INSECTS. 
81 
CDR CORN EMPEROR-MOTH. 
( Satumia to.) 
The foliage of the cotton-plant is also eaten hy the caterpillar of a 
large moth, denoted on PI. VI. fig. 9. This spiny and stinohm 
caterpillar is often found upon the leaf of cotton in September ; it feeds 
likewise upon the blades of Indian corn, and the leaves of the' willow 
balsam-poplar, dogwood, and many other trees. Whenever one of 
them is found in a field, the plants attacked by it may he easily dis- 
tinguished by their leafless appearance in the midst of the otherwise 
green and flourishing vegetation, as it rarely quits a plant before it is 
completely denuded. Often, however, those which have lost their 
leaves from the rust present much the same blighted appearance • 
but, in this case, the numerous yellow, withered leaves, which are 
scattered on the ground, at once indicate the disease. 
The thorny spines with which these caterpillars are armed have a 
peculiarly poisonous property, and are capable of inflicting painful and 
severe wounds, similar to the sting of a wasp. It is therefore neces- 
sary, if the insects require to he touched, to use a stick or branch 
when removing them from the plants on which they feed. 
These caterpillars cannot he classed among those very injurious to 
cotton, as they do not appear to he sufficiently numerous to effect much 
damage. Very few complaints have been made about them hy the 
planters either of Georgia or South Carolina ; but this year, (1855 ) 
the same caterpillar was found very abundant in the cotton-fields near 
lallaliassee, hut the damage done hy them was triflin°\ 
Mr. Newman, of Philadelphia, who has paid much attention to the 
breeding of caterpillars, states that this insect is found on the willow. 
Dr Harris says, they are also found upon the balsam-poplar and elm 
in Massachusetts; and, according to Smith and Abbot, in their “In- 
sects of Georgia, it is found on the dogwood, sassafras, and Indian 
corn, which are devoured hy them. 
This caterpillar is from two inches and a quarter to two inches and 
three-quarters in length ; hut, as Dr. Harris has minutely described 
them, I will quote his own words: 
“The caterpillars are of a pea-green color, with a broad, brown, 
stripe, edged below with white, on each side of the body be<nnnin«- 
on the fourth segment and ending at the tail. They are covered with 
spreading clusters of green prickles, tipped with black, and of a uni- 
form length. Each of these clusters consists of about thirty prickles 
branching from a common centre, and there are six clusters on each 
of the lings, except the last two, on which there are only five' and on 
the first four rings, on each of which there is an additional cluster 
low down on each side. The feet are brown, and there is a triangular 
brown spot on the under-side of. each ring, beginning at the fourth ” 
The brown stripe mentioned by Dr. Harris is often of a reddish-brown 
and, in high-colored and healthy individuals, I have seen it almost 
of a carmine red. 
The caterpillars are gregarious when young ; but, when older they 
aj-e solitary. When fully grown, they form a brownish, cocoon of a. 
