INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLE CROPS IN POKTO EICO. 7 



EtJDAMUS PROTEUS L. 



This hesperid, the so-called ''bean leaf -roller," feeds upon garden 

 beans, co^vpeas, and a related weed, PJiaseolus laihyroides. 



Eggs that probably belonged to this species, found on the leaves of 

 the last -mentioned plant, were parasitized by Trichogramma minutum 

 Riley. 



Phlegethontius sexta Joh. 



AIi\ Barrett reported tiiis species, under the name of Protoparce 

 Carolina, in his 1903 report (p. 448) as occurring commonly on 

 tomato and tobacco throughout the island, and made the interesting 

 note that the larvae were usually kOled by a thrust of a knife made 

 from a ''maya" (Bromelia pinguin) leaf. The larva also feeds upon 

 the common "berengena cimarrona" {Solanum torvum), and Mr. 

 Tower has stated in his 1907 report (p. 36) that the parasite Teleno- 

 mus monilicornis held in check the "tobacco hornworm" (probably 

 this species), eggs of which were found on tomato and pepper. 



Phlegethontius convolvuli L. 



Adults of this species, which is known elsewhere as a sweet potato 

 pest, have been collected at Rio Piedras, P. R. 



Laph'sgma frugiperda S. & a. 



Although com and onions are the only vegetables so far observed 

 to be attacked by the larvae of Laphygma frugiperda, or ''grass worm," 

 the Hst of such plants upon which they feed is undoubtedly much 

 larger. 



In addition to the enemies previously recorded by the writer,^ 

 namely, the three tachinid fhes, Frontina archippivora Will., Oonia 

 crassicomis Fab., and Archytas piliventris V. d W., the larvae are 

 attacked by two fungi, Botrytis rileyi Farlon and Empusa sp., and by 

 an assassin bug, Zelus ruhidus Stal. An interesting parasite, Chelonus 

 insularis Cress. ( ?), the egg of which is laid in the Laphygma egg, the 

 parasite issuing from and killing the host larva when the latter is 

 about one-half inch in length, has also been observed. 



A carabid beetle, Calosoma alternans Fab., is predaceous upon the 

 lurvie, and another carabid, Cyrnindis marginalis Dcj., j)robably has 

 the same habit. 



Heliothis obsoleta Fab. 



The com ear-worm attacks corn m Porto Rico and is to bo con- 

 sidered an ijnj>ortant pest to this crop. Mr. Barrett mentioned it in 

 Ilia 1903 report (pp. 443 and 444). 



' K«mi) noUa on Laphj/ffjna frugiperda 8. & A. In I'orto lUco. Jour. Kcori. Knt., v. 0, no. 2, p. 236, 

 April, 1913. 



