404 ARTICULATES: INSECTS. 



The Genus Psyche comprises moths which in the larva 

 state live in cases open at both ends. They are called 

 Sack-bearers. Perophera is a closely allied genus, and 

 contains Melsheimer's Sack-bearer, P. Melsheimerii, Harr., 

 a very interesting species. ,Its case, as seen by Harris, 

 consists of two oblong oval pieces of leaf fastened to- 

 gether by their edges. 



The Genus Clisiocampa has a stout woolly body, short, 

 stoutly pectinated antennae, and short, broad wings. 



The American Tent-Caterpillar Moth, C. americana, 

 Harr., expands from an inch and a quarter to an inch 

 and a half, and is reddish-brown, the fore wings crossed 

 Fig. 298. by two oblique, dingy-white lines. 



The caterpillars of this species 

 abound in neglected orchards and 

 nurseries, and upon wild cherry- 

 trees, and are familiar to every one. 

 The eggs from which they hatch 



Tent-Caterpillar Moth, C. J 



americana, Harr. are situated in a cluster nearly sur- 



rounding the small branches towards their extremity, and 

 are covered with a sort of water-proof varnish. They 

 hatch at the time of the unfolding of the leaves of the 

 cherry and apple tree. The little caterpillars soon form 

 a small tent between the forks of the branches, a little 

 below the position of the eggs. Here they remain whe^ 

 not engaged in eating. In crawling from one twig to 

 another, they spin a fine silken thread, which serves to 

 conduct them back to their tent. As they grow larger 

 they enlarge the tent, surrounding it from time to time 

 with new layers. They feed at stated times, and at once 

 return to their tents when they have finished eating. 

 They always rest in their webs at noon. In stormy 

 weather they do not come out at all. At maturity, which 

 occurs from the first to the middle of June, they begin to 

 leave the trees, separate, wander about for a time, and at 



