214 THE PEANUT— THE UNPREDICTABLE LEGUME 



as the Wiregrass Station, although larvae have been collected in neai'by 

 Houston County as early as June 21 (6). The northern limit of the 

 species' overwintering range is not known. 



The moth of the velvetbean caterpillar is active principally at night or 

 during twilight. Large numbers in flight may be seen along highways by 

 the light of motor cars. Oviposition also occurs mainly at night or during 

 dark days. Eggs are deposited singly on the underside of the leaves of 

 peanuts and other host plants. Some are also placed on the upper surface 

 and petioles. Rank foliage is preferred for oviposition and there is a tend- 

 ency to avoid peanut fields where plants are small and foliage sparse, 

 unless the population of insects is very great. 



Development from egg to adult requires approximately 4 to 5 weeks 

 during late summer and early fall. The time has been reported as ap- 

 proximately 30 to 43 days on velvetbeans in Florida (148), 30 to 36 days 

 on soybeans in Louisiana (46) and 32 to 36 days on peanuts in Alabama 

 (122). The egg hatches in 3 to 5 days and the caterpillar feeds 16 to 26 

 days. Pupation usually occurs in the soil at a depth of one-eighth inch 

 to one and one-half inches. Some larvae pupate on the surface of the 

 ground under litter and occasionally rolled in a leaf, especially on such 

 plants as soybeans and kudzu. The insect remains in the pupa stage 7 to IS 

 days during warm weather. 



Little is known regarding the biology of the adult of the velvetbean 

 caterpillar. As mentioned previously, many of the moths fly northward 

 for many miles and the females then oviposit. The mating habits, pre- 

 oviposition period, oviposition period, total egg production, and longevity 

 are unknown. Exact information on the distance traveled by moths in 

 flight is lacking as is much other pertinent information on the biology of this 

 pest. It is known, however, that the moth flies much farther north than 

 the insect can overwinter in any stage. All stages perish during the en- 

 suing winter. 



Several generations of the velvet-bean caterpillar may occur during a 

 season in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and northern Florida. Three dis- 

 tinct generations were reported in 1929 (46) in Louisiana. Four gen- 

 erations were reported in Alabama in 1946 from the middle of June to 

 the first of November (122). Larvae of the second and third generations 

 cause serious damage to peanuts if the initial infestation occurs early and 

 conditions are favorable for the multiplication of the insect. 



Additional research is needed on the biology of the velvetbean 

 caterpillar to determine breeding habits, flight, hibernation, host plant 

 relationships, relation of temperature to development and survival, and 



