LEPIDOPTERA 



167 



ously colored and banded. When at rest the inconspicuously marked 

 dull-colored fore wings completely cover the hind wings. During the day 

 the moths rest close against the bark of tree trunks, where it is almost im- 

 possible to distinguish them. Collectors smear syrup on the trunks of 

 trees where no sweet-smelling flowers are near, and collect the insects thus 

 enticed on a dark, damp night, with a dark-lantern and wide-mouthed 

 bottles. 



The cotton worm (Ale'tia argilla'cea) also belongs to this family. It 

 feeds upon the leaves of the cotton plants. The cotton boll-worm (Helio'- 

 this armlg'era) (Fig. 136) feeds upon the pods or bolls. The destruction 

 caused by these two caterpillars causes an annual loss of millions of dollars 



Fig. 137. — Corn-worm eating an ear of corn. (Quaintance, F. B. 191, 

 B. Ent. U. S. D. A.) 



to the cotton growers. The boll-worm has become a great pest in the 

 north also as the corn-ear-worm (Fig. 137). Just at the roasting ear 

 stage it eats the juicy kernels and leaves a disgusting dark furrow, unfitting 

 the corn for use. It feeds upon the fruit of the tomato also. The naked, 

 greenish-larown caterpillar is marked longitudinally with darker stripes when 

 grown and is about 1^ inches long. It pupates in the ground through the 

 winter. The moth has dull yellowish fore wings tinged with green. 

 The hind wings are paler. Since it works under cover of the husk, spray- 

 ing is of no use. Fall plowing practised by all neighbors having infested 

 com will materially lessen the number of worms. As the moths fly well, it 

 would do comparatively little good for one to plow unless the near neigh- 

 bors unite in the effort. Rotation of crops is helpful. 



