GRAM CATERPILLAR. 



145 



a rule, when the caterpillar descends to the ground, buries itself and trans- 

 forms to the chrysalis. The moth emerges in as short a time as six days in 

 the hot weather, but may remain over one month or even up to three 

 months in localities where the winter is cold. The shortest actual life 



Fig. 162. 

 Gram Caterpillar. (Twice maffnijied.) 



history is very little over three weeks when the temperature is high 

 and food plentiful. This species attacks a great variety of plants but 

 is eliiefly known as a pest upon gram, which it attacks severely. 



Where the winter is mild, the caterpillars are found throughout the 

 season on gram, and there may be more than one brood in this crop. 

 "Where the winter is colder, the moths emerge from hibernation and 

 attack the gram ; this occurs in Behar in late February or early March 

 in normal years ; if many moths come out then and lay eggs on the 

 gram, there may be a considerable loss. From this time till the followino- 

 November there is a succession of broods on various plants. 



Fig. 163. 

 On the right one caterpillar eating another^ 



Gram Caterpillar and JPvpa. 



Opium [Pajaver somniferttni) is much attacked, the caterpillars 

 laling the capsules; tobacco seed capsules are eaten, as also the pcds of 



