(2 
THE CABBAGE PLUTELLA. 
(Plutella cruciferarum Zell.) 
Looking at the illustration on plate 7, we discover some min- 
ute worms and cocoons, which are the early stages of a small 
moth, also illustrated (g, h, i,). These insects frequently 
become very numerous and consequently destructive. <A de- 
scription of the early stages of this insect is given below: 
The slender caterpillar is pale-green in color, about 10 mm.or a little 
more than a quarter of an inch in length. It is nearly cylindrical in 
form, but tapers siightly. When disturbed, the very active caterpillars 
squirm about in a lively manner, wriggling themselves off the leaves and 
dropping to the ground by means ofa silk thread which remains attached 
to the plant. The white cocoon is placed on the underside of the leaf. 
It is fusiform in shape and is made of very delicate meshes resembling 
lace.. The apple-green pupa is visible through this cradle made of open 
meshes. The moth is a very sinall narrow-winged insect measuring with 
spread wings, about half an inch from tip to tip. The color of the upper 
wings varies from light to dark-brown, with a wavy, white, narrow band 
along the posterior border. In some cases, this white, wavy band is very 
obscure. With wings closed, the moth appears to be very small, 
_ resembling a small bit of twig. The wings are closed roof-like, over the 
abdomen, and the two white margins of upper wings now meet, and uni- 
ted with the white upper surface of the thorax and head, produce a very 
conspicuous dorsal stripe. The insect hibernates in the chrysalis stage 
among the rubbish of the cabbage field, and a few young caterpillars may 
be found early upon the plants just set out. We have several annual 
broods and under favorable conditions, the insects could cause consider- 
able damage, yet this does not happen very often as the insect is to the 
taste of many parasites. The illustration upon Plate 7, k, shows the 
most common parasite of this moth; both male and female parasites 
(Limneria tibiator Cr.) are given. 
As far as remedies are concerned, those applied against the 
other cabbage insects are sufticient; they must, however, be 
applied very early in the season. 
OTHER ENEMIES. 
It would seem from the above that our cabbages have but a 
poor show of coming to maturity, yet the insects here de- 
scribed, are, by no means, the only enemies of the plant. 
There are a number of minute jumping flea-beetles that injure 
the young plant and frequently kill it. A number of larger 
bugs seem to enjoy the sap of this succulent vegetable as well, 
and cause more or less injury and, later in the season, the 
plant is very badly infested with leaf-lice (Aphis brassice). 
