HABITS OF THE MOTHS 87 



During June, 1898, Miss Soule observed these caterpillars 

 in the vicinity of Brandon, Vermont, feeding upon the follow- 

 ing species : 



Apple Purple Beech 



Barberry Rose 



Cherry (wild and cultivated) Smoke Tree 



Currant Horse Chestnut 



Diervilla Linden 



Elm Lilac 



Fringe Tree Locust 



Hawthorn Magnolia 



Mountain Ash Swamp Fly Honeysuckle 



Pea Vines Willow 



Pear Woodbine 



Peonies White Birch 



Plum 



The caterpillars have also been abundant upon oak, poplar, 

 and various other trees. 



HABITS OF THE MOTHS 



Like most moths the adults of these Forest Caterpillars are 

 night-fliers rather than day-fliers. They are attracted by light 

 after dark, and frequently fly through open windows into 

 houses. Late in the afternoon they may also be seen when 

 abundant, flying among the branches of the trees. 



I have not seen the moth while depositing the eggs, but the 

 process has been described by Dr. C. V. Riley as follows: 

 44 These eggs are deposited in circles, the female moth station- 

 ing herself for this purpose, in a transverse position across the 

 twig. With abdomen curved, she gradually moves as the 

 deposition goes on, and when one circle is completed she com- 

 mences another, and not before. With each egg is secreted a 

 brown varnish, which firmly fastens it to the twig and to its 

 neighbor, and which, upon becoming dry, forms a carinated 

 net-work of brown over the pale egg-shell. These eggs are 

 so regularly laid and so closely glued to each other, and the 

 sides are often so appressed, that the moth economizes space 



