78 
THE ZEBRA CATERPILLAR. 
(Mamestra picta Hav.) 
One of the handsomest caterpillars that is found in the Uni- 
ted States is frequently found upon the cabbage plant. Though 
very beautiful, it becomes a very destructive pest when nu- 
merous. It is intensely black, with zebra-like markings of sul- 
phur yellow, mixed with white spots. Its head, legs, and pro- 
legs are bright red. This caterpillar, as well as its equally 
beautiful moth, is illustrated on plate 7, e and f. On account of 
the contrasting stripes upon its skin, the insect is often called 
the zebra-caterpillar of the cabbage. It belongs to the same 
family as the cut-worms, but it does not possess their habit, as it 
lives freely exposed upon the leaves of the cabbage. As far 
as remedies are concerned, an application of the same sub- 
stances mentioned before will be effective. 
THE CABBAGE PLUSIA. 
(Plusia brassice Riley.) 
There are still other caterpillars belonging to the owlet- 
moths that injure the cabbage plant. The common cabbage 
plusia (plusia brassice Ril.) is sometimes very destructive. 
The slender, pale-green caterpillar, with pale, longitudinal 
stripes, is distinguished from the zebra-caterpillar by its pecu- 
liar method of locomotion. When disturbed, it moves likea 
measuring-worm with a sort of looping gait. The moth has 
dark-brown front wings shaded with light-brown and gray. A 
light-colored stripe extends from the white patch near the cen- 
ter to the anterior border. The hind wings are dark-brown, 
lighter towards the base, fringed with a white border including 
dusky patches at the end ofeach vein. It is distinguished by 
having a silvery mark upon its front wings. Though a night- 
flying insect, it flies about frequently during the day and can 
consequently be seen, although its motions are very rapid and 
irregular. The caterpillar, instead of entering the ground like 
the zebra-caterpillar, spins a loose silken cocoon among the 
foliage of the cabbage, inside of which the pupze is plainly vis- 
ible, as shown in the illustration on plate 8, e and g. Another 
plusia, much more gaudy in coloration, also feeds upon the 
cabbage. There are a number of annual broods of these des- 
tructive insects. 
