U. S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OP ENTOMOLOGY— BULLETIN No. 33, NEW SEBIE3. L. O. HOWARD, Chief of Division. SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLE CROPS. A SERIES OF ARTICLES HEALING WITH INSECTS OF TINS CLASS. > UNDER 'I K I. Ii 1\ II. CIIITTKNDKX, BTANT EKTOMOLOG WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 1 9 '2 . DIVISION OF EXTOMoLOGY. Entomologist: L. 0. Howard. First Assistant Enlafnotp^st: C. L. Marlatt. Assistant Entomologists: Th. Pergande, F. H. Chittenden, Nathan Banks. Investigators: E. A. Schwarz, D. \Y. Coquillett, W. I). Hunter, C. B. Simpson. Apiarian: Frank Benton. A$si&an£s: R. S. Clifton. F. C. Pratt, Aug. Bjtsckj Otto Fleidemann, A. N. Caudell, J. Kotinskv. Artist: Miss L. Sullivan. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY— BULLETIN No. 33, NEW SERIES. L. O. HOWARD, Chief of Division. SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLE CROPS. A SERIES OF ARTICLES DEALING WITH INSECTS OF THIS CLASS. Prepared under thk Direction of the Entomologist, by F. H. CHITTENDEX, Assistant Entomologist. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1 9 2 . LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. 8. Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, Washington, J). C, April IS, 1902. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript containing a large number of accounts of insects injurious to vegetable crops, which have been drawn up, as a result of his investigations, b/v Mr. F. H. Chittenden. Assistant Entomologist. Mr. Chittenden has been devoting himself assiduously to this work for some years, and has learned a great deal that is valuable to truck farmers and to economic entomologists. I recommend that this manuscript be published as Bulletin No. 33, new series, of this Division. Respectfully, L. O. Howard, Entomologist. Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture. 2 CONTEXTS. Page. The Potato Stalk Weevil i Trichobaris trinotata Say). (Illustrated) 9 The Northern Leaf-footed Plant-bug (Leptoglossus opposUus Say). (Illus- trated) 18 The Carrot Rust Fly (PsUa rosse Fab. ) . (Illustrated ) 26 The Carrot Beetle (I/igyrua gibbosus Dej. ) . (Illustrated ) 32 The Beet Army Worm (Laphygma exigua Hbn. ). (Illustrated) 37 Notes ( >n Wbbworms 46 The Garden Webworm ( Loxostege similalis Guen.). (Illustrated) 46 Origin and Distribution of the Beet Webworm (Loxostege stidicalis Linn. ). (Illustrated) 47 The Imported Cabbage Webworm (Hellula undalis Fab. ) 48 The Red Turnip Beetle (JEntomoscelis adonidti Pall.). (Illustrated) 49 The Cross-striped Cabbage Worm (Pianea rimosalis Guen.) . (Illustrated). 54 The Cabbage Loopeb (Plusia brassicse Riley). (Illustrated) 60 A New Cabbage Looper (Plusia precationis Guen.). (Illustrated) 69 The Celery Looper (Plusia simplex Guen.). (Illustrated) 73 Notes on Dipterous Leaf-miners on Cabbage 75 The Imported Turnip Leaf-miner (Scaptomyza flaveolaMeig.) 75 The Native Cabbage Leaf-miner (Scaptomyza adusta Loew) 76 The Imported Cabbage Leak-miner (Scaptomyza graminum Fall.) 76 The Native Clover Leaf-miner (Agromyza diminuta Walk.) 77 The Four-spotted Cabbage Flea-beetle (PhyUotreta bipustulata Fab.). (Il- lustrated ) 77 Miscellaneous Notes on Some Cabbage Insects 78 The Cabbage Cdrculio ( Ceutorhynckus rapse. Gyll. ) 78 The Seed-Stalk Weevil (Ceutorhynckus quadridens Panz. ) 79 Pemph igus sp 79 Wasps as Destroyers of Cabbage Worms 79 The Cabbage Root Maggot Injurious to Celery 80 Observations on Insects Affecting Late Cabbage and Similar Crops. (Illustrated) 80 The Imported Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rapx Linn. ) 81 The Diamond-back Moth ( PluteUa cruciferarum Zell. ) 81 The Harlequin Cabbage Bug (Murgantia histrionica Hahn. ) 82 The Cabbage Looper (Plusia brassicx Riley) 83 The Cabbage Plant-louse (Aphis brassicae Linn. ) 83 The Seed-corn Maggot ( Phorbia fusciceps Zett.). (Illustrated) 84 The Bean Leaf-roller (Eudamus proteus linn.). (Illustrated) 92 The Pea Moth (Semasia nigricana Steph. ). (Illustrated) 96 The Bean Cutworm ( Ogdoconta cinereola Guen. ) . ( Illustrated ) 98 3 4 rage. Notes on Insects Affecting Beans and Peas 100 The Gray Hair-streak Butterfly ( Uranotes [Theela] melinus Hbn. ). (Il- lustrated) 101 The Bean Leaf-beetle ( Cerotoma trifurcata Forst. ) 102 The Lima-bean Vine-borer (Monopt'dota nubilella Hulst. ) 102 Diabrobica atripennis Say 103 The Mexican Bean AVeevil (Spermophagus pectoralis Shp. ) 103 The Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum Linn. ) 101 The Boll Worm or Corn-ear Worm (Heliothis armiger Hbn.) 104 The Fall Webworm ( Hyphantria cunea Dru. ) 104 The Garden Flea-hopper (HdUicus uhleri Giard.). (Illustrated) 105 Acantkocerus galeator Fab 105 Alydus eurinus Say, and A. pilosulus H.-S 106 Leaf-hoppers ( Tettigoniidse and Jassidse). (Illustrated) 107 The Bean Aphis (Aphis rumicis Linn. ) 109 Wirewokms. (Illustrated) 109 Notes on Flea-beetles 110 The Pale-striped Flea-beetle (System blanda Mels. ) 110 The PvED-headed Flea-beetle (Systena frontalis Fab.). (Illustrated) .. Ill The Smartweed Flea-beetle (Systena hudsonias Forst. ) 113 The Toothed Flea-beetle ( Ch&tocnema denticulate 111. ) 114 The Brassy Flea-beetle (Chxtocnema pulicaria Mels.). (Illustrated) .. 115 The Spinach Flea-beetle (Disonycha xanthomelsena Dalm. ) 116 The Eggplant Flea-beetle ( Epitrix fuscula Cr. ) . ( Illustrated) 117 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Fk;. 1. IHchobaris trinotata: beetle, larva, pupa, and section of potato stalk showing larva and papa wi situ 10 2. Hydroecia nitela: moth, larva, and chrysalis 11 3. Leptoglossus oppositus: bug and eggs 20 4. Leptoglossus oppositus: immature stages of nymphs 21 5. THchopoda pennipes: mature fly 25 6. Psiia roses: adult fly, larva, puparium, and details 27 7. Ligyrus gibbosus: beetle 32 8. Laphygma > xigua: moth, larva, and egg 38 9. Laphygma > xigua: segment of larva 39 10. LoxosU ge sticticalis: moth and larva 48 11. Eniomoscelis adonidis: beetle 50 12. PUmea rimosalis: different stages 55 13. Plusia bxassicse: all stages 61 14. Plusia brassicte: immature larva 62 15. Plusia precationis: moth, larva, and pupa 70 16. Plusia simplex: moth and larva 78 17. Scaptomyzaflaveola: different stages and work 75 is. Phyllotreta bipustulata: beetle 78 19. Pkorbia fusciceps: different stages and details 85 20. Eadamus proteus: moth, larva, and pupa in cocoon 93 21. S masia nigricana Bteph. : moth and larva 96 22. Epiblema nigricana: H.-Smoth 97 2: > >. Ogiloconta cinereola: moth, larva, pupa, and work 99 24. Uranotes melinus: all stages 102 25. 1 [alliens ah/, /•;.• sexes, etc 105 26. Diedrocephala versuta: adults and nymphs 107 27. Monocrepidws vespertinus: larva and adult 110 28. Systena frontalis: beetle 112 29. Chaetocnema pulicaria: beetle 115 30. Epitrix fuscula: beetle 117 5 PREFACE. The present publication comprises a series of articles and notes brought together in bulletin form in continuation of work begun sev- eral years ago, the earlier results of which were published in Bulletin 10 of the present series, in the Yearbooks of this Department for 1896 and 1898, and in several circulars of this office. Bulletin 23 of this series was devoted exclusively to the subject of insects injurious to garden crops and Bulletin 19 mainly to the same subject. This con- tribution is therefore the third bulletin of the series, and is entitled ''Some Insects Injurious to Vegetable Crops." The various species of noxious insects discussed have, with few exceptions, been destructive during the years 1900 and 1901, but a few came under observation at an earlier date. The work is therefore, to a certain extent, a report on the principal insects which have been injurious and whose ravages have been brought to the attention of this office as affecting the vegetable crops of the country during the past two years. Circumstances beyond the writer's control have pre- vented the publication of this matter until the present time. The initial article treats of the potato stalk weevil, which has been very injurious for a number of years but has never received extensive notice in any of the publications of this Department; hence, all avail- able facts concerning it, together with an original illustration, have been brought together. The Northern leaf -footed plant-bug attracted more attention during the last two years than ever before in its his- tory, and its abundance in the vicinity of the District of Columbia enabled a study of its habits and the practical completion of a knowl- edge of its life history, the results of which are here given. We have to record the appearance of a new insect enemy of carrot, celery, and some other umbelliferous crops in this country. The insect in question, the carrot rust fly. has been present in Canada since 1885, but was not known as the cause of injury to any crop plants in the United States until the past year, when it occasioned the ruin, of 6,000 plants of celery on one farm in New York State. The proba- bilities are that this species will continue to spread and that it may become an important pest; in fact, the most serious drawback to the cultivation of carrot, parsnip, celery, and other umbelliferous crops. Another insect now holds this distinction. It may be known as the (i carrot beetle, as it is to carrot that it does most injury, although pars- nip, potato, and other root crops and some other cultivated plants are subject to its depredations. This latter has been quite prominent in recent years, and is therefore deserving of attention. Although the beet army worm has been destructive since 1899, there are some facts that have been learned in regard to it and its distribu- tion and origin that have not been recorded. Since sugar-beet grow- ing is just now engrossing the attention of legislators and farmers in many sections of the country, it seems appropriate that as complete an article as possible in regard to this, one of the most important enemies of beets, be published. Three species of webworms, one of them more particularly destructive to the sugar beet, the second an introduced and important enemy of cruciferous crops in the South, and the garden web worm, a species of omnivorous habits, have also been the occasion of considerable correspondence. Several species of insects injurious to cruciferous crops have been under observation. Hitherto no account of the red turnip beetle has appeared in Departmental publications: hence, an account based on injuries in the Northwest is presented. The insect is more par- ticularly destructive in the Dominion of Canada, but also inhabits the United State-, and it seems probable that injuries will increase with time. This species is related to the Colorado potato beetle, and at any time an outbreak may be apprehended. The cabbage looper. a common pest throughout the South, and frequently making its appear- ance a- far northward as Long Island in destructive numbers, has. after an almost complete disappearance, returned to the more northern points which it had previously invaded. It is considered in connec- tion with two related species, one of which is new as an enemy of cab- bage, and the other known as the celery looper. The cross-striped cabbage worm, or so-called "cabbage Pionea." has a similar distribu- tion to the common cabbage looper. and an account of it i- also given. Some shorter notes are presented in regard to some cabbage insects whose habits have not been thoroughly studied, as well as some observations on insects affecting late cabbage and similar crops, the latter article forming the basis for an appeal for clean farming. A number of insects injurious to beans and other leguminous crops have been prominent during recent years, and four of these, the seed- corn maggot, the bean leaf-roller, the pea moth, and the bean cut- worm, are the subjects of articles. The remaining species are treated in an article comprising many subjects. It should be mentioned at this point that the destructive green pea louse continued its ravages during 1900, extending its depredations in the West particularly: but as this species has been given much attention by entomologists in Delaware and Maryland, the writer's notes are withheld. What there was that seemed desirable for early publication was brought out in the 8 form of a circular. It should be added, however, that injury during 1901 was very light, although some damage was done over small areas. The season of 1900 was rather remarkable for irruptions of different forms of flea-beetles in various portions of our country, several species doing very considerable damage, in some cases unprecedented. Assistance has been rendered in the preparation of this bulletin by the writers associates, which is duly credited in its proper place: but it should be especially mentioned that Mr. F. C. Pratt assisted in the collation of the literature of many of the species treated. Credit is also due to Mr. Th. Pergande for some of the notes, and particularly the rearings made in earlier years, nearly all of those of a later date hav- ing been conducted by the writer. Twenty-six of the figures which illustrate this bulletin have been drawn by Miss Lillie Sullivan, under the writers personal supervision, from selected and fresh material wherever this was obtainable. F. H. Chittenden. SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLE CROPS. THE POTATO STALK WEEVIL. (Trichobaria trvnotata Say.) One of the important insect enemies of the potato, and a common species almost everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains and south of New England, is a little gray weevil, whose larva works normally in the stems of wild Solanaceffi, such as horse nettle, ground cherry, and jimson weed, in most fields where these plants are allowed to grow. The habits of this insect and its manner of attacking potato have been known for half a century, the first instance of injury having been noticed in 1849 near Philadelphia. Pa. Since that time the injuries inflicted by it to potato have attracted considerable attention, periodi- cally and locally, especially during the last decade, and there is reason to believe that it is often present and doing damage, though unde- tected, in potato fields, where the insect itself has never been seen. Its habit of living within the stem in its larval condition, and the small size of the beetles, together with their habit of dropping from the plants when disturbed, is accountable for injury by the species so often escaping notice. Hence it happens that, although a pest of long standing, the insect is unknown to many potato growers. During 1900 this species was reported to have done injury near Philadelphia, Pa., and South Holland, 111., and to have been quite prevalent in Maryland on potato; but injury was without doubt much more extensive than reported. In 1901 the potato crop of Sheridan County, Nebr., was nearly ruined by this insect, and it made its initial appearance in Canada, doing much damage on Pelee Island. In earlier years more or less damage to the potato crop was com- mitted in other portions of Nebraska, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, as well as in Kansas. DESCRIPTION. Theheetle. — The adult potato stalk weevil is a small ash-gray weevil. or snout-beetle, of the family Curculionida?. Its real color is black throughout, but its surface is covered with minute gray scales, which give it a nearly uniform gray appearance. The head, however, appears 9 10 ^^s^^^^^ black, and there are three black impressed spots at the base of the elytra or wing- covers — one scutellar and two lateral — from which the insect has derived its Latin name, trinotata. The rostrum or snout is robust and rather strongly curved, and the antennae, like those of other Curculionids, are elbowed and clubbed at the ends. The body is oval and somewhat depressed or flattened above. The male is credited with being generally larger than the female — something rather unusual in insects. The length is about one-sixth of an inch (3 to 4.5 nim ) and the width less than half that (1.2 to 1.75 mm ). The beetle is shown in the accompanying illustration (tig. 1, a). The egg is of the usual white color and oval form seen among the Rhjmchophora, and, according to the measurements of Faville and Parrott, is about 0.6 mm in length and 0.4 mm in width. The larva, or grub, as it appears when first hatched from the egg, does not ap- pear to have been described. It is, how- ever, whitish at this stage, and without feet. When full grown it is remarkably elongate in form, about eight or nine times as long as wide, with small circular pale-brown head, the whole having the appearance shown at b (fig. 1). It reaches a length of about two-fifths of an inch (9 to ll mm ), and is only moderately curved when in natural position in the stems. Instead of legs these larva? are provided with feebly defined thoracic leg pads. The color at this, as in the pupal condition, varies from nearly white to rather bright yellow, the color in one instance, in an individual taken from the root stem of Solatium carolinensis, being of a decidedly rosy or light pinkish hue. The pupa looks like that of other weevils, and presents no very noticeable features for description. A ventral view of a pupa is shown at c (fig. 1). At d a larva and pupa are figured natural size within an opened stalk of potato. DISTRIBUTION. The potato stalk weevil is rather generally distributed throughout the Carolinian and Austro riparian regions. Northward the limit of injurious occurrence was reached in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the East, and in Illinois and Iowa in the West; recently, however, the species has become a pest in Canada. Southward the insect is found to Florida and westward to Texas. A list of localities follows: Titusville, Little Silver, Freehold, Hopewell, New Brunswick, and Trenton, N. J.; Yorkana, Germantown, Westchester, Pawling, Philadelphia, Allegheny, and Pitts- Fig. 1. — Trichdbaris trinotata: a, beetle; b, larva from side; c, pupa; (/, section of potato stalk opened to show larva and pupa in situ— a, b, c, five times natural size, d, natural size (original.) 11 ville, Pa.; Newark, Del.; Belair, River View, Cabin John, Marshall Hall, Green- wood, and Baltimore, and Howard, Washington, and Montgomery counties, Md. (Johnson) ; Rosslyn and Deep Creek, Va. ; District of Columbia; Xorth Carolina; South Carolina; Kentucky; Wayne, Cobden, Anna, Carbondale, and Normal, 111.; Kansas City, Kirkwood, and Cadet, Mo.; Fort Scott, Onega, Wilder, Topeka, Fairmount, Edwardsville, Manhattan, Lawrence, and Connor, Kans., well distributed over the eastern part of the State; Ames, Adel, Davenport and Marcus, and Polk and Boone counties, Iowa; Omaha, Albany, and elsewhere in Nebraska; Cincinnati, Aberdeen, and Gallipolis, Ohio; Detriot, Mich.; Key West and Jacksonville, Fla.; St. Anthony Park, Minn. (Lugger); and Pelee Island, Canada. Note. — In the southwest this species is replaced by a few others of the same genus and of very similar appearance and habits, but not injurious to the same extent. One of these, T. mucorea Lee, is common in Arizona and southern California; and T. texana Lee. is a well-known form in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Fig. 2.— Hydrcecia nitela: a, female moth; h. half-grown larva: e, mature larva in injured stalk; d, lateral view of abdominal segment of same; < . pupa— all somewhat enlarged (original). T. compacta Casey, according to Cockerell, breeds in Datura meteloides, and is common in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico. It has not been reported to damage potato, perhaps because this vegetable is not much grown in that State. Without doubt all the species of Trichobaris feed on Solanacese. The potato stalk weevil is also known as potato stalk borer, and several other species of insects, the larvae of moths resembling those which produce cutworms, are sometimes known by the same name. The most common species (in literature) is Hydrcecia (Gorlyna) nitela, known as the stalk borer, heart worm. etc. An equally common species in some localities which has practically the same habits is known as Hydrcecia nebris Guen. Even as late as 1897 Hydrcecia nitela was referred to as the potato stalk borer, and as doing injury to potatoes in western Maine, damage being due to the larva's boring into the pith of potato stalks, causing them to wilt. It will thus be seen that although the stalk weevil and the stalk borers are entirely different, belonging to different groups, they do injury in a similar manner, and are therefore apt to be confused by those not thoroughly conversant with them. We present a figure of the species 12 of stalk borer under consideration which will serve as a fair sample of this group. The moth (fig. 2, a) is medium brown in color, and marked as shown. The young larva is quite peculiar in having the first three or four abdominal segments suffused in such a manner as to give the insect the appearance of being diseased (see b). The larva when mature has more or less the appearance shown at c, which, however, will answer almost equally well for other species of the genus. Careful comparative study is necessary in order to establish the differences between these species in their larval stages. An abdominal segment of Hydrcecia nitela in the larval stage is shown at d (fig. 2), while at e is shown the female pupa or chrysalis. This insect was reported during 1901, by Mr. F. M.Webster, as having done much injury to wheat and carnations in portions of Ohio. It is to be regretted that several other species are undoubtedly confused with this insect because of their great similarity in the larval stages. The writer, as well as Mr. Pergande, of this office, has reared the moth from the stalks of common pigweed (Ambrosia trifida), and there is no doubt of Harris's record of injury by this species to corn. It is credited with having done injury to the stalks of tomato, spinach, cauliflower, eggplant, pepper, dahlia, aster, lily, spiraea, salvia, thistle, milkweed, pigweed, ragweed, smartweed, cocklebur, and castor bean; and to the twigs of blackberry, currant, apple, and peach, as well as to wheat and corn. RECENT INJURY. During 1897 Messrs. Kirkpatrick & Son, Connor, Wyandotte County, Kans., sent specimens of the larvae of this weevil in potato stems, writing July 2 that about one- fourth of the vines at that place were affected, and other fields looked to be over half destroyed. Larvae were found in vines that looked to be perfectly healthy. To find the insects it was necessary to pull the vine and split it open. September 8 of the same year specimens of this species were received from Mr. George W. Pickering, Wayne, Du Page Count}% 111., with the statement that they had been found inside the stalks of potato. In 1898 Mr. Pickering again sent specimens, July 5 and 30, of larvae in the stalks. Some presented foliage partly dead, while others which were also inhabited by this insect showed no evidence of infestation. Some hills of potato yielded but few tubers, while others contained a normal yield. It was noted that the infested stalks generally pull easily and break off just below the surface. They appeared rather rusty as a rule, and some had what appeared to be a fungus-like excrescence at the bottom of the stalk. During 1900 Mr. Samuel Carter, Philadelphia, Pa., sent larvae within the stalks of potato, with accompanying information, under date of August 15, that this species infested the whole potato crop of that vicinity. He expressed the opinion that the crop was an entire failure, the yield being just about one-eighth of what it should have been. During 1901 a single report of injury by this potato stalk weevil reached this office. This was made in December by Mr. James Egan, Albany, Nebr., who stated that the potato crop in Sheridan County had been nearly ruined by this insect. Mr. G. W. Pickering, who reported injuries in Illinois in 1897 and 1898, stated that since that 13 time the insect had done no damage, although he had looked for injury in his vicinity. A gentleman of his acquaintance, who had raised potatoes in one of the potato districts of Pennsylvania, said that this species, as a rule, had little effect on the general crop there. Mr. H. M. Kirkpatrick, who reported injury in 1897, stated that no further dam- age had been noticed in Wyandotte County, Kans. From Mr. Edwin Taylor, Edwardsville, Kans., was received infor- mation that this species had been present in that vicinity for a good many years, but that it had never injured the potato crop seriously. Writing December 23, 1901, he stated that this insect was less observed that year than usual. From the above and other sources of information it would seem that this species is unusually periodical, and injuries are generally to be attributed to the growth of potatoes on or in the vicinity of land that has been permitted to run to Solanaceous weeds, nearly all of Avhich furnish food for the potato stalk weevil. A list of these will be fur- nished later on in the present article. EARLIER DIVISIONAL RECORDS. August 1, 1884, vines containing this larva were received from Mr. Richard B. Taylor, Westchester. Pa.. with the statement that this borer had destroyed two-thirds of his potato crop (Ann. Rept. Com. Agr. for 1881, p. 111). September 6, 1892, Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt reported the rearing of this curculio from Solarium <-Jtylh>2)us. however, all that have been observed being pale bronze to dark bronze-brown, none of them golden. The eggs are semicylindrical, looking from one end, as shown in figure 3. c\ and are rather strongly flattened on the lower surface, where attached to a plant. The outline, as seen from above, is short oblong, the eggs being placed so close together end to end that they form what appears to be a stiff, cylindrical rod, of which each egg is a joint or cell. At one end of the egg^ covering a little more than half of the distance from that extrem- ity to the other, there is a circular area with a surrounding circle of light color and bearing a transverse curved row of This circular area comes off like a trap- door (e) for the issuance of the young. Under a microscope of mod- erately high power the entire surface is seen to be finely reticulate, with rather regular pentagonal and hexagonal areas (d). The length of an egg is about 1.4 ,nm , and the width l-1.15 nim , the height being a trine less. A chain of eggs is shown at h (fig. 3). and the sculpture of an egg at d. Chains vary in length from those having half a dozen eggs, and measuring about three-eighths of an inch, to others having 26 eggs and measuring 1^ inches in length. THE NYMPHS. The nymphs when first transformed have the legs and antenna? rose- colored, the body pale orange-red, the eyes reddish or reddish-bixmn. The ground colors change, in all except the fifth stage, to brighter A: e Fig. 3. — Leptoplowus nppositus: a. mature bug; b. string of eggs; c, egg from end; d, sculpture of egg; e, egg from side, showing opening from which young has escaped— all except d about twice natural size (original). from 4 to 6 elevated points. 21 orange or vermilion with dark-brown or black legs and antenna?, while the amount of black on other portions of the body increases with each successive molt. a First stage. — The nymph when first hatched from the egg is pale coral red in color, with long, dark brown or nearly black legs, the proximal half of the antenna? being of the same color and the remainder pale coral, becoming darker soon after hatching. The antenna? and legs are of nearly equal length, about one-fourth longer than the body (with the head). The rostrum, which is kept closely folded under the body when the insect is not feeding, is of the same color as the legs and about three-fourths as long as the body. The posterior portion of the body is sparsely tuberculate. the arrangement being as shown in the accompanying illustration (tig. 4) at . fifth stage— all about two and one-half times natural size (original). show no evidence of the expansions which appear in later stages. The length of the body when first hatched is about 2.3 m,n , and the width is about o.S mm . Second stage. — With the casting of the first skin, the nymph takes on a more elongated appearance generally, the head, body, antenna?, and legs all being longer and more cylindrical, while the tubercles become more pronounced. The two dorsal abdominal tubercles and the anal extremity become black, and a pair of minute tubercles usually show just behind the pair back of the hind legs. The hind tibiae shows slight evidence of enlargement. Length when fully matured. 6 mm . This stage is illustrated at ft, fig. 4. Thirdstage. — Superficially this stage (tig. 4. c) looks but little different from the second. The thorax is longer than the head, the black por- a The differences between the nymphs of this species and of L. phyllopus are not nearly so marked as in the two cucurbit-feeding Anasas, tristis and annigera. 22 tions of the body are darker and more conspicuous, and the abdominal tubercles more prominent. The antennae and legs are wider, the latter with the lateral tibial expansions just beginning to show, being- now about the same width as the tibia itself, and without teeth. The tubercles are larger, but the dorsal spines are scarcely longer than in the second stage. The haustellum immediately after the molt projects beyond the abdomen to a distance about equal to the length of the head. Length of body just after molt, 6 mm . Fourth stage. — The appearance of this stage is shown at ^7, fig. 4. The antennae, hind legs, and body are subequal in length, the haustel- lum a little shorter when first transformed, the width of the body at this time only a little over 2 mm , becoming about 3.5 mm before the next molt. When "full colored" the body is of about the same appearance as in the third stage, but the red ground color becomes lighter and duller orange before molting, while the black coloring extends farther. The wing pads are bronzy black, occupying more than half the thorax; the tibiae each marked with a whitish band just below the middle; lateral expansions about two-thirds wider than tarsi, with one more or less feebly marked lateral tooth toward apex. Length when first molted, 9 mm . Fifth xt> lifi cycle. — The life history of this plant-bug. as previously intimated, practically duplicates, as regards the length of the different stages, that of our two common species of Anasa, tristis and armigera. Eggs that were deposited in extremely hot weather in early August produced nymphs in eight days and the first molt of the nymph took place in three days. The nymphs do not thrive in confinement as well as do those of the species of Anasa. and the working out of the periods of the different stages would, therefore, have been laborious. Assuming the periods to be practically identical, we have the egg stage eight days, the first nymph stage three days, as previously ascertained, and can surmise the second and third nymph stages to be rive to seven days each, the fourth five or six days, and the fifth seven or eight day-, the minimum period of the entire life cycle probably being about rive week-, and the maximum seldom more than six weeks, except in the case of some of the late broods which occur in the fall. A- with Anasa. there is only a single generation produced each. year. The first appearance of this plant-bug in the neighborhood of the District of Columbia is probably not far from the first day of July, the earliest date when it has been observed. This is two or three weeks later than the appearance of Anasa tristis. The first eggs ob- tained were deposited August '.». Nymphs were first seen August 13; the second stage, August 16. The first imagos of the new generation developed September 10, and during the next few days many more were seen both in our rear- ing cages and in the field. The hibernated bugs disappeared a week or two earlier, so that there was no overlapping of generations observ- able. The second stage of the nymph has been observed during dif- ferent seasons as late as the middle of September and an individual of the third stage September 23. A belated adult was observed in the second week of November. 24 Food haMts. — It may be well to sum up what is now known of the food and other habits of this species. It is obvious that cucurbits are the favorite food of both adults and nymphs, although the earlier arrivals or hibernated adults are more often found upon fruit trees. The nymphs are most abundant on cucurbits, which naturall} T is true of adults of the new generation which remain on or in the vicinity of the plants upon which they developed until time for seeking winter quarters. Plums, cherries, peaches, and tomatoes are frequently punctured by the insects in all stages, tomatoes appearing to be pre- ferred in our rearing jars to other food. Green corn is fed upon readily. There is record of occurrence on corn published \>y Dr. Lintner in the Country Gentleman of October 7, 1886 (p. 753). Of other published records of food habits we have Mr. Ashmead's men- tion of this species in his enumeration of the insect enemies of cotton; also note of the occurrence of eggs and nymphs on a hedge plant and on Russian apricot. Grape has been recorded as a food by Dr. Lint- ner (loc. cit.). The natural wild food plant remains to be discovered. In the report of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station for 1900-1901 mention is made of this bug as having been received from various parts of Oklahoma, accompanied with the report that it was injuring the fruits of peach and plum by puncturing them and suck- ing out their juices. The species occasioned considerable alarm there, and farmers were asked to send specimens whenever found, in order that several points in its life history might be determined. Oth<-r habits. — The nymphs, as soon as hatched, group themselves about the chains of eggs and remain there during the day and probably till nightfall. Afterwards they may be found in other locations, and those which have been under observation, both in the field and in con- finement, at once selected a place for congregating where they were to be seen throughout the da} T , the individuals of a colony or those which hatched from a single egg mass always remaining by them- selves. In one rearing cage a colony established itself at the base of a squash leaf near the stalk, which appears to be a favorite rest- ing place for this as well as other plant-bugs, including the squash bugs; and another colony formed at the apex of the same leaf, as far as possible from the first colony. Here they remained day after day without mingling. Finally a stray nymph from a third egg mass, and larger than the others, joined the lower colony and remained with them. With the assumption of the third stage, the nymphs kept under obser- vation deserted their original congregating places and collected in another portion of the cage, where they were joined by a newly hatched colony. With later stages it is a matter of common occur- rence to find in the field three or four stages in a single group. A fully matured nymph was observed to shed its last skin October 2, 25 at 11.30 a. 111. At this time it was a light carmine; in the afternoon it had changed to the normal dull black color. This plant-bug has a similar but much fainter odor than the common squash bug. but in ordinary handling of the creatures, nymphs and adults, it would scarcely be noticed. NATURAL ENEMIES. Quite frequently the adults of this plant- bug are noticed with Tach- inid eggs on the upper surface of the thorax. During the first week of August a fly was reared from hibernated adults, which proved to be Trichopoda pennipe* (tig. 5). An adult of the squash bug. Anaaa tr'ist'is % was found September 14 with a nymph of tin 1 second stage of this plant-bug affixed to its beak. REMEDIES. This plant-bug can. in the case of ordinary attack, be controlled by hand-picking or by capturing the insects in in veiled umbrellas, bags, or specially prepared nets saturated with kerosene: the best time for their capture being in the early morning or late in the evening, as they are apt to be active, taking wing readily, in the heat of the day. A certain measure of relief should be obtained by the free use of kerosene emulsion, which will at least kill the younger nymphs. Some of the remedies in use against the striped cucumber beetle 1 and other insect enemies of cucurbits will assist in the control of this species when it occurs on cucurbits. Among these are the protection of young plants with coverings: the use of repellents, such as land plaster or gypsum, saturated with kerosene or turpentine: the plant- ing of an excess of seed to distribute attack: the stimulation of the growth of the plant by manures or other proper fertilizer: and. lastly, clean cultural practice. If. as soon as the crop is harvested, the vines be gathered and burned, many bugs in their different stages will be destroyed and the crop of insects will be reduced for the ensuing year. With a knowledge of the natural wild food plant or plants of this species, we might be able to control it in the same manner as sug- gested for its congener, L. phyUopus, which feeds normally upon thistles. This matter is considered on page 48 of Bulletin No. 19. present series. Fn;. r>. — Trichopoda pennipes: adult, fly three times natural size (original I. "See Circular No. 31, 2d ser., The Striped Cucumber Beetle, pp. 26 THE CARROT RUST FLY. (Psila rosas Fab.) This imported pest, which has been noted as injurious to carrots in Canada since 1885, made its appearance during the season of 1901 in New York, and did considerable injury. November 14 and 19, 1901, Mr. James Granger, Broadalbin, N. Y., sent specimens of the maggot which proved, on rearing, to be this species, and which he found at work in a celery field during the sum- mer. The larvae seemed to begin eating into the thick part of the root when the plant was about half grown, stunting it so as to make it worthless for market. About 6,000 plants had been ruined during the season, and traces of the ravages of the maggot were found all over a Held containing 60,000 plants. It is to be regretted that the rearing and subsequent identification of the species was made so late in the season that it was impossible to make any biological observations. The importance of the species as a pest in Europe and its prospective increase and injuriousness in this country are such, however, that it is deemed advisable to present at this time what is known concerning the insect and its life history. All that has been hitherto published on its occurrence in America is from the pen of Dr. James Fletcher, Dominion entomologist of Canada. Attack on carrots is not difficult of recognition. The leaves of the young plants early in the spring turn reddish, and the roots are found to be blotched with rusty patches, particularly toward their tips. The roots when stored for winter, although not always manifesting any degree of injury on the outer surface, may at times be perforated in all directions by dirty brownish burrows, from which the whitish or yellowish larvae may be found sometimes projecting. DESCRIPTIVE. This species is quite minute, the adult or parent fly measuring only about one- sixth of an inch (4 mm ) in length, with a wing expanse of a little more than three-tenths of an inch (8 mm ). The color of the body is dark green, described by some authors as black, and it is rather sparsely clothed with yellow hairs. The head and legs are pale yellow, and the eyes are black. The general appearance of the two sexes is shown at $ and ? . respectively (tig. 6). It will be noted that the male abdomen is rounded at the apex, while that of the female is prolonged into a rather acute point. A more detailed description is given by Curtis. The /<r<t< ry beds. — Now that we know that this insect also infests celery, it is obvious .that celery should not follow carrots nor carrots celeiy in rotation. Clean cultivation should be practiced, which means the destruction of all remnants after the celery crop has been harvested, and if the insect is found to destroy celery in store in the same manner as carrots, the earth, after the larvae have entered it, should be treated in the same manner as described above. After harvesting, it would be a good plan to give the celery fields a light raking or cultivating of sufficient depth to expose the larvae or puparia that they may be destroyed by frost; early the following spring, before the flies have time to issue, if the earth be plowed deeply, it will, with little doubt, have the effect of destroying most of the insects; and such as have not been killed by frost and survive 32 cultivating and raking would be buried so deeply under the ground by the spring plowing that they would not be able to effect their escape. THE CARROT BEETLE. (Ligyrus gibbosus Dej.) A very common beetle along the Atlantic coast from Long Island to the Gulf States, and at many points inland, has been reported as the cause of injury to carrots and other root crops, and to some other plants. It first attracted attention from its injury to sunflower and has been given the name of sunflower beetle; but as its record shows it to be the worst insect enemy to carrot and parsnip known in the United States at present, the name of carrot beetle is suggested as more appropriate. It is somewhat of a general feeder, and, as we learn more of its habits, we will doubtless find that it will, on occasion, attack many other plants than those which will be specified. During the year 1900 it was destructive to corn in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the following year to sunflower in Illinois and to root crops in Indiana. DESCRIPTION. The beetle (fig. 7). — From three other species of Ligyrus, gibbosus can be distinguished without much difficulty. It is of robust form, like ruginasus, the Pacific coast form, and relictus, but from both it may be known by its much smaller size. It measures between one-half and five-eights of an inch in length, and its width is more than half the length. The surface of the elytra is strongly sculptured and coarsely punctate, characters which will distinguish this genus from Lachnos- terna. The color varies from reddish brown to nearly black on the dorsal surface. The lower surface is reddish brown, and the legs, which are still brighter colored, are clothed with reddish- fig. i.-Lim/rm giSboms: yellow hairs. The remaining species, rugiceps, beetle— about twice nat- i >s restricted to the South, and is narrower than the others, with a different facies. The species may further be distinguished from ruginasus (with which it agrees in having the thorax impressed in front, and with a small tubercle, and in having the anterior tibiae tridentate) by the structure of the clypeus which is bidentate or two-toothed, the clypeus in rugi- nasus being unidentate or single-toothed. The egg is of the -usual scarabaeid appearance, when recently laid measuring 1.70 mm in length and 1.45 ram in diameter, but when ready to hatch the length is about 2.30 mm and the diameter 2.20 mm . In almost every respect the egg is a counterpart of that of Lachnosterna, which S3 was described by the writer in Bulletin No. 19 of the present series (p. 75). It is perfectly snow-white with just a perceptible luster when laid, but becomes grayer when near the hatching time. The larva and pupa have never been described, to the writer's knowledge. DISTRIBUTION. The list of localities in which Ligyrw gibbosus has been observed, and by which it is represented in most cases in the National Museum, includes territory from Long Island to California and Oregon, as well as the Gulf States. It indicates a very wide distribution, but so far as we know at present the species does not occur in the Northern States in the Transition or even in the more northern portions of the Upper Austral life zones. For example, although it is extremely abundant about the city of New York, it does not occur in the central portion of the State. A list of known localities follows: New York, Staten Island, Long Island, N. Y. ; in New Jersey at Trevose, Brigan- tine, and Highlands, and "throughout the State, but much more common along the shore at light " (Smith); Pennsylvania; Maryland; Cobb's Island, Pennington Gap, Fortress Monroe, and Virginia Beach, Ya. ; District of Columbia; Keokuk, Iowa; Thomson, 111.; Purdue and Chesterton, Ind.; Moody, Ark.; Topeka, Riley County, Onaga, and Atchison, Kans. ; St. James and Glencoe, Nebr. ; Capron and Crescent City, Fla. ; Craig, Miss.; San Diego, Plainview, Rock Hill, and Gainesville, Tex.; Salt Lake, Utah; Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Mesi 11a Valley, and Water Canon, N. Mex.; Yuma and Wilcox, Ariz.; Bayou La Fourchc, Mcr Rouge, and Ville Platte, La.; Grand Rapids, Wis.; Pueblo, Colo.; Los Angeles, Kern County, and southern Cali- fornia; Hood River, and Dalles, Oreg. RECENT INJURIOUS AND OTHER UNRECORDED OCCURRENCES. April 21, 1900, Mr. Rene L. Derouen, Ville Platte, La., sent speci- mens of this insect with the report that the species was concerned in the destruction of the corn crop of that vicinity. The beetles were described as cutting the corn just above the roots. The previous gear's crop was lost through its depredations, and fear was expressed that the country might suffer very much indeed through the ravages of this pest. Mr. James Lambeth, Craig, Miss., sent specimens, with the information that many of these insects were to be found in a corn- field about an inch deep in the ground. During 1901 we received in June specimens of the beetle, with information from Prof. W. G. Johnson, associate editor American Agriculturist, that this species was found injuring the roots of sun- flower and sweet potato at Thomson, Carroll County, 111. October 10 we received specimens of beetles eating the roots of celery, carrots, and parsnips, and sent by Mr. F. J. Dickinson, Chesterton, Ind. He stated that the carrot crop appeared to be in good condition, judging from the tops, but when the plants were pulled it was seen that the roots were full of little holes. The beetles appeared to work entirely 23987— No. 33—02 3 34 under ground, and our correspondent stated that they had ruined the carrot and celery crop that fall. December 5, Mr. Dickinson again wrote in regard to investigations which he had conducted at the writer's request. He succeeded in ascertaining that carrots, at least in that localit}^ were the chosen food of the beetles, but celery and sweet potatoes were greatly damaged. Of parsnips an occasional root was found that had been eaten into, but not to seriously damage it. Celery was greatly injured by the beetles' gnawing into the roots so that the plants were killed and dwarfed, sometimes so badly that the crop was practically worthless for market. One-half of Mr. Dick- inson's sweet potatoes were not marketable on account of the holes made by these beetles. LITERATURE AND RECORDED INJURIES BY THE SPECIES. The first account which the writer finds of injuries by the carrot beetle was published in the report of the Commissioner of Agricul- ture for 1880 (p. 274). About the middle of August of that year specimens were received from St. James, Nebr., where it was reported at the roots of sunflower plants of sickly appearance, from 5 to 25 of the beetles to each plant. They had eaten the bark from the root and scored long grooves in the wood. The larvae were found in the same situation doing apparently the same work. Later in the fall of the same year a correspondent at Glencoe, Nebr., wrote that this species often nearly exterminated wild sunflower by working at its roots. He had also observed it on cultivated sunflower and dahlia. June 4 of the same }-ear we received from Mr. D. Donaldson, Rock Hill, Bexar County, Tex., a lot of larva? of this species — which were subsequently reared to adults — with the report that the species was doing much damage to potatoes. Of this lot, one changed to pupa June 14 and others June 16, the beetles issuing June 28 and July 1. respectively. It will thus be seen that the pupal condition for this season required about fourteen or fifteen days. Pupation took place in an oval cavity in the earth formed by the rolling and twisting of the larva. September 16 Mr. J. H. Way land, Plainview, Tex., sent beetles with the report that they were numerous and doing much damage to shrubs and vegetables of different kinds b} T working upon their roots, first cutting small roots and afterwards the tops. From 1 to 50 beetles could be found in the ground around the roots of single vegetables, weeds, and small shrubs. It is plain from the above that injuries must have been quite exten- sive in the year 1880. In September, 1889, Mr. F. M. Webster reported the occurrence of this species in destructive numbers on carrot at Purdue, Ind. The carrots were found to be gnawed to the depth of 2 or 3 inches, the cavities thus formed being large and irregular. Injuries con- 35 tinued during that month and October and up to the 6th of December. (Insect Life, Vol. I, p. 382). During the year 1890 Ligyrus f >su* was reported by Professor Bruner as having been quite destructive to the sugar beet over limited areas toward the western part of the State of Nebraska. It attacked the roots, into which the mature insects gnawed great holes, sometimes entirely embedding themselves. They worked for the most part on old ground and where irrigation was practiced. The work upon the roots extended from the surface to a considerable depth, but was most apparent at about 3 or 4 inches below the surface. In some instances it reached a depth of fully 7 inches (Bui. 23, o. s., p. 17). In 1894 Mr. Webster again reported this species to be destroying sunflowers by eating the roots, the beetles going from hill to hill to continue their depredations. This occur- rence took place in Indiana, as before, in St. Joseph County (Insect Life, Vol. VII, p. 206; Ohio Farmer, July 5, 1894, p. 17). In Bulletin No. 36 of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, by H. E. Weed (Nov., 1895, pp. 156, 157), an interesting note is published on the occurrence of this species in Mississippi. The injury by the beetles is described as somewhat resembling that of corn billbugs. When a stalk of corn is attacked it presents a wilted appearance, but after a few days of favorable weather it may recover. An excellent illustration of the cause of attack is given, well worth repeating, in Mr. Weed's own language. In June of this year many reports were received from Adams County of damage being done by these beetles and we were at a loss as to how to account for the injury. Upon investigation, however, we found the following to be the situation: The beetles were doing damage only in a limited locality, and had done the most damage upon a plantation w r here some 3,000 head of cattle were pastured last year. The land was not i »lowed until spring and the corn was planted immediately afterwards. These facts explained the whole matter. The beetles were attracted to the pasture last year by the droppings of the cattle and had deposited their eggs in the grass. The larva? fed on the roots of the grass last season and changed into mature beetles jusl before the ground was broken. The corn immediately after was attacked by the beetles, as it was the only vegetation on the land. If the land had not been broken up the beetles would probably have fed on the grass and deposited their eggs as usual. The substance of this report of injury is repeated in the eighth annual report of the same station (p. 71). A short general account of this species is given by Messrs. Forbes and Hart in Bulletin No. 60 of the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station (p. 152), which includes an original illustration of the beetle. SOME DIVISIONAL RECORDS OF ATTACK. May 9, 1898, Mr. Geo. Davenport, Mer Rouge, La., mailed speci- mens of this beetle with the report that, although there were few of this insect in corn in that vicinity the previous year, during 1898 they 36 were very numerous. The beetles went down under the surface of the earth and completely shredded the cornstalk between the surface and the roots. They were described as playing havoc with stands of corn in that region. September 19, of the same year, Mr. B. M. Vaughn, Grand Rapids, Wis., sent specimens of the beetle working in carrot tops and in tubers of dahlia. During 1899, Mr. J. P. Baker, Mood}^, Drew County, Ark., sent specimens of beetles, June 3, reporting that they were cutting late plantings of small corn and cotton, as many as 7 or 8 being found on a single plant. Older growth of these crops seemed exempt from attack, evidently owing to their firmer, more wood} T texture. August 28, Dr. W. H. Ridge, Trevose, Pa., sent specimens of the beetle, stating that they had been destroying great quantities of carrots by boring down and eating the roots off, leaving the ground full of holes. SUMMARY OF FOOD AND OTHER HABITS. Our knowledge of the life economy of the carrot beetle is still incom- plete. It would appear that in many respects it closel}^ resembles the brown fruit-chafer {Euphoria mda Linn.), which has been treated in Bulletin No. 19 (n. s.), pages 67-71. Larval injury has been noted, but there is little doubt that the grubs feed also on humus, manure, and decomposing roots and tap roots of herbaceous plants. The writer has observed larvae feeding in earth where there was no opportunity for plant attack. Most cases of reported injury have been due to the oper- ations of the beetles, and damage is more pronounced on young plants than on older growth, the latter appearing, in some cases at least, to be. exempt from attack, owing to their firmer and more woody texture. Injury may be accomplished both by hibernated individuals in the spring from April to June, according to locality, and by recently transformed specimens in late summer and in autumn. Like the fruit-chafer again, the species is with little doubt single- brooded. Eggs have been observed by the writer June 8 from which larvae hatched ten days later. Pupation takes place in an oval cavity in the earth, formed by the rolling and twisting of the grub within, as in the case of allied insects; and the observed pupal period is about fourteen or fifteen days in the warm weather of late June and early July. As these observations were made on material received from Texas, it seems probable that farther north, as, for example, along the coast of New Jerse} r and Long Island, pupation taking place at a later period requires a longer time. Hibernation, without much doubt, occurs in the adult condition. The favorite food of the beetle is evi- dently carrot, and after this corn in the Southern States; elsewhere parsnip and celery appear to be chosen. Sweet potato and Irish potato are subject to much damage. Sunflower and dahlia are to be included as food plants, and sugar beet is sometimes injured, as is also cotton. 37 The writer has found the beetles in numbers about the roots of pig- weed (Ambrosia), and other persons have noticed them about weeds. Although the species is rather unusually periodical in injurious attack, it Ls obviously capable of doing much damage in years when it develops in great numbers. NATURAL ENEMIES AND METHODS OF CONTROL. One bird, the chuck-will's-widow, is recorded as having fed on the beetles of Ligyrusgibbosus at Gainesville. Tex. (Ins. Life, Vol. II. p.189). It is to be regretted that when this insect is present in large num- bers in cultivated fields there is little, owing to its manner of working, that can be accomplished in the line of control. About the only thing that can be done is to trap the beetles at night by means of stationary lanterns and pans of water placed below the lanterns, on which is float- ing a thin scum of kerosene. The lantern- should be stationed at intervals about the held, particularly around the borders. The beetles are strongly attracted to electric lights, but it is not certain that they could be lured from the field- after beginning to feed. A correspondent reports that by scattering lime through infested fields the beetles have been apparently driven away. It is possible that this or some other similar substance might have a deterrent effect, but it is rather doubtful. After the crop lias been harvested, if the insects continue in numbers in the ground, either in the adult, larval, or pupal stage, it would be profitable to turn in hogs, which soon rind and root up such insects from the ground. Chickens also learn to follow the plow after these and similar insects. Crop rotation should also be practiced. THE BEET ARMY WORM. {Laphygma exigua Hbn.) Simultaneously with the occurrence of the fall army worm (La- phygma frugiperdd) in the eastern United States in such unusual and destructive numbers in L899, a- previously reported by the writer (Bui. 29, n. s.,pp. 5-46). a similar outbreak of a related species known in American literature as Laphygma jlavimacidata Harv. occurred in Colorado and New Mexico. The outbreak in Colorado has been men- tioned by Prof. C. P. Gillette in several publications, but no compre- hensive account of the species has yet been published, and recent studies of literature show that there is such a strong possibility of this species becoming a serious pest eastward that it becomes a practical necessity to bring together all that we know about it. All that has been published in regard to its food habits and ravages in America are from the observations of Professor Gillette, but through the kindness of Dr. PI. G. Dyar. of the National Museum. I have been referred to numerous articles on this species going to show that it is widely dis- 38 tributed and cosmopolitan, although in the United States restricted to an area considerably west of the Mississippi Valley. Although this insect is obviously of foreign origin, there is proba- bility of its some time migrating in the same manner as did the Colorado potato beetle in the late sixties and early seventies; and it is nearly equally possible that this insect may become as great a foe to the culture of the sugar and garden beet, as well as to other vegetables, as the Colorado beetle has been to the potato, though this may not happen in the near future. It does not confine itself to foliage, but after devouring this eats off the crown of a plant and then the roots. DESCRIPTIVE. This species, as might be expected from their relationship, is similar to the fall arm} 7 worm in all stages, but the resemblance is not close. The moth (fig. 8, a) resem- bles more nearly the plain gray form of L. frugiperda, but the fore-wings are broader and paler, the reniform and other spots as well as mottlings are more distinct, but the hind- wings differ very slightly, the veins, particularly the central ones, being a little more dis- tinct. The body is of similar color, but a little more slender. The wing expanse is less than an inch and one-fourth. A technical description is furnished by Hampson (Fauna of British India, Moths, Vol. II, p. 259), which is quoted herewith: Pale ochreous brown. Fore-wing with the subbasal, ante-, and post-medial double lines indistinct; the orbicular small and round, pale or ochreous; the reniform usually less prominent, with ochreous or dark center; the submarginal line pale, angled below the costa, and with some slight dark streaks before it at middle; a marginal series of dark specks. Hind- wing semihyaline opalescent white; the veins and outer margin tinged with fuscous. The egg* are also similar, being ribbed as in the case of most Noctuid moths, but according to the figure and description furnished by Hofmann, the} r differ by being pyramidal, something unusual in the Noctuidse. The general appearance of the egg is shown in the illus- tration at e and f. It will be noticed that the upper third has the appearance of being surmounted !ry a cap, and this portion is separated from the lower two-thirds by a white ring. Fig. 8. — Laphygma exigua: a, moth; b, larva, lateral view; c, larva, dorsal view; d, head of larva; e, egg, Viewed from above; /, egg, from side— all enlarged {a-d, original; e, f, after Hofmann). . 39 The larva. — The few specimens of the larva available for description are small or not quite mature, the longest measuring less than an inch and one-fourth, and with much narrower head than that of the fall army worm. The ground color in life is greenish or olivaceous, but this does not show in inflated and alcoholic specimens. The lateral stripe, however, is strongly suggestive of frugiperda, although the surf ace is not marked by the large tubercles present in the latter species. The head is mottled dark brown, with V-mark well indicated; the thoracic plate scarcely different from the abdominal seg- ments save in bearing piliferous warts, while the remainder of the body, with the exception of the head, which is strongly marked with dark brown undulating lines, is faintly clothed, onlv a few ii.i. . ... i " t) i Fig. 9.— Laphygmaexigua: extremely snort hairs appearmgat intervals. Below enlarged section of first the lateral stripe the surface near the spiracles is Pf° le s segment, dorsal pinkish. The larva is shown, lateral view, at 5, and dorsal view at c, figure 8; an enlarged section of the first proleg segment of the larva is illustrated in figure 9. Through the kindness of Messrs. Coquillett and Dyar, the follow- ing more technical descriptions of the larva are furnished: The young larva. — The young ones are pale green with a whitish dorsal, subdorsal, and stigmatal line, spiracles white, ringed with black, the head dark brown. Later in life the head becomes green dotted with blackish and the coloring of the body differs considerably in the depth of the coloring even among the different individuals of the same brood and in the same stage of development. In some the ground color is light green, in others the suprastigmal space varies from dark green to almost black. When first hatched the larvae spin a web about them and live gregariously for several days, after which they disperse and live separately without any protection. [D. W. Coquillett.] Tin mature larva. — Head round, oblique, apex in joint 2; sordid luteous with a few white flecks on the vertices of the lobes; width about 2 nu ". Body cylindrical, equal, normal, joint 12 scarcely enlarged. Cervical shield smoky or green, cut by three sordid white lines. Green or olivaceous in darker larva?. A straight subdorsal line a shade paler than the ground color, and a straight broad substigmatal one of the same color but broadly green, filled so as to appear only at the edges, or else in the dark form, blotched in dull red centrally on the segments. Between these lines the lateral space is gray to black, strongly dotted with whitish. Dorsum dotted and lined confusedly in green or blackish, heaviest centrally, defining a narrow obscure pale dorsal line. A bright white speck on tubercle iv, which is at the upper corner of the spiracle. Subventral region pale, mottled in whitish. Feet normal, green, the thoracic ones brown shaded. [H. G. Dyar.] THE QUESTION OF NOMENCLATURE. Considering the cosmopolitan distribution of this species, the question of nomen- clature becomes important. In Smith's list of Lepidoptera of Boreal America pub- lished in 1891 (p. 47) the insect is recorded as Caradrina Jiari inaculata Harv. In its larval as well as adult stage, and in its habits, how T ever, it bears so close a resem- blance to the fall army worm (Laphygma jrugiperda) that it is obvious that the 40 . two species belong in one genus. Sir G. F. Hampson in his Fauna of British India (Moths, Vol. IT, p. 259), mentions this species as Caradrina exigua Hbn., giving a rather long list of synonyms, of which Caradrina flavimaculata Harv. is one. He mentions it in Fauna Hawaiiensis (Vol. I, pt. 2, Macrolepidoptera, p. 153) as Spodop- tera exigua Hbn., again giving flavimaculata Harv. as a synonym. In Staudinger and Rebel's "Catalog der Lepidopteren," published in 1901 (p. 195), the species is referred back to the genus Caradrina, with remarks on synonomy and distribution. DISTRIBUTION. There ean be no doubt that the beet army worm has been introduced, probably originally on the Pacific coast, and has thence made its way eastward to eastern Colorado and New Mexico. With the possible exception of two army worms, the common army worm and the fall army worm (both of which may have been introduced originally many years ago from South and Central America), all of the cutworms which are most destructive and assume the army-worm habit in seasons of unusual abundance are of foreign origin. There are no species posi- tively known to be native which migrate in numbers. In accepting the opinion of European authorities, Meyrick, Stau- dinger, and Rebel, as to the identity of this insect with the European Caradrina (Spodoptera) exigua Hbn., we must also adopt the credited distribution which shows it to be truly cosmopolitan. Its range thus includes middle and southern Europe, England and its near-by insular possessions, Borkum. Mauritius, Madeira, Canary Islands, Africa, Asia Minor, Syria, Armenia, Japan, China (?), India, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. Harvey described this species in 1876 from material from Oregon and California (Can. Ent., Vol. VIII, p. 54). So far as the writer is aware, however, it has never occasioned injury on the Pacific coast, which is not a little singular, considering the fact that its favorite food plant, sugar beet, is extensively cultivated in portions of Cali- fornia, and that the insect was doubtless introduced there even before 1876. As to its origin, nothing appears to have been surmised. It is doubtless like so man}' pests, oriental, and perhaps came from India or Australia by way of Hawaii to California. From present knowledge of its distribution it is obviously capable of flourishing in both the Lower and Upper Austral life zones, and of doing injury even in the Transition, but it may be that it agrees with its congener, the fall army worm, in being better adapted to the Lower Austral zone. A single specimen was captured in northern Sonora, Mexico (Biol. Centr.-Amer. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Vol. I, 1900, p. 280). We have little definite information regarding the region of North America which this species inhabits. The list of localities includes Oregon; Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and other points in California; Fort Collins, Palisades, Delta, Grand Junction, and Montrose, Colo.; 41 Roswell, Mesilla Valley, and Carlsbad, N. Mex. Both the Col- orado and New Mexico localities are east of the Rock}' Mountain range, and it appears to be only a matter of time when this species will succeed in invading the great sugar-beet regions of Nebraska: perhaps in time it will also travel farther eastward and become a pest in the Eastern States. It does not seem, however, that there is any immediate danger of general spread as in the case of the Colorado beetle: first, because the insect is a general feeder capable of thriving on plants belonging to several botanical orders, and hence does not need to migrate for food: and second, because the migration of the Colorado beetle is something almost unprecedented in entomological history: third, because according to present evidence the insect is Lower Austral and perhaps Tropical in origin, while the sugar beet grows best in the Upper Austral or Transition zones. From observa- tions of Professor Gillette it is obvious also that this insect, like the fall army worm, although it may invade the Upper Austral area, is not apt to survive severe winters: hence, if it becomes introduced very far northward its ravages will without doubt be sporadic and depend- ent upon the occurrence of winters sufficiently mild to favor its hibernation. PROBABLE METHOD OF SPREAD. As previously surmised, this species has doubtless come to our shores from Australia. India, or somewhere else in the Orient, possibly via the Sandwich Islands, and originally through the "Golden Gate," Los Angeles, or at some intermediate point on the California coast. If it was introduced in the northern portion of California, it drifted south- ward, as would any other species of semitropical or Lower Austral origin (which zones we conclude must have been the original home of the insect). From southern California its distribution eastward was a matter of easy accomplishment, by short flights of the moths aided by favoring winds through Arizona, possibly extreme northern Mexico, and New Mexico, where few high mountains barred its course, to Colo- rado, where, according to available data, its further spread appears to have ceased. In some respects this introduction has been accomplished in what we may surmise was the manner of establishment of certain other injur- ious insects, examples of which are the potato tuber worm {Gdechia operculdla) and perhaps the imported cabbage web-worm (Hdlula undalis), both of which inhabit California. They probably originated in the Orient, and evidently followed a similar course, with this differ- ence, however, that as one feeds in the tubers of potatoes and the other in the heads of cabbage, and both are small species, it is more likely that they were introduced in part by "commercial jumps.** which accounts for their being found farther east throughout the South. Both 42 have spread to the Atlantic seaboard, the former occurring in North Carolina, and the latter in South Carolina. Neither (so far as records show) has invaded Colorado. ECONOMIC LITERATURE. The first account that the writer finds of injury by this species in America is entitled ,4 The Sugar-Beet Caterpillar," and was issued as Special Press Bulletin, dated August 19, 1899, of the Colorado Agri- cultural Experiment Station, C. P. Gillette being the author. Injury in the vicinity of Palestine, Graod Junction, and Fruita is specially mentioned, and some facts on the insect's occurrence are also given, the main portion of the bulletin, however, being devoted to the discus- sion of remedies. In Press Bulletin No. 3. from the same station and author, a similar account appears. During the same year also the writer mentioned furnished for Bul- letin No. 26, n. s., of the Division of Entomology, an account of this species and its occurrence during 1899, adding as localities infested Delta. Montrose, and Rockyford. From this it appears that although beets were principally devoured, the caterpillars also attacked potato, which in some cases suffered badly, as also small fruit trees where beets were planted in orchards. In a report of the same writer (12th Report Agl. Expt. Sta. of Colo- rado for 1899-1900, p. 39) similar injury is cited, the estimate being made that two or three hundred acres of beets were completely ruined in three localities during August. The insect matured in enormous numbers, and was noted to be passing the winter as a moth. The same writer published in the 22d Annual Report of the State Board of Agriculture of Colorado some additional facts in regard to this insect's life economy (pp. 128-129). This account states that the species disappeared as suddenly in 1900 as it had appeared the preceding sea- son. Since parasitism was not especially noticeable, it was surmised that the insect failed, although for no assignable reason, to properly survive the winter. Three new food plants were added to the list previously furnished, including lambsquarter (Chenopodium), Russian thistle, and salt bush (Atriplex). Mr. E. D. Ball observed that the moths were flying abundantly about the middle of May; caterpillars began hatching the first week in June, and by the middle of that month were abundant. Their ravages were worst on earliest planted beets, late plantings suffering injury only when near weeds or patches of early beets. Thousands of the worms were seen migrating, and they were found to travel two or three feet a minute. In "The Economic Entomology of the Sugar Beet" (Bui. No. 60, Exp. Sta. Univ. 111.), by Messrs. Forbes and Hart, an account of this species also appears in which some new facts are given. These 43 include wild sunflower, Cleome, pea, and leaves of apple as food plants, the data having been derived from observations communicated by Pro- fessor Gillette. It is stated that this species evidently hibernates as a moth, and at least two generations of larva? may be expected each year — the first about June, and the second in August. A similar account to the last is given by Prof. E. D. Sanderson in "Insects Injurious to Staple Crops, ,? page 262. An account of this species and its habits, as occurring in Europe, was given in 1893 by Dr. Ernst Hofmann in "Die Raupen der G-ross- Schmetterlinge Europas," page 109. This includes a characterization of the genus and descriptions of all stages, with figures of the egg and larva. The following synonvmical list is furnished by Hampson (Fauna British India, Moths, Vol. II, 1894, p. 259): Caradrina orbicularis, Wlk. Cat. x, p. 294. Caradrina venosa, Butl. Ent Mo. Mag. xvii. p. 7: C. & S., no. 2115. Spodoptera cilium, Guen. Noct. i, p. 156; C. & 8., no. 2117. Spodoptera insulsa, Wlk. Cat xxxii, p. 648. Spodoptera erica, Butl. P. Z. S., L880, p. 675. Laphygma cycloidee, Guen. Noet. i, p. 157. Laphygma macra, Guen. Noct L, p. 157. Laphygma? caradrinoidee, Wlk. Cat. ix. p. 190. Caradrina iiaviniaeulata, Harv., Cn.tr. New Check-list, p. 30. Caradrina insignata, C. & S., no. 21 12 ( mr Wlk.). Huebner's description appeared some time in the early part of the century in Sammlung europaischer Schmetterlinge, Noct. fig. 362. This publication, however, is not available at the present writing, and the exact date of its issuance can not he determined. RECENT DIVISIONAL REPORTS OF INJURY. The first intimation that the "writer had of the occurrence of the beet army worm in injurious numbers in this country was received through Prof. J. B. Smith, who wrote in February. 1900, that it had been reported by Professor Gillette as destructive in Colorado during the season of 1 899. h\ response to inquiry, Professor Gillette w T rote that there had been a considerable outbreak in Colorado during that sum- mer, and prior to that season only three specimens of the insect had been present in the college collection. The caterpillars were very abundant during August at Grand Junction, Palisades, Delta, and Montrose, and specimens of the insect were also received from Rocky- ford, where they were reported to depredate on beets. Hundreds of acres of beets were not harvested because of the ravages of this species in the region about Grand Junction. It was noticed that but little destruction of the last brood by insect enemies was observed, and that the moths appeared during the latter part of August and September in prodigious numbers. 44 ;i The moths spend the winter evidently in hibernation," sinee exam- ination of the ovaries of many of the females appearing in the fall failed to show the ova developed in any case. During the same season Mr. Vernon Bailey, of the Biological Sur- vey of this Department, observed this beet army worm in large num- bers on the foliage of young sugar beets in a held near Eddy, now Carlsbad, N. Mex. According to Mr. Bailey's notes (which were accompanied by specimens), the first occurrence was noted June 19, L899, and the larvae were doing much damage to sugar beets in the Pecos Valley near Koswell and Eddy. Extensive areas, including in some cases entire tields, were destroyed, necessitating replanting and sometimes the abandoning of the crops. The crop of that region was generally injured. Mr. Bailey informs the writer that a sugar-beet factory started at Eddy has since been put out of operation, and sugar beets have been raised there since only to a limited extent for feeding stock. The cultivated portion of the valley lies mainly in the Lower Sonoran life zone, but is so near the Upper Sonoran zone as to have a mixture of the species from the latter. During the summer of 1901 Mr. A. X. Caudell, of this office, spent some time in the collection of insects in portions of Colorado, and gathered some material found injurious to cultivated crops. Among this was the beet army worm, all stages of which were found on sugar beet at Palisades. Mesa County, and at Delta. At the latter place larvae were captured also on table beet, although they did not occur on this variety of the plant in injurious numbers. In a letter* dated February 4, 1902, Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell fur- nishes the writer the information that this species, which he listed on page 35 of Bulletin No. 24 of the New Mexico Agricultural Experi- ment Station, as occurring in Mesilla Valley. New Mexico, had been reared by him from the larva depredating on cultivated onion. EARLIER RECORDS. The first record that appears to have been made, unpublished hith- erto, however, was by Mr. D. W. Coquillett. when employed as held agent of this Division in California. May 25, 1882, lie found the larva at Anaheim, Gal. The following day the larvae spun their cocoons, and moths began issuing on the 11th of the following month. At the latter date more larvae were found, of all sizes, feeding on corn, Chenopodium cilbum and Arnaranthus retr&flesous. Some of the largest were placed in rearing cages, and June 22 crept beneath the litter in the cages and spun very thin cocoons. The moths issued the second week in July. An extended search for larvae was made in the field July 8, but without success. November 5 still other larvae were found in the above-mentioned locality feeding on a species of 45 mallow {Malva borealds). Some of these began spinning their cocoons three days later, and by November 14 all had spun up. Two produced moths December 12. October 24, 1886, a larva was found at Los Angeles. Cal.. feeding- on Niooticma glauca. This produced a moth November 21. Two years later. February 18, Mr. Coquillett captured a moth much worn. The above notes are of particular interest as showing- new food plants and as verifying Professor Gillette's observations on the hibernation of the species in the adult condition. We would naturally expect a somewhat different life history as regards dates of appearance and disappearance in localities in south- ern California, so different from that of Colorado. According to Mr. Coquillett's observations, moths were rare in April, but became abun- dant the latter part of May and during June. Adopting the hypoth- esis, if it can be called such, that hibernation takes place us moth, some moths must appear in curly April in order to produce mature larvae as early as May 25. With the somewhat incomplete notes on actual tie Id observations, it would appear that this species, like many other Noc- tuids, such as common species of cutworm-, has a spring brood and a late autumn brood, but differs from most cutworms in the stage of hibernation. Between the first and second generations there La evi- dently a very long season of aestivation or complete quietude passed under the ground when the larva does not feed. SUMMARY OF FOOD PLANTS. As with other larvae that frequently or occasionally migrate in num- bers, the beet army worm is liable to attack most forms of vegetation in its line of march. Sugar beet appears to be the favorite host plant. but table beets are also relished, and the larva 1 feed quite as well on Lambsquarters (Chenopodium) and pigweed (Amaranthus). They also attack saltbush or saltweed (Atriplex), all plants rather closely related to beets. When numerous they affect corn, potato, pea. onion, wild sunflower, the leaves of apple, mallow (Malva). Niootiana glauca, Cleonie. and plantain (Meyrick). They are also said to feed on wild grasses. NATURAL ENEMIES. A single enemy appears to be recorded for the beet army worm, a Tachina fly, reared at this office May °2\K 1S1<7. from a caterpillar received May IT of that year from Mr. S. A. Pease. San Bernardino, Cal. This is Frontina archippivora Will., a rather common species on the Pacific coast, although it occurs eastward also. It is a parasite of Agrotis ypsilon^ a destructive cutworm, as well as of other moths and some butterflies (Tech. Ser. , No. 7. Div. Ent., p. 15). 46 METHODS OF CONTROL. Several remedies were tried in Colorado during the year of greatest infestation there with satisfactory results. The.se included Paris green and kerosene emulsion. Both killed the insects, checking their num- bers for the following year. Paris green was applied in the form of a spray and dry, mixed with flour. Used with flour it cost about 80 cents an acre. Two sprayings with the liquid preparation were found to be most effectual. When this species occurs in fairly injurious numbers the remedies that have been specified should be sufficient. When it is unduly abun- dant, however, army -worm remedies should be applied. The latter form of remedies is discussed in Bulletin No. 29 (n. s.), a copy of which will be furnished to anyone desiring it. NOTES ON WEBWORMS. During the last two years three species of webworms that occur in gardens and do more or less injury to various crops have been reported as the cause of damage in various parts of our country. These are the garden webworm, beet webworm, and imported cabbage worm, each of which will be considered under a separate heading. THE GARDEN WEBWORM. {Loxostege similalis Guen.) a The reported injurious abundance of the garden webworm during the year 1900 in localities in three different States indicate that this species was somewhat generally destructive in that region that year. It is rather singular that, although the insect is widely distributed, real injuries by it appear to be confined to the States bordering the Missis- sippi River in the South. Some of the notes given show that it has even a longer list of food plants than have yet been credited to it. May 14, 1900, Mr. J. D. Mitchell, Victoria, Tex., reported this web- worm as abundant in his vicinity, where it was known locally as the grass worm, a name which it shares with the better-known grass worm or fall army worm (La/phygma frugvperdd). Its favorite food in that a In early works this species has been generally referred to Eurycreon rantalis Guen., and now to Phlyctaenodes similalis Gn. The following synonymy is credited by Sir G. F. Hampson (Pr. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 210, 1899), in addition to eight names bestowed by Walker: Phlyctaenodes similalis Guen. Delt. & Pyr., p. 405. Nymphula rantalis Guen. Delt. & Pyr., 405. Botys posticata Grote and Rob. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, 1, p. 22, pi. 2, f. 25. Eurycreon communis Grote. Can. Ent., ix, p. 105. Eurycreon occiderdalis Pack. Ann. X. Y. Lye, x, p. 260. The list of Walker's names includes: Ebulea murcialis, Botys liccalis, B. siriusalis, Scopula nestusalis, crinisalis, thoonalis, and diotimealis, and Sephopteryx intraciella. 47 locality, according to our correspondent's observations, appears to con- sist in the finer and softer forms of grasses, such as buffalo, crab, and joint grasses. In some seasons the caterpillars did great damage in patches. In ordinary } T ears they were found here, as elsewhere, "worming" the so-called "careless weed" (Amaranthvs spp.), par- ticularly in cotton fields. When other foods failed the larva? attacked young cotton, but if the field was kept clean and well cultivated it was not injured. June 13 Mr. W. J. Patton, Springdale, Washington County, Ark., gave information that the moths were found everywhere in field and orchard in prodigious numbers, and that the greatest appre- hension was felt lest the larva? which would develop from the eggs deposited by the moths would do great damage. July 2L Prof. H. A. Morgan, Baton Rouge, La., wrote that this webworm was a pest upon cotton and alfalfa in the northern portion of his State. In the three instances of injury that have been cited communications were accompanied by specimens. Tht hirrti at maturity is somewhat variable in color, but such indi- viduals as have come under the writer's notice from different sources are usually dull pale green above and dull greenish yellow on the lower surface. The dorsal surface is strongly marked with large shining jet- black piliferous spots, more or less distinctly relieved by a paler border, and there is a median double pale line in well-marked individuals and a lateral single whitish line, while below this line the piliferous spots are lighter. The head is dull gray, mottled with brown. The hairs proceeding from the tubercles are mostly single and black; some are in pairs, and those of the dorsal surface are surrounded by a small area of white, and of the ventral surface by a much larger area. Just before transformation larva 1 become paler yellow. The length when full grown is a little less than an inch (21-23 mm ). ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE BEET WEBWORM. (Loxostegi sticticalis Linn. ) a For some reason writers on this species, which is shown in fig. 10, appear to have overlooked the fact that it is not native, but intro- duced from abroad, presumably on the Pacific coast, whence it has found its way eastward to Colorado and Nebraska. From specimens in n The following synonymy has been indicated by Hanipson (Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1899, p. 211): Phlyctsenodes sticticalis Linn. Faun. Suec, 1354. Pyraiis fuscalis Hubn. Pyr. f., 45. Pyraiis tetragonalis Haw. Lep. Brit., p. 385. Pyraiis lupulina CI. Icon., pi. ix, f. 4. The species is mentioned by Kaltenbach as Boti/* sticticalis Linn., and Meyrick (Handb. Brit. Lep., 1895, p. 418) preserves the better-known name of Loxostege sticticalis Linn. 48 the National Museum it seems that the insect was collected at Palmer, Utah, in July, 1869, which is evidence that it must have -been intro- duced many years earlier. In 1873 it was found in central Missouri. It has been taken by Messrs. Dyar and Caudell in Denver, Salida, and Sedalia, Colo., by Cockerell on the top of the range between Sapola and Pecos rivers in New Mexico at about 11,000 feet elevation. It is also recorded from Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as from several localities in Nebraska, Kansas, and Michigan. It does not appear to have been observed in Illinois, although search has doubtless been made for it on sugar beets cultivated in that State. Dr. Dyar, in a note to the writer, generalizes that the species is rather common throughout the Rocky Mountain range. Meyrick records this species as inhabiting England, Ireland, western and central Europe, and northern Asia, as well as North America, and mentions its occurrence on the upper side of the leaves of Arte- misia vulgaris and campestris. Kaltenbach also records Artemisia as a food plant. Fig. 10. — Loxosiegc sticticalis: a, moth, twice natural size; b, larva, less enlarged: c, upper surface of first proleg segment of larva; (/, side view of same, c, d, more enlarged (reengraved after Insect Life) . There seems no reasonable doubt that we have another case of introduction from Asia into the Pacific States of this country, analo- gous to that of the beet army worm treated in preceding pages. There is this difference, however, that the present species was introduced man}' years earlier, has a much wider range, and is capable of sustain- ing life in several zones, from the Lower Austral, perhaps to the Transition. There is no doubt about the establishment of the species in the Colorado localities, but larvae do not appear to have been observed in the localities mentioned in New Mexico and Manitoba, which are obviously transitional. THE IMPORTED CABBAGE WEBWORM. (HelhiJa undalis Fab. ) Up to November 19, 1900, only one complaint of injury effected by the imported cabbage webworm reached this office. It was, however, reported from a new locality in Georgia by Mr. H. Walter Mc Williams, 49 of Griffin, in a letter dated November 15. He stated that this insect had been very destructive daring the season. December 1 he sent specimens, and stated that the insect had cost some of his neigh- bors several hundred dollars, the larvae having simply eaten the buds from all the ruta-bagas and turnips in the settlement, causing the plants to rot and fail to develop roots. May 7. 1900, Mr. J. H. Heard. Montreal. Ga., wrote that this webworm had made its appear- ance in his vicinity the previous vear. During 1901 Mr. W. M. Scott, State entomologist. Atlanta. Ga.. wrote. July 1. that this species was still prevalent in southern Georgia. During 1900 it appeared in injurious numbers at Augusta. Tifton, Albany, Marshall vi lie, Fort Valley, and Meansville, its occurrence in these localities indicating that it was generally distributed throughout the southern part of that State. A Mr. Long, Leesburg, Ga.. had informed Mr. Scott that only the week before writing this webworm had practically precluded the possibility of growing late cruciferous vegetables in that section. In 1900 his crop of late turnips was entirely destroyed by this pot as if by lire. October 28 Mr. H. Walter McWilliams reported this species still present at Griffin, Ga.. and likely to remain. It devoured cabbage, ruta-baga, turnip, rape, etc. He had tried several mixtures, but without any noticeable good effects. November :> Miss Blanche Dix sent larvae of tin- species from Beech Island. S. G. In an earlier letter she referred to having observed this species present on cruciferous crop plants in that locality. THE RED TURNIP BEETLE. (SniomoaceHa adomdu Pall.) In a letter dated March 9. 1900, Mr. Percy B. Gregson. Waghorn, Alberta. Northwest Territory, wrote that this species was very abun- dant in several districts in his vicinity, and that even so late as Octo- ber, 1899, he had letters from farmers complaining of it. June i >( .» our correspondent sent specimens of the beetles noticed in coitu at the time of gathering them, and when they reached this office July 9. eggs were found in the soil in which they had been packed. In 1901 this insect was also troublesome in the same region. This species is occasionally troublesome through its ravages on tur- nip, cabbage, and other crucifers in the Northwest. Up to date, how- ever, it has attracted little or no attention in the United States, receiving frequent mention, however, in different Canadian publica- tions, chiefly by Dr. James Fletcher, in his annual reports as Entom- ologist and Botanist of the Dominion of Canada. DESCRIPTIVE. Tfu beetle. — The adult of this insect, as its common name would indi- cate, is red; at first glance nearly scarlet. The under surface of the 23987— No. 33—02 1 50 body is black, as arc also the eyes, legs, and antenna?. The dorsal sur- face is mostly red, with the middle portion of the thorax black. The elytra are ornamented with three stripes, a rather narrow sutural one, and a shorter black stripe on each side, about midway between the suture and the margins. (See fig. 11.) The punctation of the elytra is dense and rather line. The form of the bod}^ is elongate oval. The length is about one-fourth inch or longer. The species belongs to a genus represented by several forms in Europe, but it is the sole rep- resentative of its genus in this country. Zoologically, Entomoscelis is placed near Chrysomela; hence this insect is a relative of the Colo- rado potato beetle {Chrysomela [Dort/phora] decemlineata). It is char- acterized by having a long metasternum and closed front coxal cavities, having the tibia? gradually but not strongly dilated at the apices, the outer face deeply concave, the distal edge obtusely angulated, and the claws simple. The egg is elliptical in form, twice or a little more than twice as long as wide at its greatest diameter, deep blood-red in color, and finely hexagonally granulated, the areas being just discernable with a one-fourth-inch hand lens. Length, 1.50 to 1.60 mm ; width, 0.75 to 0.80 mm . The larva has been fully described by Doctor Fletcher and others, who will be quoted. When first hatched it is orange, with black fig. ii.— Entomoscelis adonidis— spots, but turns black in twent} r -four hours. much enlarged (original). ^ . g ^ wedge . shaped? and me aSUreS about 2 mm in length. It undergoes two molts. In the second stage it meas- ures 3.25 mm when not extended. The body is now slug-shaped, flat- tened below and rounded above; not narrowed at the thorax, as is the case with the larva of the Colorado potato beetle. In the third stage the larva measures about 5 mm , and does not differ materially from the second stage. When fully mature the larva reaches a length of about one-half an inch (12 mra ). The pupa is bright orange in color, the wing, antennal, and leg cases, honey-yellow, the first mentioned bearing each three longitudinal stria?. DISTRIBUTION. This species is common to North America, Europe, and Asia, and evidently belongs to what is known as the circumpolar fauna; in other words, it is not of recent introduction, but is native to the boreal regions of both the old and new world. According to Doctor Hamilton (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, Vol. XXI, 1894, p. 397), it is to be found everywhere through the Rocky Mountains at 8,000 to 11,000 feet eleva- tion (Bowditch). A more exact list of localities includes Montana, Hesterburg's Lane, Colorado (Cockerell); British Columbia; Fort Simpson and Mackenzie River, Alaska (Leconte); the Hudson Bay region, Minnedosa, Elkhorn, Brandon, and 51 Lorlie, Manitoba; Alberta, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Grenfell, Pheasant Forks, and Regina, Northwest Territory. According to Fletcher, it is rare toward the eastern and western limits of its range. The foreign distribution comprises southern Europe, including France, Austria, Germany, Roumania, Western and Eastern Siberia to Turkestan. DIVISIONAL RECORDS. Writing December 1; 1000, Mr. Gregson .stated that immediately after the receipt of the writer's letter, dated August 22, be paid a visit to the farm where Swede turnips were being- injured by this species. Many of the beetles were still feeding, and he succeeded in securing a number of eggs, as many of the individuals captured were in copulation. About this time the weather turned very cold, snow falling to a depth of many inches, with an extremely low temperature for September, the result being that none of the eggs hatched. The eggs obtained by the writer at Washington during the extremely hot weather also failed to hatch. These observations are in uniformity with those made by M. Lesne in Roumania and Dr. Fletcher and his correspondents in the North- west Territory of Canada, conclusively showing that eggf> do not hatch until the following spring. According to Mr. Gregson's observations, the eggs are never found on growing foliage. They arc deposited invariably under dead leaves and in similar rubbish on the ground, or under a small clod of earth or other shelter about the roots of turnip or other food plant. The larva 1 appear to attack plants chiefly at night. Writing August 15, 1900, our correspondent stated that he had recently left a district very badly infested with this species. One of the farmers whose crop was inspected had just planted out his third lot of young cabbages, and had also resown his turnips three times, each crop having been destroyed by this pest, larvae and beetles of which were at work. September 6, 1901, Mr. Gregson stated that he had kept careful watch for this species during the year, and had made special visits to farms where in ordinary years he had always reckoned on finding plenty of the beetles. He had also received letters from different farmers who had been on the lookout for this species, but the insect had appar- ently entirely disappeared, at least temporarily, from that portion of Alberta, Northwest Territory. It is probable that atmospheric condi- tions have been responsible for the insect's nonappearance during the year. In that vicinity an unprecedentedly wet year was experienced in 1900, and a still wetter spring and summer followed in 1901. Assuming that this has been prejudicial to the beetles, it is quite evident that this species is largely dependent upon the weather for its multiplication, and that it prefers dry weather. This statement is borne out by M. Lesne, who writes that kk droughts favor its multiplication while cold and rainy weather greatly retard it. 1 ' Had it appeared in consider- able numbers, Mr. Gregson writes he would certainly have heard of it. 52 HISTORY AND LITERATURE. Entomoscelis adonidis was given its specific name by Pallas in 1771 (Reisen durch versch. Prov. des Russ. Reiches, etc., Vols. I, 2, p. 163), the description appearing under the genus Chrysomela. It has also been placed in the genus Pha?don (Kirby, Fauna Bor. Am.) and was described by Fabricius as trilineata (Gen. Ins. Mant., 1777, p. 219). Kiinstler, Koppen, Weise, Tomosvary, Lesne, and other European writers have furnished descriptions of the larva. (See Rupertsberger Biol. Lit. Kafer Europas von 1880 an. etc, 1894, p. 259.) Rape {Brass leu napus), Cochlearia draba, butter-bur (Petasites peta- sites [officinalis], and Adonis autumnalis have been recorded as food plants by European authors, as also thistle and barle\ T (Korn). Of recent publications the reader is referred to Erichson's Naturge- schichte der Insecten Deutchlands (Vol. VI, p. 310-312) and Lesne in the Annales de la Societe Entomologiques de France for 1890 (Vol. VI, pp. 177-179, figs. 1-9), for technical descriptions and bibliograplvy, as also to Dr. Fletcher's works, which will presently be mentioned. M. Lesne's article is accompanied Irv an illustration of the larva. What appears to be the first instance of attack by the red turnip beetle on cultivated plants in America was recorded b}^ Dr. Fletcher in his report as entomologist and botanist for the 3 T ear 1887 (1888, p. 19). He states briefly that he collected this species on turnips at Regina, Northwest Territory, in August, 1885. The beetles were noticed to be sluggish in their habits, like the Colorado potato beetle, and it was said that they did not occur in sufficient numbers to do much injury, although they were sufficiently abundant to show 7 that with the increase in cultivation of its food plant the species might in time develop into a troublesome pest. In his report for 1891 (1892, p. 202), the same writer gives addi- tional notes in regard to the occurrence of this species in Northwest Territory and Manitoba. Extracts from correspondence are given from six different localities showing attack on turnip, cabbage, and rad- ish, it being noticed that rutabaga was very little troubled, provided other more preferred crucifers were available. The choice food plant appeared to be rough-leaved varieties of turnip in preference to smooth-leaved varieties and some other plants. In his report for the following year (pp. 152-155) Dr. Fletcher gave a still longer account of this species, with extracts from corre- spondence from several sources and detailed descriptions of the differ- ent stages with references to P^uropean publications. In 1893. according to the same writer's report for that year (1891, p. 17), the species again attracted attention, it being noticed that the beetles made their first appearance according to Mr. Thomas Copland, Saskatoon. Northwest Territory. June 17, and that the beetles fed 53 upon a common cruciferous weed, the prairie wall flower {Erysimum parvijlorum). Brief mention is made of this insect by Dr. Fletcher in the Trans- actions of the Royal Society of Canada for 1899-1900 (vol. V, 2d ser., p. 212). NATURAL HISTORY. From the sources of information that have been furnished, it appears that eggs are laid normally in autumn, although sometimes earlier, and that the species hibernates in this stage. The larvae hatch in early spring long before cultivated crucifers appear above ground. According to Dr. Fletcher, the larvae feed both in the day- time and by night, and are comparatively active, although, as is well known, the larvae of the larger leaf-beetles are mostly rather sluggish. When disturbed they drop from their food plant. The beetles seem to make their first appearance in the Northwest Territories during July and August, and do their worst injury through- out September, continuing in the field in some instances as late as October. The occurrence of the beetles in the latter part of June, as noted by Mr. Gregson, at Waghorn, is perhaps rather exceptional. Eggs are laid in clusters, loosely fastened together in the same manner as those of the Colorado potato beetle, and are deposited under clods or in cracks in the soil in similar locations. Larvae have been noticed to bury themselves in the earth to a depth of about an inch, and to change at once, in small smooth cavities, to pupae. REMEDIES. The measures to be employed for the destruction of this turnip beetle are practically the same as those used against the Colorado potato beetle. Paris green is the best of these, and may be applied dry, mixed with from ten to twenty parts of cheap or spoiled flour, fine plaster, or air-slaked lime; or as a spray, mixed with lime or Bordeaux mixture at the rate of a quarter of a pound of the Paris green to 40 gallons of the diluent. In order to insure success, where the insect abounds in great numbers the wild food plants of the insect should also be treated. Hand-picking or jarring the beetles from infested plants into pans or other receptacles containing a little water on which a thin scum of kerosene is floating may also be employed. It follows, as a matter of course, that rotation of crops is advisable; and the planting of crops subject to the attack of this species, particularly crucifers, should be avoided in the vicinity of wild plants affected by the same species. 54 THE CROSS-STRIPED CABBAGE WORM. (Pionea rimosalis Guen. ) a This destructive enemy of cabbage and other cruciferous crops, after an apparently complete absence from the neighborhood of the District of Columbia in 1899 made its appearance in great numbers in May and June of 1900 in different fields of cabbage at Brookland, D. C, and was found later in most gardens in which cabbages were grown in near-by localities in the neighboring States of Maryland and Virginia. In nearly every case that came under notice that year the species was much more abundant on cabbage than the larva of the common imported cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae), and it was noticed that although it works in much the same manner as this latter species, it dug still more deeply into the heads, and in many cases completely destroyed cabbage by eating out the hearts while young and tender. The insect continued to be the most destructive cabbage pest in this vicinity until late August, when it was replaced by the cabbage looper, and in some restricted localities and on other plants than cabbage — horse-radish, for example — by the harlequin cabbage bug. This species first became known as an enemy of cruciferous crops 'over twenty years prior to the date of writing, but since that time has not attracted the attention that would seem to be warranted b} T its man- ner of attack. For some reason it does not seem to have multiplied to any great extent during that time, except locally, until 1900. When conditions favor its increase there is no reason why it should not take rank as one of the foremost cabbage pests. DESCRIPTIVE. The moth is pale ocher yellow in color, the fore-wings much suffused with fuscous and brownish black, the pattern formed being about as shown in fig. 12, a, subject to some variation. The hind-wings are paler, nearly transparent except at the anterior angle, where they are infuscated. There is also a row of five or six small, dusky spots between the middle of each hind-wing and the inner border. The wing expanse is about 1 inch (25 mm ), and the length of the body less than half an inch (10 mm ). The eggs (fig. 12. I) are laid in masses, and, being flattened and over- lapping like the scales of a fish, strongly resemble the masses deposited by Tortricida?. The outline of an individual egg is rounded oval, the longest diameter being 1.2 mm and the shortest diameter 0.9 to 1 . nn ". The eggs are rather bright light yellow in color, and so thin that the green of the leaf on w T hich they are deposited can be seen through a This species has been restored to the genus Evergestis by Sir G. F. Hampson (Rev. Pyraustidae, Pt. II, Pr. Z. S. Lood., p. 186, 1899), and the genus Pionea is reserved for other species. 55 the middle, the yellow eolor showing strongest about the margins. The sculpture is fine, but strong and very irregular, the areas showing as irregular triangles, quadrangles, and pentagons (c). They are usually deposited on the under surface of the leaf and in masses of from one to two score, although smaller masses of from two to three or live eggs are not uncommon. The newly-hatched larva is nearly uniform gray in color, with small black tubercles and no visible evidence of striation. The head is round and prominent and nearly twice as wide as the body, and the hairs of the body are sparse and about as long as the width of the head. The full-grown larva. — The larva when mature is bluish-gray above, with conspicuous transverse black stripes. The head is yellowish or light brown, the thoracic plate mottled (fig. 12, <:7), and each segment has three or more well-defined, nearly straight or curved, transverse stripes. (On the second and third thoracic segments the first stria curves forward between the anterior tubercles.) The dorsal tubercles, Fig. Vl.—Pionra rimosalis: a, moth; b, egg mass; e, sculpture of egg: (/, larva; e, cocoon— a, d, e, twice natural size; b, much enlarged; c, more enlarged (original). of which there arc two pair of prominent ones in each segment, are gray, partially encircled with black. There is a wide stigmatal line of bright yellow extending from the second to the last segments, and above each spiracle there is a large prominent black tubercle. The ventral surface is green-, somewhat mottled with yellowish, and the tubercles bear each a long, black hair about half as long as the width of the body. In form the larva is subcylindrical, moderately slender, about six times as long as wide, and the segments of the body show strongly at the sides. The length of the mature larva is about six- tenths of an inch, 15 mm in repose, 17 mm when fully extended, and the greatest diameter is about 2.^ mm . Thejmpa is of the usual pyraustid form, the wing-cases and head dark brown and the abdomen light yellowish brown. "Head small, rounded, with a slight transverse notch anteriorly; wing, antennal and posterior leg-sheaths extending nearly to tip of fifth abdominal joint. Abdominal joints v\ itb sutures plainly marked, the two terminal joints 56 closely welded together and forming- a conical tip, at the extremity of which are two very minute brown tubercles" (Riley). The length is 11 to 12 mm , or a little less than half an inch. The cocoon. — Transformation to pupa takes place in a cocoon formed of earth and constructed near the surface. The appearance of a cocoon is well illustrated at e of figure 12. The measurement is a little less than live-eighths of an inch in length, and three-eighths of an inch in diameter. The outer grains of sand are rather loosety held together, but the interior is fairly substantial, the lining being of light-gray color, nearly white. DISTRIBUTION. So far as the writer is aware, no comprehensive list of localities of this species, or other data that give any idea of the insect's distribu- tion, have ever been published. From material received at this office and at the National Museum, and from reports of correspondents, the following list of localities has been compiled: Newark and Dover, Del.; Cabin John, Marshall Hall, and elsewhere in Maryland; Cameron's Mills, Carterton, Chesterbrook, St. Elmo, and Alexandria, Va. ; Brookland and elsewhere in the District of Columbia; Lexington, Ky. ; Springfield, Ohio; Aurora and Lafayette, Ind. ; Mount Juliet, Tenn. ; Carbondale and Anna, 111. ; Raleigh, N. C. ; Montreal, Athens, Macon, and Storeville, Ga. ; Alabama; Lone Star, Oxford, and Agricultural College, Miss. ; West Point, Nebr. From the above list it would seem that the southern distribution of this species and its southern origin are well established. The moth has been recorded as occurring farther west and north, but injurious occurrences are lacking, at least in reports of injuries sent to this office. It seems, therefore, that the species attains its highest devel- opment in the LoAver Austral life zone, although occasionally it invades the Upper Austral and even, perhaps, the Transition area. This, however, is only temporary. RECENT INJURY. During 1899 we received this species from Mr. E. Dwight Sander- son, at that time at Raleigh, N. C, September 18. They were found in numbers on cabbage. July 28, Mr. S. S. Simms, Storeville, For- syth County, Ga., sent this species, also found on cabbage. Septem- ber 18, Mr. Thos. I. Todd, Athens, Ga., sent the species, with the accompanying information that it did great damage that year feeding in the buds and tender leaves of cabbage and turnip, and stated also that it was known as "the^common webworm," in contradistinction to the imported cabbage web worm (Hellula undalis). He stated that this species succumbed to Paris green and pyrethrum dusted upon the plants, where the imported species did not. In 1900, Mr. J. H. Heard, Montreal, Ga., sent this cabbage worm, Jnly 5, with information that it was concerned in attack on cabbage 57 in that vicinity. We received. August 6, specimens of this species from Dr. E. K. Harding, Carterton. Va., where they were attacking cabbage. NUMBER AND OCCURRENCE OF GENERATIONS. Observations conducted during the season of 1900 indicate the pres- ence of four generations in the District of Columbia and vicinity. From larvae obtained in the latter days of May and in early June in different fields of cabbage, in and near the District of Columbia, moths were obtained during the last days of June and until July 6. The second generation produced from the first of these moths and placed in a rearing cage July '2. issued August 1. having passed all stages in just thirty days, which will come very near to being the mini- mum period for this latitude, since the heat was excessive during the greater part of the month of July. The third generation began to appear in the rearing cages, on Sep- tember 1. from moths which issued August 1, or in thirty-one days, the temperature during that period, with the exception of a few days, having been about the same as in July. The fourth generation, as might naturally be expected, failed to develop in confinement, and it seem> probable that this was the last generation produced in the field. This was only apparent, however. for after repeated failures to find the larva in the field, a colony was taken September 21 in a small head of cabbage. This last colony was obtained on the Department grounds, and was evidently the progeny of moths which had purposely been liberated from our rearing jar-, so that it represents in all probability the normal fourth generation. It must not be supposed from the above that there is any such regularity of development except in a single season and in a given locality. At other times, from specimens gathered where the tem- perature was somewhat different, moths were reared July 14: larvae were obtained, nearly all mature. July 30. From other lots moths have issued August 9 and 10. In one instance larvae were noticed to mature August 20, and to develop as moths September 1, giving ten days for the period occupied by the larva in the cocoon. Perhaps two or three days elapsed before the larvae changed to chrysalides. In still another case larvae were found to enter the earth August 29 and 30, and moths developed September 9, giving about the same period as just mentioned. SUMMARY OF LIFE HISTORY. Observations conducted by the writer go to show that in many respects this cabbage worm, although the larva of a moth, conforms very closely in its life economy to the imported cabbage butterfly. It is attacked by some of the same natural enemies, and appears to differ from the imported species only in unimportant details. Like 58 the imported worm, it makes its first appearance some time in April in the vicing of the District of Columbia. The eggs hatch in six days in hot July weather, a longer time being required in a cooler atmosphere. The stage passed in the cocoon in warm weather has been observed to be ten days. Part of this time the larvae were probably quiescent. The exact pupal stage was not observed, but probably varies from six days to considerably longer, according to temperature. The period of the larva varies from two to three weeks, and perhaps longer in cool weather. NATURAL ENEMIES. The cross-striped cabbage worm is subject to the attack of small four-winged parasites of the genus Apanteles, and a few other natural enemies, including wasps, destro}^ it. Apanteles congregates Say is recorded as having bred from material received in 1880 from Mississippi (Report Com. Agr., 1883, p. 127). A. utilis French was reared from material received from Lone Star, Miss., October 17, 1879 (Insect Life, Vol. Ill, p. 16). A. xylina Say was reared from cocoons on and with its host by Dr. A. D. Hopkins, Morgantown, W. Va., July 26. Of this latter occur- rence, Dr. Hopkins (1. c, Vol. IV, p. 259) remarked: "This species was found pJentifully wherever the host was observed. Gardeners generally were destroying the cocoons, supposing they were the eggs of the caterpillars." A. la&viceps Ashm. issued September 30 from larvae obtained in 1899 from Athens, Ga. A. alamedensis Ashm. was reared July 16, 1900, from larva? obtained from Montreal, Ga., and sent to this office by Mr. J. H. Heard. Fully half of the larva? (a large number) were parasitized. Meteorus indagator Riley MS., issued from material received from Oxford, Miss., September 1880 (1. c, Vol. Ill, p. 59). REMEDIES. In treating this species it should be borne in mind that "worms" of other species as well as other cabbage pests are more often present than otherwise. Arsenicals. — The best remedy is Paris green applied either dry or wet, preferabl}, however, as a spray, at the rate of about one pound of the poison to 150 gallons or a little less of water, and it should be used when the plants are first set out, to insure its reaching the young larvae or caterpillars before they have burrowed far into the heads; in other words, this poison should be applied in the same manner as for the imported cabbage worm, as the two species have much the same habits. Other applications should follow frequently, as required, and can be made with safety until the heads are about half formed, and 59 even later, as the poison, under ordinary circumstances, disappears from the plants within three or four weeks after being- applied. I Iran mash. — A mixture of bran with Paris green, a standard remedy for cutworms and grasshoppers, is, according to the testimony of those who have used it, successful against cabbage worms. It is best to mix the bran with water and sugar before adding the poison. The propor- tions are two or three ounces of sugar or other sweetening, and a suffi- cient amount of bran (about one pound to the gallon) to make, when stirred, a mixture that will readily run through the lingers. This is to be sprinkled either wet or dry upon affected plants. KeroSi rn > mvlsimi has been used for many years against the imported cabbage worm, but is not as efficient as the arsenicals, because it is necessary for this spray to come into direct contact with the larvae, in other words, to hit them in order to kill them. Pyrethruiu has been used for some years as a remedy against the common cabbage worm, and is of use against the present species. It has the advantage of not being poisonous to human beings, but is said by some cabbage growers to discolor the leaves, and if its use is not continued at frequent intervals the larva' recover and continue their destruction. It is therefore more expensive than the other remedies that have been mentioned. Mechanical methods. — For small gardens where for any reason it may be undesirable to use arsenicals hand-picking can be practiced and is of especial value when the plants are first set out. TJu. corn-meal remedy. — Corn meal dusted on cabbage, according to the testimony of Prof. Lawrence Bruner, causes the worms of the imported cabbage butterfly to dropoff and protects cabbage and other crops until washed off by rains. It is advised to apply it in the morn- ing while the dew is on. The meal acts as a deterrent. Clean cultivation and trap crops. — If cooperation in clean farming could be secured, together with the use of arsenicals. the losses due to the ravages of this as well as other leaf -feeding pests of cabbage might be largely averted. The practice of leaving cabbage stalks in the field after the main crop has been secured is reprehensible. Rem- nants should be gathered and destroyed, with exception of a few left at regular intervals through a field as traps for the females for the deposition of their eggs. These plants should be freely poisoned with arsenicals. where feasible, so that the last generation will not develop. W;t) and other noxious species has been reared from this looper. It has been noticed on several occasions that when the larva of the looper forms its characteristic gauzy white cocoon on otherplants than those on which larvae have fed, the individual is usually diseased or par- asitized. Thus, on one occasion the writer took five chrysalides from eggplant, although no evidence whatever could be found that the larvae had fed on this plant. Larvae were found on eggplant, but not feed- ing, and all of these, although kept in the best of condition, died of disease or were parasitized by the Copidosoma truncdtelia. It may be interesting to note of this parasite that the adults issued in late Sep- tember, sixteen days after their detection in the body of the host. At Brookland. D. C, on one occasion all of the pupae that could be col- lected were parasitized, an evident case of complete parasitism. PREDACEOUS ENEMIES. A medium-sized white-spotted black spider. Phidippus audax Hentz., was observed by the writer July 13, destroying the moth of this insect. This spider appears to be specially adapted to prey upon Plusia, since the web spun by it looks almost precisely like that of the looper. Other species of spiders crawl into the empty cocoons of the moth, and it seems probable that they feed on the larvae also when these are just about to transform. 68 Several species of Carabidae and other predaeeous Coleoptera have been recorded to occur in badly infested cabbage fields, with the pre- sumption that they had been feeding on the looper. (Kept. Dept. Agr. 1883, p. 120). a Mr. J. B. Dunn, Corpus Christi, Tex., wrote that he knew of only one insect that fed on this worm, a large black beetle locally known as " pinch bug." This insect was not sufficiently abundant, however, to keep the looper in subjection. Specimens kindly sent to this office proved to be the larva of a species of Calosoma, probably calidum, and the beetle Pasimachus caUfornicus. He also wrote October 14 that a bird locally known as jackdaw, and which Dr. C. H. Merriam identities as either the great-tailed or boat-tailed grackle (QuiscuLm mawuriis or Q. major), was particularly fond of these cabbage loopers. These birds would alight in the lields and feed on the larvae daily until they would ci clean them up and save the crop." During recent years, however, hunters and others had slaughtered these birds to such an extent that the}' now shunned civilization. Our correspondent thought this bird deserved protection. Bad trial disease. — During July some recently collected larva? were found to be suffering from a disease. A larva thus affected first grows pale and yellow, and in a very few hours becomes weak and flaccid, upon death assuming an ashy gray color, which later may turn to brown or blackish. Diseased larva 1 usually become fastened b} T the prolegs to the plant upon which they have fed, and hang head downward, in time often becoming a putrid mass much like that observed of the common cabbage worm when diseased. In the jar in which these larvae were fed a cabbage leaf had been placed which Avas not quite fresh, and, evidently as a result of feeding upon that, the remaining larvae contracted the distemper, and all were dead two days after the first appearance of infection. Diseased larvae were referred to Mr. B. T. Galloway, Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, who wrote that, to the best of his knowledge, the organism concerned in the infection had never been described or named, but was apparentlj r a species of bacillus. What is perhaps the first mention of a disease of this insect, and probably the same as under present observation, was by Prof. Herbert Osborn (Bui. No. 30, n. s., 1892). He states briefly that larvae were attacked by a disease that swept off many of them. In Mr. F. A. Sirrine's account, previously cited (1. c, p. 670), mention is also made of the disease and its occurrence in 189-1 on Long Island. Mr. Sirrine a The following is the list: Cratacardhus dubhis, Harpalus caliginosus, H. faunus, II. pennsylvanicus, and the larv&e of Collops quadrimaculalus, Hippodamia convergens, and //. parenthesis. 69 states, however, that it was not noticed until the cold, wet weather of October and November set in. It should be added that the writer observed the same disease upon Plusia in the held during- the last week of July, and that pupa 1 also suffered from it. This disease is readily communicable from one larva to others, and it frequently happens that if a diseased one is placed in an ordinary tin collecting box over night all of the others that may be confined with it develop the disease in a day or two. Fungus disease. — One of the fungus diseases from which Plusia larvae die is Botrytis rileyi Farlow. The affected worms, according to Riley, become sluggish and then die, after death appearing stiff and brittle and firmly attached to the leaves or stems upon which the} T have died. They are profusely covered with a greenish mold. REMEDIES. The same remedies as advised for the cross-striped cabbage worm should be used against the present species. It should be observed, however, for the benefit of our correspondents, that they must be used with great persistency at frequent intervals in order to insure perfect success, and should be applied to the lower surface of the outer leaves. The killing off of the first generations of the insect should be particularly observed, but this will be of little or no avail if other cabbage growers within several miles of the same localit\ T do not take the sanie precautions. One of our correspondents, Mr. Dunn, pre- viously referred to, tried Paris green and lime, and succeeded in kill- ing all of the common cabbage loopers. Notwithstanding this, however, the writer noticed during September, in the vicinity of the District of Columbia, an entire held of cabbage which had been liberally dusted with Paris green and plaster mixed at the usual rate of 1 pound of poison to 20 pounds of plaster, with no perceptible effect upon these insects. The first application had been made about two weeks previous, another had been made within five days, and vet the larvae were feeding quite contentedly on the lower surf act's of the leaves in their usual manner and no dead were to be found under the plants or elsewhere. This simply indicates that the poison, as previously stated, should be applied to the lower surface, and preferably in the form of a spray. Mr. Pratt, who observed this species at Chesterbrook. Va., noted the same results. After a rainfall eggs hatch, and the larvae are able to do injury without being affected bv the poison. A NEW CABBAGE L00PER, (Plusia ]»'('(■( (tionis Gn.) The larvae of this species in different stages of growth were observed during 1899 and 1900 attacking cabbage and some other plants in two gardens in the District of Columbia. The same insect was observed 70 the previous year in less numbers in the same gardens. Cabbage does not appear to be recorded as a food plant of this insect, and in fact its habits are little known. RECENT ATTACK. June 1-3. 1899, this species first came under the writer's notice, when a few larvae nearly grown and several less mature were observed on cabbage. June 5 an immature individual was brought to the writer by Mr. T. A. Keleher, of this office, who found it feeding on cultivated morning glory, and June 19 a larva was taken by the writer feeding on common pigweed (Ambrosia artemisisefolta). The indi- viduals found were so few in number that it was impossible to trace the species through its life history. The following June, however, larvae were present in greater abundance, all on cabbage. DESCRIPTIVE. The moth of this species is a little larger and more graceful than that of the cabbage looper. The general color of the fore-wings is a beautiful bright shining brown, variegated with bronze, purple, and pale-fawn color. The fore-wings are not so strongly scalloped as in the species mentioned, but the hind-wings are similarly colored, and Fig. 15. — Plusia precatiovi*. a, female moth; b, larva extended, feeding; c. pupa in cocoon — all some- what enlarged (original). the veins are equally noticeable. In the common looper the w T hite spots on the fore-wings are chalky-white, while in this species, although they are of very similar form, they are decidedly silvery, and the two portions are usually well separated (see fig. 15, a.) The thorax is also brown, and the abdomen fawn-colored, while the lower surface is similarly but a little more strongly marked than that of the common looper. The wing expanse of specimens at hand shows a variation from an inch and an eighth to nearly an inch and a half. The penultimate stage. — In next to the last stage this larva lacks the characteristic markings of the mature form. It is very much more slender, and looks, in fact, more like a Geometrid than a Plusia. 71 It is of nearly the same green color, but the sides of the head and the legs are not marked with black. There are two white undulating stripes on each side of the middle of the dorsum and a broad yellowish white stripe above the stigmata. In most individuals one or more of the abdominal segments bear on each side a black suprastigmatal tubercle. The last stage. — In the last stage the larva may be readily distin- guished from the common cabbage Plusia by the long eye-like ellip- tical spots on each side of the head. The hind pair of thoracic legs are nearly black, the middle pair a little lighter, and the front pair still paler. The dorsum is mottled with white, the lines being irreg- ular, and the dorsal tubercles, of a green color, being quite prominent. The lateral stripe of the abdomen is broad, white, and well defined. In some individuals on the first two or three abdominal segments the suprastigmatal tubercles are black, but imagos hatched from larva? thus colored look no different from those hatched from unmarked larva?. There is also considerable difference in the arrangement of the white marks on the back, the same being true of the common cabbage 1 Plusia. In some individuals these white marks show as four strong undulating stripes, while in others half a dozen or more very irregular striped markings are seen. In one individual the black lateral spot on the head was much less strongly defined than in the others. When fully matured the larva measures in its natural slightly curved position about one inch in length. In figure 15, &, a larva is shown extended in a position which it often assumes. The pupa (c) does not appear to have been described. It is not likely that it differs in any important particular from that of P. hrassicde. The eggs have not been compared with those of P. brassieae, but it is more than probable that they are nearly identical, and. in fact, the species differs very little in structure and life histoiy from that of the common cabbage looper. DISTRIBUTION. Smith states that this species occurs in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains from May to October, also in Canada. Exact records of localities are rather meager. They include Canada: Cambridge, Mass.: Sharon, Pa.: Dayton, Ohio (Pilate): Woodstock. 111.: Wiscon- sin: and the District of Columbia. Hanham states that this species is rare at Winnipeg, Manitoba. It does not seem probable that the insect breeds there, but is merely a stray from a more southern and congenial locality. HISTORY OF THE SPECIES. The biological literature of this looper is quite limited, which is to be explained by its seldom having been found attacking useful plants. In the year 1869 Dr. A. S. Packard made mention of this species in 72 his first edition of the Guide to the Stud}^ of Insects. He states on the authority of Mr. Saunders that the larva, of which he gives a brief description, feeds on the hollyhock in August. He also makes men- tion of Plusia larva? figured ln T Glover in his work on insects injurious to the cotton plant, but as this work was never published, in the true sense of the word, it need not be further mentioned here. In the late Dr. Riley's second Missouri Report (p. 112), published in 1870, this species is briefly treated in connection with a discussion of Phis J a brassicae. He states that it occurs commonly on thistles and proposes the name of thistle Plusia. The larva is said to differ from the cabbage Plusia only in having the sides of the head, the thoracic legs, a row of spots above the lateral light line, and a ring around the breathing pores, black. In the Canadian Entomologist (Vol. XIII, pp. 21-23) for February, 1881, Mr. D. W. Coquillett, now of this office, published an article entitled, ik On the early stages of Plusia precatio-nis Guenee.' 1 Sub- sequently, in the same publication (Vol. XIV, p. 60), Mr. Coquillett calls attention to the wrong identification of the species, the insect which he had under observation being P. simplex and not precationis. The species is again referred to in connection with a consideration of Plusia simpler by Mr. Coquillett in the Eleventh Report of the State Entomologist of Illinois in 1882 (pp. 38-42). From studies made at that time of the larvae of these three species of Plusia, deductions were made that Plusia simplex differs from brassicae only by the black rings around its breathing pores, and that both of these larvae differ f rom precationis by lacking the black stripes on each side of the head. Unfortunateh T , as the writer has previously observed, some examples of ftrassicae also have these black rings about the breathing pores. No extended observations have been made on the life history of this species, but it is probable that it will be found to agree perfectly with P. brassicas when it occurs in the same localities. Such individuals as were under observation by the writer transformed to pupae in seven, eight, and eleven days, pupation beginning in three instances in early June, and in two in late June, the eleven-day period being passed in unseasonably cool weather. It should be added that there is in the National Museum a moth reared October 4, 1882, on Gerardia judical aria (presumably in the District of Columbia), and of a Proctotrypid, bred from the cocoon of this species March 29 of the same year. The name of eyed-cabbage looper is proposed for this insect. REMEDIES. This species would yield to the same remedies as advised for the common cabbage looper, namely, Paris green, best applied in the form of a spray, but it is usually not abundant, and hand-picking would suffice on small patches of cabbage or other plants affected. 73 THE CELERY LOOPER. (Plus!'/ simplex Guen. ) In some portions of our country, as, for example, in Illino s, this species to a certain extent takes the place of the cabbage looper (/V//.wV/ brcmicae Riley). It is stated to be the commonest species of its genus in Illinois, and is rather generally distributed in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to New Mexico. In most places, however, where it has come under observation it Is con- siderably rarer. It is described by Messrs. Forbes & Hart as a very destructive celery insect, and has been bred by them from sugar beet, and by Mr. Coquillett from lettuce as well as celery. To the latter we are indebted for our principal account of the species. Fig. 16, Ftusia simplex: male moth at left, larva at right— some- what enlarged (original). DESCRIPTIVE. Tin nmth (fig. L6) is decidedly dissimilar to that of the cabbage looper, having a greater wing expanse, nearly two inches, entirely different coloration, and differently shaped upper wings. These differ- ences are brought out quite distinctly in the accompanying illustra- tion. The lower edges of the fore-wings have a well-detined conical projection. The border is not scalloped, the color I tes**^ . ^ ^@S£i ^nU'q>^s St. Farg.. were observed hovering about worm-eaten cabbage plants in several gardens. In one garden they were always numerous in the western part of a large patch of cabbage. At the extreme eastern end the plants were more or less protected by shade, particularlv in the afternoon. At this end larva' of Plutella, Pionea, and Plusia were at work, but no Pieris, while in the sunshiny places, where the wasps were flying freely, no larvae at all could be found, although holes in the leaves were evidence that they had been present. The wasps were carefully watched on several occasions, and it was plain from their manner of work that they would first destroy the imported cab- bage worms, afterward the loopers, and that the Pioneas would be the last to be captured, as these bored directly into the hearts of the cab- bage, concealing themselves between two leaves in such manner that it would be difficult for the wasps to find them in the cursory manner of their search. The Plutellas, owing to their smaller size, might pos- sibly evade discovery. Singularly, in spite of utmost endeavors, it was impossible to detect a wasp in the act of destroying a cabbage worm, nevertheless circum- stantial evidence was so strong that the writer felt no hesitation in attributing the absence of the w * worms" in the sunny portion of the garden to the presence of the wasps. The ' ; worms " working on plants 80 growing in shade were nearly free from wasp attack. The wasps would hover about a plant and then alight and walk about it, but, find- ing nothing, would continue to the next plant, and so on to another. The following year, in the latter days of August, the writer observed this wasp attacking the larva of PL ris rapae, leisurely chewing it before flying away to provision its nest. It is evident that this habit of wasps has been observed before. The following was published in Dr. Lintner's third report as State Ento- mologist of New York, for 1886 (1887, page 135): "Mr. C. R. Moore, of Johnson Town, Va., states that he has seen the common brown wasp (? Polistes fitsmtus) seize the green worms on cabbage ('( Pieris rapas), sting them repeatedly, and then carry them away." The Cabbage Root Maggot injurious to celery. — Mr. James Granger, Broadalbin, N. Y.. mentioned in preceding pages as having reported injury to celery by the carrot rust fly (Psila rosse Fab.), sent, under date of November 19, 1901, a larger larva than that of the rust fly, stating that it occurred in the heart of celery, and that he believed it to be causing " rot." He was aware that the same species, or a similar one, infested radish in the same field, and there is little doubt that this insect spread from the radish to the celery. The cabbage root maggot, as its name implies, attacks cabbage, including all its varieties, as well as most other forms of cruciferous plants. As Mr. Granger has shown himself a good observer by his correspondence, there can be no doubt of his statement that these larva? occurred in celery. He distinguished the two species, and sent the cabbage maggots in about equal numbers with the rust fly maggots. Celery appears to be a new food plant for the cabbage root maggot. The early rearings were without doubt unnatural, caused by the overheating of the rooms in which the rearing jars were kept. While there is no doubt that this cabbage maggot is quite closely restricted to cruciferous plants for food, it will occasionally, in case of emergency, attack plants of other botanical orders. Miss Ormerod has quoted Mr. Meade as saying that maggots were reared in 1882 from "earth round partly decayed clover roots,'' while Lintner has stated on one occasion that the larva? had been detected mining the leaves of beet (Bui. 78, C. U. Agr. Expt. Sta., 1894, p. 513). OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AFFECTING LATE CABBAGE AND SIMILAR CROPS. Some attention has been given by the writer in recent years to the study of some of our common insect enemies of cruciferous crops, with a view to ascertaining more in regard to them, and the notes which follow were made to determine just how far careless methods of culture are to blame for injury by these insects. Brief mention has been made in Bulletin 22 (n. s.,pp. 55-61) and in Bulletin 30 (n. s.. 81 pp. 63-75) of the effects of cold and of parasitic attack in limiting the increase of these. insects. This work has been continued, with some results which appeal' to justify the furnishing- of more details. The study of extreme cold and its effect upon insects affecting crucifers was continued until late in December, after which time it usually happens that we have severe freezes which put a practical end to the breeding of most insects. Some species were actually found breeding upon winter cabbage as late as December 24, and this in spite of the fact that, with the exception of perhaps seven days distributed at intervals through November and December, there had been con- tinuous nightly frosts from the time when observations began in the last week of November until their completion. Observations were conducted in the District of Columbia and at near-by points in Mary- land. The species under particular observation were live in number. There was n<> great difference as t<> the number of individuals or injuriousness. The approximate order, however, was as follows: The cabbage plant-louse (Aphis hrassicae Linn.), diamond-back moth (Phi- f,//,i crudferarum Zeli.), harlequin cabbage bug (Murgcmtia histri- <>n!c. female, lateral view: c, head of female, from above; (/. larva, from side; <. anal segment of larva: ./'. anal spiracles: g. thoracic spiracles; ft, puparium— all much enlarged (original). from those of related species, such as the adults of the cabbage root maggot and onion maggot. The length of the body is about one-tifth inch C»""") and the wing expanse about two-fifths (9.5 mm ). T/<> larva also resemble the species mentioned. Like other mag- gots, they are footless and of cylindrical form. As will be seen by illustration 19, d, which represents a larva in profile, they are narrowed at the anterior extremity and enlarged posteriorly. They are, however, considerably smaller than the onion maggot, measuring about one- fourth of an inch (6 mm ) in length and about one-sixth as wide at the thickest portion. Alcoholic specimens are very pale yellow in color, and the chitinous or harder parts at the ends are usually considerably darker. The anal segment is shown at e\ f represents the anal spiracles, and inches deep, and very little showed above ground. The spring was described as very wet and cold in that locality. This is recorded by Mr. M. V. Slingerland (Rural New Yorker, September 11. 1897, p. 59 to 20 per cent of the crop. The full life history of this species has not been Studied. It i> known that the moths fig. 22.— Epiblema nigricana H-S: fiv about Sometimes in large numbers around moth, about three times natural size (original . pea blossoms a short tune after sunset. Ihe females lay from 1 to 3 eggs on very young pods or ovaries. The caterpillar, according to observations in Europe, is hatched in four- teen days, and goes into the pod and attacks the seed, the opening- made in the margin of the pod closing afterwards. Pods thus affected usually ripen early. When the pod opens the mature caterpillar creeps out and enters the earth, there to spin a cocoon-like covering formed of silken threads. Authorities differ as to the state of hiber- nation. Miss Ormerod (Manual of Injurious Insects, p. 163) states that the larva winters over, and in spring turns to a chrysalis, the moth appearing in June, while Dr. J. Ritzema Bos. in his work on Agricultural Zoology (London. 1894), says that "the pupa 1 live through the winter.'* The peas attacked are always covered while in the pod with the cross-grained excrement of the caterpillars, and frequently two or three are joined together by web libers. Recently it has been ascertained that the pea moth larva does not injure to any extent the earliest and latest varieties of peas. 23987— No. 33—02 7 98 REMEDIES. What has just been said indicates the value of planting the earliest and the latest varieties of peas, and this will probably hold as a good remedy in many localities where the species occurs injuriously. Mr. W. T. Macoun has named Alaska, American Wonder, Gregory's Sur- prise, Gradus. Nott's Excelsior, and McLean's Little Gem as among the best early varieties. The first three mature as early as June 17, before the appearance of the moths. Crops grown for seed are more difficult to protect. It has already been advised that clean culture would be found a valuable means of riddance of this insect, and if during the picking the plants are found to have been infested, as soon as the crop is off the remnants should be gathered and burned. Early fall plowing has also been recommended, but it does not seem that this is necessary if the fields are burned over promptly. In Dr. Fletcher's report for 1900 (1901, p. 214), the results of some experi- ments that were made in New Brunswick are given. They consist in the use of a spray of Paris green. 1 pound to 100 gallons, with 4 pounds whale-oil soap added, in order that the mixture shall adhere to the waxy pod of the pea. The results were so promising as to show them of importance. Three sprayings are suggested; the first to be applied when the blossoms begin to fall, the second a week later, and the third ten days later than that. THE BEAN CUTWORM. (Ogdoconta dnereola Guen. ) A caterpillar which has been called the bean cutworm does injury to the foliage and pods of beans, at times stripping the vines bare. The species has long been known to collectors of Lepidoptera, but although widely distributed little has been published concerning its habits, although all of its stages except the egg have been described. It appears to be recorded as doing injury only in the States of Florida and Mississippi. DESCRIPTIVE. This species belongs to the family Noctuidse, or owlet moths, which includes many cutworms, but it is not related to any of the true cut- worms, and has never been observed, so far as the writer knows, to be nocturnal or to cut tender plants. Hence it is probable that it is not a cutworm at all and the above name is a misnomer. It is more closely related to the cabbage looper and similar forms. The moth is a tolerably well-marked species, having a wing expanse of a little over an inch, the fore-wings being light brown and marked with a transverse paler band on the outer third. The reniform mark is distinct, as are other similar markings between that spot and the 99 thorax. The pattern is about as shown in fig. 23, a. The hind-wings are nearly uniform gray, with the veins showing plainly and the base of the cilia also well defined. The under surface is nearly uniform grayish-brown, like the hind-wings, but with a more satiny luster. The larva (h) when full grown resembles rather strongly a small cab- bage looper (Ftu&ia Irrassicae), and when disturbed has the same habit of looping like a geometer. It is pale green with three moderately distinct white stripes — median, lateral, and one midway between these two. The length when full grown is about an inch or a little over. The pupa is shining, rather pale brown, and strongly and deeply punctured on the dorsal surface. It measures about four-tenths of an inch. DISTRIBUTION This Xoetuid is generally dis- tributed over the United States east of the Rocky Mountain region, from Canada and Min- nesota southward to the Gulf States and the West Indies. It is recorded or is known from New York. Delaware, Virginia. District of Columbia sissippi. Texas. Kansas, Nebraska, and Illinois. Professor Snow has reported it common in Kansas. In Florida, according to Mr. Ashmead, it is rare, and from what can be learned it seems probable that with the exception of a few States, like Mis- sissippi and Kansas, where it has been found abundant, it is not particularly common. Fig. 23. — Ogdoconta cinereola: a, moth; b, larva; e, abdominal segments of larva: d, pupa— all en- larged (original). Florida. Mis- HISTORY AND LITERATURE. Until quite recently this species was known to collectors and in lit- erature as Telesilla cinereola. It was first described by Guenee in 1852 (Spec. Gen. Noct., Vol. II, p. 316) under the genus Placodes. In 1880 Mr. D. W. Coquillett published a description of the larva observed at Woodstock, 111., with the remark that larvae were found in a wheat field from June 15 to July 20. but that the food plant was unknown. Transformations were observed to be made under ground. (So. Amer. Ent.„ Vol. I, p. 52.) The following year Mr. Coquillett again described this larva (10th Kept. St. Ent. 111., 1881, p, ISO), adding the ragweed (Ambrosia artemi size folia) as a larval food plant. In 1887 Mr. W. H. Ashmead made a more detailed description of the larva and a brief one of the pupa, adding that the larvae feed on the leaves 100 and pods of bean, sometimes stripping- the vines bare. (Bui. 11, Div. Ent, U. S. Dept. of Agr., pp. 21, 22.) In 1890 a brief note by Mr. G. H. Kent, Roxie, Miss., was published in Insect Life (Vol. II, p. 283). in which the statement was made that this larva was feeding on bean pods, doing considerable damage to the crop. UNPUBLISHED DIVISIONAL RECORDS. October 7, 1883, Mr. Albert Koebele, then of this office, found in Virginia, near the District of Columbia, several larva? feeding on cocklebur [Xanthium strwnariuiri). They were on the under sides of the leaves, and when at rest were stretched generally on the midrib and some of the larger ones on the stems of the leaves. November 7 oblong cocoons were found in the earth, of which they were form 2d. The moths from this lot issued in confinement June 3 of the follow- ing } T ear. September 3, 1885, Mr. Th. Pergande found larvae in the District of Columbia feeding on sunflower (Helianthus). Moths from this lot issued in confinement the following year. May 10, 11, and 13. It does not seem probable that this species is limited to the bean among cultivated plants for food. On the contrary, it may now be, or may develop into, a somewhat general feeder, as it has been shown that it breeds normally upon composite plants, such as ragweed, cocklebur, and sunflower. No parasitic or predaceous enemies appear to have been recorded. REMEDIES. An arsenical spray, preferably of arsenate of lead, would kill this insect when it occurs in numbers on beans, but care should be used when it attacks the pods, if these are soon to be used for food, to guard against possible poisoning of human beings. The destruction of the insect upon its wild food plants, such as pigweed and cocklebur, is also advisable, and it would be well to keep these plants down in regions where the bean cutworm has once been injurious. NOTES ON INSECTS AFFECTING BEANS AND PEAS. Under the above title the writer has brought together certain short notes on different species of insects that have either been treated in a popular or general manner in earlier publications, or that have not } T et been made the subject of special study during recent years. All that will be mentioned have come under observations through their occur- rence on beans, peas, cowpea, and related legumes, and have been actually detected feeding upon one or more of these plants. Certain of the data that have been acquired concerning this class of insects have been made public in an article which took the form of condensed and popularized accounts of the more common and injurious forms. This 101 was published in the Yearbook of this Department for 1898 (pp. 233- 260), and is also issued in popular form. Other articles and notes have appeared in Bulletins 8, 9. 19. and 23 of the present series, or are included in previous pages of the present bulletin. The notes which follow have been made since the publication of certain of the articles and notes referred to. or were necessarily excluded for lack of space or as inappropriate to a popular consideration of the subject. The facts at hand are not deemed of sufficient importance of themselves to justify more complete treatment at the present time. The Gray Hair-streak Butterfly {Uranotes [Thecla] melimisHbn.).— Among other garden insects observed by Mr. A. X. Caudell upon the occasion of his collecting trip in Colorado during the summer of 1901 was the caterpillar of this pretty butterfly, feeding on the pods of Windsor bean, in the gar- den of Mr. E. J. Oslar, at Denver. Normally they live in that region on As- tragalv.8 mollissimus Torr., a leguminous and. it might be added, pestiferous plant, growing on prairie land and commonly known as ••loco y weed." During the last four years this specie- has been under observation as an enemy of beans. In fact, the bean, although not perhaps a special food plant, appears to be attacked every year by this insect, although injury is not as a rule severe. In 1897 Prof. W. G. Johnson observed it on bean in Maryland (Bui. 9, n. s., Div. Ent., p. 83). The next year the writer observed the larva on hog peanut (Fal- cata [Amphicarpaea] monoiea) and tick trefoil (Meihomia spp.). The resemblance of the larva to the pods of the last-mentioned plant is striking. A number of other wild food plants are recorded, including among the legumes, bush-clover (Lespedeza). July 8, 1899. numerous moths were noticed by the writer at Cabin John, Md., between rows of Lima beans, late in the afternoon, hover- ing about and alighting upon the blossoms. Some were captured for identification, but further observations were not made. During the same month and year larvae were observed working on pea pods and devouring the peas at Carthagenia and Wooster. Ohio, and in the silk of corn at Clifford, Ohio (Webster, 30th An. Kept. Ent. Soc. Ont., pp. 50, 57, 1900). Fig. 24. — Uranotes melinus: a. dorsal view of butterfly; b, butterfly, with wings closed; c, larva from side: d. pupa: i , egg— all somewhat enlarged, except e, greatly enlarged (all except c redrawn from Howard). 102 Attack by this species to pole Lima beans at St. Elmo, Va., was reported by Mr. Pratt, August 27 and later in 1900. It seems that even a single boring in a pod of beans is enough to insure injury. He estimated that about 25 per cent of the crop of that vicinity was damaged. An illustrated account of this insect, entitled "The gray hair-streak butterfly and its damage to beans" was published in Insect Life (Vol. VII, pp. 354, 355). It is illustrated in its various stages in the accompanying figure 24. A natural enemy of this insect has been observed in a small ichneu- mon fly A?wmalon pseudargiole How. This species seldom does very severe damage, hence little precau- tion need be observed in the treatment of it early in the season. It would be well, however, to destroy all affected bean pods, that the insect may not develop and do injury in after years. The Bean Leaf-beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata Forst.) — This insect has already been reported by Professor Johnson in Bulletin No. 20 (n. s., p. 81) as having been very destructive in 1900 to wax and Lima beans throughout the trucking area of Maryland. May 14, of the same year, the writer found this species at work on bean at Cabin John, Aid. . doing, it would seem, the greatest damage ever observed in the East. Not a single leaf had escaped its ravages; all were pitted full of large holes or had been stripped to the midrib. The following day Air. Henry Olds, of this Department, reported this insect injuring bean at Woodside, Aid., and Mr. Pratt noticed the same insect at work on beans at St. Elmo, Va. May 26, Air. B. M. Hampton sent specimens from Peacocks Store, X. C. with report that this beetle was known locally as the ''terrapin bug" (a name which it shares with Murgantia histrionica), and that it was a perfect nuisance, doing much injury to snap beans by eating holes in the leaves. A second visit was made to the infested garden at Cabin John June 12, a month after infestation was first noticed. The rows of beans that had been first planted and that were noticed to be most injured were practically ruined. They had not made such good growth as other rows planted later, and many of the leaves had dried up and fallen off. The later rows, though they had made better growth. looked, as an observer remarked, "as though they had been shot full of holes from a shotgun.*" The Lima-bean Vine-borer (Monoptilota nvbUdla Hulst.). — This spe- cies, an account of which was given by the writer on pages 9-17 of Bulletin No. 23, n. s.. made its appearance the past year on Lima beans, and in a new locality. August 27, 1900, Air. Pratt reported the larvas at work on pole Lima beans at St. Elmo. Va., and late in September found that the same species was working on bush 103 Lima beans — something that it was not observed to do in previous seasons. October 8, he made examination of different plants growing in his own garden and reported that at least 50 per cent of the galls examined showed that the occupants had escaped. From observations made at this time he concludes that this vine borer is capable of doing severe damage, the part of the stem above the galls seldom producing beans. and in some cases dying. Injury, however, is not readily apparent owing to the fact that from 1 to 6 plants often grow on one pole and injured portions are usually concealed by the numerous leaves. In one instance no less than L7 galls were counted on a single plant, while the other plants in the same hill were scarcely affected. In another instance galls were observed at the roots of the plants on a level with the soil, the gallery extending an inch below the surface. At Cabin John. Md.. where this species occurred in 1898 and 1899, it reappeared, but in much diminished number-. After the publication of the writer's article previously cited. Dr. Hopkins's note entitled "A Lima bean borer" was remembered, too late, however, for insertion in the bulletin mentioned. This note appeared in Volume VII of Insect Life (p. 14<>.) As the publication mentioned Is not available to everyone, his note may be repeated here: September s . a Lepidopteroua larva was found causing considerable damage to Lima- bean vines in Wood County, W. Va. The larva was about one inch long, the body uniform purple above and light blue beneath. It occupied about two inches of the vine, causing a swelling or kind of gall, in this respect resembling the habits of the common stalk b< urer I Gortyna nitda). When more than one larva occurred in a plant it died from the injury. I also failed to rear the adult of this insect. Dr. Hopkins's a- well as the writer feels little hesitancy in stating that this is the same species, Monoptilota nubilella Hulst. A new natural enemy of this insect was observed by Mr. Pratt at St. Elmo. Va., the larva of a species of soldier beetle, either Chau- liognathus j» nnsylvanieus or ( %, marginatus. This larva was detected in tin 1 act of devouring a vine-borer larva, and several dead larva 1 of the moth and of the soldier beetle were found in the galls. Diabrotica atripennis Say. — July 10, 1899, the adults of this species were observed by Mr. Pratt attacking- the blossoms of Lima beans at Travilah, Md. Specimens brought to this office continued feeding on bean blossom- in confinement. This is the first observation of the food habits of this species of which the writer has knowledge. The larval habits are unknown, but larvae doubtless feed about the roots of some wild leguminous plant in the same manner as Diabvotica mttata feeds upon cucurbits and W-punctata at the roots of cereals. The Mexican Bean Weevil ( Spennophaguspectoralis Shp.). —Under date of July 26, 1900, Mr. Enrique R. Margarit, Habana, Cuba, transmitted 104 specimens of black beans infested by this species, present in all stages at the time of receipt, August 1. Our correspondent stated that these beans were raised in Mexico, in hot regions, and immediately after harvest were taken to cold regions, where the seed was kept for a long- time, sometimes even for two years, but as a result of being in Cuba even ten days seed commenced to show evidences of attack and soon destruction was complete. In winter this seed keeps in Cuba about thirty days. The same happens to black beans harvested in Cuba. The species does not appear to have been previously recorded from the West Indies. From the material obtained and kept under observation it is now pos- itive that this species has practically the same life habits as the other pea and bean weevils, accounts of which the writer has given in the Yearbook of this Department for 181)8 (pp. 234-248). The Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorumJAmi.). — So far as known to the writer, no parasite of the pea weevil has been recorded. A single species of the family Chalcididae, however, Bnichdbius laticollis Ashm. MSS.. was reared from peas infested exclusively by this weevil and received in October. 1898, from Fayetteville, Ark. This parasite is much more abundant on other species of Bruchus which affect bean and pea, our two bean weevils and the cowpea weevil. The Boll Worm, or Corn-ear Worm (HeUothis armiger Hbn.). — This species, after a year of comparative rarity in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northward, became quite numerous during the year 1900, particularly toward the close of the season, doing con isderable damage to late corn and some other crops, including Lima bean, the seeds of which it devoured. During 1899 also we received this insect with reports of its having been found on what appear to be new food plants, as follows: October 21, 1899, the larva was found boring into the stems of peanut by Mr. T. I. Todd, Athens, Ga. ; June 14, 1900, Mr. F. S. Earle, Auburn, Ala., reported this larva to be eating into and destroying seeds in the pods of hairy vetch (Vicia vil- losa); October 15, larvae were found by Mr. F. C. Pratt in considerable numbers in an experimental plat of chick-pea or gram ( Cicer arietin um) on the Potomac flats near the Department of Agriculture. It may be well to mention in this connection an extreme instance of injuiy to beans reported by Mr. J. H. Matheny, Long Beach, Miss. May 20, 1899, he sent larvae, with the accompanying statement that they destroyed the bean crop in that vicinity nearly every year, the damage being estimated at thousands of dollars. In response to inquiry our correspondent sent additional specimens of larvae, together with moths and bean pods, showing the work of this species, and further stated that no other insect was concerned in this injuiy, and that the boll worm was destroying the bean crop of the entire Gulf coast. The Fall WebwoYm(/ft/p/ta))t/^/ cunea Dru.).— During the years 1899 105 and 1900 this species was frequently observed on beans, and in one instance destroyed quite a number of vines of pea. In another case a larva was observed eating into the ripe fruit of tomato September 18. The Garden Flea-hopper {Haltieus uhleri Giard).— Prof. F. M. Web ster has stated that he obtained newly hatched nymphs in the Held May 8, showing, he believes, that the species winters over in the egg, as no adults were to be found. In Entomological News for April. 1900, the same gentleman states that there are probably not less than five gen- erations of this species at Wooster, Ohio, annually. In May and June. 1900, this insect was observed in some numbers on beans in different localities, and some leaves were found to have been Fio. -Jo.— Halt ic us uhleri: a. brachypterous female; b. full-winged female: c, male; d. head of male in outline— a. b, c much enlarged, d more enlarged (author's illustration i. killed by its attack-. Beets and cabbage were also affected, but injury was less noticeable to these crops. In 1901 the writer noticed severe injury to ornamental morning-glory in the city of Washington*. Acanthocerus galeator Fab. — This plant-bug, better known in litera- ture and in collections generally as Eutkoctha galeator, has been often seen on garden beans during recent years. September 8, 1900, Mr. F. C. Pratt observed an adult with its beak sunk in the stalk of a bean plant, so there can be no doubt of this host plant, although injury has as yet not been reported. So little is definitely known of the true food habits of this species that it may be well to mention some of the reports concerning it: It first came under observation at this office May 27. 1879, when Mr. Theodore Pergande observed a specimen sucking the sap from the petiole of a leaf of a terminal shoot of raspberry, the result being that the petiole became black and the leaflets wilted. July 5, 1895, Mr. D. B. Story, Darwin. Ohio, reported that this insect did much damage to nursery stock, particularly yearling apple trees, by stinging and blighting the tender tips. 106 June 8, 1899, Mr. Pergande observed one of these bugs sucking young shoots of plum, which were afterwards observed to wilt and turn black as in the observation made on raspberry; and during Sep- tember, 1900, he obtained a number of ymphs mostly in the last stage, attacking common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisimfolia), this latter being, therefore, undoubtedly a natural food plant. An account was given of this species b} T the late H. G. Hubbard in "Insects affecting the orange/' which includes a figure of the adult and brief description of the eggs and the young nymphs. He states (p. 163), "It is a very common and often a very destructive insect," presumably to orange in Florida. In a recently published account of this species h\ Messrs. Forbes and Hart (Bui. 60, Univ. 111. Agric. Ex. Sta., p. 445) some additional notes are given, it being stated among other things that the authors found it on blackberry and raspberry, and on forest undergrowth in Illinois. It is stated on the authority of Brunei* to occur on beets and on wild cucumber. Alydus eurinus Say and A. pilosulus H.-S. — During January, 1901, Mr. F. E. Brooks, French Creek. W. Va.. wrote of an insect which is described as somewhat resembling the squash bug. and which he stated was injuring his Lima beans and late cowpeas. January 15. he sent specimens found among dead bean vines, which there was no trouble in identifying as the above species. Specimens of bean pods accompanied this letter, and both pods and beans plainly showed punctures of a sucking insect, the beans being quite disfigured by the numerous discolorations formed about the punctured spots. In continuation of observations conducted in 1901, Mr. Brooks also sent additional specimens of this species of the variety ater Dall., as also of Alydus pilosulus H.-S., with information that they appeared to be responsible for the diseased condition of cowpea. October 28, 1901. Mr. Brooks wrote that these insects occurred again in consider- able numbers, but the early frost killed the vines of cowpea, as also the pods, and rendered it impossible to determine to what extent the insects were responsible for the spread of the disease in the beans and cowpeas. Our correspondent, however, was still of the opinion that under favorable conditions these insects transmitted the disease from one pod to another and that they may prove at times a serious pest. He had observed them at the date of writing collected upon the dry pods of cowpea. They thrust their beaks quite easily through the dry pods and appeared to be feeding on something within for one or two minutes, when they removed their beaks and inserted them in another place. He could not determine whether the puncture extended to the seeds within or not. Our correspondent's opinion is of value, as he was perfectly able to distinguish the x two species of Alydus, notic- 107 ingalso that copulation took place only with the insect's own kind and not with the associated species. The two species occurred in about equal numbers, their habits being the same. Leaf-hoppers (Tettigoniidae and Jassidae). — Various species of leaf- hoppers of the families Tettignoiidae and Jassidae were under observa- tion during the past three years on experimental plats of the Depart- ment of Agriculture on cowpea and beans. They occurred in all stages, feeding on the under surface of the leaves, but were not pres- ent in realty injurious numbers. The crafty leaf -hopper (Diedrocephala versuta Say) was the most conspicuous species, on account of its larger size and brighter colors, although numerically less than the smaller Empoascas, with which it d Fig. 26. — Diedrocephala versuta: a, male with expanded wings: b. same with wings folded: c. young nymph: d, last stage of nymph — all much enlarged (original). w&a sometimes associated. Adults were present from June to Sep- tember. This, like many other leaf-hoppers, probably lives largely on grasses, but cowpea is also greatly relished. Without doubt it agrees rather closely in habits with the better-known red-banded leaf- hopper (Diedrocephala coccinea Forst.), to which it is closely related. The latter, according to Messrs. Osborn and Ball, is double-brooded (Bui. 34, Iowa Agr. Coll. Exp. Sta., p. 615, 1897). From the latter, versuta differs chiefly in its smaller size and by having the vertex with the black markings nearly parallel with the anterior margin, which is usually black-lined. There is often a pair of approximate median lines on the disk. D. coccinea is reddish, with green stripes on the pronotum and elytra, while in versuta yellowish or greenish predomi- nates, with occasionally reddish on the upper surface. A mature male 108 of this leaf -hopper is shown in figure 26 at a, with wings spread as in life, while at b the same is illustrated with wings folded in the natural position which it assumes when feeding or at rest. From the nature of its markings this is a rather attractive species, and the yellow of the common form found in the District of Columbia is variegated above with green and bluish, forming stripes on the wing-covers, as shown. A young nymph or larva is illustrated at c. and d shows the nymph in the last or pupal stage just previous to molting. This species, as defined by Prof. E. D. Ball (Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci., Vol. VIII, 1901, p. 30; Ser. 5. No. 21, Ohio St. Univ. Bui., p. 31). is evidently more abundant in the South. Its name does not appear in any lists of New York or New Jersey species at present available, although it has been recorded from Ohio and Illinois. It extends from central Mexico and the Gulf States northward to Maryland. Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and westward as far as Illinois. What are considered varieties of this species, however, have been described from South America and the Pacific coast. As a result of the investigations of Messrs. Osborn and Ball (1. c), some generalizations as to the life habits of these two families of leaf- hoppers have been drawn. The species under observation in Iowa showed, as a rule, a decided limitation as to the food plant, holding to one species while in the immature stage, but feeding more indis- criminately in more mature stages, in which respect these insects resemble larger forms of Hemiptera. such as the harlequin cabbage bug and squash bugs, which subsist normally on single orders of plants. The species observed deposit eggs upon the stems under the leaf sheaths or in the leaves of the food plant. There is a wide divergence as regards life histories, some species producing one gen- eration; the majority of the grass-feeding forms, which includes a very considerable percentage of these insects, two generations: and some having three in a season-. Save in the case of hibernation in the adult stage, the life of a generation of adults does not exceed two months, while that of the individual rarely exceeds one. Males appear a week or ten days earlier than the females, and their disappearance is much earlier. There is so little overlapping of generation that one of adults disappears before the nymphs of the next have matured, so that individuals observed at any time ma}' be referred to the generation to which they belong. The eggs for each generation are deposited within a limited time, so that a period may be defined when all eggs of a given species will have been laid, and during which measures for their destruction may be applied. As a further result of these studies of the life economy of leaf- hoppers. it was ascertained that simply cutting the grass (and perhaps other plants affected) and leaving it in the field would prevent hatch- ing, as in no case did eggs observed hatch from stems that had been 109 cut while green. The drying of the stems results in the crushing and distortion of the eggs, due to the shrinkage of the plant tissues and to the curling of the edges of the sheaths. Stictocephala festina Say. — Another leaf-hopper, was sent in abund- ance to this office by Mr. Thos. I. Todd, Athens, Ga.. October 2. 1899, with the accompanying statement that they were affecting Lima beans, and that they were not noticed before August of that year. Our corre- spondent stated that this insect caused the vines which it infested to shed their leaves, after which the stems dried, the vine finally being killed. The method of injury by suction was noticed. The species is one of wide distribution, but little appears to have been published concerning it's habits. There is at least one record of injury, however, that published in Insect Life in 1888 (p. 50), which has reference to damage to young tomato plants at Wilmington Island, Ga., in April and May, 1887. Injury is described as being due to the insect "ringing "' the stem, causing the plant to wilt. The recorded distribution includes territory from Connecticut in the North and East to Florida and Texas in the South, and in the West to Colorado and Montana. The Bean Aphis (Aphis rum ids Linn.) — This well-known species, which is common to this country and to Europe, having evidently been introduced from the Old World, has been noticed during the past four years in most patches or fields of bean and cowpea examined, being especially abundant upon the latter crop plant. During L899 and L900 it was present on Lima bean, in sufficient numbers to attract rather general notice particularly at Marshall Hall and Cabin John, Md., and St. Elmo and Alexandria, Va. It is par- ticularly noticeable on the last-mentioned plant from its habit of con- gregating on the terminal leaves and flower heads and about the stems of the pods. The species has been the subject of considerable study by different economic writers, including Fitch, who has given it extended notice in his thirteenth report on noxious and beneficial insects of New York (1869, pp. 495-512). and Messrs. Osborn and Sirrine (Bui. No. 23. la. Agr. Coll. Expt. Sta. , 1893. pp. 901-905). In the article last cited, which is entitled "Life history of a common plant-louse (Aphis rumicis L.)," a good account of the life cycle of the species is given as observed at Ames. la., and, as this locality is not particularly different, zoo- logically and geographically speaking, from the District of Columbia, no special study has been given the species by the writer. Wireworms. — Leguminous crops do not appear to be much affected by wireworms. No doubt the insects are frequently present, but injury is seldom apparent. There is one, however, that has been identified with attack on bean. This is a common species, particu- larly southward, and known as Ifonocrepidius vespertinus Fab. 110 CL C Fig. 27. — Monocrepiditis vespertinus: a. larva, side view; b, larva, dorsal view: c, beetle- all three times natural size (original). Numerous individuals of this click-beetle were observed by the writer during the first two weeks of July at Colonial Beach, Va. (which is about 45 miles south of Washington, D. C), in beds of beans where no other plants grew. Search was made for the larvae, but it was evi- dently not the season for them, as none were found. There can be no doubt of their infesting beans, as at this time the species in question was the most abundant of all insects observed in that field. The larva and beetle are shown in figure 27. NOTES ON FLEA-BEETLES. Among other injurious forms of insect life that were noticeable by their numbers during the season of 1900, flea-beetles of several species occupied an important place. Some of the injurious forms which were attached to special plants and some of the more striking instances of injury by species of omnivorous tendencies will be mentioned in connection with other observations that were made concerning them. During 1901 some species were injurious, but. as a rule, not so abundant and troublesome as in the preceding year. The Pale-striped Flea-beetle (Systena ftlanda Mels.). — The pale-striped flea-beetle was one of the most abundant and troublesome forms dur- ing the year 1900. In the latter half of May and early June it was noticed by the writer and others in greater abundance in Maryland and Virginia near Washington than in any previous year, and was concerned in inj iry to beans in several localities. It was reported to be troublesome to the same crop at Woodside. Md., and St. Elmo. Va., by Messrs. Olds and Pratt of this Department, respectivelv. The lat- ter reported that during June it did great damage to pole and bush Lima beans, while the ordinary field or garden beans were scarcely touched. In some cases replanting was necessary. The occurrence of the beetles in considerable numbers on other cultivated plants as well as upon weeds was noticed, but damage was observable only to beans in the localities mentioned. Beets were also the subject of attack, as observed by the writer, and reports of injury to beets reached us from different regions. This crop, however, was not severely injured, the beetles seeming to prefer the leaves of bean when they were obtainable to any other food crop. In other more distant localities it will be noticed that beans and peas were also much injured and beets suffered considerably in Michigan and Colorado, as reported. June 18, 1900, we received specimens of this species together with Ill S. hudsonias, with report that they were injurious to pole beans, as will be mentioned more in detail in consideration of the latter species, at Milo Center. Yates County. N. Y. Mr. Edward C. Post. Dundee. Mich., who sent specimens of this beetle in 1889 from Monroe. Mich., wrote June 21,1900, transmitting specimens taken from four different fields of sugar beet some 5 miles apart and about 18 miles from Monroe. In two of these fields the beetles did considerable damage. August 8, 1900, Mr. Carroll Fowler, of the Agricultural Experi- ment station. University of California, at Berkeley. CaL. sent speci- mens of this beetle with the information that they had been received from Mr. W. Winterhalter. Rockyford. Colo., where they were do- ing considerable damage to sugar beet. Mr. Winterhalter describes the work of this beetle as follow-: It bores the leaves from the upper side, borine regular hole? clear through the {eaves, ami. as it appears in swarms of millions, it practically kills the plants which are two or three weeks above the ground. These flies have destroyed quite a few acres in our Pueblo district. They are doing likewise with eockleburs. sand burs, and other weeds. The beets are badly injured and their growth is checked con- siderably, but this fly is t<>,> small to destroy old plants completely. The specimens Were collected June 19. 1900. During the summer of 1899 imagos were reared July 22 and 23. In 1900 imagos of the new generation were observed August 25, over a month later. May 18, 1901, Mr. W. J. Langston. Sixmile. Ala., sent specimens cf beetles and cotton leaves, the latter showing severe injury by this insect. The beetles had been seen at work only two days. May 21, Mr. B. M. Moose, also sent >pecimens with leaves of cotton -bowing similar injury. He stated that the beetles were very numerous on his farm at Simpsonville. S. C., having made their appearance two days earlier. Beets were also injured. June 20, Mr. A. L. Beals. Deming. Ind.. sent numerous specimens of this beetle with report that, although the species had been in his garden only about three days, it had done great damage, especially to radish, beet. bean, melon, and cucumber. The Red-headed Flea-beetle (Systena frontalis Fab.). — One of the injurious occurrences of the year 1899 was that of the so-called red- headed flea-beetle. Systena frontalis Fab., at Syracuse. X. Y.. reported by Smiths £ Powell Company. August 3. as injurious to sugar beet. Although this is the only case of damage reported from there during that year, it is possible that there was an outbreak of the species in that portion of the United States and perhaps Canada, as this insect is known to be periodically troublesome in that latitude. Systena frontalis was first reported by Mr. William Saunders as injurious in the year 1882 (Can. Ent.. Vol. XIV. p. 1-iT: 13th Kept. 112 Ent. Soc. Ont. for 1882 [1883]. p. 10), having been noticed at Oakville, Ontario. Canada, where it was damaging the leaves of grape. The beetles were described as being very abundant and destructive, eating the green tissue of leaves on the upper side, causing them to wither. After a lapse of rive years this species was observed, together with S. blanda, attacking potato at Wea, Ind. (Webster, Rept. Dept. Agr., 1SST. p. 151)^ and was again troublesome in Canada, this time as a pest in the shrubbery and on the seed beds of the botanical gar- den of the experimental farm at Ottawa (reported by Dr. James Fletcher, in his report as entomologist and botanist of the Dominion of Canada for 1889 [1890]. pp. 87, 88). Young plants and low shrubs of a great many botanical orders were attacked, ravages being par- ticularly noticeable upon some species of Althaea, Hibiscus, and Weigelia. as also upon young grape vines. Injury was all done by the perfect beetles, few plants appearing to come amiss to them. In 1891 we received specimens, August 11, from Smiths & Powell Company, Syracuse, N. Y.. with the information that the beetles were doing damage to pear by eating the soft leaves. A remedy was requested, as it was feared that, if the beetles were left undisturbed, that they would become a nuisance (Insect Life, Vol. IV, p. 135). The same year we reported this insect as feeding upon beet leaves at Lincoln, Nebr., and on the leaves of Hibiscus militaris at Westpoint, Nebr., at fig. 2; -Systma jrcnta- which places the insect was observed by Mr. Law- much enlarged rence Bruner i n 189 o (Bui. 23 [old series]. Div. (original). Ent.. 1891, p. 15). The writer has been familiar with this species for a great many years, having first observed it at Ithaca. N. Y.. in company with the commoner but less troublesome Systena hudsonias, on smartweed, pigweed (Chenopodium album), and other weeds in August and Sep- tember (Proe. Ent. Soc. Wash„ Vol. II, p. 266). In the late Dr. Lintner's report as State entomologist of New York for 1892 (p. 313), he records the occurrence of this Chrysomelid in injurious numbers on the foliage of gooseberry at Geneva. N. Y., during the latter part of July and early August of that year. In 1893 this ilea- beetle was again troublesome in Canada, and was mentioned by Dr. Fletcher in his report for that year (1891, p. 28). It attacked a great variety of plants, including potato, horse bean, many kinds of deciduous shrubs, and young grapevines, having been especially injurious to grape at Ottawa. Its attacks were worse on those varieties which belonged to the thin-leaved grapes derived from Vitis riparia, the greatest damage having been done to young seed- lings which were not trained on trellises and which had not been sprayed with fungicides. 113 In 1896 Mr. W. S. Blatchley mentioned this flea-beetle in connec- tion with its occurrence at Indianapolis. Ind.. stating that it occurred commonly in June on the leaves of the great ragweed, Ambrosia trl- ri 'lp. i, catnip {Nepeta cataria i. Brunella vulgaris, and specie* of vervain ( Vrrbena spp.)- When found upon the smartweed the little insects had riddled the leaves with holes. On dock they were also numerous. They choose by preference the ten- derest leaves of young plants, those of only a few days' growth heing frequently attacked, hut they infest as well plants that are more mature. Their work varies according to the plant attacked, hut in general they eat out little holes here and there after the manner of other flea-beetles. On warm days they are quite active and vora- cious. The beetles abound throughout the summer months and occur on a number of other weeds, particularly of the Composite?, besides those mentioned. This species is given brief consideration by Messrs. Forbes and Hart (Bui. bo. Univ. 111. Agr. Exp. Sta., 1900. p. 467), reference to its occurrence on sugar beet at Urbana, 111., and in New York being noted. An original illustration of the adult is also furnished. The name of smartweed flea-beetle has been proposed, and this name has been adopted in the present article. The Toothed Flea-beetle (Chaetocnema dentieulata 111.).— This insect occurred in unusual numbers in 1900, making its first appearance during the lirst week of April on grasses. May 11 die writer's atten- tion was called to the work of the beetles on sweet corn near Cabin 115 John. Md., and a visit to the infested garden showed that the plants, which were only from an inch to 2 or 3 inches in height, were very badly infested. A dozen or more beetles were often found on a single plant, many in coptda, and sometimes so many would be crowded into a single rolled blade as to make the interior look black. This was the third planting of corn which had been made in this plat. It was not possible to make a second visit to this garden until about a month later, and then the beetles had practically disappeared. Little additional injury had been done, and it seems probable that the beetles left the plants within a week after their first being noticed. Search was made for the larvae at the roots of corn and grasses, but without success. Earlier mention of this species and its attack upon millet and allied grasses was made by the writer in Bulletins i> (n. s.. p. 22) and IT (p. 85). It has also been mentioned by different writers as an enemy to corn and to beets. On the former plant it sometimes occurs in abundance, and does conspicuous injury by making minute holes or elongate slits and white streaks on the leaves. It has been found injuring beets to some noticeable extent in Nebraska and Illinois, and in the latter State, according to Forbes and Hart (Bui. 60, Univ. 111. Agr. Exp. Sta.. 1900, p. ±66), it has been noticed in abundance on coarse grasses near Elizabeth. 111. Like most of the Chrysomelidae, it hibernates as an adult, and e^s have been obtained early in July. Otherwise its life history appears to be unknown. fig. 29.— chaetocnema puti- This flea-beetle resembles the species which ZT' '^-i^ *««» r m line fit right (original). will next be figured, and with which it is con- generic in general structure as well as in habits. It is, however, much larger, measuring fully twice as long, or about one-tenth of an inch, is more robust, somewhat irregularly oval, and the entire surface is uniformly brightly bronzed and slightly brassy. It is broadly distributed from the New England States southward to Florida and Texas and westward to California. It apparently occurs nearly everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains, and westward has also been recorded from Utah and Montana. The Brassy Flea-beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria Mels,). — Injury to sweet corn by the toothed flea-beetle, as above reported, was compli- cated b} T the presence of this second species, which, however, occurred in much smaller numbers. This species (fig. 29) is the more abundant of the two in most locali- ties, and considerably smaller. -It is probable that it is usually the cause of the trouble attributed to it. This flea-beetle measures less than one-twentieth of an inch, and is of oval, slightly oblong, convex 116 form, with shining surf ace, having a faint greenish-bronze luster. The legs arc usually brownish testaceous, but somewhat variable. r l ne thorax is nearly opaque, i. e., it bears little trace of polish. It is known to occur in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia. District of Columbia, North Carolina, Texas, and Colorado. The Spinach Flea-beetle (Diswiycha xanthmielaena Dalm.). — This species occurred in greater abundance during the spring of 1900 than in previous years when it was under observation, and was found during the latter days of May and the first part of June to have attacked and practically destroyed, while in the larval condition, whole rows of beets. The beets in one instance were not otherwise in condition, but other cause of injury was not observable. This appears to be the first instance of observed injury by this insect in the East. Observa- tions subsequently made showed that beets w T ere generally affected in this vicinity by this insect, injury being due both to adults and larva*. A new genus of food plants was observed during the year, as also a new insect enemy of this flea-beetle. It was noticed of the full-grown larvae that had fed upon beets that all were of a brilliant purple hue never before seen in this species in its occurrence on its wild (green) food plants. Upon the occasion of a visit to Brookland, D. C, June 18, very noticeable injury was observed to beets, particularly on the edges of fields near weeds. Many plants, it was obvious at this time, would produce no taproots, and examination of numbers of them showed that this portion of the plant was entirely undeveloped. The owner of one of these gardens, Mr. E. Heitmuller, was informed of the injury and he stated to the writer that he w^as quite familiar with the insect and its work, and said that at least an acre of seed beets had been totally destroyed for him the previous year. He also stated that the pests went below the surface of the ground and attacked the roots. Upon digging about the infested plants larvae and beetles were found, as well as upon the foliage, and this in spite of the fact that the day was very dark, the sun not having been visible for about two hours. There seems to be no doubt whatever that our informant is correct in his conclusions. Both larvae and beetles, at times if not habitually, conceal themselves in the earth about the plants. It has already been shown that the larva? travel very slowly, and hence after devouring the leaves of one bunch of plants they attack the roots instead of migrating to other plants, a feat which they are nearly incapable of performing. In instances of insect attack to beets which have come under notice, this species has been associated with -he twelve-spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica 12-punctata, and the pale-striped flea-beetle, Systt na ftlanda, both of which feed more freely exposed than the Disonycha larvae and beetles, and would attract attention when the others woulc 117 be apt to be missed. The cucumber beetle mentioned cuts holes of the same character in the leaves, and can be seen in broad davlifirht feed- ing on the upper surface. The pale-striped flea-beetle also feeds freely on the upper surface, while the beetles of Disonycha are gener- ally found under the plants on the ground during the heat of the day and usually drop off the plants at the first sign of disturbance. At other times, the larvae on the under surface of the leaves would not be noticed by the average observer. It will thus readily be seen that the year 1900 was not necessarily an exceptional one as regards attack by this flea-beetle in the East, as much of the injury that has been attrib- uted to other species mentioned may often in reality be due, at least partially, to the spinach flea-beetle. August 10, 1900, the writer observed nu- merous beetles of this species, dead and living, under plants of saltbush belonging to different species of Atriplex, growing on the experimental plats on the Department grounds. Under these plants the ground was fairly strewn withlivingand dead beetles, and larvae were found, though somewhat sparingly at this time, on the foliage. The species of Atriplex upon which this flea-beetle was observed include A. semibaccatum, A. holocarpa, A. velutinella, and an undetermined form — all cultivated varieties, and useful as forage plants. Numerous nymphs of the wheel bug (Prion? Jus cristatubs) were observed during the early part of June on beets infested with this flea-beetle. Such as were seen feeding had the larva 1 of the beetle impaled on their beaks. The Eggplant Flea-beetle (Epitrix fuscula Cr.). — Injury by this flea- beetle (fig. 30) which has been treated somewhat fully in Bulletin 19, n. s. (pp. 87-89), was very serious to early potatoes near Cabin John, Md., in 1900. When the infested fields were visited May 14, every plant was seen to be covered with the beetles. They were described to the writer as having burrowed beneath the surface of the earth in search of the potato sprouts. The common cucumber flea-beetle, Epitrix mcumeris, occurred upon the same plants in less numbers, as did also the Colorado potato beetle, D(Yi % yphova 10-lineata. Injury was also due in part to cutworms, and to extreme heat and drought, which had lasted for several days. Fig. 30.— Epitrix fuscula, greatly enlarged (original). o i W ENCE UBRARH WARSTON SCIENCE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 05252 3585 wmm MARSTON SCIENCE LIBRARY Date Due Due Returned Due Returned FES23I995 dtP 2 5 1996 ! 9b