2s6 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS 



native species, however, are not suitable. The species that are most 

 used are the white mulberry (Morus alba) of which there are several 

 varieties, and the black mulberry (Morus nigra); the former is the 

 better. The leaves of osage orange (Madura aurantiaca) have also been 

 used as silk-worm food to a considerable extent. In case silk-worms 

 hatch in the spring before cither mulberry or osage-orange leaves can be 

 obtained, they may be quite successfully fed, for a few days, upon let- 

 tuce-leaves. 



The newly-hatched larva is black or dark-gray, and is covered with 

 long stiff hairs, which spring from pale-colored tubercles. The hairs and 

 tubercles arc not noticeable after the first molt, and the worm becomes 

 lighter and lighter, until in the last larval period it is of a cream-white 

 color. There is a prominent tubercle on the back of the eighth abdomi- 

 nal segment, resembling those borne by certain larvae of the Sphingidae. 



There are many special treatises on this insect, some of which should 

 be consulted by any one intending to raise silk-worms. 



Family Lasiocampid^e 



The Lasiocampids 



The best-known representatives of this family are the tent-caterpillars 

 and the lappet-caterpillars. The adults are stout-bodied, hairy moths of 



Fig. 449. — Malacosoma amerkana, cg?s, tent, larva, cocoons, and adult. 



medium size. The antennae are pectinated in both sexes, and from one- 

 fourth to one-half as long as the front wings; the teeth of the antennae 

 of the male are usually much longer than those of the female. The ocelli 



