268 



THICKET COMMUNITIES 



The dogwood is fed upon by a few larvae. The unicorn larva 

 (Schizura sp.) is occasionally found; the young of the spittle insect 

 (Aphrophora 4-notata) are common. The grape and Virginia creeper are 

 attacked by several sphinx larvae. The grapevine hog caterpillar 

 {Ampelophagus myron Cram.) has been taken from the former. 



Nesting in the shrubs are the goldfinch (more often in trees), the 

 indigo bunting, the northern yellowthroat, the brown thrasher, and 



catbird, all of which feed in the 

 low prairie. The song sparrow 

 nests near the ground. 



b) The belt of prickly ash. — 

 This has not been so thoroughly 

 studied. The subterranean and 

 ground strata are similar to 

 those of the forest adjoining (see 



2C6 



2C7 



Fig. 266. — The larva of the maia moth (Hemileuca maid) which feeds on the 

 willow; natural size (from Lugger after Riley, Div. Ent., U.S. Dept. Agr.). 



Fig. 267. — Bibio albipennis. Early spring on the flowers of the willow. Breeds 

 in the ground (from Williston after Washburn). 



p. 269) ; the ground and field strata have some of the same residents. 

 The adult Cresphontes butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) is common about 

 the Wolf Lake forest edge and Hancock (40) has recorded the larva on 

 prickly ash, one of its regular food plants. He also records the true tree- 

 cricket (Apithes agitator Uhl.) as inhabiting prickly ash thickets. 



III. High Forest Margin Sub-Formations 



(Station 48; Table LXIV) 



This surrounds the oak-hickory, black-oak, and beech forests on high 



ground. The witchhazel, hawthorn, sumac, and grape are the dominant 



shrubs; goldenrod, asters, and sunflowers are the chief herbaceous plants. 



