154 



upon tlie leaves. In yonnger stages they are l)lackish with white 

 markings and sometimes nianve as well. Frequently a full- 

 grown caterpillar of the mauve coloration is found. When the 

 larva is quite small it cuts into the edge of a leaf and folds over 

 the partially detached portion to form a "retreat" or hiding 

 place. As it grows, successively larger "retreats" are formed. 

 In searching for caterpillars they nuiy be readily located by 

 looking for these ''retreats"; but the full-groA\m caterpillar is 

 not always found in a "retreat." It is readily seen, however, 

 by its size. This insect is almost exclusively attached to 

 "niamake," but its caterpillars are occasionally found feeding on 

 a few of the related trees, as Nemudia and Boehmeria. 



Scotorythra ram (Butl.) — The larvae of this moth are of 

 the usual "measuring worm" type. They are variegated with 

 various shades of grey, brown and often green. Besides feed- 

 ing on the leaves of "mamake" they also feed on the leaves of 

 koa, guava, tree ferns, Straussia, Cydan^m, Pelea, and prob- 

 ably many other native trees. They are often so numerous as 

 to cause considerable defoliation. 



FAMILY PLUSIADAE. 



Plusia chalciles Esp. — This moth has a large green larva 

 which crawls by a looping motion, but has one more pair of 

 abdominal prologs than the ordinary measuring worm. They 

 have no particular food-plant, but feed on many cultivated 

 plants and trees, also weeds, and many of the native trees and 

 plants. They are often found feeding on the leaves of "mamake." 



FAMILY PYEAUSTIDAE. 



Phlydaenia sfelJata (Butl.) — The pale whitish-green 

 larvae of this Pyralid, when small, feed singly on the under- 

 side of the leaves, often in a groove or unevenness of the sur- 

 face, or beside a rib, and ])rotected l)y a web. When larger a 

 fold is made in the leaf and sufficiently covered for protection 

 wath white silk. Tlie larvae feed chiefly on leaves of "mamake," 

 but I have occasionally found one on one or two closely related 

 trees. 



FAMILY GELECHIIDAE. 



Thyroc()^)a ahusa Walsm. — The larvae of this moth feed on 

 dead twigs and vines, eating off the bark and l)urrowing inside 



