650 FIFTH REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



INSECTS INFESTING THE WATER BEECH, HORNBEAM. 



Carpinus americana. 



Order Lepidoptera. 



1. Basllarchia astyanax ScutUler. 



2. Heterocampa pulverea G. and R. 



3. Ralesidota carifw {KuTris.) Beutenmuller. 



4. Lithocolletis coryliella Ohamb. 



Order Diptera. 



5. Cecidomyia piidibunda O. Sacken. Oq the leaves, District of Colum- 



bia. (Osteo Sacken.) 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE SASSAFRAS. 



Sassafras ojfficmale. 



1. Papilio troilus Liun. 



The caterpillars feed during June and July on the leaves of sassa- 

 fras and prickly ash, partially folding them into a slight web. Harris 

 has figured and described the early stages of this butterfly, which 

 appears from the middle of June to the early part of July ; the cater- 

 pillars occur in August and September, pupating in the latter month. 

 Pilate reports it as feeding on sassafras in Ohio. 



Young larva. — When small the caterpillars are blackish, with a white line on the 

 side. After first molt olive or green on the back ; two black ocelli on the third seg- 

 ment, four small orange-colored spots placed two and two, with a central blue dot in 

 each, the two anterior between the black ocelli and adjoining them, and the others 

 behind them. Back with about eight blue dots, two and two; sides and tail whit- 

 ish ; head pea-green ; a more dilated white spot behind each side of the enlargement 

 of the anterior part of the body. 



Full-grown larva. — Back pea-green, sides yellowish, head and under side pink; 

 a cross black line on the iirst segment; two orange-colored spots on the third and 

 fourth segments, those on the third with black centers. Length about 2 inches. 



2. Lagoa opercularis (Abbot and Smith). 

 Order Lepidoptera; family Bombycid^e. 



This moth inhabits the Southern States. The caterpillar is thus re- 

 ferred to by Abbot and Smith (Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia, p. 105): 



The caterpillar feeds on the black haws, sassafras, plum, etc. It spun on the 21st 

 of September, and the moth appeared July 18. This species always shapes its web 

 or cocoon as in the figure, fastening it to a twig. The flat end opens and shuts like 

 a door, and is fitted with the greatest exactness. The insect continues in this web 

 all winter in the worm state, not changing to a chrysalis till within a short time of 

 its final transformation into a fly. The caterpillar is shaped like the roof of a house, 

 the hairs rising on each side gradually to a ridge down the middle of its back. 



