GO 



There are several broods of this insect in its native southern 

 home. As those found in this county were not observed until the last 

 of September, it is evident it is at least two-brooded here. 



No remedy, so far as I am aware, has yet been ascertained other 

 than hand-picking. It is possible Paris green would kill them, but 

 the use of this is not admissable on cabbage or vegetables of which the 

 top or foliage is used as food. Ashes, lime, salt, &c, might possibly 

 do some good if applied to the bugs while very young. 



This tendency in certain species to migrate is as yet not well un- 

 derstood, and deserves the careful study of entomologists, as it will 

 probably explain many difficulties in reference to the distribution of 

 species. 



Mamestra (Ceramica picta.) The Painted Mamestra. 



( The Caterpillar is known as the " Zebra.") 



About the first of July Hon. 0. B. Galusha forwarded me some in- 

 sect eggs, remarking playfully in an accompanying note, that he sent 

 me "some pea-bug eggs." The eggs hatched, and under the careful 

 feeding and attention of my assistant, Miss Middleton, made their 

 way successfully to full growth. 



The worms, when fully grown, are nearly two inches long and beau- 

 tifully colored. They are marked their entire length with very dis- 

 tinct stripes, alternately black and yellow, arranged as follows: A 

 rather broad, deep, velvety-black medium stripe along the back, 

 slightly margined on each side with white; on each side of this black 

 stripe there is a bright-yellow stripe about equal in width to the for- 

 mer; in the middle of 'this on each segment, there is a small black 

 dot : next below these comes a rather broad blackish stripe, composed 

 of minute white and black transverse and somewhat netted; next 

 below this is another bright yellow stripe ; below this and just above 

 the legs is a narrow white stripe, profusely sprinkled with black dots. 

 The head, ventral surface and legs are pale reddish-brown or tawny. 

 The surface of the bodv is almost entirely free from hairs. 



This pretty caterpillar, to which Dr. Melsheimer applied the name 

 " Zebra," is the larva of a moth which has received the scientific 

 name Ceramica picta (formerly Mamestra picta.) The moth has pur- 

 ple-brown front wings varied with a shade of lighter brown in the 

 middle; the hind wings are white, faintly edged with brown on the 

 upper and outer borders. It usually makes its appearance in the lat- 

 ter part of July. As the larvae are frequently observed in the latter 

 part of August, in September, and even as late as October, it is more 

 than probable that it is double-brooded, and that it passes the winter 

 in the chrysalis state. The specimens which I received from the 

 eggs sent by Mr. Galusha, went into the pupa state about the tenth 

 of August, and up to this date (October 20,) has not appeared in the 

 perfect state. This fact will tend to throw some doubt on the suppo- 

 sition that it is double-brooded, but not sufficient to pronounce that 

 opinion incorrect. 



Although eating various kinds of leaves which ware offered them, 

 they preferred the leaves of the pea to any others given them; (cab- 

 bage, of which they are fond, was not offered,) thus confirming the 

 opinion implied in Mr. Galusha's remark, that they are enemies to 

 the pea. 



