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Birchleaf Bucculatrix
This little insect in its larval stage is known to infest the leaves of the birch and the wild cherry. The caterpillars feed upon the parenchyma of the leaves, attacking both the upper and the lower sides, and completely skeletonizing them. Forests of birches in New England are known to have been completely stripped of living tissue in the fall of the year, in such a manner as to suggest that a fire had passed over the trees. The larvae are sluggish in their movements, when disturbed dropping down by a silken cord. The cocoons are white and ribbed, as represented in the annexed figure. They turn dark after they have been spun up for some time. The insect is not uncommon in Rhode Island, and is known to occur throughout New England, northern New York, and Canada. It probably has even a wider range, and may be found in the mountains of Pennsylvania, where its food-plant is abundant. The best account of its habits has been given by Professor A. S. Packard in "Insect Life," Vol. V, p. 14.