THE SKMTTROPICAT. ARMY WORM. 



61 



By the first of Sei:)tenilK'r Mr. Cheney's patcli of sweet potatoes was 

 entirely free from this insect, evidently oAving lar<j!:ely to parasites 

 and to the s^^raying with arsenate of lead. 



August 30, 1907, Mr. Wm. Donnell, St. Augustine, Fla., reported 

 that a ontworni, which he identified as this species, had been very 

 destructive in that ri'uion. being especially abundant on beets, and 



Fig. 11. — Tho scmitropical army worm (Prodenia eridania) : Larvsc eatinj? liark of " care- 

 less weed;" also nymph of I'odisus niaciilirentris, predaceous on the larvir. (Origi- 

 nal.) 



later affecting cabbage, carrots (by eating the tops), and some other 

 plants, its operations being most noticeable at night. 



Mr. E. L. AA'orsham, while employed b}' this Bureau, noticed this 

 species on the Avest coast, near the Manatee River, in Florida, and 

 reported it working quite extensively in that region in August. 



On November 23, 1007, an egg-mass was found on pokeweed at 

 Dade City, Fla., and December 2 another was observed, from wliich 



