14 



INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLE AND TRUCK CROPS. 



//f^. 



During July, August, and early September the larvix,- were mod- 

 erately common on beets, but the infested areas were scattered and 

 practically no damage resulted. Late in the fall they developed in 

 considerable numbers on beets in some fields. At this season, how- 

 ever, the infested 

 beets were mature, 

 and no noticeable 

 damage resulted. 

 The majority of 

 these larva^ reached 

 maturity during 

 October, and many 

 pupa? were observed 

 during the latter 

 part of the month 

 and in early No- 

 vember. The winter 

 of 1911-12 was ex- 

 ceptionally severe, 

 and the extreme 

 cold apparently 

 killed the pupa?. No live individuals were found during the following 

 spring, and the larva^ were very rare throughout the summer of 1012. 



Or 



Fk;. 4. — Tho striped boot catoi-pillar {.Mdinestra trifoUi) 

 a. Moth ; t, caterpillar ; v, pupa. Enlargod. (Original. ) 



GENERAL APPEARANCE AND HABITS. 



The adult of the striped beet caterpillar is a stockily built moth be- 

 longing to the lepidopterous family Noctuida'. (See fig. 4, a.) 

 The f o r e w i n g s 

 are dull grayish 

 brown and have 

 an expanse of 

 about IfV inches. 

 The hind wings 

 are grayish, with 

 brown markings. 

 The moths are 

 attracted to lights 

 but are sluggish 

 and, except for oc- 

 casional individ- 

 nals which may be found resting on boards, telegraph poles, and in 

 similar locations, are seldom seen by the casual oljserver. 



The eggs (fig. .")) are rather large, pearly white or pale yellow, 

 i-ibbed, and hemispherical. They are deposited singly on the under- 

 side of the leaves. 



l'"iii. .">. — Tlie striped boet caterpillar: lOi: 



((•riirinal.l 



