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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



that the caterpillars were quite abundant on the black walnuts and butter- 

 nuts in and about Westheld. It was so numerous as to threaten the entire 

 defoliation of many trees, and from statements made by residents It would 

 appear that this is a not unusual condition. The work of the same species 

 was observed in 1901 in and about Barker's X. Y. 



Description. The eggs are deposited on the underside of the leaves in 

 closely packed masses of 300 and over. They are rather small, elongate, 

 hemispheric approaching cylindric and with the apex somewhat flattened. 

 The color is a dull white and the surface somewhat roughened and with 

 regular markings. Diameter less than Vsj inch. 



The recent hatched larva has been described b\- Dr Packard as 

 about y^ inch in length, with a brick-red body, having a faint subdorsal 

 and a lateral yellowish stripe along the body and a diffuse spiracular 

 vellowish line. The head, the distinct prothoracic shield and the true legs 

 are black. The third stage has been described as nearly 3 g inch in length, 

 of a deeper reddish color, and with the yellowish lines more distinct, while 

 rhe spiracular line enclosing the distinct black spiracles is a pale lilac. 



The stage preceding the final one has been described by Mr Beuten- 

 muller as follows : 



Head and cervical shield jet-black. Body deep reddish brown, with 

 three very fine narrow, sordid white stripes along each side, and a broader 

 one below the spiracles, which are black, and another stripe along the 

 middle venter. Thoracic feet, extremities of abdominal legs and anal legs 

 jet-black, shining. The body is covered also with sordid white hairs. 

 Length 32mm. 



The same writer's description of the last stage is given herewith. 



I3ody wholly jet-black, and covered with very long flosslike, sordid 

 -white hairs, becoming yellowish as the larva undergoes its changes to the 

 pupa. Thoracic feet black, shining. Abdominal legs black outside and 

 reddish brown on the inner side. Length 55mm. 



These two descriptions agree entirely witli the larvae observed by us 

 in such numbers on black walnut and butternuts. 



The adult insect is a brownish gray moth, havmg a wing spread of 

 from about 134 to 2 inches, and with the forewings marked by a series of 



