THE STRIPED GARDEN CATERPILLAR. 



(Mamestra legitima Grote.) 



By F. H. Chittenden, 

 Entomologist in Charge of Breeding Experiments. 



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 asparagus, cruciferous plants, peas, and other 

 leguminous vegetables. Its occurrence in the District of Columbia in 

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

 species, which adds somewhat ta what 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 

 Avith the zebra caterpillar (Mamestra picta Harr.). The moth was 

 originally described in 1864,'* the species at that time being known 

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

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

 dently, considering its numbers in the Gulf region, it may be found 

 in most States east of the Mississippi River Valley. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 



The motli is quite prettily 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 

 somewhat but usually about as figured. The lower wings are fawn 

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

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

 trated, while the males have abdomens with bushy tips. The wing 

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



The eggs. — No description of the Qgg is available at the present 

 writing. 



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

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

 considerable dilt'erence, however, and the two species are not at all 

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

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

 usual with the common zebra caterpillar. The appearance of the 

 head from in front is shown at d. The stripes with which the body is 



aApamea legitima, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila,, Vol. Ill, p. 82. 



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