INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE CRANBERRY. 



ATTACKING THE LEAVES. 



Fig. 381. 



No. 227.— The Cranberry Worm. 



Rhopobota vacciniana (Packard). 



This larva is very injurious to the foliage of cranberry- 

 vines, and, on account of the devastation it causes, has received 

 in some localities the significant name of the " fire- worm." 

 It hatches in the Eastern States from the 20th of May to the 

 1st of June, from eggs which have remained upon the vine 

 all winter. These are found on the under side of the leaves 

 in masses having the form of a flat circular scale 

 of a pale-yellow color. 



The larva, which is shown at a. Fig. 381, is 

 green, with a few fine hairs scattered over the sur- 

 face of its body. It feeds upon the tender grow- 

 ing shoots, drawing the leaves together, fastening 

 them with silken threads, and concealing itself 

 within the enclosure. When full grown, it spins 

 a slight cocoon, either among the leaves on the vines or 

 amidst leaves and rubbish on l^he ground, and there changes 

 to a chrysalis, as shown at h in the figure. 

 The pupa state lasts from ten to twelve days. 



The moth (see Fig. 382) is of a dark 

 ash-color, the fore wings whitish, dusted 

 with brown and reddish scales, with nar- 

 row white bands on the front edge, al- 

 ternating with broader yellowish-brown 

 bands, five of which are larger than the others, and from 

 four of these, distinct but irregular lines cross the wings. 

 The tips of the fore wings are dark brown and pointed. 



24 369 



