ZEBRA CATERPILLAR. 



{Mamcstra picta, Harris.) 

 Order — Lepidoptera. Family — Noctuidae. 



By E. J. VosLER, Assistant Superintendent, State Insectary. 



ftOlANICAl 

 <JAKI>tilN. 



The zebra caterpillar, Mamestra picta, often attracts attention by 

 appearing in considerable numbers in the early fall on alfalfa. 



Comstock^ describes the caterpillar as of a light yellow color with 

 three broad longitudinal black stripes, one on each side and the third 

 on the top of the back. These stripes on the sides are broken by 

 numerous pure white lines. The pupa is of a brownish color. The 



Fig. 381. — Alfalfa stems 

 showing larvae and webbing 

 effects of Mamestra picta. 

 (Photo by Reeves.) 



adult moth has dark chestnut brown forewings and pale yellow hind- 



wmgs 



The eggs of this caterpillar are deposited on the alfalfa leaves and 

 hatch in a few days. The young larva? eat the epidermis of the leaves, 

 which soon appear whitish from their attack. They web the tops of the 

 stalks of alfalfa together, as shown in Fig. 381. 



One may go through an alfalfa field and notice here and there plants 

 of which the tops are welibed together and the leaves present a whitish 

 and, dead appearance. In the young stages the larva? work in colonies, 

 and only on the upper and consequently more tender portions of the 



^Manual for Study of Inset'ts, page 305. 



