26 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



flowers. The adults of this group of Lepidoptera are called hawk 

 moths. These insects have rather heavy bodies and four wings, the 

 hind pair being much shorter than the fore pair. The larvae of 



this group of moths are rather large 

 and have a taillike horn at the end 

 of the body. When disturbed these 

 larvae throw their heads back almost 

 at a right angle and remain in that 

 majestic position. Both the adult 

 and larva of the different species of 

 hawk moths vary considerably. The 

 figure 62.— Hawk moth. larvae feed on the foliage of a large 



variety of plants. The species shown 

 here is Protoyarce quinquemaculata, and is the parent of the large, 

 green tobacco or tomato worm. It is possibly the most common 

 and most destructive form. This moth is ash gray in color with 

 darker markings, and its wing expanse is from 4 to 5 inches. This 

 species overwinters in the earth in the pupal stage. The worms can 

 be hand-picked and killed, or killed by applying a poison dust or 

 spray to the food plant. Tomatoes in fruit should not be sprayed 

 with poisons. This species feeds on tobacco, tomatoes, or potatoes. 



Carpenter worm. — Orchardists often find rather large holes in 

 the branches or trunks of their trees, and when the holes are opened 

 the larvae, or young, of the carpenter 



moth are found. This moth has a wing gm^, - fg| 



expanse of from 2 to 3y 2 inches ; the wings 

 are mottled gray, the hind wings of the 

 male being yellow to orange lined with 

 black. The mouth parts are absent or 

 vestigial. The life changes are complete. 

 In many sections this insect is a pest. ~^T~ 



^ . v „ , , Jr , Figure 63. — Carpenter worm. 



Suggestions for control are to cage the 



tree trunks to prevent infestation, and the injection of carbon di- 

 sulphide into the occupied burrows. The scientific name of the 

 carpenter worm is P rionoxystus robiniae. This insect belongs to the 

 order Lepidoptera. 



Banded woolly bear. — In the fall and early spring there is a black 

 and brown banded woolly bear caterpillar that appears to be wander- 

 ing around aimlessly. Quite often it is 

 noticed crossing highways or sidewalks. 

 In the fall it attempts to find protected 

 &? places where it can spend the winter. This 



caterpillar is the larva of the Isabella 

 tiger moth. The moth, or adult insect, has 

 SB a wing expanse of from 2 to 2y 2 inches. 



^ It is dull orange yellow with dusky spots. 



Figure 64,-Banded woolly bear. J llQ a , dult has # SUcking mouth parts; the 



larva has chewing mouth parts and feeds 

 on grass and leaves of various low-growing plants. Although it is 

 of questionable importance, this insect can be controlled with stomach 

 poisons. It belongs to the order Lepidoptera; the scientific name of 

 the species shown here is Isia Isabella. 



Bollworm or corn earworm. — Some insects have several common 

 names, depending on the food plant on which they feed. This is one 



