LEPIDOPTERA. 369 



AMSAI I \ \l BIS! RIG \. Wlk. 

 (KUMBLIH1 



Aloa albistriga, Wlk.. Cat. \WI. 303 (1864). 



Amsai ta albistriga, Hampson, Faun. [nd. Moths, II. 28, Cat. Phal., 

 HI. 330 331, t. 46. f. 19; Lefroy, Ind. Ins. Lit.-, p. 438, ff. 299 300 ; 

 Coleman, Mysore Ent. Bull. No. 3 (1912). 



(See Plate XVI U 



Distribution. Probably throughout the Plains of Southern India, 

 mostly in dry tracts oi red sod (not noted from Malabar Coast or 

 extreme North oi Madras Presidency). 



Lifehistory. Larva blackish-brown covered with long blackish 

 hairs, head reddish or orange, with .1 narrow orange stripe down 

 the back, central third of body often orange-brown ; very active in 

 its movements. Pupa squat, red-brown, in the soil. 



Foodplams. Cholam, cumbu, groundnut, pulses, castor, etc. ; on 

 alniOSl all low-growing plants and crops. 



Status. A very serious pest in some localities especially in 

 South Arcot and Salem. 



Control. The moths emerge early in the evening after the early 

 monsoon showers and are sluggish and conspicuous and easily 

 collected by hand, thus preventing eggs being laid to give rise to 

 caterpillars later on. It is difficult to check the caterpillars as 

 they feed on various weeds and are not confined to crops. Narrow 

 trenches may be dug around the cultivated fields and fresh leaves 

 placed in them daily to trap the caterpillars which must be killed 

 and removed regularly. Prevention (by catching the moths by 

 hand or by light-traps) is the best remedy. 



NOTE. Amsacta moorei is very similar in appearance and habits 

 and hybids between the two species probably occur, as cross- 

 pairings are not in! requent. 



' ( R] \ I 1 IN( mi s g \ .Ms. 1. inn. 

 Phalana gangis, Linn., Amoen., Acad.. VI, 410 (1704); Hmpsn., 

 Cat., Phal., 111. 333 334 I I efroj . Ind. Ins. Lite. p. 438. 



atonotus interruptus, Hmpsn.. Faun. Ind. Moths. II. 26 2;. 



^ 



W 



I 'i Crcatonotus gangis. (Original. 



Distribution. —Throughout Southern India. 



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