134 



TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSFCTS. 



thread to the twig or leaf, and let themselves drop rapidly by 

 their silken cable. They are called geometric caterpillars, and 

 those of Eujioiiios illustraria are very good examples of the 

 group ; they may be noticed in different positions in the accom- 

 panying engraving, which also represents the moth. 



The caterpillars of the Zercjiida attack the buds of peaches 

 and apricots early in June, or during the last weeks of May, and 

 are especially fond of the leaves of the red and dark gooseberry 



THE CATERPILLARS OF EiiiioDws iUiistra7-ia. 



bushes ; they ar^ geometrical larvae, and are very distinctly and 

 readily seen, for, singularly to say, their colours do not resemble 

 those of the plants, but have some sort of analogy with those 

 of their moths. They have a dull white or greenish colour, 

 with orange and black patches; they have also black hairs, 

 which are rather prominent and abundant, so that the insects 

 show very distinctly in contrast with the tender green of the 

 leaves and buds they destroy so readily. When in danger 

 they drop down, holding on by a silken thread, and they make 



