ATTACKING THE LEAVES. (55 



closely, we find it to be almost transparent, and one is led to 

 wonder why so frail a creature should select so bleak a season 

 in which to appear; but, delicate as its structure seems to be, 

 it is nevertheless one of the hardiest of its race, requiring, 

 indeed, a considerable degree of cold for its perfect develop- 

 ment. These are the male moths of the canker-worm, and 

 chiefly those of pometaria, the fall canker-worm. The females 

 are wingless. 



The eggs of this species (a and b, Fig. 59) are flattened 

 above, have a central puncture and a brown circle near the 



border, are laid side by side in 



FIG. 59. 

 regular masses (e, Jb ig. ou), oiten 



as many as a hundred together, 

 and generally placed in exposed 

 situations on the twigs or branches 

 of the tree. They usually hatch 

 about the time when the young 

 leaves of the apple push from 

 the bud, when the little canker- 

 worms cluster upon and consume the tender leaves, and, on 

 the approach of cold or wet weather, creep for shelter into the 

 bosom of the expanding bud or into the opening flowers. 

 The newly-hatched caterpillar is of a pale olive-green color, 

 with the head and horny part of the second segment of a very 

 pale hue. When full grown, it measures about an inch in 

 length, presenting the appearance shown at/, Fig. 59 ; in the 

 same figure, c represents a side view of one of the segments 

 of the body, enlarged so as to show its markings. These 

 caterpillars are called loopers, because they alternately loop 

 and extend their bodies when in motion. They are also 

 known as measuring-worms. They vary in color from 

 greenish yellow to dusky or even dark brown, with broad 

 longitudinal yellowish or paler stripes along each side. When 

 not eating, they usually assume a stiff posture, either flat 

 and parallel with the twigs on which they rest, or at an angle 

 of about forty-five degrees ; in either case, since they closely 



5 



