?S2 INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



LEPIDOPTERA (Order) 



SCALE WINGED INSECTS 



MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES 



The members of this order are among the most familiar of all 

 insects. Nearly all of the adults have four well developed wings, 

 which are characterized by being covered with scales or modified 

 hairs, the arrangement of which is responsible for the varied and 

 beautiful color pattern in so many species. The bodies are covered 

 with fine soft hairs. All have complete metamorphoses — the larva? 

 being known as cutworms, armyworms or caterpillars. The mouth 

 parts of the larva? are for biting and chewing, while those of the 

 adults are abortive, or for sucking. 



The larva? of a large number of species are very destructive to plant 

 life and may be considered injurious, while of still other species they 

 are predaceous upon other insects and are beneficial. The silkworm 

 moth is of great commercial importance in several countries and is 

 the most beneficial member of the order. 



SPHINGID^ (Family) 



SPHINX OR HAWK MOTHS 



The adult moths of this family are primarily night-flyers, though 

 occasionally one may be seen on dark days. Just before nightfall 

 numbers may also be observed as they begin their night's flight. They 

 are among the largest moths, some individuals having a wing expanse 

 of from four to six inches, though the ones discussed here are of 

 medium size. 



The caterpillars are very large and robust, being beautifully marked 

 with bright colors, especially with characteristic colored spots around 

 the breathing spiracles, along the sides of the bodies. 



The pupa? are very large, usually pale yellow or reddish brown and 

 with the proboscis inclosed in the pupal skin with the body, as in 

 the case of the white-lined sphinx, or inclosed in a separate sheath 

 like a pitcher handle, as in the case of the tomato worm. 



The caterpillars of all these moths are very destructive. Their large 

 size and ravenous appetites enable them to devour great quantities 

 of vegetation. 



General Life History. — The winter is passed in the pupal stage of 

 the last brood. The adults emerge early in the spring and soon begin 

 egg laying, the eggs being usually deposited directly upon the leaves, 

 singly or in small groups. The eggs hatch in about a week and the 

 young caterpillars feed upon the tender foliage first. When full 

 grown they descend from the plants and either pupate in the earth 

 or among leaves or refuse on the surface of the ground. There arc 

 usually two broods a year, the moths of the first brood emerging 

 about the middle of the summer, while those of the second brood do 

 not emerge until the following spring. 



Control. — Though the various members of this family are very com- 

 mon, it seldom happens that the young are seen in any great numbers, 

 but individuals are not uncommon. The work is usually evident long 



