150 IXSKtTS ATTACK!. Xi; WEEDS IN MINNESOTA. 



The Roadside Thistle Plume Moth / I'latvplilia cardiiidactxla. 



Riley.) 



Tlie terminal shoot of this weed is often blackened and tilled 

 with excrement due to the work t)f the larvae of this moth. Larvae 

 together with pupae were commonly found on June 26. while on 

 July 6 one adult emerged. This species appears to be double- 

 brooded, for during- August the larvae were found working at the 

 ])ase of the flower heads from wdiich one adult emerged September 

 8. The species is listed by C. V. Riley (Mo. 1st Report, p. 180). 



Miisciiia stabitlaiis. Fallen. 



( )ne June 26, dipterous larvae were ob-^erved feeding in the 

 terminal shoot, together with lar\ae of the above s])ecies. On July 

 17, adults emerged and proved to be Miisciiia stabiilaiis. In the 

 breeding jars, the lar\ae were fed fresh leaves ^>f the thistle upon 

 which they fed and matured. 



[ have been unal)le to rear either the Anthomyid leaf miner or 

 the weevil larva working in the upper roots. Ccntruuis s]). was 

 observed on the plant on June 20. and ma}- l)e the adult of the lar\ae 

 in the roots. 



The Painted Lady ( raiicssa cardiii, Linnh 



This beautiful buttertly has the rei)Utation of being the most 

 widely distributed butterdy in the world, being found in all temper- 

 ate regions. The hairy caterpillars make nests by rolling the edges 

 of the leaves. They were found in June, some having pupated on 

 July 12. One adult emerged Jul\- 2?. Tlie larvae measure about 

 IjA inches in length, are reddish brown or black with white and 

 vellow- (lots. The head is dark brown or black and thickl}- covered 

 with whitish hairs. The s])ecies was also reared from Cardtiiis 

 sp. mallow, and jMgweed. It is also recorded as breeding on sun- 

 flow^er, beans, burdock, nettle, and various other thistles. A de- 

 tailed description of this genus of buttertlies is given by Essig (Jour, 

 of Ent. & Zool. Sept., 1916). 



CANADA THISTLE (Cirsiuiii arz'ciisc i L. ) Scop.) Insects. 



The Thistle Seed Maggott (Trypcla nihcaiidd. l-"abr.y. 



This S])ecies is rejjorted as lia\ing been bred from tbistle heads 

 at Ottawa. Canada, by Mr. F.. I'. I'elt ( b\-lt. 2''th Report, p. 171^ 

 1015). 



