64 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE. 



When full grown, they all disappear about the same time, 

 descending from the trees to the ground, where they con- 

 ceal themselves under leaves, upon or slightly under the sur- 

 face, and after a long time change to brown chrysalids, as 

 shown in Fig. 58, and remain in the pupa state until late in 

 June or early in July of the following year, when 

 FiQ. 68, ^}^g perfect moths appear. 



In the North there is only one brood during the 

 year, but in the South they are said to be double- 

 brooded. They are very generally distributed, but 

 seldom abundant, and, while preferring the apple, 

 feed also on the plum, cherry, rose, thorn, and pear. 

 As they maintain their gregarious habits during their en- 

 tire larval existence, they can easily be gathered and destroyed, 

 either by cutting off the limb and burning it, or by dislodg- 

 ing them by suddenly jarring the limb, when they fall to the 

 ground and may be trampled under foot. These larvae are 

 also destroyed by parasites belonging to the family of lohneu- 

 mons, but it is not yet known to what species we are indebted 

 for this friendly help. 



Nos. 25 and 26. — Canker-worms. 



Anisopteryx vernata (Peck), and A. pometaria Harris. 



These are two distinct species of insects which have been 

 confounded under the common name of canker-worm, and, as 

 their habits and appearance are so similar, it will be conveni- 

 ent to treat of them under one heading. The moths from the 

 species pometaria leave the ground chiefly in the fall, those of 

 vernata partly in the fall, but more abundantly in the spring 



A. pometaria, known as the Fall Canker-worm, will first 

 claim our attention. Late in the season, when many of the 

 leaves have fallen, and severe frosts have cut everything that 

 is tender, a walk in the woods or through the orchard on a 

 sunny afternoon is not void of interest. Here and there slen- 

 der, delicate, silky-winged moths may be seen flitting about, 

 enjoying the sunshine. On capturing one and examining it 



