CO 
LKPIDOPTERA FOUND ON ASPARAGUS. 
What IS II lu'ufotlier insects found on asparajrus is paitic iilarly true of 
tluM-atcrpiilars tliat iiavt* come under tiie writer's ]iers(Mial observation. 
None of the various species that have been observed occur in any num- 
]K'r,and evidence is wantiii<,^ toshow tliatany liavebred from theefrgand 
lived upon the phuit tlirou^h tlieir successive molts to maturity. Many 
of the species that will be mentioned, however, undoubtedly are able 
to breed ujxin this ])lant ah oro. and i)roba]>ly do so. Such lepi(h)pterous 
e«^«::s as have been found upon aspara;;us have l)een i)lace<l on our 
experimental l)e<ls, Imt always with nej^ative results, the larva* mi^rat- 
in«r sooner or later. Very younj** larva* were not reared, as it was not 
deemed matter of sufficient importance to Justify the time and trouble. 
The following- list includes only caterpillars of moths: 
The sulphur leaf-roller ( Dirhclia sulpJinrcana Clem.) — The larva of 
this tortricid was found in tube like silken cases composed of asparag:us 
leaves and webbing May .'U, 1S|>7, at Cabin .John. Md., and subse- 
(juently in Sei)tember near Tennallytown, D. C. From tlie latter lot a 
niotli was reared October 4. 
One of the larva' from Cabin John died in its web. June Kl a i)ara- 
site was found to have issued from it and spun up its co<'oon, from 
which the adult issued June li4. It has been identified by Mr. Ashmead 
as li/if/ss((lns airUrps Aslnn. 
Mamrstra }('(/itim(( Grote. — Larva* were found on asj)aragus at .Mar- 
shall Hall, Md., October 12,1890. A specimen that was captured and 
fed upon asparagus entered the earth and formed a cell for ])upation 
November U. This species has been recorded by M r. F. M.Webster to feed 
within the seed pod of .l.sx7<'^/as incarnata (Insect Life, Vol.. 1 1, p. 382). 
l*r(Klv}iin connNcliiur S. v^' A. — A full-grown larva was taken on aspar- 
agus at Colonial IJeach, Va., August 1), 181)0, but perished of a bacterial 
disease. Eggs of this or an allied species were found upon asparagus 
in the cit^' of Washington .Vugust 10. They hatched the following day. 
and a i)ortion were placed on asi)aragus on the Department beds, but 
were not reared. 
Prodvnia 1i)ie(((ell(f flaw. — A larva about one-tliird grown was brought 
in from Herwyn, Md., August 8, 181MI, by 3Ir. Frank Benton, who found 
it on an asj)aragus plant. A still smaller larva, not more than one-fifth 
grown, was found on the asparagus l)eds on the l)e])artmer.t grounds, 
Sej)tember 25, 181)0. It died the following day, evidently of the same 
bacterial disease that had destroyed its congener. 
Tlie corn ear worm or boll worm {ITcJiofhis (O-migrr llbn.). — This juost 
omnivorous of caterpillars was seen September 28, 1890, at Marshall 
Hall, .M<1., freely feeding on the foliage of asparagus. 
The ground color of the as])aragus-feeding specimens was a rich dark 
green and atVorded considerable protection to the cateri)illars froni the 
lack of contrast to their food plant. Otlierwise the markings were the 
same as for the flesh colored and purple hucd individuals that feed 
