INSECTS 239 



by its hairy, tufted red head. The eggs are laid on the bark of 

 shade trees in what look like masses of foam. By collecting 

 and burning the egg masses in the fall, we may save many shade 

 trees the following year. 



Other enemies of the shade trees are the fall webworm, the forest 

 caterpillar, and the tent caterpillar; the last spins a tent which 

 serves as a shelter in wet weather. Among the greatest enemies 

 to crops are the cankerworm, the measuring worm, the corn 

 worm, and the cotton-boll worm. The last annually damages the 

 cotton crop to the amount of several millions of dollars. 



The larvse of the peach, apple, and other fruit borers damage 

 the trees by boring into the wood of the tree on which they live. 

 The clothes moth, a well-known house pest, lays its eggs in woolen 

 materials, upon which the larvae feed. 



Differences between Moths and Butterflies 



Butterfly Moth 



Antennae threadlike, usually Antennae feathery or rarely 



knobbed at tip. threadlike, never knobbed. 



Fly in daytime. Usually fly at night. 



Wings held vertically when at Wings held horizontally or 



rest. folded over the body when 



at rest. 



Pupa naked. Pupa covered by a cocoon. 



Adaptations. — Butterflies and moths are wonderfully adapted 

 to the lives they lead. Instinct leads them to place the eggs on 

 the food plant where food is provided for the young. The edible 

 larvae are often colored like the plants on which they rest, those 

 not good to eat receive immunity by having bright colors or con- 

 spicuous markings which warn away their enemies. 



The protective coloration which has been developed in some 

 species of butterflies undoubtedly plays an important part in 

 preserving those species. One of the most interesting examples of 

 this is seen in the case of the dead-leaf butterfly of India. ^ This 

 butterfly at rest exactly resembles a dead leaf; in flight it is con- 



