160 



PESTS OF MISCELLANEOUS FIELD CROPS. 



of over two inches. This pest has been found in the Central Provinces 

 attacking the cold weather til and appears to be fairly abundant in some 

 seasons. The life history is similar to that of other moths of this family. 



FIG. 181. 

 The Til Sphinx Caterpillar. (From Moore.) 



The eggs are laid singly on the leaves of the plant, rather large 

 rounded eggs of a greenish white colour. The caterpillars hatch, feed upon 

 the leaves of the plant and rapidly grow larger. The larval Iif3 is peculiarly 



long, occupy- 

 ing about two 

 months, during 

 which the cater- 

 pillars increase 

 in size till they 

 are very large 

 and conspicuous. 

 The full-grown 

 caterpillar is a 

 bright green 

 with eight 

 oblique yellow 

 stripes on each 

 side ; the body 

 tapers towards 

 the head and 

 the anterior seg- 

 Fia182 ' ments can 



Sphinx. Empty pupa cr>se from which the moth 

 emerged^ "below, 



Ibe retracted with 



