89 
quently mistaken for such; in fact they sometimes mimic such ~ 
stinging insects so effectually that even a well trained entomol- 
ogist has some scruples about capturing them with the hand. 
Some of these moths carry this resemblance so far as to even 
threaten to sting, though never possessing such an organ. 
This currant-borer, however, does not possess a tapering body, 
but its posterior end is ornamented with a fan-like covering of 
scales. The wings have black markings, as seen in the illus- 
tration, with purplish reflections; the body is ringed with 
yellow; the thorax is also ornamented with yellow lines. 
The female, though resembling the male very closely, is 
not so active; she has other and more serious business 
on hand than dancing, since she has to deposit her numer- 
ous and rapidly developing eggs. For this purpose she selects 
canes at least one year old. The beautiful egg, possessing the 
usual form of eggs of lepidopterous borers, is fastened most 
frequently in the angle made by the leaf and the cane. Other 
eggs are found below the loose scales found upon canes, and 
in the cracks of bark. These eggs soon hatch and the young 
caterpillar or borer eats its way into the interior of the 
cane, penetrating to its very pith. Here, apparently well pro- 
tected against all enemies, the caterpillar has a congenial 
home, surrounded with plenty of food, and soon a long tunnel, 
sometimes several feet in length, shows that the appetite of 
this recluse does not suffer by its isolation. We never find 
more than one caterpillar in each burrow, showing that the 
females have been very careful in exploring the cane before 
entrusting it with an egg. The caterpillars grow but slowly, 
and at the approach of winter are not much more than half 
grown. They now prepare for the cold season by retiring as 
deep in their tunnels as these will permit, and surrounded by 
frass and chewed up fibres of the pith and wood, they are as 
well protected as required. 
The larva possesses the usual form of caterpillars of this 
family of moths. It is of a yellowish color, with a brown head, 
as Shown in the illustration, which also shows the piliferous 
spots and hairs. 
When the warmth of the sun in spring starts vegetation, and 
soon after the flowers of the currants open, the hibernating 
larva also feels imbued with new life and energy, and rapidly 
