114 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 



band, all whitish-green in color. In some specimens the skin between the sub- 

 dorsal line and the lateral line is of a darker green color and for this reason con- 

 trasts rather strongly. Close to the spiracles there are one or two blackish spots 

 on each of the central segments. On the thoracic segments and, in some in- 

 dividuals, on the two or three posterior segments, these spots are more frequent 

 and form a distinct, uneven band, widest on the thoracic segments on segment 2. 

 The color of the intersegmental folds particularly on dorsum is yellow, spiracles 

 ■cream-colored, ringed with black. Thoracic shield slightly paler than color of 

 dorsum and having a distinct band of black along anterior edge, which joins with 

 the band on sides of thoracic segments. A^Q^itral area glaucous. The head varies 

 in color from pale green with a light tinge of reddish-brown on cheeks to a decided 

 reddish-brown over whole upper portion of cheeks; clypeus bordered on either 

 .side with a blackish, ra.ther indistinct, band ; mandibles reddish ; ocelli blackish, a 

 blackish patch above ocelli. 



Brown larva. — Length when extended 37 mm. Head same as in green speci- 

 mens, but with brown reticulations. Body dull velvety brown with a purplish 

 reflection. Longitudinal lines pale whitish, indistinct. Tubercles blackish, 

 circled with pale whitish. Spiracles cream-colored. The lateral spots close to the 

 spiracles which were black in the green larvae are in this specimen white and con- 

 spicuous, continuing as a striking band on the thoracic segments. Thoracic feet 

 reddish-brown; prolegs concolorous with venter. 



Eeddish-chocolate larva. — Similar in general to the dull brown larva but 

 having a wide continuous white stigmatal band, as shown in figure 1, page 112. 



On March 27 another mature green specimen was described as follows: 

 Length at rest 28 mm. Head 2.8 mm. wide, yellowish-brown; clypeus paler; 

 ocelli black. Body green, slightly darker than the leaves of Boston fern. Stripes 

 yellowish -white as in other specimens. Stigmatal band with more yellow than 

 dorsal and subdorsal stripes and with white areas on first two thoracic segments. 

 Spiracles more or less surrounded with dark purplish-red, particularly on central 

 segments. Thoracic shield paler than body. Venter pale green. 



From the above notes it will be seen that the larvae varied considerably, par- 

 ticularly in color. Such variation has also been noted by Davis' and Chittenden.' 

 The former, referring to such variation, says : " There are two types of the full- 

 grown caterpillars, one apple-green and the other velvety black, the former pre- 

 dominating." As indicated above, the dark-colored specimens which we examined 

 were of a dull brown color, none were black. The band which extends across 

 the front of the thoracic shield is very distinct and constant, and should serve as a 

 characteristic mark to determine the species. 



Description of Cocoon and Pupa. 



Most of the larvae under study were kept in a large breeding cage in which 

 an average sized Boston fern was placed. When the specimens in such cage reached 

 maturity they left the plant and made earthen cocoons (Fig. 2, page 112). on 

 the surface of the soil. The earth chosen for the making of the cocoon is held 

 together by many strands of silk which gives the structure considerable strength. 

 It is by no means fragile, as are the earthen cocoons of our common cutworms 

 belonging to the genus Euxoa. In length the cocoon varies from 18 to 20 mm. 

 and in width from 6 to 7 mm. 



'Davis, J. J., 27th Report of the State Entomologist of IlliTiois, 191.2, p. 91. 

 ''Chittenden, F. H., Bulletin No. 125, U.S. Bureau of Entomalogy, 1913, p. 7. 



