THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 85 
insect is sufficiently common in the Gulf States to sometimes 
be found in every third plant over extended regions, its work 
renders the Yucca worthless as a hedge-plant, for which it 
has been tried. 
In the months of April and May, in South Carolina, but 
earlier in more southern latitudes, the parent Megathymus 
may be observed, where the Yuccas abound, passing, with 
very rapid, darting flight, from plant to plant, remaining but 
a few seconds at one place, during which she fastens an egg 
to some portion of a leaf. She is generally seen at this work 
in the morning hours, ‘The eggs, which are well developed 
when she issues from the pupa, are laid singly, though 
several are often attached to the same leaf, generally near its 
tip, and on the upper or under side indifferently. In the 
course of about ten days the young reddish brown larva 
gnaws its way out through the crown of the egg, and conceals 
itself in a web between some of the more tender terminal 
leaves. Generally it will be found at first near the tip of a 
leaf, where the sides naturally roll up and afford a safe 
retreat. It then gradually works to the base, feeding the 
while, and rolling and shrivelling the blade as it descends. 
Other blades are often joined; and, in fact, the insect lives 
among the blades till it is about one-fourth grown, and 
seldom enters the trunk before that time. How soon, in the 
larval development, the white, powdery secretion, already 
spoken of, appears, or how many larval moults occur, has not 
been ascertained ; but the more mature larva is always more 
or less covered with this powdery matter, which doubtless 
serves as a protection from the mucilaginous liquid which 
the tissues of the Yuccas contain and freely exude upon 
interference or maceration. Pupation does not take place 
ull the subsequent late winter or spring; there being, from 
all that I can ascertain, but one brood each year. The 
burrow often extends two or more feet below ground, and 
during the coldest weather the larva probably remains in a 
partially dormant state at the bottom. Occasionally two 
larve inhabit the same trunk; in which case their tunnellings 
are kept separate, side by side. The pupa state is generally 
assumed just below the chimney-like funnel at the top of the 
burrow, and no other preparation is made for it than partial 
closing, near head and tail, to insure suspension. This 
