THE CATALPA SPHINKX. 9 
DESTRUCTION OF THE PUP. 
Where the caterpillars have been so abundant as to affect the trees, 
it will pay as a precaution for the following year to spade up the 
ground thoroughly and disintegrate it in the fall so as to destroy the 
pupee, which will be found concentrated under the surface of the 
ground in the immediate vicinity of the trunk. 
PROTECTING THE PARASITES. 
The second or tast generation, which appears in September and 
October, is largely destroyed by parasites which are frequently very 
abundant just as the oldest caterpillars are beginning to reach full 
growth. At this time the parasites, which have been previously men- 
tioned, issue from the bodies of their host and spin large masses of 
white cocoons on the backs of the caterpillars. These masses are so 
large that they can he seen at a considerable distance against the 
black stripes of the host insect. It is not advisable to destroy the 
caterpillars at this stage, as the parasites are very beneficial and in 
ordinary seasons will reduce the numbers of the sphinx caterpillars 
so that they will not do much harm the following season. Where the 
caterpillars can be easily gathered it will pay to pick them from the 
leaves and transfer them to barrels or large boxes covered with wire 
netting. This will prevent the caterpillars from issuing or falling a 
prey to birds or other animals, and will insure the issuance of the 
parasites through the meshes, thus encouraging their good work. 
A few holes should be bored in the bottom of the barrels or boxes 
used, small enough to prevent the caterpillars from crawling through 
them into the ground. This will prevent the accumulation of water 
after rains, which might drown the insects or set up putrefaction in 
the mass. 
COOPERATION. 
If the cooperation of neighbors who have catalpa trees growing on 
their premises can be secured, this caterpillar can be largely con- 
trolled for several years in succession. 
