gpdTfED BOLL-WOUM. 



91 



Fig. 101. 



Cocoon of Spotted Boll-worm. 

 {Magnijied three times.) 



troying" the fruits or the succulent stems. In Western India these insects 



are active tbroug-hout the winter, where 



the temperature does not fall so low as 



in Northern India. From Aug-ust or 



September to the following- January or 



February there is abundance of cotton in 



which they multiply. In places where 



the temperature falls, as in the Deccan, 



Northern India and Behar, they 



hibernate as pupae, rarely as eggs, larvae 



or moths, until March. If cotton-plants 



are left standing in the field or if 



bhindi is available, they then find 

 food; if not, they remain dormant 

 as moths or possibly pupuj, until 

 the rains. Where cotton is grown 

 throughout the year, it is conti- 

 nually attacked except in the cold 

 weather. Both species are widely 

 distributed in India and practically 

 rang-e throughout the plains. 



Spotted boll-worms are attacked 

 by three distinct parasites, two ich- 

 neumons and one tachiuid fly. Of these, one ^ 

 is generally distributed and a very important 

 check on the increase of the insect ; the fly ^ 

 has been found in some scattered localities 

 and may be an insect of some importance. 



Description. — The moth of the com- 

 moner species ^ is coloured with a broad green 

 band extending from the base to the apex of 

 each wing. This green band may be absent, 

 the whole wings being- ochreous or buff. 

 The other species* has the forewings a 

 bright green. In both species the moth 

 measures a little under half an inch in 

 length, the expanded wings nearly one inch. 

 The lower wings are white, and the under ^^^- 103. 



surface of the body nearly white. "^^^^'^^ Boll- worm Moth. 



'' J {Magnified three times.) 



Fia. 102. 



Spotted Boll-worm Moth. 



{^Magnified twice.) 



> 96. Mhogas lefroyi. Ashm. (Chalcida?.) | » 73. Tlarias fabia. Stoll. (Noctuidte.) 

 2 99. Flectops orbata. VVied. (Tachiaidse.) j * 108, JEarias insulana. Boisd. (Noctuida;.) 



