Fig. 229. Cluster of leaves 

 hiding larval case of M. indi- 

 genella. (After Riley.) 



Pyralidae 



grown, invariably passes the winter protected in its case. At 

 this season of the year it is always of a deep reddish-brown 



color. As the leaves expand in spring 

 it rouses from its winter lethargy, 

 and after 'heaving anchor' to use a 

 nautical expression by severing the 

 silken connections of its case, travels 

 in search of food, and having found 

 it, secures its case again, and breaks 

 its long fast. Toward the end of 

 May it acquires its growth, wnen the 

 earlier brown color frequently takes 

 on a more or less decided deep green 

 hue. It is a smooth worm with the 

 head and thoracic joints as represented 

 at c. The case at this time usually 

 presents the appearance of Figure 228, 

 a, being crooked and twisted like a 

 little horn, gradually enlarging, cornucopia-fashion, from tip to 

 mouth, and reminding one strongly of a piece of bird-dung. It 

 is formed of the worm's excrement and other debris, interwoven 

 with silk, and is completely lined on the inside with a carpet of 

 the last-named material. The worm leaves it for feeding pur- 

 poses mostly during the night. The chrysalis is formed inside 

 this case, and the moths commence to make their appearance 

 during the fore part of June, and later as we go farther north." 

 The insect feeds principally upon the Rosacece, and is very 

 injurious to orchards, attacking apple-trees, plums, quinces, cher- 

 ries, and certain varieties of pears, especially the Seckel pear. 



Genus AMBESA Grote 



(1) Ambesa laetella Grote, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 16, $ . 

 The moth is not uncommon in Colorado, Wyoming, and 

 Utah. It is found in the sage-brush in August. 



Genus MELITARA Walker 



(1) Melitara fernaldialis Hulst, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 8, ?. 

 The insect is not at all uncommon in Arizona, and is also said 

 to occur in Mexico. 



410 



