THE STRIPED GARDEN CATERPILLAR. 



29 



Ornamented are black and yellow, as with the zebra caterpillar, but the 

 lateral stripe is divided into two i)ortions, the upper one lighter than 

 (he lower, and the entire lateral surface when marked consists of 

 i-egular stripes, whereas m the other species these stripes are broken 

 up. 



The pup((, when mature, is nearly black in color, and has the 

 appearance illustrated (fig. T. e). It measures about five-eighths of 

 an inch in length, including the lips. 



BIOLOGIC NOTES. 



This si^cies was briefly mentioned as having been found by the 

 writer in the larval condition on asparr._,us at Marshall Hall. Md., 

 in October, 189C.« At that time it 

 was impossible to ascertain whether 

 or not it bred from eggs deposited 

 on this plant, but later observations 

 conducted in company with Mr. 

 F. C. Pratt during the first and sec- 

 ond Aveeks of October show con- 

 clusively that such must be the case, 

 as larvffi were found in the greatest 

 abundance on three large patches of 

 asparagus at Brookland, D. C. 

 They usually occurred singly, but 

 occasionally in pairs. 



During the heat of the day, in 

 the moderately cool and seasonable 

 Indian summer Aveather usual at 

 Washington at that time of the 

 year, many larvae would be found 

 stretched out upon dry sprigs of 

 asparagus, and in si)ite of their 

 bright colors they would easily have 

 escaped the observation of anyone without experience in insect col- 

 lecting. The larva, in fact, furnishes a good exam])le of protective 

 coloration. An individual would l)e in ])hiin sight, and then if one's 

 eyes were directed elseAvhere for a moment it would sometimes be 

 difficult to find it again, ahlioiigh it might be within a foot of the 

 observer. 



Larva' obtained October 7 and latei- wimc kept feeding on asparagus 

 in our rearing cages until the third week of October, when they de- 

 scended to the earth and soon afterwards assumed the ])upal condition. 

 The exact date of the assumption of the chrysalis f(.nn was not ascer- 



a Bui. 10. u. s.. Dlv. Eut, U. S. Dept, Agr., p. 60. 



Fig. 7. — The striped garden caterpillar 

 (Mamestra legit hna) : a, Adult; 6, 

 larva from above ; c, same from side ; 

 d, head of same from front ; e, 

 pupa. All natural size except tl, 

 which is enlarged (from Howard). 



