NOTES. [97] 



and there are many general descriptions of the egg, larva, and pupa, several of which, 

 especially where accompanied with accurate figures, will serve to identify the species 

 on the part of those who have not previously become familiar with it. But of the egg 

 and the different larval stages, and even of the pupa, there are no such technical de- 

 scriptions as will enable the entomologist to discriminate between these different states 

 and those of some of the closer related species. This is particularly true of the early 

 larval stages. Dr. C. W. Capers is usually referred to as having given the earliest 

 full descriptions of egg, larva, and pupa, and in order to indicate how very general 

 those descriptions were and how thoroughly they are lacking in the characteristic 

 structural details, we reproduce the descriptive portion of his otherwise excellent ar- 

 ticle published in 1828. His description of the egg would apply more truly to that 

 of Clirysopa, from which it was probably drawn. 



[From the Southern Agriculturist and Register of Eural Affairs, vol. i, for the year 

 1828, Charleston. Art. II. — On the Cotton Caterpillar, by Dr. C. W. Capers, of 

 Saint Helena Jsland, pp. 203-209. Portion quoted, pp. 204-208.] 



" I have not been able to ascertain the exact period when the cotton caterpillar first 

 made its appearance in this country ; but the earliest intelligence of them which could 

 be gath ered from the best planters, of their destroying the cotton, was in the year 

 1800. The accounts given of insects of a prior date destroying the indigo and other 

 plants, were undoubtedly of another species. In the year 1804, their numbers were so 

 great, as to nearly destroy the cotton crops ; but a storm, which arose on the 8th of 

 September, proved so destructive to them, that they were not seen in any great num- 

 bers, as far as I can learn, for many succeeding years ; and, although in the course of 

 a few years they were to be found on many plantations, yet, the injury done by them 

 was not very general or great in amount ; — and it was otjserved, that certain planta- 

 tions, and even certain spots upon it, were the first to be visited by them. In the 

 year 1825, they commenc«ed very early, and were spreading rapidly, when they were 

 again cutoff by the storm which took place on the 14th of September. Immediately after 

 the storm, I went into the cotton fields, and could see a small numbers of the caterpillars 

 still remaining ; but in the course of a few days, they totally disappeared, and it was 

 confidently trusted by the planter, that the elements would once more relieve him from 

 this devouring insect, and was, in this manner, consoled for the loss sustained. But 

 this proved fallacious, and the following year the crops were more rapidly and effect- 

 ually destroyed than in any which preceded it. The earliest notice taken of them 

 was on the 1st of August, at a plantation upon this island, and soon afterwards they 

 were found in various parts of it, and information received, th-at they were in all direc- 

 tions upon the sea-coast from North-Carolina to New-Orleans. 



" On the 23d of September, they had consumed nearly all the cotton leaves, all the 

 upper pods, and some of the latter of a size almost ready to open. At this time they 

 quitted the cotton plants, and the whole earth seemed to be a moving mass and com- 

 pletely alive as these insects crawled along on its surface. A few of them remained 

 upon the cotton stalks, but, in consequeuce of their want of food, they changed their 

 color and became dull and languid, and finally perished. I have never been able to 

 account, satisfactorily, for the sudden manner of these insects quitting the cotton 

 plant. It was not for the purpose of webbing, for most of them were young ; and 

 when they web, it is always on the cotton stalk, or some neighboring plant, unless 

 when it is for the winter. Nor was it, in all instances, for the want of food ; for, in 

 most fields, there were certain spots which they had left untouched. The only rea- 

 son which I could assign was, that having consumed the leaves from the cotton, they 

 were directly exposed to the sun's rays; which, from a meteorological journal I at that 

 time kept, were observed to be very powerful. Whatever the true reason might be, 

 such is the fact, that they appeared to leave the cotton simultaneously, and in the 

 course of a few days, but a small number of these myriads were anywhere to be seen. 

 We have, every year since, had them in particular places, but not in such numbers as 

 to do much mischief. Their early appearance in the summer months, much depends 

 upon the temperature of the preceding winter ; and this must, of course, influence 

 their numbers, which will be more fully explained when giving a description of the 

 habits of the insect. 



" The Noctua Xylina is an inhabitant of the seacoast of our southern country. How 

 it first caoie here, whether by flight, as some have supposed, or brought in the chrys- 

 alis, a thing much more likely, I am unable to determine. The changes which the 

 different insects undergo through the successive stages of their brief existence, are 

 familiar to most persons. Nothing can be more unlike than the worm crawling upon 

 the earth or on the plant, and feeding upon its leaves and tender parts, and the moth 

 or butterfly to which it has been converted, expanding its brilliant wings in the air, 

 or passing from flower to flower. These changes form a complete circle, multiplying 



63 CONG— AP 7 



