THE YELLOW-NECKED APPLE CATERPILLAR.* 



During August one often notices the tips of the apple limbs 

 defoliated for a foot or two. If examined for the cause of the 

 damage either the Yellow-necked Apple Caterpillars or the next 

 species to be described, the Red-humped Apple Caterpillars (See 

 figure 5) are found huddled together as if confessedly guilty. 



The Larva. — While young the caterpillars eat only the under 



Fig. 5. The Yellow-necked Apple Caterpillar, 

 pillars. From life. 



A characteristic cluster of cater- 



surfaces of the leaves and the softer parts, leaving the veins and 

 upper surfaces, but as they become larger the whole leaf is de- 

 voured except the stem. The larvae become full grown during 

 the latter half of August, five or six weeks after hatching from 

 the eggs. The caterpillar is then about two inches long with jet 

 black head, and the next segment, often termed the neck, a bright 

 orange yellow, from which the insect is named. Down the mid- 



* Datana ministra Drury. 



