304 ^'EW YORK STATE MTSEfM 



that the caterpillars were quite abundant on the black walnuts and butter- 

 nuts in and about Westficld. It was so numerous as to threaten the entire 

 defoliation of many trees, and from statements math; by residents it would 

 appear that this is a not unusual condition. The work of the same species 

 was observed in igoi in and about Barker's N. \'. 



Description. The egt^s are deposited on the underside of the leaves in 

 closel)' packed masses of 300 and over. They are rather small, elons^^ate, 

 hemispheric approaching c)lindric and with the apex somewhat flattened. 

 The color is a dull white and the surface somewhat rouijhened and with 

 regular markings. Diameter less than '/j; inch. 



The recent hatched larva has been describcil b\ I)r Packard as 

 about y^ inch in length, with a brick-red body, having a faint subdorsal 

 and a lateral yellowish stripe along the body and a diffuse spiracular 

 yellowish line. The head, the distinct prothoracic shield and the true legs 

 are black. Ihe third stage has been described as nearly 3 jj inch in length, 

 of a deeper reddish color, and with the yellowish lines more distinct, while 

 the spiracular line enclosing the distinct black spiracles is a pale lilac. 



The stage preceding the tnial one has been described 1)\' Mr Heuten- 



miiller as follows : 



Head and cervical shield jet-black. Body deep reddish brown, with 

 three very fine narrow, sordid white stripes along each side, and a broader 

 one below the spiracles, which are black, and another stripe along the 

 miildle venter. Thoracic feet, e.xtremities of abdominal legs and anal legs 

 jet-black, shining. The body is covered also with sordid white hairs. 

 Length 32mm. 



The; same writer's description of the last stage is given herewith. 



Body wholl)- jet-black, ami covered with very long flosslike, sordid 

 white hairs, becoming yellowish as the larva undergoes its changes to the 

 pupa. Thoracic feet black, shining. Abdominal legs black outside and 

 reddish brown on the inner side. Length 55mm. 



These two descriptions agree entirely with the larvae observed l)y us 

 in such numliers on black walnut and bullernuts. 



The adult insect is a brownish gray moth, havmg a wing spread of 

 from about li/^ to 2 inches, and with the forewings marked by a series of 



