188 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



THE RED-HUMPED CATERPILLAR. 



Schi::i(ra conciiniu S. & A. (Family Notodontidiie) . 



(Fig. 175.) 



General Appearance. — The full grown oalerpillar is covered with 

 black tubercles, which makes it appear dark. The body is alternately 

 lined with white and black stripes along the back and with waved black 

 and yellow stripes along the sides. The head is bright red as is the 

 fourth segment (first abdominal segment), which is also larger than 

 any other segment, and has a distinct hump, on the top of which are 

 four prominent black spines or tubercles. From this hump the name is 

 derived. The length varies from one and one fourth to two inches 

 when ready to pupate. The pupa varies from tan to dark-brown in 

 color and is scarcely one inch in length. The adults are very plain 

 brown or grayish moths and are seldom, if ever, seen by the grower. 



E^IQ 



Fig. 175. — The red-liumped caterpillar (Schizura concinna S. & A.). Larva, much 

 enlarged (original), and adult. (Cal. Hort. Com.) 



Life History. — The eggs are deposited upon the leaves after the trees 

 have put forth a good growth in early summer — May and June. The 

 young caterpillars are thickest during June and July but may continue 

 to appear until late in September, showing that eggs are often laid quite 

 late. Their work consists in destroying the foliage, the midribs of 

 the leaves being all that usually remain. They work rapidly and 

 thoroughly, making the attacks easily discovered by a careful observer. 

 Late in July and during the months following many of the larvie 

 become full grown and drop to the ground^ where they spin a thin 

 cocoon and transform. The cocoons are located from one to three 

 inches under the surface of the ground, among the thickly fallen leaves, 

 or in the grass if it is allowed to grow in the orchard. The winter is 

 passed in the pupal stage, the adults emerging in the spring to oviposit 

 after the foliage is well out. 



Distribution. — In the central part of the State. 



Food Plants. — Apple, hawthorn, prune, plum and cherry are 

 attacked, and much damage is often done to these trees because of the 

 destruction of the foliage by the large colonies of caierpillars. 



Control. — Entire colonies may be exterminated by hand picking, 

 which is especially recommended for small trees. In large orchards 

 where this is impossible, arsenical sprays should be used. Hoeing or 

 cultivating close to the trees in the fall and winter will kill many of 

 the wintering pupas. 



