56 The Bulletin. ' 



Caterpillar (Sihenne stimulea), so called from the peculiar saddle-like 

 markings in the middle of the back. This caterpillar when grown 

 is about an inch long. There are two projections at each end of 

 the body which are directed upward and outward, and these projections 

 as well as other parts of the body are armed with sharp brittle spines 

 which readily pierce the skin and break off. The general color of the 

 larva is greenish, with a reddish-brown patch resembling the saddle, and 

 a similar patch at each end of the body from which the projections arise. 

 The caterpillar when grown spins a cocoon from which it comes out as 

 a brownish moth. There seems to be but one annual brood, the adult 

 moths issuing in spring or early summer. Ammonia, bicarbonate of 

 soda, or even strong brine, are recommended as antidotes for the sting. 



Our other species of stinging caterpillar is the larva of the lo Moth 

 (Automeris io). This is a rather handsome pea-green caterpillar attain- 

 ing a length when full grown of two inches, with a purple stripe down 

 each side of the body, the whole body armed with yellowish spines which 

 are borne in clusters on little warts or tubercles. When grown the larva 

 spins a brownish silken cocoon within which it transforms to a handsome 

 moth, the males being yellowish and expanding two inches from tip to 

 tip of the wings, and the females yellowish-brown and expanding as 

 much as three inches in large specimens. In both sexes the hind wings 

 are marked with conspicuous eye-spots. 



Other Caterpillars (Order Lepidoptera) . — Various caterpillars of 

 many kinds may be found on the com plant, all transforming to moths 

 of some kind. Most of these, however, are not serious, or, if so, are only 

 destructive in sporadic outbreaks. 



* * * 



In concluding this Bulletin it is but fair to repeat that in its prepa- 

 ration the writings of others have been freely drawn upon. Without 

 crediting each statement made, the author has named the jDrincipal 

 papers in footnotes. Many of our own observations are also included. 

 It would take years and years of concentrated effort for any one person 

 to work out all such facts as have been here recorded on the insects at- 

 tacking this one crop — corn. But the writer is persuaded that there is 

 a proper demand for bulletins of this type, each discussing all the more 

 important insect pests of some one important crop. Such a bulletin can- 

 not always be made up entirely of facts ascertained, proven, and tested 

 by the writer in person. 



The writer will welcome correspondence with corn-growers who make 

 use of the suggestions contained herein, and who carefully watch the 

 results. He also desires to be promptly informed in case of any serious 

 outbreak of any corn pest not mentioned in these pages. 



Franklin Sherman, Jr., 

 Entomologist, Dept. Agriculture, Raleigh, N. C. 



