THE ABUTILON MOTH. 



(Cosmophila erosa Hubn.) 



HABITS AND RECENT INJURY. 



During September, 1909, while stationed at Diamond Springs, Va., 

 Mr. C. H. Popenoe noticed that the leaves of okra, hollyhock, and 

 Abutilon on the farm of the Virginia Truck Experiment Station 

 were being badly injured by the Abutilon moth (Cosmophila erosa 

 Hubn.). Many larvae and pupae were present, defoliating the plants 

 mentioned. The insect occurred in large numbers and in all stages, 

 so that it actually was a serious pest. From this lot moths were 

 reared November 13, 1909. In October of the same year Mr. E. G. 

 Smyth, who relieved Mr. Popenoe at Diamond Springs, noticed the 

 attacks of this species on hollyhocks and Abutilon throughout that 

 month. 



During early August, 1912, the writer noticed this species at work 

 on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture, causing very 

 serious injury to Abutilon. The previous year the species was quite 

 abundant on hollyhocks, as mentioned, and "peppered" them with 

 holes. The larval work on Abutilon was quite different. The larvae 

 were mostly small when observed, and their place of concealment was 

 not at first found, but larvae were obtained by inserting an umbrella 

 under the leaves and shaking them down. The heat at the time the 

 observations were made was most intense, and the insects were un- 

 doubtedly concealed. 



Later, August 30, 1912, the writer observed the work of this insect 

 on Abutilon, and in a short time the larvae could be obtained from 

 the leaves in great numbers, as they were rapidly defoliating the 

 plants. After enough larvae were taken away for rearing purposes 

 the plants were sprayed under the writer's direction by Mr. A. B. 

 Ducket t, September 10. After the spraying, which appeared to be 

 quite successful, it was found that a few larvae were still present on 

 the plants October 3. They ranged in size from quite small to half 

 grown, and a few pupae were still on the plants. 



Mr. J. F. Strauss collected this species August 20, 1912, on Hibiscus 

 esculentus at Washington, D. C. In all cases observed the 12-spotted 

 cucumber beetle (Diabrotica duodecimpunctata Oliv.) caused some of 

 the injury, while ants also invaded the open bolls, which they were 

 devouring. He noted that one larva pupated August 21 and emerged 



8883*— 13 5 



