HABITS OF THE LARVA. 
7 
mid without marking — a 
Tlie normal number of larval molts is five. This is the number which 
we have observed during the autumn months, while in midsummer, when 
tin* development is more rapid, we have on several occasions traced but 
four. The term of larval existence varies from one to three weeks. 
There is a very general belief among planters that the first worms of 
the season are pale and the late ones dark, and while both light and 
dark worms may always be found together in spring, summer, or fall, 
it is true that the green ones predominate early in the season and the 
dark ones later.'' 
Immediately after molting, the body is pale 
rule with all molting animals. After the earlier 
molts, the cast-off skin which remains more or 
less fully stretched, is sometimes eaten. 
Some of the peculiarities in the habits of the 
worm deserve mention here, because of their 
pi act ioal bearing. 
Until alter the second nmlr it always remains 
on the under side of the h at" feeding upon the 
parenchyma, and leaving untouched the com s- 
ei veins, stoma t a. and appeT skin or epidermis. 
The leaves where they are thus feeding present 
a blotched appearance, the semi lianspaient 
epidermis becoming pale yellowish, and these 
blotches are, as a role, at once distinguishable 
from other somewhat similar ones made by a 
few ot her insects. 6 
Afterthe worm begins to eat entirely through 
the leaf, which is usually before the third molt, 
but sometimes later, it instinctively BSCendfl 
toward the top of the plant and feeds on the F,r - 3 - Fl ' u - 0,{0WX(:,,n " N w,,,lM: 
_ . a. from siilr; b, ttum luick: twice 
more tender foliage, "ragging 1 it, to use the M tu»l«toe. (AftorBfley.) 
expressive language of the planter. 
It can let itself down by a web from the moment of birth, but can also 
lling itself from one part of the plant to another in a manner quite 
characteristic. The fling or jump is made by bending t lie lore and raised 
part of the body to one side and then suddenly jerking it to the opposite 
side, relaxing meanwhile the three hind pairs of legs by which it held to 
the plant. This is a quite common mode of motion when disturbed, and 
the normal way of getting from one plant to another. The maximum 
distance which a worm can thus jump in a horizontal direction is about 
two feet, and it almost invariably alights on its legs. During chilly 
weather in autumn this motion is feeble and can be easily watched. 
When not feeding, the worm either rests stretched straight on some 
part of the plant or mav be seen swaying its fore body from side to side, 
holding the while by the hind prolegs. 
Though preferring the foliage, it will, when hard pushed, eat every 
