December, '12] PADDJCK: THE SUGAR-BEET WEB WORM 437 



pest occurred in 1893 ^ and in Michigan the first injury was noted in 

 1899.'^ 



"MejTick records this species as inhabi'Jing England, Ireland, 

 Avcstern and central Europe, and northern Asia as well as North 

 America." ^ This species is known to European entomologists as 

 Eurycreon stidicalis Linn. In central Europe the pest occurs period- 

 ically and in such numbers as to devastate the crops. The super- 

 stitious peasants consider these outbreaks a visitation of Providence, 

 consequently control measures are rarely attempted and the pest 

 spreads at will. 



Food Plants. This species has been found feeding upon pig-weed 

 {Amarantus), lamb's quarter {Chenoyodium) beets, onions, cdbbage 

 and alfalfa in America. In Europe it has been found feeding upon a 

 pig- weed {Artemisia), bindweed, wolfsbane, corn, the blossoms of 

 plum, apple, cherry and peas and'grasses. 



Losses. As a result of the ravages of L. stidicalis growers estimate 

 losses from 35 to 55 per cent in tonnage; analyses of the beets show a 

 loss of 2 to 5 per cent in sugar percentage with a corresponding decrease 

 in purity of the juice. In sections of Europe entire districts have many 

 times been destroyed and the factories have remained closed. The 

 farmers at such times left the beets in the ground, considering them 

 profitable fertilizer for the soil. 



Review of the Season of 1909. From notes made at Sterling, 

 Colorado, by the writer, the following are quoted: 



From June 18th to 30th the moths of the fir.st brood were numerous 

 on weeds and alfalfa around the beet fields. By July 15th the moths' 

 of the second brood were numerous in many beet fields. On July 23d 

 a few^ eggs were observed and the moths seem.ed verj^ active around the 

 beets. A general outbreak of the worms throughout the entire district 

 occurred on July 25th and by this time the moths were becoming scarce. 

 The worms reached their maximum in numbers from June 26th to 31st. 

 Considerable spraying was done during the first twelve days of August 

 though the worms were rapidly disappearing. By August 23d the 

 moths of the third brood were very numerous in the areas that were 

 so badly eaten by the last brood of worms. The moths began at once 

 to spread to the dense foliage of the beets surrounding the injured area. 

 A few eggs were found on August 25th. By August 29th the moths 

 were getting scarce and the few left were unable to fly, only fluttering 

 along between the row^s of beets. Parasites were taken on August 



s Brunei-, LawTence. Bureau of Entomology Bulletin No. 30. (O. S.) p. 37, 

 * Pettit, R. H. Michigan Experiment Station Bulletin No. 180 p. 254. 



