U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTTJEE 
LARVA STAGS 
EMERGENCE OF LARVAE PROM HIBERNATION 
The overwintering larvae become active and leave their winter 
cases (hibernacula) during the latter part of March or the first part 
of April, at which time the buds on pecan trees begin to open. After 
feeding slightly upon the unfolding buds, these spring-brood larvae 
migrate to the rapidly growing succulent shoots, in which they feed 
by tunneling out the interior, keeping the burrows open by casting 
out the frass pellets from the hole where the initial attack was made 
(PL IV). It has been determined from field observations that the 
larvae usually begin to attack the pecan shoots during the second 
week in April, and after feeding in this manner for two weeks or more 
the larvae transform to pupae within their burrows. During 1916 
the spring-brood larvae that were under observation pupated from 
April 24 to May 12, and in 1917 from April 19 to May 1. Records 
show, however, that a few larvae can be found on pecan trees, espe- 
cially the Stuart variety, as late as the second week in May. 
FIRST-BROOD LARV.E 
The length of larval life for the first brood ranges from 22 to 29 
days, the average being about 26 days. The maximum hatching of 
first-brood larvae occurs during the third week in May, but the period 
of hatching is quite extended. 
SECOND-BROOD LARVE 
The majority of the second-brood eggs hatch during the last week 
in June and the first 10 days of July, but the hatching for all eggs of 
this brood extends over a long period. The average length of the 
larva stage for the second brood was found to be 25.27 days. 
THIRD-BROOD LARV.E 
The hatching of third-brood larvae begins about the middle of 
August and continues until the first part of September. The latest 
hatching of third-brood larvae in rearing cages occurred on September 
3, but under natural conditions it is likely that larvae hatch over a 
longer period. The third-brood larvae feed very sparingly for three 
or four weeks and then go into hibernation by constructing hiber- 
nacula, which are attached to the buds. Although the larvae feed for 
several weeks, they do not attain a size greater than one-tenth of an 
inch. In rearing work it has been observed that the larvae are very 
prone to construct their hibernacula prematurely when the food 
plant in breeding cages is not kept in the best of condition. The 
larvae remain in their hibernacula throughout the winter, and with 
the advent of spring they become active just as the buds on the pecan 
trees are unfolding. 
PUPA STAGE 
PLACE OF PUPATION OF THE OVERWINTERING LARVE 
The spring-brood pupae are formed within the shoots in which the 
larvae complete their growth. Near the mouth of its burrow the full- 
grown larva prepares out of particles of frass and excrement a flimsy 
silken-lined cell or cocoon, where its transformation to the pupa stage 
occurs (PL IV). 
