-history of the pistol-case-bearer 

 is as follows : The insect spends about seven months (from 

 September ist to April ist) of its life in hibernation as a minute, 

 half-grown caterpillar in a small pistol-shaped case attached to a 

 twig. In the spring the caterpillars attack the swelling buds, 

 the expanding leaves, and especially the flowers (frontispiece, 

 and figure a, plate 2). About May ist the cases are fastened 

 to the twigs (Fig. c, plate i) where they remain for four days, 

 during which time the caterpillars shed their skin or moult. 

 They do not make any complete new suit as they grow, but are 

 content with making additions (Figs, b, b, plate 2) to the ends 

 and side of the old suit. They are not miners, but feed openly, 

 eating irregular holes in the leaves, often skeletonizing them. 

 They are most destructive on the flowers where they eat the 

 petals and stems. In the latter part of May, they cease feeding, 

 securely fasten the cases to the branches (Fig. c, plate 2) and in 

 about two weeks, change to pupae within. The moth (Figs, a, a, 

 plate i) emerges in two or three weeks, and soon glues its minute, 

 pretty, cinnamon-colored, inverted cup-like eggs (Fig. d, plate i) 

 to the surfaces of the leaves. The egg-stage lasts about a week, 

 the little caterpillar emerging about July 22d. They begin eating 

 little holes in the leaves, and during their first meal construct of 

 silk and excrement a small case or suit for themselves. They 

 continue feeding on the leaves, adding to their suits from time to 

 time, until about September ist, when they begin to migrate to 



