Geometridae 



the one under consideration. It is the part of wisdom in every 

 way to protect the birds. 



The canker-worm is widely distributed from the Atlantic to 

 the Pacific. 



Genus ALSOPHILA Hubner 



Only one species of the genus occurs within our limits. 



(i) Alsophila pometaria Harris. (The Fall Canker-worm.) 



Syn. restituens Walker. 



The Fall Canker-worm in many respects closely resembles 

 the preceding species, but a critical eye can at once detect great 

 differences both in the form and markings of the caterpillar and 

 of the mature insect. The moths generally emerge from the 



pupal state in the late fall, or 

 during mild spells of weather 

 in the winter, and may even 

 continue to come forth until 

 the spring is well advanced. 

 The eggs are not laid as those 

 of the preceding species, sin- 

 gly under the scales of bark, 

 but are deposited in a com- 

 pact mass fastened to the 

 twigs by a strong gluey se- 

 cretion, and are loosely cov- 

 ered with gray hairs, which the female rubs from her abdomen. 

 The caterpillars are not ornamented on the back by a multitude 

 of fine lines, but have a broad brown stripe along the dorsal line. 

 The moths are larger than those of the Spring Canker-worm, and 

 have a distinct whitish spot 

 on the costa of the primaries 

 near the apex. The cater- 

 pillar undergoes but two 

 molts, and matures very 

 rapidly. It has rudimentary 

 prolegs on the eighth 

 somite. The precautionary 

 measures which have proved effective in combating the Spring 

 Canker-worm are not efficacious in dealing with this species. 

 To effectively destroy them the best means is to spray the foil- 



326 



FlG. 197. Alsophila pometaria. a, egg, 

 side view; b, do., top view; c, side view 

 of segment of larva; d, top view of seg- 

 ment of larva ; f, mature larva ; g, pupa ; 

 h, cremaster. (After Riley.) 



FlG. 198.^. pometaria. a, male; b, fe- 

 male ; f, female antenna ; d, segment of body 

 of female, enlarged. (After Riley.) 



