1913 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



13 



Zebra Caterpillar (Mamestra picta). Swarms of these caterpillars were 

 found on cabbage leaves at Ottawa on the 18th September. At that time the larvse 

 were half an inch in length and were quickly devouring the leaves. There are 

 two broods of this insect every year. The winter is passed in the pupal state in 

 the ground and the moths wlien they emerge in May deposit clusters of eggs on the 

 leaves of low-growing weeds and other plants. I have found them on 



Lamb's Quarters. The young caterpillars appear in about a week after the 

 eggs are laid and for a time they feed together, but as they reach maturity they 

 separate and feed singly. These caterpillars are full grown in midsummer. This 

 brood some years does serious damage to turnips, cabbages, peas, and clover. The 

 second brood of caterpillars appear in the latter part of August and specimens 

 may be seen as late as the end of October. In late autumn, at Ottawa, they are 

 commonly seen on asparagus plants. 



Fig. 3. — Zebra Caterpillar and Math. 



Flea-Beetles. The Turnip Flee-Beetle (Phijllotreta vittata) as usual ap- 

 peared in destructive numbers throughout the district. Another destructive flea- 

 beetle, viz., the Horse Eadish Flea-Beetle (Fhyllotrefa armoraciae) was added to our 

 local list of injurious insects. The first specimen observed was seen on radishes 

 in our experimental plots on 31st May. It is apparently established in the district, 

 as three specimens were captured by Mr. E. W. Calvert, at Ironside, Que., which 

 is close to Ottawa, on June 8. 



Clover Eoot Borer (Hylastinus ohscurus). Is some fields of alfalfa this 

 borer was working freely, causing noticeable loss. In one field examined 31st 

 July two adult beetles were found in a root which had been tunnelled by the 

 larvae. 



The Sleepy Weevil (OUorhi/nchus uvaius). In our experimental plots of 

 cauliflowers and cabbages the adults of this insect were present in small numbers. 

 In the case of cabbages they were found between the outer leaves of the head, and 

 111 cauliflowers they were concealed at or near the bases of the stalks of the head. 

 The finding of this v/eevil feeding on these plants is of interest. In the Insectory 

 I kept some of the weevils, for about a week, in shell vials, feeding them on 

 pieces of cauliflowers. 



