HOW INSF.CTS AFFECT THE COTTON PLANT. 



15 



SALT-MARSH CATERPILLAR.' 



The salt-marsh caterpillar (fig. 16) is one of the species of "woolly- 

 bears," several of which may at times seriously injure cotton. This 

 species is almost always to be found in the fields. The eggs are laid 

 in masses. The larvae are covered with long hairs and are somewhat 

 variable in color. They feed on many kinds of foliage and usually 

 come to the cotton fields from some adjoining weedy area. The 



Fig. 16.— Salt-marsli caterpillar: a, Female moth; 6, half-grown larva, or caterpillar; c, full-grown larva, 

 .side view: d, head of larva, front view: e, egg mass. All slightly enlarged, except d, which is more en- 

 larged. (Chittenden.) 



larva^ when full grown spin a silken cocoon surrounded by rubbish, 

 on the ground or among the leaves of the plant. 



Control of the weeds around the field is naturally the best way of 

 preventing damage by this species and its allies. 



OTHER LEAF EATERS. 



Many other kinds of caterpillars occasionally injure cotton, such 

 as that of the large tiger moth,- the beet army worm,^ the fall web- 

 worm,* and that of the io moth.-^ The larvae of the io moth are green 

 and covered with poisonous spines. They are very pretty and also 

 well known, to all who have ever touched them, as "stinging cater- 

 pillars." They cause a very painful rash when touched. If abundant 

 enough to warrant it, all of these insects can be controlled by dusting 



Estigmeneacraea Dru. 

 Apantesis arge Dru. 



Caradnna eiigua Hiibn. 

 Hyphantria cunea Dm. 



Htjperchiria io Fab. 



