U. S. D. A., B. E. Bui. 109, Part III. T. C. & S. P. I. I., April 5. 1912. 
PAPERS ON INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLES. 
THE IMPORTED CABBAGE WEBWORM. 
(Hellula undalis Fab.) 
By F. H. Chittenden, Sc. D., 
In Charge of Truck Crop and Stored Product Insect Investigations, 
and 
H. O. Marsh, Agent. 
INTRODUCTION, SPREAD, AND RAVAGES. 
Beginning with the year 1897 the imported cabbage webworm 
{Hellula undalis Fab.) has repeatedly come under observation as a 
pest in new States and Territories, namely, in Florida, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, Texas, California, and Hawaii. 
In 1907, Mr. H. M. Kussell observed attack to collarcls at Lake- 
land, Fla., in June and July, to collarcls at Orlando, Fla., in July, 
and at Dade City, Fla., to cabbage in December. The species has 
undoubtedly been in that State for many years, since it has been 
known for more than a decade from South Carolina to Georgia, but 
this is the first record of injurious occurrence there. 
In November, 1907, Pro?. K. I. Smith reported injury to cabbage 
at West Ealeigh, X. C. Whether this insect will be able to establish 
itself much farther north than the Carolinas is problematical. Our 
records show complete establishment throughout the Gulf States; 
in fact, the insect occupies a considerable portion of the same terri- 
tory as that permanently inhabited by the harlequin cabbage bug 
(Mnrgantia Mstrionica Hahn), save that the latter, having been 
introduced many years earlier, is better known and occurs farther 
northward. 
A review of the distribution of this species shows that it first 
came under notice as a pest in 1897. when it was destructive to cruci- 
fers about Augusta, Ga. Here it did great injury during that and 
the succeeding year. In after years it was observed in various other 
localities in Georgia, at Auburn, Ala., and at Charleston and Beech 
Island, S. C. Later it was noticed as a pest in Texas. 
The list, which will be furnished under the heading of distribution, 
simply includes the localities reported to this bureau and is doubtless 
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