THE SPOTTED BEET WEBWOEM. O 
so, and that they concealed themselves about the bases of the plants 
near the roots and under portions of leaves or petioles which rested 
on the ground. This was especially noticeable at the time when the 
larvae were attaining their full growth. 
Subsequently, October 3, the writer, with Mr. A. B. Duckett, found 
larvae of this species at work on table and sugar beets. On the sugar 
beets similar injury to that on Swiss chard had been done, but for 
some reason the larvoe were scarce. The work was quite apparent, 
however. On the table beets the larvae looked considerably darker, 
clue to the darker food plant on which they fed. They were ob- 
served at this time in all stages of growth from the first stages of the 
larva to the last stage. The location of the chard and table and sugar 
beets had much to do with the growth of the larvae, the sun playing 
an important part. 
On a single leaf of sugar beet taken October 4 the larvae remained 
in the same position for about 21 hours. The leaf was small, and 
after this period, after capture, only slight growth of the larvae could 
be observed, especially in the case of the younger stages. 
These latter were probably in the second stage. They were very 
nearly white, showing very feeble markings. They measure about 
3.5 mm. in length. In what appears to be the third stage the larvae 
assume decided markings, but are not nearly so dark as in the next 
stage. They are decidedly green in color, and measure about 10 mm. 
in length. 
In the last stage the larvae, just before pupating, turn pale and 
somewhat yellowish. 
The cocoon is formed in different ways — on the plant and on the 
ground — and is covered with more or less webbing, and sometimes 
with an abundance of black excrement which naturally soon groAvs 
dry. 
INJURY TO ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 
On October G, 1912, the writer observed at Iowa Circle, Washing- 
ton. D. C., severe injury to foliage plants of the order Amaranthacea*. 
The most seriously injured area was a large circle in one of the beds 
at the west end of the park. The plants were practically ruined, 
merely hanging together in shreds. Opportunity^ did not offer to ob- 
tain the larvae because of the crowd of pedestrians and others seated 
in the immediate vicinity. On another plat where the plants did not 
receive nearly so full sunlight the larvae were found in more abun- 
dance, but only half as much injury had been accomplished. It 
is plain that the first lot had mostly matured and the second lot 
were near maturity. The plant in question, on which the insects were 
most abundant, was Telanthera versicolor, or the Alternanthera of 
florists. 
