THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE (iROUP. 397 



they hatch fi'oiii the eggs, they march like an anny to other fiekls. 'I'lic woi'iii 

 of the coninioii species, which occiu's in America and elsewhere, is ;iii inch and 

 a half in lengtli when fnll urown and is striped with l)lac]\, yelloAv and green. 

 The adull niotli is dnll Ijtowii in eolor, niarlvcd in the center of cacli foi-c-wing 

 witli a small distinct white spot. The two species of grass army-worms occur- 

 ring here are widely distribnted, especially in the Pacitie islands and con- 

 tinents. 



The Hau Moth. 



The hau moth ''" is also a Avide-ranging species occun-ing in Africa, south 

 Asia and Fiji. It can scarcely be separated by the layman from another more 

 local species. However, as it confines its depredations quite closely to th-' 

 hau and allied plants, it can be recognized as the small brown moth Avhich 

 develops from the caterpillar that feeds so voraciously on the leaves of that 

 picturesque tree. Its principal enemy is an ichncmmon fly that destroys them 

 by depositing its eggs in the body of the caterpillar. 



LOOPERS. 



Several species of measuring worms or si)an worms, belonging to the 

 family Hijdrionx )uda% occur in the islands. The koa is often attacked by 

 them and the trees seriously defoliated, but so far as known they are not a 

 serious economic pest. A species of the group Plitsiada', known as the corn 

 looper.''^ or green garden looper or owlet moth, attacks wheat and corn and 

 other plants, often fraying the leaves to a considerable extent. 



The larvcp of the kolu-bush moth ''- are to be found in the pods which 

 follow the beautiful little golden ball-like blossoms. They feed upon the seed 

 and doubtless keep this thorny shrub from spreading as rapidly as it otherwise 

 would. 



The Silkworm. 



An exceedingly useful insect, long ago introduced into Hawaii, is the silk- 

 worm.''-^ The first specimens were imported by the missionaries with a view 

 to encouraging the natives to take up this form of productive occupation. The 

 experiment was given up, however, before anything definite came of it. Some 

 say that the pious and faithful observance of the Sabbath as taught 1)\- the 

 Christian fathers prevented the natives from gathering the fresh leaves to 

 feed the worms on that day. 



More recent experiments have ])rovi'd be\-ond a doubt thai silk of a good 

 (juality can be pi-odiiced in Hawaii with as little effort as in any silk- eountry 

 in the world. The mulherry. especially the white iiinlbet-ry.''^ does well in 

 Hawaii. As the leaves of this plant are the favoi-itc^ food o|' the worms, it is 

 anticipated that silk cultni-e will yei flourish in. the islands as one of the home 

 occupations for the eiiq)loynient of women and children. 



«" Co.swo/ihihi xdhiilifcrn. "' PliLitu rhnlritex. •>- Cri/jildjililcliid ilh/'idii. «'< Bo)iiby.v mori. 



^* ilonis alhn. 



