538 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 10 



A search of Chinese mallow (Hibiscus sinensis) plants on the univer- 

 sity grounds showed the presence of this caterpillar. Their work on 

 these plants was not very noticeable at this time although a new phase 

 of injury was observed. Numbers of the unopened flower buds were 

 found to be eaten into, the culprit in a number of cases being caught 

 red-handed in the act. The leaves showed the same typical injury, 

 although in this case the young tender foliage seemed to be markedly 

 preferred. Larvae were found at work upon these plants October 14 

 and the injury was now decidedly noticeable. This species of Hibiscus 

 seems to be less attacked than any of the others, probably on account 

 of the tougher texture of its leaves. A number of pupse were found on 

 these plants November 10. 



As this species was found to attack other plants of the Malvaceae, it 

 was thought highly probable that it would be found to attack cotton. 

 Therefore, a careful search was made over a small cotton field where a 

 large number of the different varieties of cotton were being tested. 

 The work of this species was noticed scattered here and there indis- 

 criminately on the different varieties, the insect seeming not to dis- 

 criminate between any of them. After a careful search, a few cater- 

 pillars, pupae, and empty pupa cases were found. The damage, how- 

 ever, was hardly noticeable and entirely negligible in this case. No 

 other species of caterpillar was found working on the cotton. 



This insect was found attacking the roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) 

 plant at Gainesville, Fla., August 30, and a pupa of the same was sent 

 in September 19 by a correspondent from Kuhleman, Fla., on roselle. 

 It probably occurs all over the state wherever the roselle plant is 

 cultivated. 



On September 1, a few plants of roselle growing in the insectary were 

 found to be infested with these caterpillars. Several bell pepper plants 

 growing nearby were also found to contain a number of pupse and 

 evidence of the work of larvae. Due to the close proximity of these 

 pepper plants to those of the roselle, their being attacked would seem 

 more or less accidental. 



Closely Related and Associated Species 



According to Mr. Grossbeck (loc. cit.), two or three other species of 

 Cosmophila occur in Florida, Cosmophila xanthindyma Bd., C. doctorium 

 Dyar, and ? C. texana Riley (determination doubtful). 



Cosmophila larvae, when on cotton, are often mistaken for those of 

 Alabama argillacea but a person familiar with these can readily 

 distinguish between them. The two, however, are very much ahke 

 in their early stages. The adult moths do not look hke those of 

 Alabama. 



