THE STRIPED GARDEN CATERPILLAR. 



i Maiiir.stni l<(iitiiiiii (ii-(jte. ) 



A strikingly beautiful black and yellow striped caterpillar is fre- 

 quently found in gardens, and occasionally in such numbers as to 

 attract attention. It is a general feeder, like most of its kind, but is 

 somewhat partial to as^^aragus, cruciferous plants, j^eas, and other 

 leguminous vegetables. Its occurrence in tlie District of Columbia in 

 some numbers, especially on asparagus, has permitted a study of the 

 species, which adds somewhat to wdiat has previously been published. 

 Only a few short notices of this insect have appeared in publications 

 of the Department of Agriculture or elsewhere, to the writer's knowl- 

 edge. The following somewhat brief account is therefore presented. 



This species is a noctuid, related to the cutworms, and is congeneric 

 with the zebra caterpillar {Mdmestra picta Harr.). Tlie moth was 

 originally described in 1804," the species at that time being known 

 from the middle and eastern States, Avhere it was stated to be com- 

 mon. It is also recorded as occurring in the northern States. Evi- 

 dentlv, considering its numbers in the (lulf region, it maj' be found 

 in most States east of the Mississippi River Valley. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 



The moth is quite prettih" marked, as can be seen by referring to 

 figure 7, a. The prevailing tint of the fore-wings is a light lead 

 color, marked with velvety-black and brown spots, the pattern varying 

 someAvhat but usually about as figured. The lower Avings are fawn 

 colored, with dusky margins, and the veins are moderately prominent. 

 The females, as is usual Avith this group, have the abdomen as illus- 

 trated, Avhile the males haA'e abdomens Avith bushy tips. The Aving 

 expanse is a little more than an inch and a quarter. 



The eggs. — No description of the q^^ Is available at the present 

 Avriting. 



The larva is also a pretty form and its markings recall the zebra 

 caterpillar. It Avill be noticed by the figure (fig. 7, &, c) that there is 

 considerable difference, howcA^er, and the tAvo species are not at all 

 likely to be confused by anyone Avho carefully examines them. The 

 present species has a larger and Avider head and is darker than is 

 usual Avith the common zebra caterpillar. The appearance of the 

 head from in front is shoAvn at <L The stripes Avith Avhich the body is 



'iAjyamea legitima, Proc. Ent. Soe. I'bila., Vol. Ill, p. 82. 



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