U. 3. D. A.. B. E. Bui. 66, Part III. Issued August 31, 1907 
SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
THE CRANBERRY SPANWORM. 
(Cleora pampinaria Guen.; 
By F. H. Chittenden, 
Entomologist in Charge of Breeding Experiments. 
A brownish spanworm has been observed by the writer during 
recent year- on asparagus in the District of Columbia in such numbers 
as to indicate that it is especially attached to this crop, at least in 
this region. In consideration of the fact that so few insects attack 
asparagus, the accompanying account has been prepared. The spe- 
cies appears to have attracted no attention since 1884, 7 a when it 
was considered in relation to its ajopearance in cranberry 1 
From material recently collected, several facts hitherto unrecorded 
have been gained, and there are a number of unpublished notes of 
the Bureau showing a tendency on the part of the species to become 
omnivorous. At any rate it is not confined to cranberry, as the 
name given above would imply, nor to strawberry, as might be in- 
ferred from another name, " brown strawberry spanworm."* which 
has also been given it. The list of food plants which will ] 
ently be furnished show- a considerable range. Owing to the fact 
that the insect has not often been observed concentrated on any -ingle 
crop, little mention of it has been made in literature by economic 
writers. Cranberry is a favorite food plant, and i> >ometimes in- 
jured to a considerable extent, especially in Massachusetts. 
DESCRIPTIVE. 
This insect belong> to the Lepidopterous family Geometridse, the 
larvae of which are well known under the commOD names of -pan- 
worm-, measuring-worms, inch-worms, and loopers. 
The moth which produces this spanworm is quite variable in color 
and marking-. The average expanse of wing i- from a little less than 
an inch to upward <.t' an inch and a fourth ). but may 
exceed this, attaining, according to Dr. A. S. Packard. 1 a measurement 
of an inch and a half. The ground color of living specimens i< pale 
°Tho numbers in superior type refer t<> corresponding numbers in the 
appended bibliography, p. l'7. 
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