118 
The spines with which the horns are supplied, produce a sensa¬ 
tion similar to that produced by nettles when they come in con¬ 
tact with any portion of the body where the skin is thin; this sen¬ 
sation, however, can seldom be felt on the palms. For this reason 
this caterpillar is one of the several species that are familiarly 
known as stinging caterpillars. 
It feeds on a great variety of plants, among which are fruit trees, 
the Rose and Corn. 
Thyridopteryx ephemerjeformis, Haw. 
The eggs from which the larvae of this species are produced are 
deposited inside of a sack-like silken case, in which they remain 
during the winter, hatching the next May. As soon as the worm 
Fig. 32.—Thyridopteryx ephemerseformis. Motli, pupa, larva?, eggs, etc. 
leaves the case it begins to spin one for itself, which covers and 
protects all but the anterior part of the body, the posterior part of 
the case being pointed. It carries this erect in the air as it feeds, 
adding to it as growth requires a more commodious apartment until 
it becomes too heavy to be borne in this way; after this the case 
is pendant. About the middle of summer the worms attain their 
full size, when they quit the trees upon which they have been feed¬ 
ing, and wander about, and it is at this period only that they push 
their migrations beyond the tree where the eggs were deposited. As 
the female is without wings, and does not leave her case until after 
the eggs are placed in position, it is evident this restless disposition 
when the larvae are full grown is the only provision nature has 
made for the diffusion of the species. After their wanderings cease 
they attach the case or follicle to a twig of some tree or shrub by 
a strong cord of silk, and change to chrysalides; the male the 
smaller, showing the cases of the future wings, but the female 
having more the shape of the caterpillar. At the proper season, 
the perfect insects issue from there to deposit eggs that pass through 
the cycle of changes already given. 
