APPLE INSECTS — BUDS AND FOLIAGE 



131 



brown caterpillars feed on the tender leaves, which they riddle 

 with small holes. As they grow larger they devour the whole 

 leaf with the exception of the larger veins. Until about half 

 grown they are able to suspend themselves by a thread of silk 

 and are thus likely to fall on passing vehicles and be transported 

 considerable distances. The larger caterpillars avoid the sun 



Fig. 143. — Gipsy iiiotli 



itiug egg-mass, aiul pupa^ in their cocoons. 



as much as possible, feeding at night or in cloudy weather. 

 They become full-grown in about seven weeks or about the 

 first week in July. The full-grown caterpillar (Fig. 142) 

 averages about two inches in length ; the ground color is dark 

 gray and there are eleven pairs of prominent tubercles on the 

 back, the first five pairs are blue, the last six dark red. When 

 full-grown or sooner, if the food supply gives out, the cater- 

 pillars crawl to some sheltered spot, where they spin a frail 



