105 



The earlier stages differ in their paler color, the young'est larvtB 

 being nearly white, and in having* a much smaller percentage of the 

 piliferous tubercular spots black. Only the lateral row is black, and 

 of these the iirst thoracic and iirst abdominal are pale, the hairs ])eintr 

 also pale, nearl}^ white. The two pairs of thoracic spots are larger 

 than the others, a character which is more pronounced in the earlier 

 stages than in the antepenultimate. The penultimate stage of the 

 larva is shown from the side at />. 



The cocoon. — Transformation to pupa takes place in a cocoon, which, 

 with the first generation, is often formed on the surface of the earth, 

 sometimes attached to the dried leaves upon which it has fed. The 

 cocoons of the second generation appear always to be formed normally 

 beneath the earth's surface. The outer surface of the cocoon is 

 covered with sand or earth, giving" the appearance represented in the 

 illustration at rj. Such a cocoon divested of the outer grains of earth, 

 which may be l)rushed off with a soft camel's hair pencil, measures 

 al)out half an inch long and a fourth of an inch in diameter. Soon 

 after forming its cocoon the larva liecomes contracted to about half or 

 a little less than half its length when fully extended when feeding. 



The larvie during the daytime are unusually sluggish as compared 

 with other Pyralids, such as the grape leaf-folder {Desm ta fitneralis) 

 and are not easily disturbed. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The known localities for this species indicate a wide distribution, 

 and it is probable that it is common from Canada to Mexico. The 

 available list of localities includes the following: AVashington and 

 Georgetown, D. C. ; Cal)in John, Md. ; Alexandria, Va., and Still- 

 water, Okla., from all of which specimens have been received. Grote 

 and Robinson's t3'pe or types were from Penns\'lvania. Lintner 

 records Albany, N. Y,, (vicinity); Smith, New Brunswick, N. J., and 

 in the National Museum are specimens from Maine, North Carolina, 

 Kansas, Texas, and Arizona. 



DIVISIONAL KKCORDS OF ATTACK. 



The Divisional records begin with a note made by Mr. Pergande, 

 August 21, 1881, when larvae were found upon morning-glory in the 

 District. In 1888 INlr. Pergande again observed this species m the 

 District during July and August, feeding on sunflower and dahlia. It 

 was also observed that year by Prof. W. B. Barrows on morning-glory. 



Writing under date of July 4, 1896, Professor Bogue stated that he 

 had reared this species (specimens of which were sent) from conunon 

 morning-glory at Stillwater, Okla. Larvae were observed to feed at 

 night and to cut the petioles of the leaves upon which they were feed- 

 ing in the manner previously descri))ed. 



