THE SPOTTED BEET WEBWORM. 5 



SO, and that they concealed themselves about the bases of the plants 

 near the I'oots and under portions of leaves or ]:)etioles which rested 

 on the ground. This Avas especially noticeable at the time when the 

 larvar; were attaininc; their full growth. 



Subsequently, October 3, the writer, with Mr. A. B. Ducket t, found 

 larvae of this species at work on table and sugar beets. On the sugar 

 beets similar injury to that on Swiss chard had been done, but for 

 some reason the larva^ were scarce. The work was quite apparent. 

 Iiowever. On the table beets the larvae looked considerably darker, 

 due to the darker food plant on which they fed. They Avere ob- 

 served at this time in all stages of grow^th from the first stages of the 

 larva to the last stage. The location of the chard and table and sugar 

 beets had much to do with the growth of the Iarv», the sun playing 

 an important part. 



On a single leaf of sugar beet taken October 4 the larvae remained 

 in the same position for about 24 hours. The leaf was small, and 

 after this period, after capture, only slight growth of the larva? could 

 be observed, especially in the case of the younger stages. 



These latter were probably in the second stage. They were very 

 nearly white, showing very feeble markings. They measure about 

 .').r» mm. m length. In what appears to be the third stage the larvse 

 assume decided markings, but are not nearly so dark as in the next 

 Ntage. They are decidedly green in color, and measure about 10 mm. 

 in length. 



In the last stage the larvi'v', just liefore liujiating. turn jiale and 

 somewhat yellowish. 



The cocoon is formed in ditferent ways — on the ])lant and on the 

 ground — and is covered with more or less webbing, and sometimes 

 with an abundance of black excrement which naturally soon grows 

 dry. 



iNJi RY TO ()Kxa:\iental plants. 



On October G. 1!)12. the writer observed at Iowa Circle. Washing- 

 ton. D. C. severe injury to foliage plants of the order Amaranthacea\ 

 The most seriously injured area was a large circle in one of the beds 

 at the west end of the park. The plants Avere practically ruined, 

 merely hanging together in shreds. Opportunity did not offer to ob- 

 tain the larvtv because of the crowd of pedestrians and others seated 

 in the immediate vicinity. On another plat Avhere the plants did not 

 receiA'e nearly so full sunlight the larva? Avere found in more abun- 

 dance, but only half as much injury had been accomplished. It 

 is plain that the first lot had mostly matured and the second lot 

 Avere near maturity. The plant in cpiestion, on Avhich the insects were 

 most abundant, Avas Telcuitliera versicolor^ or the Alternanthera of 

 florists. 



