Alfalfa in Kansas. 



387 



THE ALFALFA CATERPILLAR. 



(Eurymus eurytheme Boisd.) 



Caterpillar, dark grass-green color, with a white stripe on each side of the 

 body, and when full-grown about one inch in length. (Fig. 333.) The 

 adult, a butterfly, with a wing expanse of nearly two inches, varying in 

 color 'from yellow to almost white, but usually sulphur-yellow above, 

 with black outer wing margins, a black spot in the center of each fore 

 wing and a yellowish spot in the center of each hind wing. (Figs. 

 334 and 335. 



FIG. 



333. Alfalfa caterpillar (Eurymus eurytheme). Full-grown larva or caterpillar; 

 about three times natural size. (After Wildermuth, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



FIG. 334. Female moth or adult of the al- 

 falfa caterpillar; 1% times natural size. 

 (After Wildermuth, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



FIG. 335. Male moth or adult of the al- 

 falfa caterpillar; 1% times natural size. 

 (After Wildermuth, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



Distribution. 



Although this insect is found throughout the greater part of the 

 United States and southern Canada, it is much more abundant in the 

 states west of the Mississippi river, thus covering the principal alfalfa- 

 growing section of this country. However, it is in the regions where 

 irrigation is extensively carried on that it is very abundant and has 

 proved a serious pest. 



Habits and Life History. 



The life history of this insect has not been wprked out for Kansas. 

 However, in view of the fact that the butterflies are present throughout 

 the spring and summer months, there are probably three generations in 



