[75] 



Report of tee State Entomologist. 



217 



smaller round piece, and within these two, when separated, two other 

 pieces of smaller size, containing within them the remains of a minute 

 caterpillar which had been killed, probably by pressure in transit 

 through the mail. 



Fig. 22.— The maple-leaf cutter, Incuevaeia acebifoliella, and Its 

 operations. (After Fitch.) 



When the leaves were received, a few of the leaf-cases which had 

 escaped crushing were observed in motion, as the caterpillars, with 

 head and front legs protruded, were dragging them over the surface 

 in search of fresh pasturage, as stated in the above communication. 



In Fig. 22 the operations of this insect on a maple leaf, as above 

 described, are shown, as also two of the moths upon the leaf in their 

 natural size. Three of the larval cases, in different sizes, are repre- 

 sented on the leaf. At its left is the case of a full-grown larva, in 

 natural size, and to the right the same enlarged. 



The Insect, and its Appearance in New York in 1850. 



The insect which constructs for itself this singular shelter, and 

 inflicts the serious injury on the forest maples mentioned above, is 

 known as the Maple-leaf cutter. The perfect insect proceeding from 

 it, after its hibernation among the dead leaves on the ground in the 

 pupa state, is a little moth of only a third of an inch in expanse of 

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