THE STRIPED GARDEN CATERPILLAR. 
(Mamestra legitime/, Grote.) 
By F. H. Chittenden, 
Entomologist in Charge of Breeding Experiments. 
A strikingly beautiful black and yellow striped caterpillar is fre- 
quently found in gardens, and occasionally in such numbers as to 
attract attention. It is a general feeder, like most of its kind, but is 
somewhat partial to asparagus, cruciferous plants, peas, and other 
leguminous vegetables. Its occurrence in the District of Columbia in 
some numbers, especially on asparagus, has permitted a study of the 
species, which adds somewhat to what has previously been published. 
Only a few short notices, of this insect have appeared in publications 
of the Department of Agriculture or elsewhere, to the writer's knowl- 
edge. The following somewhat brief account is therefore presented. 
This species is a noctuid, related to the cutworms, and is congeneric 
with the zebra caterpillar (Mamestra picta Harr.). The moth was 
originally described in 1861,° the species at that time being known 
from the middle and eastern States, where it was stated to be com- 
mon. It is also recorded as occurring in the northern States. Evi- 
dently, considering its numbers in the Gulf region, it may be found 
in most States east of the Mississippi River Valley. 
DESCRIPTIVE. 
The moth is quite prettily marked, as can be seen by referring to 
figure 7, a. The prevailing tint of the fore-wings is a light lead 
color, marked with velvety-black and brown spots, the pattern varying 
somewhat but usually about as figured. The lower wings are fawn 
colored, with dusky margins, and the veins are moderately prominent. 
The females, as is usual with this group, have the abdomen as illus- 
trated, while the males have abdomens with bushy tips. The wing- 
expanse is a little more than an inch and a quarter. 
The eggs. — No description of the egg is available at the present 
writing. 
The larva is also a pretty form and its markings recall the zebra 
caterpillar. It will be noticed by the figure (fig. 7, b, c) that there is 
considerable difference, however, and the two species are not at all 
likely to be confused by anyone who carefully examines them. The 
present species has a larger and wider head and is darker than is 
usual with the common zebra caterpillar. The appearance of the 
head from in front is shown at d. The stripes with which the body is 
aApamea legitima, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., Vol. Ill, p. 82. 
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