CRANnFAUiV INSECTS 4G1 



under surface of th(^ leaves. Th(^y are a])()ut half Uw siz(^ of an 

 ordinary pin head, and nearly a doz(^n are sometimes laid on 

 a singk; leaf. The eggs hateh about the time the vines begin 

 growth in the si)ring. The* newly hateluul caterpillar is pah^ 

 green with a shining black head. After feeding a day or so on 

 the under side of the okl leaf it crawls to the ti|) of an upright, 

 webs together the expanding leaves and feeds within the shelter 

 thus formed. The light green color of the under side of tlu^ 

 leaves thus exposed in these c1os(hI tips contrasts strongly with 

 the dark green of the normal foliage^ and is usually the first 

 indication of the presence of the pest. The caterinllar becomes 

 full-grown in about three weeks ; it is then dark green in color 

 with a black head and is aV)out lialf an inch in lengtli. Tt 

 transforms to a yellow-brown pupa, usually on the ground, but 

 sometimes within the nest of webbed leaves, and the moths 

 emerge in about a week. By this time the leaves of the webbed 

 tips have turned brown, and, if abundant, give the vines a 

 scorched appearance. The moths have an expanse of about 

 f of an inch ; the wings are ash gray in color and the front wings 

 are crossed by irregular bands of brownish. The first brood 

 of moths fly during June and lay eggs which hatch in late June 

 and early July, in Massachusetts. The second brood larvae 

 make comparatively larger nests than do those of the first 

 brood and often web together several tips. They feed on the 

 leaves, tender buds, flowers and young fruits, giving infested 

 areas a scorched appearance, hence the name, fire-worm, by 

 which this pest is commonly knowai among cranberr^^ growers 

 in certain regions. The caterpillars of the second brood are, 

 as a rule, much more abundant than of the first and the damage 

 done correspondingly greater. These caterpillars become full- 

 grown from the middle to the last of July, pupate on the ground 

 and give rise to a crop of moths, which deposit the winter eggs 

 on the under side of the leaves in late July and early August. 

 There are two full broods each year. 



