402 



SOME SOUTH INDIAN INSECTS, ETC. 



Fig. 272. — Herse convolvuli. (Original.) 



Distribution. — Throughout Southern India. 



Lifehistory. — Eggs are laid singly on leaves. The full-grown 

 caterpillar is about 100 mm. long, with a sharp down-curved horn 

 on the tail end; colour dark brown with indistinct oblique red- 

 brown blotches on the sides or green with oblique yellow or pink 

 black-edged bars on the sides. Pupa in the soil, in a chamber 

 just below the surface ; colour red-brown, tongue-sheath long, pro- 

 jecting, incurved. 



Foodplant. — Sweet potato, green-gram and other pulses. 



Status. — A minor pest as a rule, occasionally occurring in large 

 numbers when the damage is serious. 



Control. — Hand-picking of the caterpillars. Spraying of small 

 areas. 



ACHERONTIA STYX. Westw. (PLATE XXIV.] 



Acherontia styx, Westwd., Cab. Or. Ent., p. 88, t. 42, f. 3 ; Hmpsn., 

 Faun. [nd. Moths, 1,67, f. 40; Lefroy, Ind. Ins. Pests, p. 160, Ent. 

 Mem. Dept. Agri., Inch, I, 1 54, f. 40, Ind. Ins. Life, p. 467, t. 40. 



Distribution. — Throughout the Plains of Southern India. 



Lifehistory- The large, globular, green egg is laid singly on 

 leaves. The full-grown caterpillar is about 90 mm. long, rather 

 stout, with a rough skin, and a recurved horn on the tail end; in 

 colour it is variable, usually light greenish with oblique darker 

 green stripes along the sides and meeting over the back. Pupa 

 red-brown, in a chamber below the ground. The moth sqmaks 

 when disturbed. 



Foodplants. — Brinjal, lab-lab, gingelly. 



Status.— A minor pest of brinjal and gingelly. 



Control. — Hand-picking of caterpillars. 



