INSECTS. 
91 
Neiir Columbus, in Georgia, I found a species of caterpillar, (PI. 
_vm. tig 2 ,) which were, quite numerous, about an inch and a half 
m length, and ot a bright-green color, eating the petals of the 
cotton-flower, from the 12th of October to the 29th of November. 
hey had six pectoral, four ventral, and two anal feet, and were 
obliged to loop their bodies when progressing from place to place, 
aitei the manner of the so-called span-worms, or loopers. Their 
bodies were green, and slightly hairy. The chrysalides were seven- 
tenths of an inch in length, and of. a green color. The moth, with 
wings extended, measures about an inch and three-tenths, is of a 
shaded or clouded blackish-brown, with a metallic, gold-colored semi- 
circle near the centre of each upper-wing; a round spot of the same 
color also lies close to it, but nearer the margin ; the under-win-rs 
and body are of the same blackish-brown. When at rest, the upper- 
wings come together like the roof of a house; a tuft of hair projects 
from the upper part of the thorax, and a smaller tuft is found near 
or between the junction of the wings, which appear to curve up 
towards the outer margin. ^ 
ANOTHER CATERPILLAR 
Is of the same habits, size, farm, and color, except that it has a white 
longitudinal line running down each side. The chrysalis, however 
is of a dark-brown color, whereas, that of the preceding is always 
green, with dark-brown markings only on the thorax and back. 
1 he moth also is similar in shape and color — so much so, indeed, as to 
wan-ant a belief that they may be different sexes of the same species. 
Mr. Peabody of Columbus, states that this caterpillar was very 
destructive to the leaves of turnips, in 1854. Several, which were 
placed m confinement, were attacked by a singular and fatal disease. 
However healthy they appeared at first, they gradually assumed a 
lighter color, ceased feeding, became swollen, and, suspending them- 
selves by the hind feet to any projecting twig, very soon died and be- 
came putrid and black. 
These caterpillars were quite plentiful in the vicinity of Columbus, 
but were not iound in l 1 londa the following year. They cannot be 
classed among insects very injurious, as they were not sufficiently 
numerous to harm the cotton. 3 
THE SMALL COTTON SPAN-WORM. 
A very small looper-caterpillar, or span-worm, (PI. VIII fio- 3 \ 
about seven-tenths of an inch in length, of a brown or greenish 
color, with five yellow and black markings or bands on the middle 
segments, and of about the thickness of a knitting-needle, was very 
October 118 ° n t lG blossoms of cotton in Georgia during the month of 
These caterpillars, having six pectoral, with only two ventral, and 
two anal feet ; their mode of progression is by alternately stretching 
out and contracting the body in the form of an arch. They are thus 
enabled to advance nearly half their length every stride, or step, 
