174 CABBAGE. LEAVES CABBAGE MOTH. 



This motli pertains to the genus Cerostoma of Latreille and the 

 British entomologists, a genus belonging to the family Tineidje, and 

 intimately related to that to which the Palmer worm pertains — 

 both genera having the feelers with a tuft of scales projecting for- 

 ward like a beak, from the middle of which beak the slender ter- 

 minal joint stands upwards like a little horn. The larvse of the 

 two genera are also identical in their appearance and habits. The 

 genus Cerostoma is described as differing from that of Chatochilus 

 in having the wings narrower and rounded at their ends, differ- 

 ences which are so slight as to be scarcely discernable on a com- 

 parison of this species with the moth of the Palmer worm. The 

 antennre, moreover, are directed forward instead of being turned 

 backwards and lying upon the back; but this is a character which 

 is liable to be deceptive except when observed in the living speci- 

 men. The light color of the inner margin of the wings, however, 

 and the lace-like cocoon of the pupa, leave no doubt that it is the 

 genus Cerostoma to which our insect must be referred. Stephens 

 (Illustrations, Haustellata, vol. iv. p. 341) says the spiral tongue 

 in this genus is " shortish," whilst Westwood (Humphrey's British 

 Moths, vol. ii. p. 245) gives it as "long and slender." The lat- 

 ter is certainly its character in our insect, where it is about equal 

 to the antennse in length. Our species is closely allied to the C. 

 porrcctella, Lin., the worm of which Mr. Westwood found feed- 

 ing upon the buds of the White Rocket, a plant of the same family 

 with the cabbage, and which forms an open-net work cocoon the 

 same as our species. 



The worm of the Cabbage moth is nearly cylindrical in its form, rather 

 thickest in the middle, and slightly tapering towards each end. It is over a 

 quarter of an inch long, measuring when full grown 0.35, and is the thickness 

 of a coarse knitting needle. It is varied in its color, but is most commonly 

 pale green, of the same hue as the cabbage leaf. Some are of a deeper tinge 

 and others paler, varying to greenish yellow or pale yellow. Often the hind 

 part of the body is paler than the fore part. Frequently the head or the apical 

 segment or both are pale yellow, the rest of the body being of the usual green 

 hue. Individuals may sometimes be met with having the head dusky 

 or black with dusky clouds. The neck is frequently tinged with 

 red. Commonly a stripe along the middle of the back is more 

 or less distinct, of a deeper green color or blackish in places; and on 

 each side of the back a similar stripe may be discerned, whilst 

 low down on each side a whitish stripe is sometimes apparent. 

 With a magnifying glass the body is perceived to be clothed 

 with several short black hairs which proceed from minute black 



