8 BULLETIN 571, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE PUPA. 



The pupa (PL I, fig. 3) is of the usual form and without conspicuous 

 markings. When first formed it is of a dark-brown color, with a 

 tinge of olive green, but with age it changes to deep shiny mahogany 

 brown. The dorsal surface of the abdomen is finely punctate. The 

 average size of five individuals was found to be 8.1 mm. (0.318 incr^) 

 by 2.26 mm. (0.088 inch). The pupa is formed within the case, and 

 the pupal skin is not extended upon emergence of the moth. 



THE ADULT OR MOTH. 



The pecan leaf case-bearer was first characterized and named in 

 1872 by Riley (1) as PTiycita (Acrobasis) nebulo Walsh variety nebu- 

 leUa. The original description is as follows : 



I have bred a single specimen from wild crab (Crataegus) which, differs in some es- 

 sential features from the normal form, but which nevertheless can only be considered a 

 variety of it, as I observed no larval differences. It differs in the more uniform and 

 subdued tone of the front wings, the markings being more suffused and indistinct; 

 but principally in the relative narrowness of the space outside the transverse posterior 

 line, the greater consequent width of the middle area, and smallness of the triangular 

 brown spot — the space it occupies on the inner margin being scarcely one-half as 

 wide as that between it and the transverse posterior line. The discal spots are also 

 separated. Described from one good specimen. 



A less technical description of the moth is as follows : 



The moths measure from 14 to 18 mm. (0.55 to 0.70 inch) across the expanded 

 wings, and they present a wide variation in color. The head, palpi, thorax, base of 

 forewings and legs are distinctly snow-white in the specimens of males, while in the 

 females these parts are more or less dusky gray. The abdomen is more or less white, 

 washed with fuscous. The outer two-thirds of the forewings are gray with blackish 

 patches, or spots, which vary to some extent. The discal spots are invariably sepa- 

 rate and distinct. Not far from the base of the forewings is a reddish-brown stain, 

 which is very faintly evident in some of the lighter colored forms. The hind wings 

 are ashen gray and darker toward the outer margin. (PI. I, fig. 4.) 



SEASONAL HISTORY AND HABITS. 



The seasonal-history records were obtained at Monticello, Fla., 

 during 1913, 1914, and 1915 in an open-air insectary, in which glass 

 jars were'used as rearing cages. In all rearing work pertaining to 

 life-history studies pecan foliage was employed. 



THE ADULT AND EGG STAGES. 



The time of emergence. — From material under observation during 

 the season of 1913 it was determined that moths emerged from May 



9 to July 12, inclusive. The cages, upon which the general emergence 

 records are based, were examined daily. The dates of issuance of 

 269 individuals are shown in the following table: 



