56 
The larva is of the usual noctuid type, resembling in general aspect 
some of the cutworms, with no peculiar characters which will readily 
identify it. (See PI. VI, tigs. 1 and 2.) It varies so much in color 
that considerable study was necessary before a good detailed descrip- 
tion could be drawn up. It was found convenient to choose one of 
the predominating forms as a type and refer other varieties to it. The 
following is a description of this especially common form: 
Body dark, the ground color pale ocher-yellow; the upper side brownish, marked 
with nine (or seven) fine interrupted longitudinal lines of yellowish white, includ- 
ing the median line. The latter bordered with broader 
lines, which are slightly darker than the ground color. 
The upper side stripes dull orange or brown, as wide as the 
lower or stigmatal stripes, which are pale yellow and con- 
spicuous. Thoracic segments paler. Head reddish-yellow 
or brownish, spotted; the cervical shield varying from red- 
dish-yellow to shining black, more or less marked with 
whitish or with a pale dash along each side. Anal shield 
obsolete. Body beneath pale, with glaucous median and 
Fig. 5.— Head of boll- lateral stripes (absent in the first three stages). Tubercles 
v^e^forrkiTlT''^'^''^ shining black, i and ii « on first and second abdominal seg- 
ments and i on the eighth abdominal segment more con- 
spicuous, those behind the ninth segment concolorous with the body. Thoracic 
legs black, prolegs pale. 
This color type is very constant in all larvae through the first two 
instars, fairly so in stages three and four and in man}^ larvse until 
maturity. 
During the first three instars a midventral row of orange spots is 
invariably present, becoming faint in IV^ and disappearing in V. In 
the first three instars the anal shield is dusky and complete. In the 
first instar (and sometimes in the second, in spring and fall) the head 
is black. 
The simplest variations from this type consist in a change in the 
ground color, in the color of the fine lines on the dorsum, or in that 
of the lateral stripe. A very slight change in depth of color to rust- 
red or orange-yellow is common. A change to pinkish or greenish 
leads to the two other color types next to be considered (PI. VI, 
figs. 2 and 3). 
These begin to appear in stages IV and V, usually at the time of 
molting or, more rarely, suddenl}^ during an instar. The first of these 
is characterized by a greenish ground color and general absence of 
darker or lighter markings. Occasionally this type shows dark stria- 
tions and thus passes over somewhat to the brown type. In other 
specimens rose-colored side spots are developed which serve more or 
« These numbers refer to the classification of , larval tubercles as given by Doctor 
Dyar. 
^The Eoman numerals refer to the respective stages, thus: I, II, III, IV, V, VI. 
