[ 7'4 ] 



FlG. 72. SUASTUS GREMIUS (LARVA, IMAGO AND PUPA). 



spiricles are black. On a sunny day they remain hidden 

 in shelters of leaves which they construct for themselves 

 with silken threads somewhat in the style of leaf rolling 

 insects. Continuous heavy rains wash them down and 

 they are killed in this way. We noticed only a few of 

 these caterpillars in July 1899 at the Sibpur Farm and 

 though they lived upon the green leaves of paddy plants, 

 they did no appreciable damage. But that they are not able 

 to multiply rapidly and develop occasionally into a destruc- 

 tive pest, is not asserted. It seems to be recognised as a very 

 destructive pest of the rice plant by the cultivators of Bala- 

 sore, and it is just as well to pick and kill the caterpillars when 

 they are noticed in rice fields, and to depend on the hybernat- 

 ing pupae being killed by constant and long continued stirring 

 of the soil before sowing, as recommended in the case of the 

 Leptocorisa acuta. The pale yellowish green pupae are 

 formed in the rolls of leaves made by the caterpillars, but 

 they probably drop down and hybernate in the soil. The 

 butterfly lays eggs singly on the upper side of leaves, 

 early in the season when the rice plants are quite young. 

 The larvae are known to live not only on paddy leaves but 

 also on tender leaves of the date-palm. 



