120 



PLUM, PEACH, AND CHERRY INSECTS 



Control. It is seldom abundant enough to become a serious 

 pest, and is held fairly well in check by an ichneumon fly. If a 

 spray is necessary, arsenate of lead would be very effective. The 

 larva, after pupating, turns into a grayish moth. 



The Plum-tree Catacola (Catacola ultronia Hubn.). The lar- 

 val form of this moth is a grayish brown caterpillar. It is about 

 one and one-half inches long when full grown. The ninth segment 

 bears a fleshy horn half an inch long, and an irregular grayish 

 patch occurs on each side of the horn. There is a low, fleshy ridge 

 on the twelfth segment (Fig. 144). The under side of the cater- 

 pillar is pinkish, and a row of black spots occurs on the mid- 

 ventral line. 



The adult moth has front wings of rich amber color, darker at 

 the posterior margin. Several brown and white wavy lines cross 



FIG. 144. Plum-tree catacola. 



the wings. The hind-wings are deep red, margined with a broad 

 band of black. There is also a black band across the middle of the 

 hind-wings. 



Life History. The winter is passed in the egg stage, the eggs 

 being deposited in cracks in the bark. They hatch in the spring, 

 becoming full grown about the end of June. The moths emerge 

 and are on the wing during the most of July and August, at which 

 time eggs are deposited for the next brood. Injury by this insect 

 is not often serious. 



Control. Arsenical sprays would be effective if necessary. 

 Jarring for plum curculio frequently causes caterpillars of this 

 species to drop off. 



