SHADE TREE INSECTS 



27 







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Saddled Prominent 



1 and 2. Caterpillars on leaf. Actual size. 



Courtesy, Conn. Agr. Expt. Station. 

 3. A cluster of hungry caterpillars at the base of a tree. 



Courtesy, Mich. Agr. Expt. Station. 



The mature caterpillars are about IJ^ inches long, are thickest about midway 

 and taper toward the front and rear. They vary considerably in color and mark- 

 ings. Some are light yellowish-green, others nearly purple with intermediate 

 variations. Many have, on the back, a light bluish-green area that is pointed 

 toward the head, with a darker lavender or purple mark resembling a saddle just 

 behind it about midway the length of the body. This saddle, however, varies in 

 shape and size among individual caterpillars and may be lacking in some speci- 

 mens. 



The pupa is about ^ inch long, naked, and formed in a cell near the surface 

 of the ground near the base of the host tree. 



Life History. The moths begin to appear in late May or early June. Soon 

 after emerging they mate and begin to lay eggs singl}^ on the leaves. The eggs 

 hatch in about 9 days. Apparently most of the eggs are laid in the upper parts 



