THE KED SPIDER OX COTTON, 



9 



That this pest remains more or less active throughout the winter 

 there can be no doubt. Mr. G. A. Runner found active adults at 

 Batesburg, S. C, on December 21, 1909. Mr. H. V. Wilson observed 

 red spiders feeding in early February at the same locality. The writer 

 found all stages alive on English violets on March 11, and adults as 

 late as December 19 at Batesburg on the same host in 1911. Adults 

 were seen alive on violets at Batesburg on February 2)^, 1912. follow- 

 ing the coldest winter that section had experienced for man}' years. 



Fii 



-An uninfested cotton plant, growing in same field as stiown in figure '.', luit just 

 beyond the bound-iry of infestation by tlie red spider. (Original.) 



The finding of the active red spiders durini; the coldest weather is 

 certainly an additional indication that hibernation does not take place 

 in South Carolina. 



mSPERSIOX. 



How do red spiders become established upon cotton? They have 

 no wings and their legs are very minute. Close observations reveal 

 that on the gTound they normall}^ travel at the rate of 1 inch per 

 15 seconds^ which, if maintained, Avould total 480 feet in 24 hours. 

 Red spiders are doubtless occasionally transferred by dogs, chic-kens, 



