42 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO GARDEN. AND ORCHARD CROPS. 



OBSERVATIONS IN 1898. 



For some reason Margaronia nitidalis was not to be found in the 

 vicinity of tlie District -of Columbia during 1898, in spite of frequent and 

 careful search. It seems not improbable that the species was unable to 

 survive the rigor of the winter season of 1897-8 or at least succumbed 

 to some atmospheric condition unfavorable to its hibernation. Should 

 this hypothesis prove correct it will be interesting to learn how long the 

 species will be in. establishing itself by migration from farther south. 

 Specimens, however, were received from the South and under such cir- 

 cumstances as to show that work is needed upon the earlier stages of 

 our two cucurbit-feeding Margaronias. 



Mr. Charles Deckner, Atlanta, Ga., wrote that this species, specimens 

 of which he sent, attacks the crop in his locality from the middle of 

 July to the first of August, continuing its destructive work until frost. 



A larva received from Mr. Deckner spun its cocoon August 16 and 

 transformed to pupa the same night. It was found as imago early on 

 the morning of the 26th, from its appearance having issued the pre- 

 vious night. This would give the pupa period as nine days, weather 

 very hot, average about 85° indoors where this specimen was kept. 



August 22, 1898, Mr. James H. Hevey, of Ingomar, Miss., sent leaves 

 of squash plant on which were two larvae so conspicuously spotted as 

 not to be recognized as belonging to either species of Margaronia. 

 One was just hatched, and the other was perhaps half grown, being 

 about half an inch long at the time when received. A larva of the 

 same species was sent in on the same day by Mr. Deckner, also found 

 on squash. When first received these larvae fed upon the leaves. A 

 few days later they could not be found, but after careful search were 

 discovered in the leaf stalks, into which they had bored. This is evi- 

 dently their normal habit, as after they have once crawled into a stalk 

 they cease to feed upon the leaves. In the confinement of a rearing 

 jar they crawl through the open ends of the leaf stalks to the narrow 

 portion nearest the leaf, and after hollowing this out they force their 

 way up into the larger ribs of the leaf. 



During the closing of the office September 4 and 5 these larvae shed 

 their spotted skin, appearing dull brownish green, with a dorsal row 

 of shining round spaces of the same color, from which it was inferred 

 that they belonged to this species; but as we failed to rear them to the 

 adult condition this could not be ascertained with certainty. 



Messrs. Deckner and Hevey both sent more material, but, unfortu- 

 nately, owing to bad weather, none of the larva) received were in con- 

 dition for breeding. 



THE MELON CATERPILLAR. 



(Margaronia hyalinata Linn.) 



August 13, 1898, Mr. Charles Deckner, of Atlanta, Ga., sent specimens 

 of the larvae of this species, mostly full grown, in cucumbers and melons; 

 also a specimen of the moth. The moth was taken on the cucumber 



