170 MANUAL OF VEGETABLE-GARDEN INSECTS 



from which they suck the nectar. The mouth is provided with 

 a long sucking tube from 2-^ to 5 inches in length which when 

 not in use is coiled under the head. The eggs are deposited 

 singly, usually on the underside of the leaves. The egg (Fig. 

 94) is globular, nearly ^t inch in diameter and greenish yellow 



Fig. 95. — Full-grown northern tomato worm ( X f). 



in color. The eggs hatch in three to eight days and the young 

 caterpillars begin feeding on the leaves. They grow rapidly, 

 reaching maturity in three weeks to a month. The larger 

 caterpillars feed ravenously and w^ill strip a tomato vine in a 

 few days. The full-grown caterpillar (Fig. 95) is 3 or 4 inches 



in length and varies 

 in color from green 

 to dark brown. Each 

 segment of the abdo- 

 men is marked on the 

 side just above the 

 spiracle with a greenish wdiite oblique stripe which, with a 

 similar horizontal stripe below the spiracle, forms a V with 

 the apex pointed forward. The horn at the posterior end of 

 the body is green with the sides black. When disturbed the 

 caterpillar has the curious habit of elevating the front part 



Pupa of northern tomato worm in 

 its cell (X f). 



