198 THE GKAPE CULTUKIST. 



on the top, with another on each side. This is one of the 

 most beautiful moths that appear in our gardens. 



To destroy the caterpillars, hand picking is perhaps the 

 only effectual way. This would appear to be an endless 

 task, particularly when they come in such numbers as are 

 sometimes found in cities. I would suggest dusting the 

 vines with lime or wood ashes, or syringing them with a 

 strong solution of potash and tobacco. Some such article 

 might prove so offensive to the creatures that it would 

 drive them away, if it did not kill them. 



PROCRIS AMERICANA. 



Fig. 82. " This is a small moth of a 



tfrateJ32rg2S|g^fe blue-black color, with a saffron-colored 



WI^^P collar and a notched tuft on the ex- 



jHl tremity of the body. The wings, 



Fi 82 which are very narrow, expand nearly 



one inch. 



" The caterpillars are gregarious ; that is, considerable 

 numbers of them live and feed together, collected side by 

 side on the same leaf, and only dispersed when they are 

 about to make their cocoons. They are of a yellow color, 

 with a transverse row of black, velvety tufts on each ring, 

 and a few conspicuous hairs on each extremity of the body. 

 They are hatched from eggs which are laid in clusters of 

 twenty or more together, on the lower sides of the leaves 

 of the grape vine and creeper ; and they come to their 

 growth from the middle to the end of August. They then 

 measure six tenths, or rather more than one half of an inch 

 in length. Their feet are sixteen in number and rather 

 short, and their motions are sluggish. When touched, 

 they curl their bodies sidewise and fall to the ground ; or, 

 more rarely, hang suspended from the leaves by a silken 

 thread. When young, they eat only portions of the sur- 

 face of the leaf; but as they grow older they devour all 



