359 



disease if no precautions against its progress are taken 

 lasts for about 8 months, and during this period it is able to 

 spread over 500 acres causing considerable monetary loss 

 in addition to the severe trial on the trees. 



Description of Eggs. 



The eggs are slightly oval, shiny, bare, semitrans- 

 parent, having a yellow watery appearance. Unless in 

 large numbers they are somewhat difficult to detect. 

 Length j mm. Width \ mm. 



The under side of the leaf is chosen for oviposition, the 

 eggs often being laid in large numbers towards the tip; 

 they are laid separately, distributed unevenly, and at times 

 extend througout the whole length of the leaf. Providing 

 sufficient food is present for the young larvae i.e. during 

 the 1st and 2nd broods the lower branches of the tree are 

 preferred by the moth for depositing the eggs. The number 

 of eggs laid by each female is not known. 



Larva — The young larva is pale yellow or nearly 

 white; when adult it presents a very different appearance. 

 The blue markings mentioned in the following description 

 do not appear for more than a week after hatching. 



The adult larva consists of thirteen segments, exclud- 

 ing the head, the three thoracic each bearing a pair of legs, 

 the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th bearing the prolegs, and the anal 

 segment the anal prolegs. The head and the first two 

 thoracic segments are yellow, the mandibles dark brown, 

 the second thoracic segment has a few dark stripes on it 

 (sometimes absent and not unfrequently light brown). 



The abdomen below is yellow, lateral margins some- 

 times light green due to food. Upper surface of abdomen 

 has a longitudinal blue fascia commencing at the apex of the 

 third thoracic segment and terminating at the base of the 

 10th. The following markings of the same colour as the 

 fascia are present on the segments. A large medium spot 

 on the 12th, a small lateral spot on each side of the 11th, a 

 spot on each side of the 3rd and 4th segments. The spots 

 on the sides of the 4th segments are sometimes absent and 

 are often more like stripes. Body with single long hairs 

 radiating from it. Length when adult 12-14 mm. 



Pupa — When adult the larva spins a covering for itself, 

 strong in texture, and yellowish or dirty white in colour. 

 The cocoons are elliptical in shape and depressed; during 



