10 
Feeding Habits. 
A newly hatched larva begins feeding shortly after it leaves the 
egg, but may wander about for from 15 minutes to half an hour be- 
fore taking any food. It usually starts feeding on the underside 
of the leaves, generally near the eggshell from which it has just 
emerged. At first it bites into the epidermis of the leaf, and, mix- 
ing the nibblings with the thread of silk which it spins continuously 
from several points beneath its lower lip. soon covers itself with a 
Fig. 3. — The blackhead fire worm : Characteristic work of the newly hatched larvae on 
the underside of cranberry leaves. 
greenish brown material which has the appearance of fine sawdust. 
For a time it continues to chew into the leaf, feeding principally be- 
tween the upper and lower surfaces, acting in many respects like 
a leaf -miner. (See fig. 3.) This is particularly characteristic of the 
early-hatched larvse of the first generation. The larva? of this gen- 
eration which hatch later, and usually those of later generations 
hatched in warmer weather after the new growth is well out, pro- 
ceed almost directly to the tip, spending very little time as leaf- 
miners. 
