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Biology and Habits of Naupactus, n. sp. 
The adults of this species emerged over a longer period during 1938 
than those of Naupactus leucoloma. Under field conditions emergence extended 
from May 26 to October 10. During the period June 21-30, 25 percent of the 
adults emerged, while during the period July 21-30, 36 percent of the total 
emergence occurred. During the 50-day period June 21 to August 9, 80.8 
percent of the emergence occurred. The natural emergence of adults is quite 
definitely dependent on soil moisture. The adults do not attempt to leave 
their pupal cells unless the soil is moist. The average emergence in the 
cages was 58.3 per square yard, and 157 beetles emerged from one square yard. 
As might be expected with a late emergence, the adults of this 
species continued to be fairly numerous throughout the fall. Living adults 
were taken in the field up to the time of this writing, February 2, 1939, 
even though freezing temperatures occurred as early as November 25. 
The various periods in the life of the adult of this species are also 
affected to a certain degree by the food plant. The preoviposition period 
was longer and the oviposition period and longevity were shorter for the 
adults of the new species when fed on cotton and peanuts than for the adults 
of Naupact us le ucoloma . The longevity without food and on blackberry foliage 
was greater for adults of the new species than for adults of N. leucoloma . 
There is a marked difference in the number of eggs deposited by the two 
species. The average numbers of eggs deposited by beetles of the new species 
when fed on peanut and blackberry foliage were 653 and 189.4, respectively. 
The average numbers of eggs deposited by adults of N. leucoloma when fed on 
peanut and blackberry foliage were 1,531.7 and 538.2, respectively. Only a 
very small percentage of the adults of this species deposited any eggs 
when confined exclusively on grass. This is also true for adults of N. 
leucoloma . 
This species also reproduces parthenogenetically . During the season 
73 adults reared in the insectary or taken from their pupal cells in the 
soil were caged singly and all of them deposited fertile eggs. 
So far as has been determined, the place and manner of egg deposition, 
the feeding habits of the larvae and adults, and the larval injury to plants 
are the same for the two species. 
The larvae and adults are general feeders and can subsist on a great 
variety of plants. During the past season the adults were observed feeding 
on 72 species of plants and the larvae on 36 species of plants. The indica- 
tions are that in the larval and adult stages the new species will attack as 
wide a range of plants as Naupactus leucoloma . The larvae have caused 
serious damage to garden and field crops in the Gulfport area. 
UBRARY 
STATE PLANT BOARD 
