264 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE OR APE. 



No. 141. — The Grape-vine Epimenis. 



Psycomorpha epimenis (Drury). 



There is still another grape-feeding insect which, in the cat- 

 erpillar state, bears a strong general resemblance to Nos. 138 

 and 139. The larva (Fig. 273, a) in this species is smaller, of 



a bluish-white color, with 

 four transverse black bands 

 on each segment, as shown 

 at 6 in the figure, and a few 

 black dots, but lacks the 

 ^ *^ orange bands which dis- 



tinguish the three species last described. The shield behind 

 the head, the hump on the twelfth segment, and the anal plate 

 are of a dull-orange color; the dots on the hump are arranged 

 as shown at c in the figure. The young larva attacks the ter- 

 minal buds of the vine in spring, fastening the young leaves 

 by a few silken threads, and secreting itself within the en- 

 closure. When full grown, which is usually towards the end 

 of May, it bores into soft wood or any other suitable sub- 

 stance, and there changes to a reddish-brown chrysalis, about 

 four-tenths of an inch long, roughened on the joints, and 

 having a curious, flattened, horny projection on each side of 

 the tip. Within this enclosure it remains until the following 

 spring, when the perfect insect escapes. 



The moth (Fig. 274) is of a velvety-black color, with a 

 broad, irregular, white patch extending nearly across the front 

 wings, and a somewhat larger and more 

 regularly formed spot of a dull orange-red 

 across the hind wings. The wings are also 

 sprinkled with brilliant purplish scales, 

 most numerous along the outer margins, 

 where they form a narrow band. The 

 under side is paler, with similar markings, the purplish scales 

 appearing very distinct on the front and posterior margins of 

 the hinder wings. The antennae of the male are toothed, 



Fig. 274. 



