ATTACKING THE LEAVES. 



171 



5, c, its fringed wings; d, one of its legs, and e, one of its 

 antennae). Another parasite is a small, black, four-winged 

 fly, and a third a larger two winged-fly ; the two latter attack 

 the insect in its caterpillar state. 



No. 88. The Polyphemus Moth. 



Telea polyphemus (Linn.). 



The caterpillar of this insect, which is often found feeding 

 on the leaves of plum-trees, is also known as the American 

 silk- worm, in consequence of its having been extensively 

 reared for the sake of its silk. When full grown, the larva 

 presents the appearance shown in Fig. 182, and is over three 



FIG. 182. 



inches in length, with a very thick body. It is of a handsome 

 light yellowish-green color, with seven oblique pale-yellow- 

 ish lines on each side of the body ; the segments, which have 

 the spaces between them deeply indented, are each adorned 

 with six tubercles, which are sometimes tinted with orange, 

 have a small silvery spot on the middle, and a few hairs 

 arising from each. The head and anterior feet are pale 

 brown, the spiracles pale orange, and the terminal segment 

 bordered by an angular band resembling the letter V, of a 

 purplish-brown color. 



