THE ROSE SLUG-CATERPILLAR. 



(Euclea indetcrmina Boisd.) 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is only within comparatively recent years that the slug-like 

 caterpillar, Euclea indetermina Boisd., has been known to injure the 

 rose. In August, 1905, the Bureau of Entomology received two 

 reports of attack to the foliage of rosebushes by this species. The 

 insect has, however, been previously observed to have this food habit. 



August 15, 1905, Dr. A. D. Hopkins furnished specimens of the 

 larva from Kanawha Station. W. Va., stating that a dozen or more 

 individuals could be found feeding on the leaves of a single rosebush. 

 By August 20 the specimens received had transformed to pupse. 

 During the last week of August the same species, accompanied by 

 specimens of both the penultimate and last stages, was received from 

 Mr. S. D. Nixon, with report that it was injuring roses at Balti- 

 more, Md. 



The rose slug-caterpillar has been figured and described in its 

 various stages, but is not a common species and, therefore, not well 

 known. It is, however, strongly and attractively marked and very 

 interesting in its transformations, resembling in some particulars the 

 more common and related saddle-back caterpillar ( [Empretia] Sibine 

 stlmulea Clem.). The accompanying illustration (fig. 1), notes, and 

 brief descriptions have been brought together as of interest to rose 

 growers and also to nurserymen, for the caterpillars also attack 

 3^oung trees and shrubs. It is in the last two stages of its larval 

 existence that this species attracts most attention. The moth which 

 it produces is less often seen. 



THE MOTH. 



In its adult stage this insect is nearly as attractive as the larva. 

 Its coloration is unusual in the boreal American fauna. The general 

 color is pale cinnamon brown ; the forewings are darker and crossed 

 diagonally by a green band, which occupies more than half the 

 wing, leaving a wide border of darker brown and an inner or basal 

 area of the same color and of the form shown in figure 1, a. The 

 hind wings and the underside of the wings are nearly uniform jDale 

 brown, as is also the body, except on the edges of the wings and 

 the tip of the abdomen. The thorax is like green plush. The wing 



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