Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-07-21
For the Freeman.
A Chat with Farmers.
ABOUT NoXIoUs INSECTS.
BY AGRICoLA.

ABOUT NOAlOUS INSECTS.
The Archippus butterfly is very common
on flowers which grow on low lands for
month and n half in the summer. The
caterpillar lives on milkweed in June and
July. 1t is cylindrical. wearing pair of
black, thread-like horns on the top of the
second segment, and another short pair of
horns on the eleventh segment of the body.
Alternate transverse bands of yellow
black and white also mark the body.
Its transformation is rapid. In fourteen
days it completes its growth, having in
this time changed its skin three times and
attained to the length of nearly two
inches. In the chrysais state the length
is only one inch, and in ten or twelve days
after it enters this state the butterfly
comes forth with wings expanded four
inches or more. The male is distinguish
ed by an elevated black spot near the
middle of the hind wings.
Another four-footed butterfly much re-
sembles the one last described, but in the
chrysalis and caterpillar state entirely diff
fers from it. The wings are entirely sur
rounded by broad, black border spotted
with white. On the hind wings there is Il
curved black band. 1t is called the Disip.
pc butterfly. This caterpillar lives on
poplar and willow. Its head is notched
on the top, and on the second segment
there is hump bearing the slender, black
ish horns. Before changing to chrysa-
lis it hangs itself up by the hind feet The
butterfly that lays its eggs for second
brood appears in September. 1t is trans
formed into a chrysald in the autumn,
and lays over without further change until
the following spring.
Several other species might here be
described. but they differ so little from
those before mentioned, in appearance
and habits, that it seems proper to pass
them by.
The caterpllars Of many of the four
footed butterflies have backs armed with
numerous projecting points. In some
they are short and soft; in others, long,
hard and sharp.
The thistle butterfly is peculiar. Its
wings are tawny, with II tinge of rose re.
spotted with black and white. Its caterf
pillar lives on thistles, on the leaves cd
the sunhower, hollyhock, burdock and
other rough plants. Each lives alone,
though there may be many on the same
plant, 1t spins for itself thin web on
The surface of the leaf, building little
tent IN which it stays. 1t dqvours the
skin and pulp Of the leaf and then re-
moves to another and builds II larger hab-
itation. Finally it suspends itself to the
plant on which it lives for transformation
The chrysais state lasts from eleven to
fourteen days, and the butterfly appears
during the last half of July-sometimcs
earlier and sometimes later.
The Atalanta butterfly was probably
introduced into America with the common
nettle, upon which it feeds. It's eggs are
deposited in May upon the youngest leaves
of this plant, with only one Oh II single
leaf But the nettle is rather II dangerous
plant for the young caterpillar to occupy
on account of its poisonous pricklcs. Yet
this difficulty was foreseen and guarded
against by the Great Designer, and the
worm that was made to occupy this
prickIy leaf is provided with branching
spines all over its body from coming in
contact with them. Here we see u new
| illustration Of the Creators providential
care, even of the meanest worm, and of
His wise design in adapting means to ends.
AS soon as Matched the caterpillar spins
Il web TO cover itself, and in which it re-
MAINS CO1Cctlel. Onc emu OF tllG cavity
is left open, to enable the worm to reach
out for its food. 1t continues to eat the
surrounding leaves and finally eats itself
out of house and home by devourng its
own leaf; then it seeks a new shelter and
constructs IL new habitation. In this the
insect shows more skill and strength, and
builds to suit its present size and conven-
fence. After having constructed and
eaten up several dwellings, in succession,
and changed its skin three or four times,
it stops eating and prepares for TRANSFORMED
ton. 1t is now about one inch and half
long, and has changed its color from black
10 brown dotted with white The chrysa.
lis is gray, and lasts some ten days. The
first brood of butterflies appear in July /;
the second in September.
The banessa genus have jagged wings
marked with golden or silvery characters,
and projecting beak. The caternillars
are armed with branching spines, but do
not conceal themselves under n web OF
within folded leaf.