ATTACKING THE LEAVES. 271 



grown, when they measure about an inch and a quarter 

 long. (See Fig. 280.) The head is dull reddish brown, the 

 body yellowish green, with a few 

 small whitish dots on each segment. ^^g- 280. 



On each side of the second segment y-^^^^^s^ 



is a small reddish spot, and on the ^ -Ah^--^ =- 

 third a larger one of a darker shade ; 



on this latter segment there is a fold in the skin, which makes 

 the spot appear as a brown prominence. The terminal seg- 

 ment is furnished with two short, greenish spines, which 

 extend backwards ; the surface of the body is wrinkled ; the 

 under surface reddish, with a central reddish line, bordered 

 with white, which is margined with dull red. These larvae 

 are very variable in color, being sometimes yellowish green^ 

 whitish green, deep red, and occasionally dark brown, nearly 

 black. When alarmed, they straighten themselves out, and 

 remain for some time without moving, when, being so nearly 

 of the color of the twigs they rest on, they usually escape 

 detection. 



Where these larvae are sufRciently numerous to prove 

 troublesome, the vines may be syringed with Paris-green and 

 water, or hellebore and water, as recommended for No. 140. 



No. 146.— The Yellow Woolly-bear. 



Spilosoma Virginica (Fabr.). 



This common caterpillar is so well known that it is scarcely 

 necessary to describe it. Every one who has a garden in 

 which fruits or flowers are grown must have frequently met 

 with it, for no insect is so uniformly common and troublesome 

 as this one. It seems to have a special liking for the leaves 

 of the grape-vine, but it feeds also on the leaves of a great 

 variety of plants, shrubs, and trees. 



The moth from which the larva is produced is shown at c, 

 Fig. 281, and is commonly known as the *^ white miller.'^ 

 It passes the winter in the chrysalis state, and appears on the 

 wing late in April or early in May, and, when its wings are 



