194 



CATERPILLAft PESTS. 



of these caterpillars is similar to that of the preceding caterpillars. The 

 moths lay eggs in clusters on their food-plants, the eggs hatching in a few 



FIG. 221. 

 Moth of Jute Hairy Caterpillar. (Magnified twice,} 



days as a rule. The caterpillars feed for two to four weeks and become 

 chrysalides in a cocoon in the ground or hidden away under stones, etc, ; 

 the moth emerges in five to ten days and again lays eggs, The whole 

 period from egg to egg is four to six weeks, so that several broods succeed 

 one another so long as conditions are favourable. 



The caterpillars are very characteristic in appearance ; they are long, 

 usually of a black and yellow colour, with hairs covering the whole body. 

 When the caterpillar pupates, the hairs are used with the silk to prepare 

 the cocoon. 



The moths are distinct 

 in appearance from the 

 moths of other injurious 

 caterpillars ; most are 

 brightly coloured, red, 

 orange or white with black 

 markings, or dots. 



Less than ten species 1 

 seem to be common in 

 different parts of India, 

 attacking a variety of 



FIG. 222. 



Moth of Gujarat Hairy Caterpillar. 



1 There are four principal species in India 

 233. Amsacta moorei. W. Madras. 

 231. Amsacta lineola. F. \r n " VQ f 

 220. Amsacta lactinea. Cr. ] UU ^ ar 

 J.36. Diacrisia olliqua. Wlk. Behar and Oudh. 



