162 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Life History.— According- to J. A. Hyslop, of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, this insect passes the winter in the pupal 

 and adult stages, the moths appearing early in the spring and are espe- 

 cially active, laying eggs in May and June in the alfalfa fields. The 

 young larvffi or loopers are plentiful in June, feeding upon the leaves of 

 the plants. In about two weeks they are full-grown and spin a loose 

 white cocoon among the leaves, in which to pupate. After twelve days 

 the adult moths emerge. The entire life cycle requires about a month. 

 There are two generations a year— the second broods coming on in July. 



Distribution.— Throughout the central and southern parts of the 

 State, having been collected in Placer, Alameda, Kern, Fresno and 

 Los Angeles counties. It is probably quite widely distributed in other 

 sections. 



Food Plants.— The larvte are very destructive to alfalfa, working 

 upon the leaves and blossoms. They also feed upon clover, garden peas, 

 cabbage, barley, elder, dock and wild malva. 



Natural Enemies.— As very well shown by Mr. Hyslop, this insect is 

 so held in check by natural enemies that artificial remedies are yet 

 unnecessary. Internal hymenopterous parasites and tachinid flies are 

 responsible for the good work. In the State -of Washington five of the 

 former and two of the latter have been recorded. 



THE BEET ARMY WORM. 



Laphygma exigua Ilubn. (Family Noctuidae.) 



{Garadrina exigua Hiibn.) 



(Fig. 145.) 



General Appearance.— The adult moth is mottled gray with distinct 

 light markings on the fore wings. It is about one inch in length, with a 



wing expanse of one and 

 one half inches. The larvae 

 are slender, dark green in 

 color and distinctly striped. 



Life History. — The adult 

 moths appear during the 

 months of April and June 

 and deposit eggs, the cater- 

 pillars hatching out in May 

 and the last of June and 

 becoming most abundant in 

 August. There are probably 

 three generations a year — 

 the first and last doing the 

 least amount of damage. 



Fig. 145.- — The beet army worn, Laphjjgniu 



exigua Hiibn. a, adult motli ; b, larva, lateral Distribution. GrCnerally 



view; c, larva, dorsal view; d, head of larva; . . t ii' i i j-i, 



e, dorsal view of egg; f, side view of egg. distributed throughout tiie 



Enlarged. (After Chittenden.) State, but more abundant in 



the middle and southern parts. 



