430 



HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



molt five times, finally becoming from one and three-fourths 

 to two inches or more in length. The caterpillar (Plate 

 VIII) is brownish-black and the body is more or less cov- 

 ered with oval, yellow elevations, or 

 papillae. On each segment of the body, 

 except the eleventh, there are at least 

 six fascicles of spines. On the eleventh 

 there are only five, but on several of the 

 segments there are eight. The spines 

 in the two median rows of fascicles, 

 which are shorter and lighter in color 

 than those of the outside rows, are more 

 irritating than the others. 



The spines are evidently like those of 

 the io caterpillar in structure and cause 

 very similar irritation when they come 

 in contact with the flesh. Those who 

 have had experience say that the net- 

 tling power of the buck moth cater- 

 ^ pillar is not as serious as that of the io 



caterpillar. 



The saddle-back caterpillar, Sibine 

 stimulea, is an interesting larva from 

 its peculiar form and coloration. It is 

 flat on the under side but rounded 

 Fig. 149. — Eggs of above and reddish-brown in color, 

 (xi.) Over the middle portion of the back is 



a bright, pea-green patch, the saddle- 

 blanket. In the center of the blanket is the saddle, a 

 broadly elliptical, purplish-brown patch often edged with 

 white (Plate VIII). The body of the caterpillar is armed 

 along the sides with fascicles of spines and has two large 



