110 



giowth is variable. The larval life extends iu some cases certainly over 

 a period of three mouths. When full grown the larvae attain a length, 

 extended, of 8 millimetres; contracted, when disturbed or at rest, of 5 



to millimetres. Whenever disturbed 

 they contract considerably, and become 

 rigid and motionless. The larva is 

 shown in characteristic positions in the 

 accompanying illustration (Fig, 0, a, h). 

 It is dull grayish in color, varying con- 

 siderably in different specimens. On 

 reaching full growth, the larva con- 

 structs a cocoon of loose white silk, 

 forming an irregular open network, as 

 shown in Fig. 7, b. The cocoon is usu- 

 ally i^laced in a fold of the leaf or is 

 otherwise protected by the plant, and is 

 occasionally partly covered with bits of 

 anthers or fragments of leaves. In 

 shape it is irregularly ovoid and is about 

 by 3.5 millimetres. The change to 

 pupa takes place about three days after 



Fig. 7. Garphoxera ptelearia: a, larva; 6, co- ^j^g COCOOU is Completed, and the moth 



coon: c, moth; d, egg — all enlarged (origi- ,, -,.-,. .-.,^ t /., 



uai). usually appears lb to 20 days after pu- 



pation. The pupa is 5 milUmetres in length, somewhat robust, and is 

 slightly yellowish in color, with sutures and tip brownish, the latter be- 

 ing quite dark. A peculiar pad or flap-like pro- 

 jection occurs on the side of the fifth abdominal 

 joint (Fig. 6, e, g). The cremaster is produced, 

 notched at the tip, and armed with six long 

 hooked hairs or spines (Fig. 6,/). The adult 

 insect is about 5 millimetres long, and expands 

 from 12 to 14 millimetres. The general color 

 is grayish yellow, inclining to saftron, the pri- 

 maries being somewhat darker. The wings are 

 marked (Fig. 7) with transverse bands of dusky 

 shade and each wing has a discal spot. The 

 head is dark brown, with the atenuiB, including f,« ^' fiaiammda: a, larva en 



a large spot on the vertex, yellowish. The larged; 6, joints of same, lateral 

 ■1 c • 1 1 J.1 1 1 view; c, do, dorsal view; d, tip 



under surface is nearly concolorous, the dark of body -stni more enlarged; e, 

 bands being less distinct and the discal spots aduit (original). 

 more intensified. The fringes are concolorous with the ground-color 

 and with black dots beyond the veins. 



This insect has become a source of positive alarm in the Department 

 herbarium, on account of its rapid increase and the harm it occasions. 

 It behooves botanists to be on the lookout for it and to adopt such 

 measures as will insure immunity fi'om it if dry specimens are being 

 received from Mexico and the Southwest, or from herbaria in which it 



