40 



and sugar-cane, but its injuries are most pronounced on corn and 

 cotton. The moth (fig. 36, a) is variable from yellow to butf, and there 

 is variation in the degree of markings of the fore-wings. The expanse 

 is about three-fourths of an inch. The larva (b, c) is also variable, the 

 ground colors running through pale and greenish yellow to dark yel- 

 low. It seems probable that, as two generations have been observed 

 in the Middle States and three in the South, the life histor}^ of this 



species is notmaterialh' different from 

 that of the beet webworm. Eggs are 

 deposited on lower surfaces of leaves, 

 and the caterpillar, soon after hatch- 

 ing, draws together the edges of a 

 leaf b}' means of its web, or fastens 

 together two contiguous leaves, form- 

 ing a shelter, from which it crawls 

 forth to feed. A parasite of this 

 species is shown in figure 37. 



Remedies. — Paris green applied as 

 a spraj^ has been used with perfect 

 satisfaction against both of these web- 

 worms, the fact that thej" are more or 

 less surrounded by webs and leaf tis- 

 sues offering little or no barrier to 

 the effects of the poison. In addi- 

 tion, clean cultural methods, includ- 

 ing late plowing in the fall followed b}' deep plowing in spring, and 

 the burning of all waste material and Aveeds, are of service in control- 



FiG. 37. — Limncria curycrcontix: adultfemale; 

 9 , abdomen of female, lateral view; 

 cf, abdomen of male, dorsal view (after 

 Insect Life, Division of Entomology). 



ling these pests, 

 some crops. 



Early planting is also useful as a safeguard for 



MISCELLANEOUS CATERPILLAES. 



In addition to the caterpillars which have been mentioned — cut- 

 worms, army worms, and webworms — a number of other forms of 

 different classes and with varying habits are so frequently found in 

 beet fields as to deserve consideration. The first two that will be 

 mentioned are naked caterpillars; the last two are hairy caterpillars, 

 or wooll}^ bears, as they are familiarly termed. 



THE WHITE-IilNED MORNING SPHINX. 



{Deilepkila Uneata Fab.) 



An illustration and short account of this species, known also as the 

 pur.slane sphinx, is presented, because it is frequently found in beet 

 fields and evinces an apparent preference for beet among cultivated 

 plants. From its very large size it might be judged a pest of impor- 

 tance. On the contrary, it feeds naturally on purslane, seeming to 



