OUTLINES OF ENTOMOLOGY. 87 



handling them, as the hairs and spines inflict a nettle-like sting. Quite 

 a number of species included among the spinners do not secrete silk, 

 and change to pupte under ground in a frail earthen cell. Among 

 these is the Green-strl'ped Maple worm (Dryocampa ruhicunda, Fab.), 

 (see Fig. 36), which is occasionally very destructive to the shade trees 

 from which it derives its name. 



The Cut-worm moths or Owlet moths (Noctuid^) are a very 

 extensive group of medium sized insects, mostly of plain clors, but 

 containing a few very gaily decked species. The body is rather thick 

 and heavy, the fore wings narrow, and in repose entirely cover the 

 hind wings, which are folded beneath them. The head is small, the 

 antenuiTB simple (thread-like), the tongue long, and the eyes in many 

 cases hairy or encircled by hairs. 



The thorax is often crested or tufted, with long, erect scales. 

 The upper wings, whatever their color and markings, display two more 

 or less distinct spots, the one round, the other kidney-shaped (orbicu- 

 lar and reniform). The true cut-worms are smooth, dingy-colored 

 caterpillars, many of which commonly rest in a coiled position. They 

 conceal themselves by day and crawl out by night to their work of 

 destruction, cutting off not only tender herbaceous vegetation, but 

 ascending trees and vines to nip off the young leaves. When ready 

 to transform, these " worms " burrow into the earth or conceal them 

 selves under rubbish on its surface, but never spin any regular cocoon. 



The well-known Army worm (Leiicania unipuncta, Haw.), which 

 sometimes devastates numerous grain tields in a single march, is one 

 of the representatives of this group. So, also, is the wide- spread Corn 

 worm or Boll worm (HeliotMs armigera, Hub.) See Fig. 34. The large 

 moths of the genus Catocala, easily recognized by their gaily banded 

 under-wings, in which scarlet, crimson, orange or white alternates with 

 black, are also included in the family Noctuid^. 



