an American parasite of the cotton worm, which is similar 

 in appearance to the West Indian species. 



THE LESSER C3TTOX WORM (Aletia luridula, Guen.). 

 Lepidoptera. 



In habits and appearance, and in its manner of feeding, 

 this insect is very similar to the preceding one. In the larval 

 stage it differs from the cotton worm in being slightly 

 smaller and, when nearly full-grown, in having a reddish or 

 pinkish tinge of colour. It also hides itself more completely 

 during the day, and it may happen that in a field where 

 this insect is abundant no caterpillars will be seen until one 

 has learned to look carefully into the bracts surrounding the 

 flower and pod. It differs also in the manner and place of 

 pupation. The full-grown larva of the lesser cotton worm 

 enters into the soil at the base of the plant, where it forms 

 an earthen cell in which the pupal stage is passed. The 

 adult insect is slightly smaller, with a suggestion of reddish 

 or pinkish in its dull, greyish colour. 



The lesser cotton worm probably occurs throughout the 

 West Indies, but in only one instance has it been recorded 

 as being sufficiently numerous to attract attention as 

 a pest. This occurred in Barbados in one season, and as far 

 as could be seen, this species was the only cotton worm in 

 a very badly infested field. 



This insect is controlled by the same means as the 

 cotton worm, and is probably held in check by the same 

 natural enemies. 



COTTON STAIXER3 (Dysdercus spp.). Hemiptera. 



Cotton stainers, of which several species are known in 

 the West Indies, are small insects with mouth parts fitted for 

 puncturing the tissues and sucking the juices of plants. 

 The eggs of these insects are small, ovoid, glistening objects 

 with a smooth surface, which are dropped loosely in the 

 opening cotton bolls or upon the ground beneath the cotton 

 plants or among cotton seed either in the ginneries or on 

 the ground. The young of all the species mentioned are 

 reddish in colour, the red being often tinged with yellow or 

 black. In the adult condition the species are more easily 

 separated by their colour markings than in the immature 

 stages of growth. 



