64 Bulletin 64. 



retire for the winter. The most of them close their nests with 

 bits of grass before hibernating. Some of the nests have an 

 underground chamber and passage way, which may allow the exit 

 of the larvae during mild days and also give access to the roots of 

 the grass. 



According to Dr. lyintner* the larvae come forth in the spring, 

 complete their growth, and pupate in June. The pupa state lasts 

 about fifteen days. In this insect there seems to be no dela^^ed 

 pup'^tion as has been recorded of the Vagabond Crambus. This 

 species is very prolific and capable of causing considerable loss. 



Egg. — A cream yellow color when first laid, gradually turning to an 

 orange buff color before hatching. Form nearly elliptical ; size .48 by .33 mm. 

 The egg-shell has sixteen strong, longitudinal ridges and numerous smaller 

 transverse ridges. PI. XII., Fig. 3. 



Larva, first stage. — Head diameter, .225 mm.; body diameter, .15 mm.; 

 length, 1.2 mm. Head black, thoracic shield a dark brown ; body a trans- 

 lucent white with numerous small black tubercles, each tubercle bearing one 

 or more light colored hairs. Scattered light hairs occur upon the head. 



When about half grown (late fall) the larva is 2 cm. long. The head and 

 tubercles are black while the body is a mottled chocolate brown with a black 

 stripe extending along the dorsal line. 



Early in the spring the larva is about 3. cm. long. The head and thoracic 

 shield are of a dark amber color ; tubercles of the same color ; there is a dull 

 pinkish line along the middle line of the back ; there are also irregular dark 

 wavy subdorsal and lateral lines ; body a pale straw color. 



Pupa. — Thorax and head brown ; abdomen rufous ; spiracles dark brown ; 

 length about 2 cm. 



Cocoon. — Oval, composed of a thick layer of bits of grass with particles of 

 soil adhering to the outside. Inside, the cocoon is smooth and thinly lined 

 with silk. The cocoon was made just below the surface. 



5. The Dark Spotted Crambus. 



Crambus mutabilis. « 



PLATES I., v., XIII., Fig. 5. 



This species maj^ be recognized by the dark spot near the 

 middle of the slaty fore wing. There is also a dark subterminal 

 line, which is usually rubbed so as to give the appearance of a 

 second dark spot. This insect is larger than the Sooty Crambus 

 and may be readily recognized by the pectinate antennae of the 



* First Report on Insects of New York, 1882, p. 149. 



