134 FIELD ZOOLOGY. 



The Regal Moth (larva). — This is the largest larva 

 that we have in the United States, measuring from four 

 to five and a half inches in length. It may be distin- 

 guished from all other caterpillars by the very long spines 

 with which it is armed, but which are "not loaded." 

 They are harmless but usually serve their purpose by 

 frightening off credulous birds. 



Luna Moth (larva). — ^Pale bluish-green with a much 

 lighter head, usually white in most specimens. On the 

 back are small purplish or reddish warty protuberances, 

 about six to each abdominal segment; in addition there 

 is a pale yellowish line along each side of the body. 



Tent Caterpillars. — Social larvas, never feeding alone, 

 and the tribe generally making a web in which the young 

 larvas live; some species of them come out of this web to 

 feed, returning to it at night, or whenever not feeding. 

 Others live in the web for the entire larval period; and 

 this they make provision for by spinning a web about the 

 branch which they wish to devour, the completed tent 

 often measuring more than a foot in length. The apple 

 tree tent caterpillar is black, at least very dark, with 

 white stripes along the back, and with yellow and blue 

 spots. The forest tree tent caterpillar is larger than the 

 apple tree pest, and usually has less of blue on its body, 

 though they seem sometimes indistinguishable except 

 by size. 



Handmaid Moth (larva) . — Often called yellow-necked 

 appletree caterpillar; reddish-black with bright yellow 

 stripes ; many scores of the caterpillars in a wriggling mass. 

 Each caterpillar has the habit of jerking the front and the 

 hind end of its body up and down, probably to frighten 

 off any waiting enemy. It is a well-known fact that the 

 Tachina flies appreciate a juicy find of these worms, 



