[43] 



Report of the State Entomologist. 



185 



the middle and near the end, are nearly as long as the body, while 

 the terminal pair are about one-third as long. There are also other 

 shorter ones intermediate to these. These appendages* are strongly 

 constricted at their base and so slightly attached to the body that 

 they are easily broken off. They are always cast off, together with 

 a number of other subtriangular smaller ones, before the construc- 

 tion of the cocoon, and ordinarily several of them will be found 

 woven fast to the outside of the cocoon. 



It is strange that while the peculiar and interesting larval form is 

 not a rarity in some portions of the United States, no detailed 

 description has been given of it from which the number, form and 

 location of these appendages may be learned. The figures that we have 

 do not supply the want; they disagree in structural features, and in 

 one we are presented with thirteen distinct segments, exclusive of the 

 head, with a probable fourteenth. Dr. Fitch states that " the sides of 

 its body are prolonged in eleven, tooth-like processes." In the 

 absence of specimens of the larva to compare with this representa- 

 tion, I will quote from notes made by me on two examples 

 received by mail which were in the larval stage when sent. " The 

 box contained two cocoons (the caterpillars having spun up en route) 

 and fifteen of the velvety arms (some are frequently lost during 

 growth). Besides these, there were also fifteen subtriangular velvety 

 pieces which had been borne upon the more prominent lateral tuber- 

 cles, of which there are probably four on each side." 



Its Stinging Power. 

 The caterpillar is named by Eiley in a list of thirteen, mostly 

 Oochlidice, whose spines have an urticating power, f A few others 

 possessing this power have since been added to the list, as exceptions 

 to the rule that caterpillars may be handled with impunity and with- 

 out fear of their stinging, biting, poisoning or inflicting any other 

 harm, notwithstanding the strong jaws, liquid secretions, bristling 

 spines, and formidable horns with which they are provided as if for 

 both defense and offense. The almost universal fear or dislike of 

 caterpillars is unreasonable — is not natural and would not prevail 

 but for erroneous and culpable teaching in childhood. Careless habit, 

 or undeveloped powers, of observation fail to note the jointed legs 

 with which most caterpillars are provided, and they are therefore 

 relegated to the class of creeping or crawling things — so closely 



*No suitable name has been found for them. Fitch designates them as " tooth-like 

 processes ;" Harris as " flattened teeth ;" Hubbard as " fleshy hooks." 

 t Fifth Report of the Insects of Missouri, 1873, p, 126. 



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