282 INSECTS AFFECTING SHADE TREES 



Control. Since the fallen branches and twigs usually contain 

 larvae, they may be collected and burned. 



The Luna Moth. This beautiful moth (Actias luna Linn.) 

 with a wing expanse of four and one-half inches, is one of our 

 most striking insects, vying in beauty with moths from the tropics. 

 The hind-wings are extended into broad tails instead of being 

 rounded. The color of the wings varies, but is usually a delicate 

 bluish green on yellowish. Upon each wing is an " eye-spot, " a 

 clear center encircled by red and black, while the anterior margin 

 of the fore-wings is purple or purplish brown. The caterpillar 

 also is striking, being of a clear, pale blue-green color, with little 

 stripes on each side. There are small, pearl-colored tubercles on 

 each segment, each tubercle .being tinged with purple or rose color. 



Life History. When full grown the caterpillar draws together 

 a few leaves, fastens them with silken threads, and spins its 

 cocoon inside. In the autumn this cocoon falls to the ground and 

 the moth emerges in the spring. 



It attacks walnut, as well as hickory. It is not, however, a 

 serious pest. 



The Walnut Caterpillar (Datana angusii G. and R.). This 

 caterpillar may be extremely destructive to the foliage of hickory 

 and walnut. It has the habit of descending the trunk to within 

 a few feet of the ground, gathering in masses when about to moult. 



At such times it is easy to capture and destroy, but the injury 

 to the tree has already been done. Arsenical sprays are practical 

 on small trees or in nurseries where pests are to be fought. 



The Twig Girdler. A little over one-half inch long, this beetle 

 (Oncideres cingulatus Say) is brownish gray in color, with dull 

 reddish yellow dots. The antennae or feelers are longer than the 

 body. The female lays her eggs in a twig or branch and then girdles 

 it a little below so that a wind will break it off. This insures the 

 falling of the twig, thus furnishing the exact conditions necessary 

 for the development of the insect. 



It will probably never become a serious pest, as a moderate 

 amount of pruning of small twigs on hickory might well be an 

 advantage. The fallen twigs, however, may be gathered and 

 burned with the contained grub. 



The Beautiful Hickory Borer. This striking beetle (Goes 

 pulchra Hold.) is about one inch long. It is reddish brown, with 

 dark brown markings on the wing-covers, which form a band 

 across the wings. This band is produced by a belt of fine hairs. 



