121 



But even should the lantana fly diminish in numbers for 

 reasons just given we need have little fear of a large pro- 

 duction of lantana seed, for we have at least three * other 

 insects, moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), which so mutilate 

 the flower head and flowers that very little, if any seed is 

 formed. These accomplish their task in the caterpillar stage. 



LANTANA FLOWER INSECTS. 



Fig. 4. — Lantana Plun; 

 lines show natural size. 



•-motii {Pteyophorid): a, larva: b, adult. Hair 

 (Author's illustration). 



Lantana Plume-moth {Ptcrophorid). 



This is the dark brown moth (Fig. 4, 6) about half an inch in 

 expanse and one-half as long. It seems to lay its egg either at 

 the base of the individual flower or slightly above. Upon 

 hatching, in the former case, the young caterpillar fxeavates 

 a tunnel under the flower ; in the latter it gnaws a hole through 

 the corrolla, attacks and destroys the pistil, then des-.ieiids be- 



* These may actually represent four or more species. Thus far the 

 Tingid {Teleoncmia subfasciata) is the only species of the introduced 

 lantana insects that has been definitely identified. 



