Noctuidae 



fall of the year it is very abundant in places where this plant grows. 

 It does some damage to cotton-plants in the South, but by hand- 

 picking it can easily 

 be kept under. The 

 cocoon, which is com- 

 posed of yellowish 

 silk, is long and oval. 

 There are two broods 

 in the Middle States. 

 The hibernating in- 

 sects emerge from 

 their cocoons in May, 

 and lay their eggs. 

 The caterpillars de- 

 velop and the second 

 brood of moths ap- 

 pears upon the wing 

 in July. They ovi- 

 posit and the cater- 

 pillars of this gene- 

 ration, having made their cocoons, pass the winter in the 



pupal state. 



Genus APHARETRA Grote 



This is a small genus, the species of which have been 



separated from Apatela, in which they have been formerly 



placed. We give figures of both species known to occur within 



our territory. They have been drawn from the types, and will 



suffice for the identification of the perfect insects. Nothing is as 



yet known as to their larval stages. 



(i) Apharetra dentata Grote. (The Toothed Apharetra.) 



This insect occurs in Canada and the northern portions of 



Fig. 87. Apatela oblinata. a. Larva; b. 

 Cocoon; c. Moth. (After Riley.) 



Fig. 88. Apharetra dentata, $ . \. 

 New York and New England. It is, however, for some reason 

 as yet very rare in collections. The annexed cut has been 



158 



