PACKARD.] THE EUROPEAN CABBAGE-BUTTERFLY. 747 



They suspend themselves by the tail and a transverse loop, and their 

 chrysalids are angular at the sides and pointed at both ends (Harris), 

 Pieris oJeracea is white, with the wings dusky next the body. The tips 

 of the tore wings are yellowish beneath and the hind wings are straw- 

 colored beneath. The yellowish, pear-shaped, longitudinally-ribbed eggs 

 are laid three or lour on a single leaf. In a week or ten diiys this hirvse 

 are hatched. They live three weeks before becoming full-fed. The 

 chrysalis state lasts from ten to twelve days. There is an early (May) 

 and a late summer (July) brood." 



Remedies. — It should be borne in mind that the caterpillar feeds on 

 the under side of the leaves, so that if they are turned over in June and 

 again in August and carefully examined, the dark-green caterj)illar, 

 whose color blends with that of the turnip-leaf, can be i^icked off and 

 trod under foot. 



INSECTS INJURING THE CABBAGE. 



The European Cabbage-Butterfly, Pitris rajxB Scbrauk. — Feeding not only on 

 the outer leaves, but boiiug into (be Leads in all directions; a green, velvety cater- 

 pillar with a yellowish stripe along the back and side, and turning into a white butter- 

 fly with four (male) or six (female) conspicuous black spots. 



While the caterpillar of our native cabbage (and turnip) butterfly {P, 

 oleracea) feeds on the outer leaves, the present species is much more de- 

 structive and difficult to destroy, from its habit of boring into the inte- 

 rior of the cabbage-head. It also devours the cauliflower and feeds on 

 the mignonette. 



It was introduced from Europe to Quebec about the year 1857, having 

 been captured in 1859 by Mr. Bowles, of that city. It rapidly spread 

 into New England along the diflereut railroads leading in from Canada, 

 and is now common about Boston and Now York and southward to 

 Philadelphia and Washington. During the year 1870 it did much 

 damage in gardens in Monmouth County, New Jersey, as I am informed 

 by Dr. S. Lockwood. About Quebec it annually destroys $250,000 worth 

 of cabbages, according to the Abb6 Provancher. 



A correspondent of the American Agriculturist for November, 1870, 

 states that "it is estimated that the loss from this insect will, in the 

 vicinity of New York [city] alone, exceed half a million of dollars, and 

 already the price of cabbages has advanced." He says that Mr. Quinn, 

 the owner of a large plantation, " has found carbolic powder, superphos- 

 phate, and lime together to destroy them. The carbolic powder appears 

 to be sawdust impregnated with carbolic acid. Salt has been recom- 

 mended, but Mr. Quinn did not find dry salt efficacious, though lime 

 has been reported by others as useful." 



It is evident that in this newly-arrived insect we have another for- 

 midable pest added to our list of imported insects. 



It is to the i)arasites of this butterfly that we are to look for the natu- 

 ral means of keepiiig this insect pest within bounds. 



Mr. Curtis has described and figured several parasites of the three 

 species of cabbage-butterflies found in England, and he shows how 

 thoroughly they keep in check these troublesome worms. Certain mi- 

 nute ichneumon-flies (Chalcids) lay their eggs in those of the butterflies. 

 Another chalcid fly {Pteromalun brassiccc) lays its eggs on the outside 

 of the chrysalis of the white cabbage butterfly {Pieris brassiccc), and 

 sometimes 200 or 300 of the little chalcid maggots have been found liv- 

 ing riotously within a single chrysalis. They turn into minute brilliant 

 flies, which multi}>ly in excessive quantities. Mr. Curtis remarks that 

 " some species of this extensive genus (Pteromalus), probably comprising 



