76 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE. 



FIG. 71. 



more loosely made than any other part, and through which, after 

 the internal obstacles are overcome, the passage is effected 

 without much further trouble. First 

 through the opening is thrust the 

 front pair of bushy-looking legs, 

 the sharp claws of which fasten on 

 the outside structure ; then with an 

 effort the head is drawn forward, 

 displaying the beautiful feather-like 

 antenna; next the thorax, on which 

 are borne the other two pairs of 

 legs, is liberated, and finally the 

 escape is completed by the with- 

 drawal of the abdomen. An odd- 

 looking creature it is at first, with 

 its large, plump, juicy body, and its 

 thick, small wiugs not much larger 

 than those of a humble-bee. The 

 insect now seeks a good location 

 where the wings may hang down in 

 a position favorable for expanding, 

 when in a short time they undergo 

 a marvellous growth, attaining their 

 full size in from half an hour to an 

 hour. 



Soon after their exit these moths 

 seek their mates, and shortly the 

 female begins to deposit her eggs, a 

 process which occupies considerable 

 time, since there are two or three 

 hundred to dispose of, and they are 

 usually laid in pairs, firmly fastened with a glutinous material, 

 on the under side of a leaf of the tree or shrub which is to 

 form the future food of the caterpillar. The egg is nearly 

 one-tenth of an inch long, almost round, of a dull creamy- 

 white color, with a reddish spot or streak near the middle. 



