L. I. ch. I.
Cl. 1. S. D. 1.
(High Resolution Image)
The Ozier.
Salix, vulgaris, alba, arborescens. C. B. Pin.
Sect. E.
Caterpillars whose Shoulders rise into an angular Figure, having no Holders behind.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
I.
Cl. 1. S. E. 1.
The PUSS-MOTH. Though the Caterpillar of this Fly seems most fond of the Willow, it is often found on the Abele, or Poplar Tree. It has a Power of stretching out, and putting back its Head, at Pleasure; which it seems to do as it thinks itself more or less in Danger. It is armed with two Tubes at the End of the Tail, and two others within those, of a Blood red Colour, which it nimbly, if touched by any Thing, darts out: The Use of these is (as I apprehend) to prevent the Ichneumon Flies from settling on them; but, notwithstanding those Flies are often able to remain long enough to leave their Eggs behind: In such Case, the Moth is not produced, but, instead thereof, the Ichneumon pictured in the Plate. Such Caterpillars as the Ichneumons have not fixed their Eggs on, usually go into the Chrysalis State at the Beginning of August, on the Body of the Tree, and generally near the Ground, the Caterpillar gnawing the Wood into a Kind of Sawdust; which, mixing with a glutenous Matter, or Cement, that comes from its Mouth, makes a hard Case, in which the Chrysalis is formed, on the outside of the Tree; the Moth appears the May following. These Moths are seldom taken in the Fly-state; but may easily be obtained by breeding the Caterpillars, which may be found at the same Time, and in the same Places, where you take those that produce the Willow and Poplar Hawks.