Glover's Purslane-moth

Copidryas gloveri

The life-history of this rather pretty moth has been well worked out by Professor C. V. Riley and from his article published in "Insect Life," Vol. I, p. 104, we have taken the cuts which are herewith given. The drawings of the egg, pupa, and cocoon were made by Mr. C. L. Marlatt. The excellent account given by Professor Riley is drawn upon for the following quotations: "The eggs are laidon the under side of the purslane leaf, either singly or in clusters of from two to five. The larva hatches in two or three days, and is at first light green or yellowish green with darker shading across the middle of the body. In eight or nine days it attains full growth after having passed through four molts. The full grown larva is light gray or dull white with black dashes on the sides of each segment, and with the shadings of salmon pink."

"The full-grown larvae enter the ground for pupation, excavating a tubular burrow in the surface soil, gumming the lining and closing the opening with a thin layer of particles of soil....The insect remains in this state in the neighborhood of twelve days."

In the accompanying figures we show the egg, the pupa, and the adult larva and moth. The insect is very abundant at certain times in Nebraska, Kansas, and the southwestern States generally, and ranges into northern Mexico. It appears to feed exclusively upon purslane, and as this plant is of no particular economic value, but is justly accounted as a troublesome weed, we may wish blessings upon Copidryas gloveri.