TJ. S. D. A., B. E. Bui. 109, Part III. T. C. & S. P. I. I., April 5. 1912. 



PAPERS ON INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLES. 



THE IMPORTED CABBAGE WEBWORM. 

 (Hellula undalis Fab.) 



By P. H. Chittenden, 'Sc. D., 



In Charge of Truck Crop and Stored Product Insect Investigations, 



and 



H. O. Marsh, Agent. 

 INTRODUCTION, SPREAD, AND RAVAGES. 



Beginning with the year 1897 the imported cabbage webworm 

 (Hellula undalis Fab.) has repeatedly come under observation as a 

 pest in new States and Territories, namely, in Florida, Mississippi, 

 North Carolina, Texas, California, and Hawaii. 



In 1907, Mr. H. M. Russell observed attack to collards at Lake- 

 land, Fla., in June and July, to collards at Orlando, Fla., in July, 

 and at Dade City, Fla., to cabbage in December. The species has 

 undoubtedly been in that State for many years, since it has been 

 known for more than a decade from South Carolina to Georgia, but 

 this is the first record of injurious occurrence there. 



In November, 1907, Prof. R. I. Smith reported injury to cabbage 

 at West Raleigh, N. C. Whether this insect will be able to establish 

 itself much farther north than the Carolinas is problematical. Our 

 records show complete establishment throughout the Gulf States; 

 in fact, the insect occupies a considerable portion of the same terri- 

 tory as that permanently inhabited by the harlequin cabbage bug 

 (Murgantia histrionica Hahn), save that the latter, having been 

 introduced many years earlier, is better known and occurs farther 

 northward. 



A review of the distribution of this species shows that it first 

 came under notice as a pest in 1897, when it was destructive to cruci- 

 fers about Augusta, Ga. Here it did great injury during that and 

 the succeeding year. In after years it was observed in various other 

 localities in Georgia, at Auburn, Ala., and at Charleston and Beech 

 Island, S. C. Later it was noticed as a pest in Texas. 



The list, which will be furnished under the heading of distribution, 

 simply includes the localities reported to this bureau and is doubtless 



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