78 



THE REPORT OF TBE 



No. 19 



taching to these spines, very small bits of vege- 

 table matter, such as the anthers of flowers, 

 tiny pieces of leaves, etc. Owing to this habit 

 it usually escapes detection. The curious larva 

 of Harridmemna trisignata, Walk, attaches 

 pieces of its cast skin etc. to some long hairs on ^ ,, miHiiinfrra 



the front segments. When at rest the thoracic *^if!te]Mf5|rj^^ ^/^ 

 feet are drawn up close to the body and the y>^^ \ A 



front segments raised, giving it a very uncater- 

 pillar-like appearance. 



Although presenting sometimes a rather 

 formidable appearance, with the exception of 

 one or two kinds which are provided with irritat- 

 ing hairs, caterpillars are quite harmless. Some 

 of the Sphingidifc will jerk their heads from 



ciAa. *■« c,;a^ ^^A ^-^^^ . tu ■ j-ui 1 i *^'o' ^^- Raspberry Geometer : a larva, natural size, on 



side to side and even snap their mandibles, but fruit; 6 seg-ment, magnified, shewing hairs, etc.; c moth 



they are unable to bite anything thicker than "^^"'■•" '''" ''^^'''' °*''*"^' enlarged- colour pale green. 



Kig. 57. Spines of lo, caterpillar, magnified 



Fig. 50. Ilyperohiria lo, caterpillar. "^Fig. ."is. Empretia stimulea caterpillars. 



the edge of a leaf. The best known stinging larvae are the pretty caterpillars of Hyperchiria lo, 

 Fabr., (Fig. 56,) every point of whose mosslike covering is a poisoned dart, (Fig. 57,). Several 

 of the slug caterpillars, as Empretia stimulea, Clem, are also able to leave unpleasant reminders 

 when handled, (Fig. 58.) The hairs of the larvae of the Brown- tailed moth Euproctis chrysor- 

 rhea, Linn, are likewise excessively irritating to the skin. 



In conclusion the writer can only express the hope that this limited mention of some of 

 these interesting habits may not be without some result, and that those who have never had 

 the pleasure of watching the many habits of lepidopterous larvie, may be led sometimes to take 

 an interest in these creatures — the larval state of our butterflies and moths, Every species of 

 caterpillar is worthy of study, and as so little is known of the preparatory stages of most of 

 the lepidoptera, particularly of the moths, there is in this branch ot study alone, a vast field for 

 research. Many points doubtless of much value, even with regard to some of our common species 

 which as larvae, devastate our forest trees, fruit trees, and all kinds of crops, are yet to be dis- 

 covered. Every little helps, and facts which may be considered worthless at the time often 

 prove later on to be of great scientific value. 



