CHAPTER XV. 



CATERPILLAR PESTS. 



/^"CATERPILLARS are the young of butterflies and moths, recognisable 

 \~** as a rule by their sucker-feet. Nearly all are herbivorous, and as their 

 rate of multiplication may under favourable circumstances be very large, 

 they are common pests. In many cases the species that attack crops one 

 season may next season be so few as not to be seen and other species may 

 take their place ; those that are specific pests of particular crops come every 

 season, but these are dealt with above. It is impossible to say that a 

 particular species attacks a particular plant in very many cases, as they 

 vary much from year to year and may come out only at long intervals into 

 the crops. Fortunately their habits are on the whole sufficiently similar to 

 make certain general remedies suitable for all the caterpillars of a group, 

 whatever their species. It is only necessary to consider their habits and not 

 treat a leaf -eating caterpillar in the same manner as a surface caterpillar. 



Leaf-eating Caterpillars. 



Almost every plant that is cultivated as a field or garden crop is at 



FIG. 207. 

 Leaf-eating Caterpillar common in fhe plains on leak, A similar species attacks maize. 



