16 



After molting tive times at intervals of two to six days, the 

 caterpillars become full-grown in two to three weeks (Plate II, 

 figs. 8, 9). They are then about 1.3 inch long (35 mm.). They 

 vary a great deal in coloration. Some are nearlv uniform grass 

 green wath medium dorsal and sub-dorsal white lines; others are 

 nearly black, with a sub-dorsal stripe and a stripe on line with 

 spiracles darker than the rest, and a yellowish (sometimes pink- 

 ish) stripe below spiracles, underside pale. There are all gra- 

 dations between these two. A common form is green with the 

 sub-dorsal and spiracular stripes black; another form has the 

 stripes broken u]) into a series of black spots, one spot to each 

 segment. The spiracles are always black, and in the black 

 form there is a white dot a little above and behind the spiracle 

 on segments 5 to 12. Hairs minute. Tubercles inconspicuous. 



The ]uiy)a is formed in mu earthen cell a little beloAV the sur- 

 face of the soil. It is medi-um dark brown, a little more than 

 half in inch in length (12 to 15 mm.). At its apex are two 

 straia'ht slender-pointed spines set rather wide apart and nearly 

 parallel. 



The moth emerges from the ])upa in eight to fourteen days, 

 and is ready for egg-laying in two to four days. Thus the whole 

 life cycle occupies only five to six weeks. With wings spread, 

 the moth is 1.25 to 1.50 inches (80 to 35 mm.). The fore 

 wings of the female are a dark gray with darker waved lines 

 crossing at one-third and two-thirds from the base, a row of 

 triangular black dots on terminal margin, and two or three 

 marks a little before terminal margin. A little before middle 

 of wings is an oval yellow spot. The hind wings are whitish 

 with broAvn on margins and veins. The forewings of the male 

 are much ]ialer than those of the female and have varying 

 shades of very pale brown ; the lines and markings are more dis- 

 tinct. 



