326 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



fall. They are called the Web-worms from their habit of 

 feeding gregariously in large numbers, and spinning a 

 web that envelopes the leaves and the whole branch, as 

 they devour the foliage. 



This insect commits sad ravages upon our cultivated 

 trees of various kinds, for it is not a choice feeder, con- 

 suming but one species, like many other insects. Their 

 most common pasture is the mulberry, and the related 

 Osage Orange is frequently attacked. The Elder bushes 

 appear very attractive to them, and are often covered 

 with their unsightly webs. Elms suffer very much ; our 

 favorite fruit trees are attacked ; apples, pears, cherries, 

 quinces, and, occasionally, even the peach trees are eaten 

 by them. Even the repulsive Ailantus, which has often 

 been recommended as a wormless tree, is greedily de- 

 voured by these caterpillars, notwithstanding its disagree- 

 able odor. 



The eggs, from two to three hundred in number, are 

 deposited on the under side of a leaf, near the end of a 

 twig. These soon hatch, and the larvae commence feeding 

 on the upper surface, spinning their threads from side to 

 side, and then, attaching two or three leaves together, they 

 soon make a web. They continue feeding and spinning 

 along the twig, as they consume the tender portion of the 

 leaf, leaving the mere skeleton. 



The caterpillars are small, of a pale yellow color, with 

 a broad blackish stripe on the back, and another beneath. 

 They are thickly clothed with whitish hair ; the head and 

 feet are black. Worms of the same nest vary in size and 

 colors. When about an inch long, they disperse, and spin 

 their cocoons. The moth is milk white, without any 



