INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



395 



young larvae 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 brood appearing in July. 



Nature of Work. — The caterpillars feed upon the leaves and blos- 

 soms of the alfalfa and occasionally defoliate small or large areas. 



Distribution.— -This moth is very common throughout the State. 

 being specially abundant in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys 

 and in the Sierra foothills. 



Food Plants. — The larva? are quite destructive to alfalfa, but also 

 feed upon barley, cabbage, clover, dock, elder, grape, malva and peas. 



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 ARMYWORM 



Cirpliis unipuncta (Haworth) 



[Hsliophila unipuncta (Haworth)] 



[Leucania unipuncta (Haworth) 1 



(Noctua unipuncta Haworth ) 



(Fig. 396) 



Description. — The moths are 

 light silvery-gray or fawn-col- 

 ored with fine dark spots on the 

 front wings, which are also 

 darker at the tips, a dark line 

 extending to the tips and a dis- 

 tinct light spot near the middle 

 from which the specific name is 

 derived. They are about 1 inch 

 long. The hind wings are 

 lighter with dusky veins and 

 tips. The antenna?, eyes and 

 proboscis are dark brown and 

 the legs are marked with light 

 and dark brown. The eggs are 

 semi-transparent, dull white or yellowish, smooth, spherical and about 

 vU inch in diameter. The full-grown larva? are from U to 2 inches 

 long, dark gray or blackish, with three yellowish stripes on the 

 dorsum and a broader, darker yellow stripe on each side. The ventral 

 surface is dusky green. The pupae are shiny mahogany-brown with 

 two stout spines at the posterior end. 



Life History. 278 — The females begin to appear in the spring, about 

 June, and soon deposit their eggs in rows of from two or three 



-""Sanderson, E. D., Ins. Pests of Farm, Garden and Orchard, pp. L15-117, 1912. 



Fig 396. — Thf armyworm, cirpliis uni- 

 puncta (Haw.). Adult female enlarged twice. 

 i ( (riginal ) 



