60 
LEPIDOPTERA FOUND ON ASPARAGUS. 
Whatis true of other insects found on asparagus is particularly true of 
the caterpillars that have come under the writer’s personal observation. 
None of the various species that have been observed occur in any num- 
ber, and evidence is wanting to show that any have bred from the egg and 
lived upon the plant through their successive molts to maturity. Many 
of the species that will be mentioned, however, undoubtedly are able 
to breed upon this plant ab ovo, and probably do so. Such lepidopterous 
eggs as have been found upon asparagus have been placed on our 
experimental beds, but always with negative results, the larvee migrat- 
ing sooner or later. Very young larvie were not reared, as it was not 
deemed matter of sufficient importance to justify the time and trouble. 
The following list includes only caterpillars of moths: 
The sulphur leaf-roller (Dichelia sulphureana Clem.)—The larva of 
this tortricid was found in tube-like silken cases composed of asparagus 
leaves and webbing May 31, 1897, at Cabin John, Md., and subse- 
quently in September near Tennallytown, D. C. From the latter lot a 
moth was reared October 4. 
One of the larve from Cabin John died in its web. June 16 a para- 
site was found to have issued from it and spun up its cocoon, from 
which the adult issued June 24. It has been identified by Mr. Ashmead 
as Rhyssalus atriceps Ashm. 
Mamestra legitima Grote.—Larvee were found on aspar agus at Mar- 
shall Hall, Md., October 12,1896. A specimen that was captured and 
fed upon asparagus entered the earth and formed a cell for pupation 
November 2. This species has been recorded by Mr. I*. M. Webster to feed 
within the seed pod of Asclepias incarnata (Insect Life, Vol. L1, p. 382). 
Prodenia commeline 8. & A.—A full-grown larva was taken on aspar- 
agus at Colonial Beach, Va., August 9, 1896, but perished of a bacterial 
disease. Eggs of this or an allied species were found upon asparagus 
in the city of Washington August 10. They hatched the following day, 
and a portion were placed on asparagus on the Department beds, but 
were not reared. 
Prodenia lineatella Haw.—A larva-about one-third grown was brought 
in from Berwyn, Md., August 8, 1896, by Mr. Frank Benton, who found 
it on an asparagus plant. A still smaller larva, not more than one-fifth 
grown, was found on the asparagus beds on the Departnrent grounds, 
September 25, 1896. It died the following day, evidently of the same 
bacterial disease that had destroyed its congener. 
The corn-ear worm or boll worm (Heliothis armiger Hbn.).—This most 
omnivorous of caterpillars was seen September 28, 1896, at Marshall 
Hall, Md., freely feeding on the foliage of asparagus. 
The ground color of the asparagus-feeding specimens was a rich dark 
green and afforded considerable protection to the caterpillars from the 
lack of contrast to their food plant. Otherwise the markings were the 
same as for the flesh-colored and purple-hued individuals that feed 
