ATTACKING THE LEAVES. 



211 



FIG. 217. 



of a corresponding thickness. (See Fig. 217.) It is of a 

 delicate pale-green color, paler, approaching whitish, along 

 the back, with a broad 

 dusky - white stripe on 

 each side, margined with 

 reddish lilac; breathing- 

 pores yellow, ringed with 

 brown. The body is cov- 

 ered with clusters of green 

 branching spines tipped 

 with black, arising from 

 small warts, of which 

 there are a number on 

 each segment. These 

 spines are very sharp, and 

 when the insect is care- 

 lessly handled they sting 

 severely, producing on the 

 more tender portions of 

 the skin an irritation, accompanied by redness and raised 

 white blotches, very similar to that of the stinging nettle. 

 Fig. 218 shows some of these branching 

 spines magnified, b being stouter and more 

 acute than the others. 



When full grown, the larva descends to 

 the ground, and, drawing together portions 

 of dead leaves or other rubbish to form 

 an outer covering, constructs within this 

 a slight cocoon of tough, gummy, brown silk, in which the 

 change to a chrysalis takes place. The chrysalis is rather 

 short and thick, of a pale-brown color, with a few reddish 

 bristles on the abdominal joints, and a tuft of the same at 

 the end. 



While common on the cherry, this caterpillar does not con- 

 fine itself to one kind of food, but is also found feeding on 

 the apple, thorn, willow, elm, dogwood, balsam poplar, sas- 



FIQ. 218. 



