45 
mallow {Malva borealis). Some of these began spinning their cocoons 
three days later, and by November 14 all had spun up. Two produced 
moths December 12. October 21, 1886, a larva was found at Los 
Angeles, Cal., feeding on Nicotiana glauca. This produced a moth 
November 21. Two years later, February 18, Mr. Coquillett captured 
a moth much worn. 
The above notes are of particular interest as showing new food plants 
and as verifying Professor Gillette's observations on the hibernation 
of the species in the adult condition. 
We would naturally expect a somewhat different life history as 
regards dates of appearance and disappearance in localities in south- 
ern California, so different from that of Colorado. According to Mr. 
Coquillett's observations, moths were rare in April, but became abun- 
dant the latter part of May and during June. Adopting the hypoth- 
esis, if it can be called such, that hibernation takes place as moth, some 
moths must appear in early April in order to produce mature larvae as 
earty as May 25. With the somewhat incomplete notes on actual field 
observations, it would appear that this species, like many other Noc- 
tuids, such as common species of cutworms, has a spring brood and a 
late autumn brood, but differs from most cutworms in the stage of 
hibernation. Between the first and second generations there is evi- 
dently a very long season of aestivation or complete quietude passed 
under the ground when the larva does not feed. 
SUMMARY OF FOOD PLANTS. 
As with other larvae that frequently or occasionally migrate in num- 
bers, the beet army worm is liable to attack most forms of vegetation 
in its line of march. Sugar beet appears to be the favorite host plant, 
but table beets are also relished, and the larvae feed quite as well on 
lambsquarters (Chenopodium) and pigweed (Amaranth us). They also 
attack salt bush or saltweed (Atriplex), all plants rather closely related 
to beets. When numerous they affect corn, potato, pea, onion, wild 
sunflower, the leaves of apple, mallow (Malva), Nicotiana glauca, 
Cleome, and plantain (Meyrick). They are also said to feed on wild 
grasses. 
NATURAL ENEMIES. 
A single enemy appears to be recorded for the beet army worm, a 
Tachina fly, reared at this office May 29, 1897, from a caterpillar 
received May 17 of that year from Mr. S. A. Pease, San Bernardino, 
Cal. This is Frontina archippivora Will. , a rather common species on 
the Pacific coast, although it occurs eastward also. It is a parasite of 
Agrotis ypsilon, a destructive cutworm, as well as of other moths and 
some butterflies (Tech. Ser., No. 7, Div. Ent, p. 15). 
