452 
LEPIDOPTERA. 
September, and then measures about two inches in length. 
Early in October it leaves off eating, goes into the ground, 
changes to a shining brown chrysalis (Fig. 
224), and is transformed to a moth about 
the first of June. It is probable that there 
are two broods of this kind of caterpillar 
every summer, in some, if not all, parts of this country ; 
for Dr. Melsheimer informs me that it appears in Pennsyl- 
vania in June, goes into the ground and is changed to a 
chrysalis towards the end of June or the beginning of July, 
and comes forth in the moth state near the end of August. 
The moth may be called Mamestra picta, the painted Ma- 
mestra, in allusion both to the beautiful tints of the cater- 
pillar, and to the softly blended shades of dark and light 
brown with which the fore wings of the moth are colored. 
It is of a light brown color, shaded with purple-brown ; the 
ordinary spots on the fore wings, with a third, oval spot 
behind the round one, are edged with gray; and there is 
a transverse zigzag gray line, forming a distinct W in the 
middle, near the outer hind margin. The hind wings are 
white, and faintly edged with brown around the tip. It is 
evident that this insect cannot be included in either of the 
foregoing groups of the owlet-moths. It belongs to a distinct 
family, which may be called Mamestrad.-e, or Mamestrians. 
The caterpillars in this group arc generally distinguished by 
their bright colors ; they live more or less exposed on the 
leaves of plants, and transform in the ground. The moths 
fly by night only ; most of them have the thorax slightly 
crested ; and they are easily known by the zigzag line, near 
the outer hind margin of the fore wings, forming a W or 51 
in the middle. 
As the caterpillar of the painted Mamestra does not seek 
concealment, it may easily be found, and destroyed by hand. 
There is a small caterpillar which has been found inju- 
rious to the wheat-crop in England, by eating the grain 
before and after it is ripe. It is described and figured by 
Fig. 224. 
