368 



SOME SOUTH INDIAN INSECTS, ETC. 



Lifehistory. Larva short, stout in middle, brownish-black. 



thickly covered with tufts of black hair; orange marks on first, 

 seventh and last segments from head and an orange line on back 

 from seventh to last segments. Cocoon slight, with Larva] hairs 

 interwoven. 



Foodplants. — Moss and lichens and perhaps also low-growing 

 plants. 



Status. — The larva is not known to do damage to crops but is in 

 itself a peculiarly noxious pest owing to the large numbers in 

 which it often occurs in houses and the irritating nature of its 

 hairs. It is one of the various insects known as " Kumbli-puchi." 



Control. — ? 



ESTIGMENE LACTINEA, Cram. 



Bombyx lactinea, Cramer, Pap. Exot., II, t. 133. D. (1777). 

 Amsacta lactinea, Hmpsn., Faun. hid. Moths, II, 27-28, f. 9, Cat. 

 Phal., HI, 328-329, f. 147 ; Lefroy. bid. Ins. Life. p. 438, ff. 302, 303. 



1 [1 230. — Estigmene lactinea, larva and moth. (Original.) 



Distribution. — Throughout the Plains of Southern India. 



Lifehistory.- Larva black with long blackish or red-brown hairs 

 arising from warts set in a ring around the middle of each segment, 

 head blackish or red-brown ; active in habit. Pupa s<|uat. dark-red- 

 brown, in a cell underground. 



Foodplants- Cumbu, ragi, coffee, horse-gram, and various low- 

 growing plants. 



Status. Locally a serious pesl <>t cumbu. 



Control. Hand-picking of caterpillars in small areas and pro- 

 tection of crops by a narrow trench around cultivated areas. 



