18 PAPERS ON INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLES. 
This species was observed in 1908, by Mr. D. K. McMillan, at 
Brownsville, Tex., working in colonies on the foliage of pigweed 
(Amaranthus retrqflexus) , and on spiny amaranth (A. spinosus), the 
larvae webbing and folding the foliage in the previously described 
manner. The colonies in question came under observation on April 
30, May 14, June 15, and November 5, 1908. Mr. McMillan also 
observed the larvae in large numbers during the spring of that year, 
working on " spinach" in the Kio Grande Valley and on beet foliage 
at Brownsville. 
On May 28, 1909, Messrs. McMillan and H. O. Marsh observed these 
larvae at Brownsville, Tex., embedded in the leaves of AmaraniJius 
retrqflexus. The larvae were not in abundance at that time, doubtless 
owing to the extensive parasitism in May and June of the preceding 
year (1908). This was the first observed appearance of the insect 
that year. 
During the same year this species twice came under the observa- 
tion of Mr. H. M. Russell, in the first instance at Boynton, Fla. ; on 
January 27, 1909, when the larvae were found in great abundance on 
the foliage of table beets. They had nearly stripped an early plant- 
ing and were also abundant on a later planting. In many cases* the 
larvae were present on the underside of the leaves and had drawn the 
leaf into a fold, inside of which they were concealed. In other cases 
the larvae were concealed by the folding up of the leaf from the edge, 
while in further instances two beet leaves were fastened together in 
such a manner that the larvae were concealed between them. In 
feeding, the leaf substance is usually entirely eaten through to the 
surface, the leaf skeleton alone being left. The larvae void a very 
soft excrement which produces a filthy condition of the leaves. 
Later on, March 3, the larvae were found by Mr. Russell in fair abund- 
ance on beet tops at Cutler, Fla., and still later at Miami, Fla., on 
Amaranthus retrqflexus. 
Beginning with March, 1909, parasitic cocoons were seen on the 
leaves of beets, and early parasitism was indicated by the presence 
of parasitic cocoons on other food plants. Amaranth is abundant 
along the edges of many fields in southern Florida, and it is impossible 
to destroy it to a very great extent, as it grows luxuriantly on hun- 
dreds of acres of unclaimed lands. It costs from $15 to $75 an 
acre to clear hammock for planting. Perhaps, therefore, it is just as 
well to allow the amaranth to remain and to spray the weeds as a 
means of keeping tins pest in check. There is little doubt that unless 
the parasites continue their good work the species is likely to cause a 
serious outbreak at almost any time in the future. 
Of one lot of material received at Washington, D. C, the larvae 
of which were nearly mature, it was noticed that they began to "spin 
up" preparatory to pupation on May 7; the following day some of 
