8 THE ROSE SLUG-CATERPILLAR. 



September 3, 180G, the insect was reported feeding on the leaves 

 of Japan phim at Barnesville, Schu3^1kill County, Pa. 



In 1897 Dr. H. G. Dyar published a very full account of the life 

 stages of this species and gave reference to its literature.^ The larva 

 appears to have been known as long ago as 1797, when Smith and 

 Abbot figured it in connection with another species of moth to which 

 it did not belong, namely, " Limacodes cippusy Under this name 

 the species is mentioned by Harris.- The moth was not described 

 until 1832.3 



The recognized synonyms of Eiiclea indeterm'ina are as follows: 

 C allochroa viridis Reak., C. vemata Pack., and Parasa chlons Grote 

 et auct. (non H.-S.). 



As remarked by Dr. Dyar, the larvae feed on various kinds of 

 low-growing bushes. The list of food plants observed includes rose 

 {Rosa spp.), wild cherry (Prunus spp.), oak {Quercus spp.), chest- 

 nut {Castanea dentata), hickory {Carya spp.), paw paw {Ashnina 

 triloba), bayberry or wax myrtle {Myrica cerifera), flowering dog- 

 wood {Cornus forida), plum, apple, and pear. 



LIFE HISTORY. 



The various descriptions which have been furnished of this species 

 agree in many easily observable particulars, but differ somewhat in 

 detail. All writers seem to agree in stating that the larvae mature 

 during September, but it will be noted that the specimens which were 

 received from West Virginia had matured August 20. 



Eggs are deposited during July, in small groups slightly imbri- 

 cating or overlapping, and hatch in about nine days. The larvse 

 generally mature toward the middle of September, remaining on the 

 underside of the leaves — something unusual considering their con- 

 spicuous coloration. The larvae or caterpillars undergo eight dis- 

 tinct stages, and occasionally nine, before transforming to pupae, 

 and it has been observed that in stage I, which is passed rapidly, 

 they take no nourishment. The species hibernates in its cocoon, and 

 the moth has generally been observed to issue in July. 



As to the manner of forming the cocoon in confinement, all of the 

 cocoons reared by the Avriter were attached to some object. Mr. M. V. 

 Andrews,* who reared hundreds of this species in confinement, states 

 that in all cases it either forms its cocoon adherent to the stem of the 

 food plant or, occasionally, draws two leaves together for a shelter. 

 There appears to be a somewhat general agreement, however, that 

 in nature the cocoons are formed on the ground among loose rubbish. 



1 Journal N. Y. Ent. Soc, vol. 5. pp. 10-14, pi. 2, 1S07. 



= Harris, T. W.. Insects Injurious to Vegetation. Flint ed., 1862, p. 421. 



3 Boisduval. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, pi. 103, flg. 8, 1832. 



* Psyche, vol. 2, p. 271, 1879. 



