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OBSERVATIONS ON THE COTTON-WORM. 39 
growth, and spent several days in careful search, but, though finding 
- occasional traces of larval action, no Aletia or larvie were obtained. 
During July, about the 10th, I was advised of the finding of a few 
cotton-worms, about 24 miles southeast of Archer, and August 1 I 
found a single full-grown larva in a field near Archer, but a close 
search showed no others discoverable in that field. 
About August 10 the larvie appeared in force 10 miles southeast, and 
almost simultaneously 10 miles north, of Archer. 
Since then their progress has been extremely erratic. In fields side 
by side, one would be destroyed, the other hardly disturbed. In one 
case a track from east to west was destroyed. This was in the center 
of a large field, and about 150 feet wide; the sides of the field remain- 
ing were but Sieh damaged. 
In this case I could see no reason for such action ; there was no per- 
ceptible difference in soil or cultivation. 
By August 26 the cotton-worms were in fields 9 miles from Archer, 
north or south; August 30 they were 4 miles each way, and, though L 
caused careful examination and offered rewards, no larvee or moths could 
be found in intervening fields. 
September 2 I found larve 3 miles southeast; and on the 24th L 
noted a few larvie in near-by fields. 
The prevailing winds during August and September have been from 
the east and southeast. 
South and west of Archer is a long line of barren sand hills thinly 
timbered and with but few planters. Though but 5 miles from Aletia- 
infested fields, no cotton-worms were found this year or last in these 
localities. 
August 10 I visited a plantation 9 miles sontheast and found small 
larve. August 18-20, all were pup, and from some dozens of pupe 
obtained August 20, moths appeared August 26-2: 
In this case the pup remained but six to eight days. 
In many fields this year a gray, fungoid growth appeared in small 
patches upon the under side of the cotton leaves, attacking generally 
the thriftiest plants. In these places the larvee seem to lack vitality, 
soon becoming yellow and dying betore pupation. This disease bas not 
been noticed before this year, and does not act like the “rust” usually 
found in worn-out land. 
In many places I found an apparent antagonism existing between the 
Aletia and the cotton stainer (Dysdercus suturellus). In fields infested 
with both insects, but few and often no Aletia larvie could be found 
where the cotton-stainers were in any great numbers. This may, how- 
ever, be only a coincidence. 
In one field I found that the guinea fowl had rendered most efficient 
service. Thecotton presenteda singular appearance ; the upper portion 
of the plants nearly leafless, the lower limbs green and vigorous. 
The martins and the bull bat are of little apparent service to the cot- 
