56 



The larva is of the usual noctuid type, resembling in general aspect 

 some of the cutworms, with no peculiar characters which will readily 

 identify it. (See PI. VI, tigs. 1 and 2.) It varies so much in color 

 that considerable study was necessary before a good detailed descrip- 

 tion could be drawn up. It was found convenient to choose one of 

 the predominating forms as a type and refer other varieties to it. The 

 following is a description of this especially common form: 



Body dark, the ground color pale ocher-yellow; the upper side brownish, marked 

 with nine (or seven) fine interrupted longitudinal lines of yellowish white, includ- 

 ing the median line. The latter bordered with broader 

 lines, which are slightly darker than the ground color. 

 The upper side stripes dull orange or brown, as wide as the 

 lower or stigmatal stripes, which are pale yellow and con- 

 spicuous. Thoracic segments paler. Head reddish-yellow 

 or brownish, spotted; the cervical shield varying from red- 

 dish-yellow to shining black, more or less marked with 

 whitish or with a pale dash along each side. Anal shield 

 obsolete. Body beneath pale, with glaucous median and 

 Fig. 5.— Head of boll- lateral stripes (absent in the first three stages). Tubercles 

 Avorin ar\ a— ven ra shining black, i and ii « on first and second abdominal seg- 

 view (original). ^ i • ^u • x.^x. vj • i 



ments and i on the eighth abdominal segment more con- 

 spicuous, those behind the ninth segment concolorous with the body. Thoracic 

 legs black, prolegs pale. 



This color type is very constant in all larvae through the first two 

 instars, fairly so in stages three and four and in many larvas until 

 maturity. 



During the first three instars a midventral row of orange spots is 

 invariably present, becoming faint in IV^ and disappearing in V. In 

 the first three instars the anal shield is dusky and complete. In the 

 first instar (and sometimes in the second, in spring and fall) the head 

 is black. 



The simplest variations from this type consist in a change in the 

 ground color, in the color of the fine lines on the dorsum, or in that 

 of the lateral stripe. A very slight change in depth of color to rust- 

 red or orange-yellow is common. A change to pinkish or greenish 

 leads to the two other color types next to be considered (PI. VI, 

 figs. 2 and 3). 



These begin to appear in stages IV and V, usually at the time of 

 molting or, more rarely, suddenl}^ during an instar. The first of these 

 is characterized by a greenish ground color and general absence of 

 darker or lighter markings. Occasionally this type shows dark stria- 

 tions and thus passes over somewhat to the brown type. In other 

 specimens rose-colored side spots are developed which serve more or 



« These numbers refer to the classification of larval tubercles as given by Doctor 

 Dyar. 



^The Roman numerals refer to the respective stages, thus: I, II, III, IV, V, \L 



