THE WALKING STICK. 317 



88. The pig-hickory slug worm. 

 Selandria sp. 



This is a pale green slug worm, representing in form the naked larva 

 of Selandria caryce, with several rows of short, forked white hairs; 

 quite abundant at Providence May 30, eating roundish holes in the 

 leaves of the pig-nut hickory. 



89. The thick-thighed walking-stick. 



Diapheromera femorata Say. 

 Order Orthoptera. ; family Phasmid^. 



The following account of this singular insect is taken verbatim from 

 Professor Riley's U. S. Report for 1878 : 



Certain elongate insects belonging to the Orthoptera, and popularly known as the 

 "Walking-stick" or "Walking-leaves," according as they lack or possess wings, 

 hare long been recognized as among the most bizarre of entomological creatures. 

 Mimicking to a remarkable degree, as their popular names imply, the twigs and 

 leaves upon which they dwell, these insects find their most congenial home in the 

 tropics, where some of the species attain to over a foot in length, exclusive of the legs. 



The most common and wide-spread species in North America is the subject of the 

 present sketch. 



Owing to its curious, slender, long-legged, slow-moving characteristics, it has been 

 properly dubbed the "Walking-stick," "Stick-bug," "Specter;" while in some 

 localities it is known as "Prairie Alligator," " Devil's Horse," and other odd cogno- 

 mens, generally indicative of its appearance and of a 8U]}erstition which is quite 

 prevalent, but most unfounded, that it is poisonous and can sting or bite. 



The popular name above employed will serve to distinguish it from another toler- 

 ably common species the Two-striped Walking-stick (J Hisomor/>/(a buprestoides Stiill). 



This insect has always beeu considered harmless, or as Harris puts it, has " not 

 proved so injurious as particularly to attract attention.* In 1872, however, while 

 lecturing at Cornell University, I noticed that it was unusually abundant around 

 Ithaca, and it was there reported as doing considerable injury to the rose bushes and 

 other shrubs. The following letters from correspondents will also show that Harris's 

 verdict, which is that of all other standard authors, can no longer be considered 

 correct : 



"Inclosed find specimens, male and female, of an insect which is proving to be a 

 scourge. About the middle of June I discovered, mostly on standing grass, this same 

 insect, only very much smaller, of a light pea-green color, but not in sufficient num- 

 bers to be thought of as a pest. I noticed about August 15, in the reservation of 

 young timber, mostly white oak and hickory, a few trees having the appearance of 

 being burned just enough to kill the leaves. On closer investigation 1 found many 

 of these insects devouring the leaves. Later, I judge at least 25 acres were com- 

 pletely stripped of foliage ; as much so as if fire had run through the wood and killed 

 every tree. They seemed to have no choice as to what variety of timber they attacked. 

 There were many in my peach orchard and lawn. On single trees, far removed from 

 my timber lot, they were as thick as could well be, in many places in heaps. Fences 

 adjoining the timber were fairly covered with them. They have been known for 

 years in this vicinity, but were heretofore always considered harmless. From pres- 

 ent appearances they are greatly to be feared as a scourge, consequently anything 



'Ins. Inj. to Veg., p. 147. 



