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U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE,

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY BULLETIN No. 57.

L O. HOWARD, Entomologist

REPORT

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS IN TEXAS

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OK THE ENTOMOLOGIST

E. DWIGHT SANDERSON,

Special Agent, Bureau of Entomology, in Cooperation with the Entomological Ih-pari
Agricultural and Mechanical College of J

WASHINGTON:

<-<>\ ■ k i: \ M i:\ r PRINTING 6'FFiCB.
1 906.

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY.

L. 0. Howard, Entomologist and Chief of Bureau.

C. L. Marlatt, Entomologist and Acting Chief in absence of Chief.

R. S. Clifton, Chief Clerk

F. H. Chittenden, in charge of breeding experiments.

A. D. Hopkins, in charge of forest insect investigations.

W. D. Hunter, in charge of cotton boll weevil investigations.

F. M. Webster, in charge of cereal and forage-plant insect investigations.
A. L. Quaintance, in charge of deciduous- fruit insect investigations.
Frank Benton, incliarge of apicultural investigations.
E. A. Schwarz, D. W. Coquillett, Th. Pergande, Nathan Banks, Assistant Ento-
mologists.

E. S. G. Titus, August Busck, Otto Heidemann, A. N. Caudell, R. P. Currie, J. G.
Sanders, F. D. Couden, E. R. Sasscer, J. H. Beattie, I. J. Condit, Assistants.

R. C. Althouse, W. F. Tastet, Mary G. Champney, A. J. Leister, E. C. Wood,
T. A. Keleher, Jessie E. Marks, Stenographers and Clerks.

Lillian L. Howenstein, Artist.

Mabel Colcord, Librarian.

H. E. Burke, W. F. Fiske, J. L. Webb, J. F. Strauss, engaged in forest insect investi-
gations.

W. E. Hinds, A. W. Morrill, Springer Goes, J. C. Crawford, W. A. Hooker,
W. W. Yothers, A. C. Morgan, W. D. Pierce, F. C. Bishopp, C R. Jones,
F. C. Pratt, C. E. Sanborn, engaged in cotton boll weevil investigations.

G. I. Reeves, W. J. Phillips, engaged in cereal and forage-plant insect investigations.
Fred Johnson, A. A. Girault, engaged in deciduous-fruit insect investigations.

E. F. Phillips, J. M. Rankin, Leslie Martin, engaged in apicultural investigations.
C. J. Gilliss, W. A. Keleher, engaged in silk investigations.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY- BULLETIN No. 57.

L. O HOWARD, Entomologist.

I

REPORT

OH

inrrn n

SIN

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION" OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST
BY

E. DWIGHT SANDERSON,

Special Agent, Bureau of Entomology, in (Joaperation with the Entomological Department,

Agricultural and M<rhanical College of 7

I

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,

L9O0.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

U. S. Department of Agriculture,

Bureau of Entomology,
Washington, D. 67., December 5, 1905.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of a
report on miscellaneous cotton insects in Texas, prepared by Prof.
E. Dwight Sanderson, entomologist of the New Hampshire College
Agricultural Experiment Station, formerly State entomologist of
Texas and a special agent of this Bureau cooperating in the work on
insects injurious to cotton in Texas. This report gives the detailed
results of a year's work on the minor insect enemies of cotton by
Professor Sanderson and assistants, and is supplementary to investiga-
tions which have been conducted by other field agents of the Bureau
on the more important subjects of the cotton boll weevil and boll-
worm. It contains definite records of observations on the life his-
tories of numbers of species, as also data on their natural enemies. It
has been prepared with the valuable assistance of Mr. A. C. Lewis at
Terrell, and Mr. C. E. Sanborn at College Station, Texas, many of
the records of life histories having been made by the gentlemen named.
I recommend the publication of this matter as Bulletin No. 57 of the
Bureau of Entomology.

Respectfully, L. O. Howard,

Entomologist and Chief of Bureau,
Hon. James Wilson,

Secretary of Agriculture*

2

CONTENTS

Page

I lit n nliict ion 5

Insects affecting the young plants 7

Cutworms 7

The greasy cut worm (Agrotis ypsilon Rett.) 8

The shagreened cutworm f Feltia malefida < ruen. ) 10

The variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia Hbn. ) 10

The garden webworm (Loxostege similalis < ruen. ) 11

The white-lined sphinx ( Deilephila lineata Fab. ) 14

May beetles ' 16

Lachriosti rno, cribrosa Lee 1*5

Lachnosterna lanceolata Say 18

Lachnosterna farcta Lee 19

The differential locust ( Melanoplus differentialis Thos. ) 19

The clumsy locust (Brachystola magna Gir. ) 24

The bur clover aphis ( . [phis medicaginis Koch) 20

The false chinch bug ( Nysius angustatus Fhl. ) 29

The cowpea-pod weevil ( ( Tialcodermus xneus Boh. ) 31

Leaf-eating caterpillars 33

Salt-marsh caterpillar ( Estigmene acra a 1 >ru. ) 33

The arge tiger moth ( Apantesis arge I >ru. ) 35

The beet army worm ( ( 'aradrina exigua Hbn. ) 36

Platynotq labiosana Zell .• 36

The io moth (Automeris io Fab. ) 37

Insects affecting the stalks 37

The snowy tree cricket ( GEcanthus niveus De< r.) 37

Stalk-borers 38

Amphicerus sp 38

A /a. ria crypta Say :'.s

Orthosoma brunneum Forsi 3*>

Oneideres dngulata Say 39

Papaipema nitela ( ruen 39

Insects affecting the fruit 40

The cotton-square borer | Uranotes nuliu us Hbn. ) 4<>

The cotton-boll cutworm ( Prodenia ornithogalli t ruen. ) 42

The cotton leaf-bug ( Calocoris rapidus Say) 44

( 'orizus pictipes Stal 4ti

Other plant-bugs 4o

Largus succinctus Linn 4ti

Jadera hxinatoloma H.-Schf 47

Leaf-footed plant-bugs {Leptoglossus oppositus Say and Metapodius

femoratus Fab. | 47

The green soldier bug (Nezara hilaris Say) 47

Thyanta custator Fab. and Proxys punctulatus Beauv 49

Sharpshooters 49

The glassy-winged sharpshooter I Homalodisca triquetra Fab.) 49

Oncometopia lateralis Fab •"■>!

Oncometopia undata Fab 56

Aulacizes irrorata Fab

Gypona octolineata Say

Index

3

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE.

Page.

Plate I. — On.cideres cingulata: work on cotton stalks 38

TEXT FIGURES.

Fig. 1. Agrotis ypsilon: adult, larva, and head of larva 8

2. Felt io malefida: adult, larva, and details .10

3. Peridroma sautia: adult, larva', and eggs 11

4. Loxostege sim ilalis: stages and details 12

5. Deilephila lineata: stages 15

6. Lachnosterna cribrosa: female. . . - - 17

7. Lachnosterna lanceolata: female . . 18

S. Melanoplus differentialis: adult 19

9. Melanoplus differentials: adult and pupa skin on corn leaves 20

10. Melanoplus differentialis: young nymph . 21

11. Melanoplus differentialis: egg mass 21

12. Brachystola magna: adult - 24

13. Dictyophorus reticulatus: nymph and adult 25

14. Aphis gossypii: stages 27

15. Nysius anguslatus: nymph and adult 30

16. Chalcodermus seneus: adult 31

17. Chalcodermus xneus: work on young cowpeas and cotton 32

18. Estigrnene acra a: stages 34

19. Caradrina exigua: stages 36

20. CEcanthus niveus: adult 37

21. CEcanthus niveus: egg punctures on stalk 38

22. Papaipema nitela: stages 39

23. Uranoies melivus: stages 40

24. Prodenia ornithoga.Ili: male and female moths 43

25. Prodenia ornithogalli: larvae and details 43

26. Ceilocoris rapid 'us: adult and nymphs 44

27. Calocoris rapidus: cotton boll showing punctures 45

28. Leptoglossvs oppositus: adult 47

29. Nezara h Heir is: stages 48

30. Homcdodisea triguetra: adult and nymphs - 50

31. Oncometopia lateralis: adult and nypmh 55

32. Oncometopia undata: adult and nymph 56

33. Aideicizes irrorata: adult 58

4

REPORT ON MISCELLANEOrS COTTON INSECTS

IN TEXAS.

INTRODUCTION.

Economic entomology has heretofore been concerned with but a few
of the many species of insects affecting the cotton plant. The leaf
caterpillar and bollworm, and recently the boll weevil, have been
exhaustively studied as being the most important insect enemies of I he
cotton crop, but very little attention has been given to numerous
others which frequently cause more or less injury.

The reason for this is found in the manner of the growth of cotton.
the methods of its culture, and the nature of the injury done by these
miscellaneous insects. Cotton is one of the most rank growing of all
our staple crops, is cultivated over large areas, and matures its fruit
normally for over a month. Consequently, any insect which does only
local injury, which does not entirely destroy the young- plant, and which
does not defoliate the older plants nor destroy the most of their fruit,
has been hardly worth combating; for the planter could better afford
to stand the loss than to attempt fighting these pests by artificial
means.

But with the advent of the boll weevil, and the consequent necessity
for early cotton and intensive culture with reduced acreage, conditions
have somewhat changed, and injuries which before were unheeded are
now decried as further reducing the small margin of profit in the
weevil district. Any insect which destroys the young plants, necessi-
tating replanting, or which checks their growth while young, prevents
an early maturity and consequently exposes the crop more to the
attacks of the weevil; and later in the season when the weevil has
levied its heavy tax upon the crop, any additional injury by insect
pests seems a most onerous loss to the planter.

These considerations led to the investigation of the cotton inserts o(
Texas reported below. A single season is far too short a time in
which to thoroughly cover so large ;i subject over a State with such
varied conditions, and the writer fully appreciates the incompleteness
of this report. However, he has endeavored to collect or refer to all
the available information concerning the economic aspect o( tin1 species
treated, so that these notes may form the basis for a further and more
exhaustive treatise upon cotton insects in the future.

5

6 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

It may not be out of place here to briefly refer to previous articles
on cotton insects. Having briefly mentioned a few species during- the
preceding year, in 1855 Townend Glover included an article on cotton
insects in his report to the Commissioner of Patents for that year,
illustrated with numerous figures of the more common species. a Later
he engraved better figures of many of these species, with which he
published a few notes.6

In 1892 F. W, Mally, at that time an assistant in the Division of
Entomology, in his report on the bollworm/ mentioned several cotton
insects whose injuries might be mistaken for those of the bollworm.
Some portions of this report were republished in Insect Life. As a
result of an investigation of the insects frequenting cotton fields in
Mississippi, Dr. William H. Ashmead published several papers d in
which he gives brief notes on the habits of the insects found. In 1896
Dr. L. O. Howard gave the first general account of cotton insects
published since that of Glover/ Since the publication of this paper
no general study has been made of cotton insects other than the boll
weevil and bollworm, except that excellent work of Prof. H. A.
Morgan upon the differential locust, which is noted in the account of
that insect in the following pages.

From his study of the life histories of the minor cotton insects and
the methods of cotton culture, the writer believes that for but few of
them will artificial remedies, such as poisoning, be found generally
practicable. Like most of the insects affecting our staple crops, they
must be largely controlled by general methods of culture and farm
management, such as the destruction of their native food plants, rota-
tion of crops, and winter or early spring plowing. More intensive
cultivation of cotton will undoubtedly result in a material lessening of
the injury Try many of these pests, and, under such conditions, those
which may be profitably combated by remedial treatments will be
more successfully and generally treated.

Most of the work upon the life histories described below was done
by Mr. A. C. Lewis, who was in charge of a temporaiy laboratory
upon the demonstration farm of Mr. E. H. R. Green, at Terrell,
Tex., and by Mr. C. E. Sanborn at the laboratory at College Station.
Mr. A. F. Conradi, at that time assistant entomologist of Texas, also
helped in the work. The writer is indebted to Doctor Ashmead, of

« Report of U. S. Comra. Patents f. 1855, Agriculture, 1856, pp. 64-115, pis. 6-10.

b Manuscript notes from ray journal. — Cotton and the principal insects, etc., fre-
quenting or injuring the plant in the United States. Washington, D. C, 1878, 2 pp.,
22 plates.

C1893: Bui. 29, o. s., Div. of Ent., TJ. 8. Dept. Agric, pp. 29-33.

rf 1894-95: Insect Life, Vol. VII, pp. 25-29, 240-247, 320-326.

^1896: "The Cotton Plant." Bui. 33, Off. Exp. Sta., IT. 8. Dept, Agric, pp.
316-350, figs. 9-29, PI. IV; and 1897: Farmers' Bui. 47, U. 8. Dept. Agric, pp. 31,
18 figs.. 1 pi.

CUTWORMS. (

the U. S. National Museum, for the determination of the parasitic
Hymenoptera, to Prof . E. I). Ball, Logan, Utah, for the descriptions,
and to .Mrs. Ball for the drawings, of the Jassid nymphs.

INSECTS AFFECTING THE YOUNG PLANTS.
CUTWORMS.

Observations were made upon three of the most common species of
cutworms, and although the facts ascertained arc not complete in any
instance, so little lias been written concerning the life histories of cut-
worms in the South that it seems well to record the facts observed.

Reports from numerous voluntary observers in different sections of
Texas indicate that injury by cutworms to garden crops commences
during the first half of March and ceases from the middle of April
until early May. the exact dates depending upon the latitude. Thus
in 19(»4 Mr. (t. E. Miles reported that at Friendswood, Galveston
County, cutworms commenced work on corn and potato about Febru-
ary 20, were still at work March 30, and ceased injury about April 13.
In Cherokee County injury commenced about March 1. In Anderson
County the injury was most serious about March 15, subsiding about
April 16, and cutworms were reported as being found in gardens dur-
ing the entire winter. Little injury was reported to cotton in L904,
but correspondents state that in many previous seasons they were
obliged to replant very largely, on account of cutworms. Planters
state that the injury is much more serious if during the previous fall
there has been, an abundant rainfall, so that there is a rank growth of
grass and weeds about October 1, and that in the spring the worms are
found in greatest numbers at the sides and along the ends of the fields,
where there has been more vegetation.

After studying the following rearing records in Texas and other
available data concerning these and other species in the South, the
conclusion has been reached that the three species discussed below
probably have much the same life history. It is probable that the
insects may pass the winter in either the adult, pupal, or larval state:
but the latter is by far the most common method, and wintering larvae
of all stages of growth have been found. The moths of this brood are
seen about May 1. A second generation of moths appears during the
first half of July, the larva1 being found about the middle of June.
During September considerable injury was observed in 1904 in fall
gardens, the larvae, doubtless, being the progeny of the July moths.
The adults of this third brood probably deposit Qggs during early
October, the larvae from which pass the winter. It is very evident.
however, that there is great variation in the Life history, in Texas even
greater than elsewhere, for, with the open winters and with but little
if any frost in the southern half ^\' the State, there is. doubtless, \crv

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

little true hibernation, and the different broods must overlap one
another at all seasons.

Doctor Riley states that the granulated cutworm, Feltia annexa
Treitschke, probably has three generations in Georgia, and that it is
the most common cotton cutworm in the South. From the writings of
Doctor Riley and others, we believe that Agrotis ypsilon Rott. has one
generation in the most northern States and two in the latitude of
St. Louis, Mo.

THE GREASY CUTWORM.
{Agrotis ypsilon Rott. Fig. 1.)

Our records concerning this species are as follows:

Table I. — Transformation records of the greasy cutworm, 1904.

Place.

Larva taken.

Pupated.

Days
pupa.

Moth
emerged.

[May 2

May 21

Terrell , Tex

{March 28

(June 15

March 15

1 March 1(1

) March 28

Upril 4

April 2(5

June 18

April 28

15

July 3

College Station, Tex

March 26-29 ..

April 28

April 22 a

20

May 18

a Two specimens.

The average date of pupation of the hibernated larvae Avas, there-
fore, about April 25, and thus the moths would emerge about the

middle of May. Very evidently
the moth emerging July 3 is of a
second brood.

The worms were observed feed-
ing upon onions, cabbage, potatoes,
and cotton. A moth was taken at
College Station, May 11, 1903.

Several pupa? were parasitized by
the tachinid fly (Go?ila capitata
DeG.), the first specimens of which
emerged May 7.

Previous record*. — This species
first received careful consideration
in this country by Riley/' who
summarizes the knowledge of the
species at the time of his writing, and describes the larva? and eggx.
He states that there is either a dual method of hibernation or it is
double brooded. He records pupa? received from a cotton field at
Americus, Ga., April 22, from which moths emerged April 24, 1879,
and a pupa from Virginia Point, Tex., received December 3, from

Fig. 1.— Agrotis ypsilon: a, larva; ?», head of
same, c, adult — natural size (after Riley &
Howard).

«1869: First Rept. St. Ent, Mo., pp. 80-81,
Comm. Agr. f. 1884, pp. 294-295.

28; and 1885: Ann. Rept. U. S.

THE GREASY CUTWORM. 9

which the moth emerged December 6. In Missouri full-grown larvae

were found as early as May 1, but in no case did the moth- from them
emerge until July. In his eighth report Lintner has discussed this
species as an onion pest." The first larva pupated June Mi and the
moth emerged July 12, while other larva? pupated July '1 and 6. Con-
cerning the time of appearance of the moths he states:

I have taken it as early as May 80, and in collections made by me "at sugar,"
have observed it every night through the months of June, July, and August, on over
half the nights of September, and until the last week in October.

The species was reported as injurious to cotton in Mississippi in
1888.fi Grarmanc states that the larvae are injurious from May to
June 21; that adults have been taken from June 25 to September 23,
and that newly emerged moths occur from June 29 to July 12.
Quaintance, in his account of the tobacco insects of Florida/' states
that the larva? may be found in all stages of growth throughout the
winter. In Mar} land Johnson observed the species as a tobacco pest
in late May and June, the first moths emerging JuhT 19/ In his
Twenty-first Report of the Insects of Illinois/ reporting the species
as an enemy of sugar beets, Dr. S. A. Forbes writes as follows:

There is apparently but one brood each year, with many occasional irregularities
in the stage of hibernation and periods of development. It seems usually to hiber-
nate as a larva, pupating about June 1, and yielding the moth late in June and in
July. The hibernating larva1 are seldom found after July 15. Pupa- have, however,
been found in winter, and adults, probably emerging from these, early in spring.

It would seem, therefore, that not infrequently they winter as pupae,
the moths from which lay eggs in early spring, and from these develop
caterpillars, which do not transform until midsummer or August.
Normally, however, the insect winters as a larva, and the mot lis
emerge early in July. In Texas, at least in the southern part of the
State, where this species is most injurious, there arc probably three
generations. It must be remembered that the difference in latitude
between St. Louis, Mo., and south-central Texas is equal to or greater
than that between the former point and the northern boundary of the
United States. Taking the length of seasons into account, it is only
reasonable to suppose that the number of generations annually would
increase in arithmetical progression as we go south.

An exhaustive study of this and other species of cutworms, both in
the South and North, would clear up many uncertain points relative
to their life history.

«1893: Eighth Report X. Y. State Ent. I. 1891, pp. 188-191.

&1889: Insect Life, Vol. [, p. 217.

cl895: Bul.58, Kentucky Agric. Exp. Sta., p.97.

<*1898: Bui. 48, Fla. Agric. Exp. Sta., pp. 181-183.

' L898: Bui. 55, Md. Agric. Exp. Sta., p. 143.

/1900, p. 104, 2 tigs.

15109— No. 57—06 2

10 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

THE SHAGKEENED CUTWORM.

(Feltia malefida Guen. Fig. 2.)

The summar}1^ of our observations on the life history of this species
is as follows:

Table II. — Tram for motion records of the shagreened cutworm, 1904-

Place.

Larva taken.

Pupated.

Days
pupa.

Moth
emerged.

1 March 29 ....

{ April 23

Uunel4

March 30

May 6

27
15

Mav 31

June 18

July 3
Mav 19

j....do

i....do

(April 4

April 29

April 10

23

May 22

j April 30

20

May 20

Larva? were taken feeding" on potato, cotton, and cabbage. Moths
were captured at College Station September 15, 1902, and August
23, 1903.

Previous records. — The larva was first described by Rile}r,a who
states that it "appears to be confined to the South Atlantic States,

from the District of Columbia to
Alabama." Since then the only pub-
lished record occurs in Insect Life,6
where the larva is reported as feed-
ing on young cotton plants in Mis-
sissippi in 1889. The records of the
Bureau of Entomology show that
larvae were received from Warren-
town. Ga., where they had damaged
cabbage, on May 3, 1879, and from
Alabama, where they were injuring
cotton, on June 23 of the same
year. No other records of the sped: s have been found. It is very
common in Texas and evidentl}T is a southern species.

The caterpillars of this species are parasitized by Glyptapanteles
militaris Walsh and Meteorus vulgaris Cress.

Fig. 2. — Feltia malefida: a, larva; /, moth-
natural size (after Riley).

THE VARIEGATED CUTWORM.

(Peridroma savcia Hbn. Fig. 3.)

This species prefers garden vegetables for food, but it has been taken
upon corn and doubtless occasionally attacks cotton. It has been
fully discussed by Doctor Chittenden/' and the following brief sum-

« 1884: Kept, Coram, of Agric. f. 1884, pp. 292-293.

b 1890: Insect Life, Vol. II, p. 283.

a901: Bui. 29, n. s., Div. Exit, U. S. Dept. Agric., pp. 46-64, figs. 9-11.

THE GARDEN WEBWORM.

1 I

niary of our observations on the life history in Texas merely supple-
ments his account.

Table III. Transformation records of the variegated cutworm, 1904-

Place.

Larva taken.

Pupated.

pupa.

Moth

emerged.

(March 31

I April lx

I March 16

J March 29 oil

April 5

April 25 . .

March 24 ....

IX

April 11

| corn.

Judging from the above records, the life histories of the three

species of cutworms discussed are evidently much the same.

Fiu. 3.— Peridroma saueia: a, moth; l>. normal form of larva, lateral view; c, same in curved position;
<l, dark form, dorsal view; e, egg from side:./', egg mass on tui.ur (after Boward).

THE GARDEN WEBWORM.
(Loxostege similalis Guen. Fig. 4.)

In Texas and the Southwest, the common name which has been given
this insect seems hardly suitable, for there it is primarily a pest <^\'
corn and cotton and only incidentally a garden insect. In L903 very
serious and widespread damage in north Texas and Oklahoma, as well
as in other parts of Texas, to young cotton and corn, necessitated
replanting after the plants were well started. This injury occurred
most generally during the first two weeks of June.

In L904 the first moths were taken at trap light at College Station.
April 10. 21, and 24. At Terrell the first was taken at light on May
24, and during the season then1 were more specimens of this moth

12

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

s

caught at light than of any other affecting cotton; not a sufficient num-
ber, however, to warrant the use of light as a remedy at any time.

April 20, 1904, we received a report from Mr. 8. J. Berry man,
Montalba, Anderson County, that there w^as "some complaint of bud-
worm (IMiot/ds obsoleta Fab.) and webworm in corn.11 No specimens
of the webworm were received, but as wTe know of no similar insect
commonly attacking corn in Texas, and as this pest is commonly known

as the webworm and would
injure corn about the time
that injury by the "bud-
worm11 would commence,
there seems no good rea-
son for doubting the iden-
tity of the insect.

A nearly full-grown larva
was taken at Terrell about

dale moth; b, larva, lateral ALlV 17, 1904. MotllS taken

T»"£XrZt MaJ 24 oviposited on the

more enlarged (reengraved 26th. The eggS are depOS"

mnd,n • ited on either surface of

the leaves in bunches of from 8 to 20 and hatch in three days. One
female laid 48 and another 54 eggs. From these eggs three genera-
tions were reared up to September 29, as shown in the following table:

Table IV. — Transformation records of the garden webworm.

■S^t

c
Fig. i.—Loxostegt
view; c, larva, <
segment, later;
somewhat enla
after Riley, exe

Egg laid.

Days

egg-

Hatched.

Days
larva.

Pupated.

Days
pupa.

Moth.

Sk

May 26

's

4

May 29 ...
Juiie 29...
August 11.

17
22

.Tune 14

July24

September 1 . .

9

7-8
8

June 23

August 1

September 9 ..

3
6

31

42

Augusts

6 3<s

Average...

3.3

21.3

8

37

In the case of the second generation, one larva which had hatched
June 29 was observed to molt July 7, 19, and 24, at which latter date
it pupated.

The eggs laid September 15 had not batched on October 1 and were
probably infertile. It has not been observed in what stage the winter
is passed, but from the observations of Professor Gillette65 on the
nearly related species Loxostege sticticalis Linn, it seems probable that
the larva? hibernate in the ground in a silken tube. It is entirely pos-
sible, however, that in Texas the pupa or adult moth may pass the
winter. In any event the hibernating brood first becomes mature by

«Bul. 98, Colo. Agric. Exp. Sta., p. 6.

TH E ( r A B . > E N W EB W ORM. ■ 1 •* I

the middle of April in central Texas and larvae of tin- firs! brood art-
found nearly full grown by the middle of May. The moths of this
brood oviposit late in Maw of the second in late June or early July,
of the third about August 8, and of the fourth about September 15.
There would still be ample time for a fifth brood in the fall, especially
in the southern part of the Stale. Without rearing one series through
an entire1 season it would doubtless be impossible to determine the
probabh1 number of generations, for the moths appear almost con-
tinuously in July, as is seen by the following record, which shows the
number of moths taken at trap light at Terrell on the dates given —
July 3, 3; 7, 4; 8, 5; 9, 4: 10, .V. 14, 6; 26, 4.

Young cotton and corn are usually affected when about 8 inches
high, so that replanting makes a very late crop. Alfalfa is also often
seriously damaged, the injury occurring somewhat earlier in the spring
than that to corn and cotton, and again in August or September.
Undoubtedly the larva1 working on the alfalfa in tin1 fall remain in
the fields over winter. In the spring they work upon the alfalfa, and.
when that is cut. they move out into the cotton and corn adjoining in
such numbers that this migration has often been observed and reported
to us. About the middle1 of July. 1903, alfalfa was thus injured in
Oklahoma. On August 24, 1904, .Mr. Lewis found that the1 alfalfa
near Scurry, Kaufman County. Tex., had been souk1 what injured, and
learned that the insect had done similar damage about tin1 same time
in 1903. On September L the same injury was found at Wolfe City.
The larvae had migrated to the adjoining rows of cotton, which had
been partly defoliated, and had then disappeared, evidently being in
the pupal stage, as were those being reared in the laboratory at that
time. September 12, 1899, Mr. W. D. Hunter sent to the Division of
Entomology two moths of this species, stating that it had been exceed-
ingly destructive to alfalfa in southeastern Nebraska during that year.

As has been previously recorded, the favorite food of the insect is
the common pigweed or "careless weed" (Amaranthus), from which
the insect received its local name of "careless worm."' It is common
throughout the arable portion of tin1 State, as is evidenced by reports
of it> occurrence from near San Antonio, from Victoria, and from east
Texas (Anderson County), but it seems particularly injurious in t ho
northern part of the1 State1. Many of the larvae captured were para-
sitized by Apanteles /<ij>/i)/<jj,,^ Ashm. and Cardiochiles explorator Say.
One specimen was parasitized by a larva which emerged and formed its
cocoon July k2D. the adult, which proves to be Mesochonts thelitis
Cress, emerging August 4.

Thespecies hasaiso been found to be parasitized by Exorista hypeim
Coq. and Phorocera parva Bigot, specimens of which have been bred
by Mr. Pergande.

14 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS,

Past history. — The first account of this insect was published by
Doctor Riley, a who gives its past histoiy, an account of its depredations,
its food plants, and life history, and a partial description of the larva.
Doctor Chittenden has published notes upon the species, b and Dr.
S. A. Forbes has also given an excellent account of the insect/1

Remedial measures. — Dusting or spraying the affected crops with an
arsenical will, of course, quickly check the depredations of the pest;
but as some delay is usually involved in such an operation over a large
area, considerable injury will have been done before it is completed.
Preventive measures are more important. Of these the destruction
of those native weeds upon which the larva feeds is of great impor-
tance, especially where land is left uncultivated. The thorough culti-
vation of the land in fall or winter will also probably be of great
benefit, if the larva passes the winter in the soil, as seems probable.
On this point, Mr. 8. J. Berryman, of Montalba, a careful observer,
writes:

I think the reason that I am not bothered by them is because I have had all of my
land broken in the winter and harrowed it several times. The blackbirds followed
my plow all the time, and I think they got most of them. At least, I am not both-
ered with the insects, and I hear no complaints from those who did the same way.

In the case of alfalfa a thorough cultivation in late fall or early
spring would doubtless be of value for the same reason.

THE WHITE-LINED SPHINX.

(Deilephila lineata Fab. Fig. 5.)

The well-known and exceedingly variable larvae of this sphinx moth
are common inhabitants of the cotton field about the time the }Toung
plants are being chopped. Usually their injury to the foliage of the
young plants is noticed by the hands, who can destroy most of the
caterpillars at this time. Occasionally, however, the}r become over-
abundant and swarm over all the vegetation much as does the army
worm, destroying every low-growing plant in their path. Such was
the case near San Antonio in 1903, when garden crops and cotton
were seriously injured by immense numbers of these caterpillars.

On May 30, 1903, caterpillars in almost all stages of growth were
common on cotton at College Station, and several were kept under
observation. The first was read}T to pupate June 1, and three entered
the earth to pupate June 11. June 25 about twenty flies of Winthe-
mia quadripustidata Fab. emerged from these. Three moths emerged
on July 3, 1, and 14, respectively. The caterpillars were not subse-

al885: Rept. Comm. Agric. f. 1885, pp. 265-270.

& 1902: Bid. 33, n. s., Div. Ent., U. 8. Dept, Agric, pp. 46,47; and 1903: Bui. 43,
1. c, pp. 39-40, figs. 36 and 37.

^1900: 21st Rept. State Ent. 111., pp. 108-109, fig. 33.

THE U'lII'l E-LINED SPHINX.

15

quently observed that season, and only rarely in 1904, so that it seems
probable thai the insect was checked by the parasitic fly mentioned.

May 1\ L904, a Dumber of larva- were taken at Terrell, Tex. The
first pupated June 3, another June 7. and a third June 14. The
moths from the two last mentioned emerged June -2± and July 2,
respectively. On June 14 a pair of moth- were taken in coitu. On
the luth. 96 nearly globular green eggs were laid by the female on
the leaves, from one to eight eggs being deposited in a place. These

Fig. b.—Deilephila lint

ith: //. pale larva; c, dark form of larva: d. }>upa— all natural size
from Chittenden .

hatched June 20, but, unluckily for the continuation of the experi-
ment, tin* young Larvae died.

It would seem evident that there is another and possibly a third
generation during the season in Texas, although no observations were
made later in the year than those above reported. Riley states that
there is hut one generation in a year '. but Forbes* records two broods,
the larvae of the first appearing in July and August, and those o( the

"1S71: :;.! Kept, state I'.nt. Mo., pp. 140-142, figs. 60-62; and 1884: Kept Comm.
Agr. f. L884, p. 412.

M900: 2l8l Kept. State Ent. 111., p. L55.

16 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

second from the middle of September through October. The winter is
undoubtedly passed in the pupal stage, as has been observed farther
north. Although so common, no thorough study of the life history of
the species seems to be recorded in entomological literature.

Food 'plants. — A long list of food plants has been attributed to this
species. Of these, purslane and chickweed are undoubtedly the favor-
ites. Chittenden ° states that they feed on sugar beets, tomatoes, and
apple and prune trees. Dr. Herman Behrft states that the species is
nowhere as common as on the Pacific slope, and that in California the
larvae prefer plants of the family Onagracea?, including Epilobium,
Boisduvalia, Clarkia, Eucharidium, Godetia, CEnothera. and the intro-
duced Fuchsia. He sa}Ts also that there the insect rarely suffers from
parasites, and that it easily adapts itself to other* food plants, such as
Rumex and Portulaca, but is not common on grape. Walsh and Riley
give as food plants purslane, turnip, buckwheat, watermelons, and
apple/ and state that the species is commonly attacked by tachina
flies/' Saunders e mentions the larva as occurring also on plantain.
There is no previous mention of the species as a cotton pest, though
planters state that they have frequently noticed the larva?. It is com-
monly found on grapevines and may be considered as feeding on
almost all low-growing vegetation.

Of the methods of control, the most important is that of preventing
the growth of the weeds upon which the larvae normally feed. . Only
where these have been abundant does the species become injurious.
When serious injury is threatened, the caterpillars may be readily
controlled by dusting or spraying with arsenicals. To destiw the
pupa?, land grown up in weeds on which the caterpillars were known
to have been feeding in the fall should be plowed and harrowed
thoroughly in winter.

MAY BEETLES.

LACHXOSTERXA CRIBEOSA LeC. (Fig. 6.)

Injury hy this species to cotton was first reported by Mr. J. H.
Burton, of Valleyview, Cooke County, about the middle of March,
1904. On March 25 the work of the beetles on Mr. Burton's plan-
tation was observed by the writer. The beetles, which are about
an inch long and shining black in color, remain in the soil during the
day, emerging about an hour before sundown, or on a cloudy day at
about ± p. m. They feed for an hour or two and then reenter the soil.

« 1903: Bui. 43, n. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric, p. 41.

6 1882: Papilio, Vol. II, p. 2.

^1869: Am. Entomologist, Vol. I, p. 206,

<i 1870: 1. c, Vol. II, p. 257.

*1877: Can. Ent., Vol. IX, p. 66.

L A C H N OST I- K N A CRIBR08A .

1

If near the old hole, a beetle will use it again; otherwise a new on** is
quickly made, and in a few minutes the beetle will have disappeared.

The beetles were usually found about 3 inches deep in the soil, but
Mr. Burton stated that he had found them in burrows running hori-
zontally to a vertical burrow some -4 or 5 inches deep. A hundred

of the beetles were picked up around the edge of a cotton field in a few
minutes. Some of them emerged from ground which had been covered
with water, but seemed none the worse for it. They are exceedingly

awkward, and when disturbed feign death, remaining- in any conceiv-
able position for several minute.-. For the past two years they had
destroyed peanuts and had injured strawberries, grape cutting-, and
cowpeas in this locality. Young cotton was attacked in preference to
anything but ragweed, which is the favorite food plant. When
observed they were feeding on the ragweed along the fences around
cotton. This is the usual place for them to appear. Subsequently
they spread into the cotton, doing injury
along the edges. One beetle is said to de-
stroy a cotton plant 6 or 8 inches high
during its evening meal. A number of
beetles were observed to emerge in young
corn. They did not feed, however, and
many of those found were dead. They
were not found in meadow land. During
the previous year cotton had been planted
on land where grain had been grown the
year before. After the grain was cut the
land had been left for the remainder of
the season to grow up to weeds, and it was
not plowed until late the next spring, just
before planting cotton. In this field the extent of injury to cotton
was unprecedented. The cotton planted in 1904 was on land which
had been well plowed and kept free from weeds during the previous
fall and winter, and in this case the injury was not serious. The
beetles do not seem to be injurious on land following corn. It seems
probable that the females oviposit in cotton land and that if this
i- well cultivated and winter plowed the larva1 are killed. Larva1
feeding on the roots of weeds along the fences where plowing is
impossible will, of course, survive this treatment, hut the number of
adults emerging in the spring will be comparatively very -mall.

On July 14, 1904, injury by this insect was observed along one end
of a small piece of cotton at Wichita Falls, the land having been in
wheat during the previous season. At this time the beetles had prac-
tically all disappeared, although they were present in great numbers a
few days previously.

15109— No. -V— OH 8

Fig. 6. — Lachnosterna cribroea: fe-
male—enlarged I author's illustra-
tion i.

18

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

The species was also reported from Fife, McCulloch County, where
damage to garden crops commenced about March 15; from Wawaka,
Ochiltree Count}7, where they were injurious in gardens May 10, and
from Canyon, Randall County, in the central part of the Panhandle,
where some damage was done to cotton about July 20. In the last
case the beetles had almost disappeared on August 25.

Beetles confined under a cage over cotton in the field laid a few
eggs July 1, but unfortunately the eggs were destroyed by ants
and no larva? were secured.

It was found that when Paris green was dusted upon the foliage
the beetles readily succumbed to the treatment,
so that there should be no difficulty in control-
ling them by dusting the weeds around the edges
of fields.

This species was originally described from the
Rio Grande Valley, and no other type locality
was given. The only previously published rec-
ord of injuiw is that in Insect Life, Volume
VII, page 360. where the insect is reported to
have destroyed several crops of wheat in Bay-
lor Count}7, Tex., the beetles having increased
in numbers for several years previous to 1895.
It is evidently most abundant in northwest Texas, and has not been
observed east of Cooke Count v.

Fig. 7.—Lachnosterna lanceo-
lata: female — somewhat
enlarged (author's illustra-
tion).

LACHNOSTERXA LANCEOLATA Say. (Fig. 7.)

This species, somewhat smaller than the preceding, is of a brown
color and is well clothed with gray hairs. Specimens were received
July 5, 1903, from D'Hanis, Tex., where, occurring in large numbers,
they had done considerable damage to cotton. Beetles were found
common, though not abundant, on cotton and sunflower leaves at
Terrell. From specimens confined June 1 eggs were secured June 18.
The white, globular eggs, about 2 mm. in diameter, were laid singly
about 2 inches beneath the surface. They hatched June 25, and the
larvae fed on cotton and grass roots during the summer and fall.

July 15, 1902, the Division of Entomology7 received specimens from
S. E. Russell, Duncan, Ind. T., stating that they were damaging
young cotton. The species has also been reported from China Spring,
McLennan County. Tex./' where it was injuring collards. It had
been noticed commonly since 1890, and its favorite food plants were
stated to be several species of Amaranthus common around corn fields.

"1900: Bui. 22, n. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric

P-

10/

THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCUST.

19

LACHN08TEBNA FARCTA Lee.

Thi> species has been reported as injuring cotton in southwest Texas
by planters in Uvalde County, when* it is occasionally quite abundant
on young plants. According to previous accounts," the feeding habits
of the beetle- seem to be much the same as those of Lachnoxterna crth-
rosa Lee November 8. 1895, Mr. E. A. Schwarz sent from Beeville,
Tex., a Larva of this species taken in a cotton field. Another larva.
received from him from San Diego on December 14. was placed upon
grass roots and was still active the following April. It was then given
fresh sod and remained alive until September. In the Report of the
Commissioner of Agriculture for 1879 Professor Comstock mentions
an outbreak of this species on beans in Bexar County. Tex. The feed-
ing habits of the beetles as described by him are similar to those of L.
cribrosd.

It should be noted that the larvae of none of these species of "May
beetles" have been observed in injurious number- and that very little
is known of their habit-.

THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCUST.

Melanoplus differentialis Thus. Fi^s. 8, m. 10. and IE |

More or less injury is done by this locust every year in some locality
in Texas. In the spring of 1904 an exceptional outbreak occurred in

JNB
Fig. $.— Melanoplus differentialis: adult— enlarged • author's illu-tration).

the south-central part of the State, alone- the Brazos River and its
tributaries, being especially injurious in Grimes. Waller. Washington,
Lee. Brazos, and Burleson counties.

Owing to the very careful studies of the habits of this species made
by Prof. II. A. Morgan in Mississippi in 1899 and 1900,6 it did not
seem necessary to devote much attention to that subject. Therefore.
although a few observations on the life history are noted below, we
were chiefly concerned in finding the most feasible mean- of combating
the young hoppers over large areas.

The eggs commenced hatching about the middle of March, 1904. and
young nymph- continued to appear for about three week-, the majority

"L. «•.. p. 107: and l^so: Rept. Comm. Agric. f. 1879, \>. 247.
&1901: Bui. .".(». n. s.. Div. Km.. I*. S. Dept Agric., pp. 7-27, L2 figs

20

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

before April 1, the season being an exceptionally early one. The eggs
had been laid in the hard ground on the edges of iields and in fields
uncultivated during the present season. Young of the first instar
taken to the laboratory on April 23 molted April 25, May 10, May 23,
and May 30 and became adult on June 8. The habit of ascending a

stalk of corn or weed
during the last molts is
illustrated in figure 9.
It was found exceedingly
difficult to distinguish
the different instars by
an}^ markings or by the
general size of individ-
uals, for in both these re-
spects different individ-
uals vary very greatly.
It was found b}T measur-
ing reared specimens,
.however, that the length
of the hind tibife was
fairly constant for a
given instar, and this
proved true of a series
subsequently measured.
The length of the meta-
tibia is as follows: First
instar, 3-4 mm.; second
instar, 5-6 mm. ; third
instar, 8-9 mm. ; fourth
instar, 11-12 mm.; fifth
instar, 15-16 mm. These
are the measurements of
the cast skins, the meas-
urements in the case of
live or mounted speci-
mens being slightly less
in each instar. The time

Fig. 9.— Melanoplus differentialis on corn leaves: adult ia natural of molting Varied f Ol" dif-
position, upper figure; pupa skin below on right— n itural size feren+ individuals and
(author's illustration).

was governed by the
amount of food available, so that no fixed dates can be given. In 1903,
in a local outbreak, the first three stages, mostly the second and third,
were found to occur on June 1. The development during these two
seasons probably illustrates the extreme dates of earty and late develop-
ment for this latitude.

THE DIFFERENTIAL L0CU8T.

21

Attention was first called to the L904 outbreak by Mr. W. II.
Brown, of Navasota, whose plantation lying along the Brazos River

was visited by the writer April 1. At this time the young hoppers
had been at work for about ten days, and were still hatching. They
occurred in countless numbers around the edges of cultivated fields
and on uncultivated ground among the weeds, from which they were
migrating to the young crops as the food supply became scarce. In

iome c;c i1

Fig. 10.— Melanoplus differentialis: young nymph — enlarged (author's illustration |.

such situations old logs were so covered with the young as to be com-
pletely blackened by them. The "stand*' of young corn and cotton
had already been destroyed over several acres. In one field, where
they first appeared, Mr. Brown had used dry Paris green and had
largely checked the injury. It was found that by plowing fields where
the stand had been badly injured or was poor, large numbers of the
young hopperswere destroyed by burying, and the remainder migrated
to the weeds at the edges of the fields. While still young they can not
be readily driven as is possible when they are half or more nearly
grown. All of the vegetation around the edges of the fields was
therefore poisoned with Paris green or green arsenoid. In
the poison was mixed with flour, which
made it more adhesive. Over the fields,
both those which had been plowed and
those wherein the hoppers were feeding,
poisoned bran mash was distributed. 1
pound of Paris green being mixed with 25
pounds of bran. This treatment proved
exceedingly effective. Five days later, when again visited, the great
majority of the hoppers were found dead among the weeds which
had been thoroughly poisoned. The ('Meet of bran mash is not so
apparent, as the hoppers after eating it crawl beneath small clods oi
earth and there die, but by examining the ground around a small pile
of the mash from 12 to 20 dead hoppers were found, and many more
had doubtless died farther away. To moisten the mash, water is found
as effective as molasses. Around the edges of the fields, and in patches
of weeds on uncultivated land, a spray oi pure kerosene or oi strong

Fig. 11. — Eggma°sof Mdanopl* s
entkilis— enlarged author's illus-
tration i.

22 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

kerosene emulsion was used with marked success. The planters pre-
ferred using- the pure oil, its effect being more quickly apparent.
Paris green was used both as a dust and as a spray. The dust seemed
to be much the better form of application and more effective, although
more material is required. Several types of portable powder guns
were used by various planters under our direction, and were found to
apply the poison much more effectively and economically than is done
by the use of a sack. Where these methods were thoroughly practiced,
the young hoppers were much reduced in numbers by the third week
in April and their injury checked. An unfortunate feature of these
methods of treatment lay in the fact that, after a field had been almost
entirely rid of the pest, migration would take place from adjoining
uncultivated land, possibly owned by a nonresident, or on a part of a
neighboring plantation where no harm could be done the crops of the
owner and where, therefore, nothing had been done toward checking
it. This necessitated continued work by certain individuals, much
later than would have been necessaiy had the whole community pur-
sued the same methods; and in several instances caused vexatious
losses after it was thought that a field had been entirely freed from
the hoppers.

Natural enemies. — Just after the young had hatched large numbers
of a small conopid fl}r, Stylog aster hiannulata Say, were observed dart-
ing about and hovering over the young hoppers. It was impossible
to observe their oviposition or to rear them from the hoppers subse-
quently, but, owing to the previously observed habits of this species,
there is little doubt that it was parasitic upon the young.

During the last wTeek of April large flocks of blackbirds and reed-
birds or bobolinks appeared in the fields for a few days, and undoubt-
edly did more than an}T other natural agency to check the pest. They
consumed immense numbers of the hoppers, so that, with the methods
previously employed, but little damage was done later in the season.

Trapping in holes. — June 1, 1903, a small outbreak occurred a few
miles from College station. At that time the locusts were slightly
less than half grown. The eggs had been deposited in a small strip of
grass and weeds along a ditch running through the center of the field,
and from there the young hoppers had migrated for some little dis-
tance on all sides and had destroyed considerable cotton, then about
six inches high. In this case it was essential to prevent further injury
as soon as possible, and although poisoning would undoubtedly have
killed them in a few days much damage would have been done before
they succumbed. A number of post holes were therefore dug in a
double row, the holes alternating, near the center of the affected area,
and several men and boys drove the hoppers toward them. Very
large numbers were thus caught in the holes and were then easily

THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCUST.

destroyed. It was demonstrated that for such condition- this i- one
of the most satisfactory methods for quickly checking the injury over
a -mall area.

Cause of 190^ outbreak. — In the summer of 1902 the Brazos River
overflowed in a most unusual manner, and again in February, L903, a
smaller overflow occurred. This resulted in large area- throughout
the lower Brazos valley remaining uncultivated in 1903. This hard-
packed soil gave ideal conditions for ovipo-ition. and the weed- which
came in furnished the favorite food of the hoppers, thus making their
rapid multiplication certain. That an unusual outbreak should occur
in the spring of 1904 was therefore to be expected. Throughout the
bottom lands of central Texas this species is always common, and does
more or less damage along the edges of the corn and cotton fields: but
ordinarily the planters disregard the injury and allow the pest to
multiply. Then, when such condition- as those above outlined occur,
the pe-t increases very rapidly and serious injury is widespread.
Were the weeds around the edge- of the held- dusted with an arsenical
whenever grasshoppers are observed to be common, and were uncul-
tivated areas plowed during the winter when possible, the num-
bers would be so reduced that such outbreaks would not frequently
occur. These conditions were exactly similar to those mentioned by
Professor Morgan" concerning the outbreak of this species along the
Mississippi, after a crevasse had been formed in the levee and a con-
sequent overflowing of the adjacent land had resulted.

f's, of fungous diseases. — Cultures of the fungous diseases with
which experiments have been made in recent years asa means of com-
bating locust- were secured from several sources. The tube- received
from Prof. Lawrence Bruner. of Nebraska, mentioned below, were
stated to contain what was probably a species of Mucor. Those
received from Prof. C. P. Gillette, of Colorado, had been sent him by
Doctor Edington. of the Bacteriological Institute. Grahams town, (ape
of Good Hope. Those from the Bureau of Entomology were marked
"•Culture C." and were also of South African origin, although pre-
pared by the Department of Agriculture. These cultures were han-
dled according to the direction- sent with them,8 and locusts dipped in
the prepared solution were freed where they were most abundant in
the field. Corn meal moistened with the solution was also scattered in
these localities. These distributions were made on April 1!'. at four
points, several mile- apart. Examinations on April 29 and May '.♦ failed
to reveal any grasshoppers dead from disease, nor did the planters see
any later in the season. After May I the locust- had been SO depleted

' 1901: Bui. .'HI i). b., Div. 1 : 1 1 1 . . K. s. Dept. Agric, p. 31.

&See Howard, Yearbook IT. S. Dept. Auric, t. 1901, p. 464; and Bruner, Bui. 38, Div

Knt.. K. S. Dept. Agric, p. 50.

24 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

in numbers by the remedial measures taken and by birds that they
were not excessively abundant; but had the cultures been effective
some diseased individuals would surely have been found three weeks
after the first distribution, when the insects were still plentiful. Fur-
thermore, at College Station, on April 1, a dozen locusts were dipped
in the culture received from Professor Bruner and introduced into a
field cage where several dozen live hoppers were given favorable con-
ditions. These were supplied with food and the cage kept in good
condition until June 1, during which time much rain fell, but no dis-
eased specimens were observed.

Early in June cultures of the South African fungus were received
direct, through the courtesy of Dr. Alexander Edington. Upon learn-
ing of an outbreak of M. differential is in north Texas, and upon the
request of planters there, several of these tubes were sent them and
were prepared and disseminated by them as directed. They were,
however, unable to notice any diseased locusts as a result.

These accounts of failures to secure any benefit from grasshopper
cultures can not be regarded as at all conclusive concerning their lack of
efficacy, but they at least add to the weighty evidence already reported
against the value of such cultures for the control of grasshoppers.

THE CLUMSY LOCUST.

(BracJu/stola magna Gir. Fig. 12.)

Throughout the counties of west-central Texas, as far east as Bexar
and Comal, this species replaces the common southern lubber grass-
hopper (Dictyophorus retieulatus Thunb.), shown in figure 18. Unlike

Fig. 12. — Brudu/stula magna, adult — natural size (author's illustration) .

the latter species, however, the '"clumsy locust" occurs in large num-
bers and often does serious damage. In 19()-t it was much less injuri-
ous than usual, and no observations upon it in the field were possible.
Our information concerning its habits is, therefore, derived mostly
from correspondence with Mr. L. B. Smith, of Rescue, Lampasas
County, a prominent bee keeper and careful observer, whose accounts
have been largely confirmed by others in neighboring counties. May
22, 1903, Mr. Smith wrote as follows:

We are being bothered again by the wingless locusts. They are destroying the
cotton crops by the wholesale, and, unlike most other insects, these come early and

THE l LUM8Y L0< US! .

remain until frost comes in fall, ami do not Beem to have any natural enemy or dis-
ease. Thia insed has destroyed cotton in isolated districts of this section for several
year- past, but has appeared earlier and in greater numbers this year than ever.
They an* usually worse in June and July than at any other time. Some of us -
the larger part of our crops last year by unceasing fight against them with sticks, but
we had to keep that up for about six or ei^ht weeks, and it is very tedious work.
They ate thousand.- of dollars' worth of cotton last year. We think the principal
cause of their increase is the destruction of the wild birds and the hog law. In
neighborhoods near here where there is no hog law and hogs run at lanre the _
hoppers do oot get numerous. We have seen ho'js eating them.

Mr. Smith requested that if possible some more efficient remedy he
suggested, and in <>ur reply the use of poisoned bran ina>h and the

Fig. lo. — Dictyophorus retieulahu: nymph above, adult below— somewhat enlarged original;.

thorough poisoning of all weeds and grass was advised. In reply to
questions concerning the habits of the Locusts, Mr. Smith wrote on
June 9, L903:

I shall answer youi questions in regard to the cotton-eating grasshoppers as best I
ran. First. ■•When do they appear first in the spring?" They usually appear in

the latter part of May and first of June, but usually not in sufficient numbers to
seriously affect cotton until about June 15. This year they were numerous by May 1
and have now become very destructive to cotton. Second. "How late do they work
in the fall?" They remain until freezing weather comes on, though they do not
Beem so vigorous in August and September and >\>^ not eat cotton so much then.
Third. l,At what time do they become full grown in summer?" Usually in July

15109— N<

.u.;-

26 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

they begin mating and depositing eggs, though many of them are grown [now],
as the large pair I am mailing to-day. Fourth, "In what places are they most
numerous and destructive?" In cotton fields. They have never seriously injured
any other crop than cotton, though they are found in pasture far from any farm.
They are destructive in Coleman, Kunnells, Burnet, and Llano counties and as far
west as Concho County, and I know not how much farther west.

These grasshoppers are numerous in nearly all districts in these western counties
in which the hog law has been enforced for the past few years. "We can not use the
poisoned bran mash here on account of the great honey dearth, as it would poison
my neighbors' bees as well as my own.

However, the mash was tried, as Mr. Smith's next letter, dated July 6,

indicates.

The hoppers are still giving me trouble, but we have them somewhat checked now
by using the poison on them as suggested by you. I am using the Avheat bran sweet-
ened with a cheap grade of molasses and arsenic mixed with it, and I believe it would
have been a perfect success if I had commenced in time. I saw the first pair mating
June 10. They get their full growth by the last of May. As to when and where
they deposit their eggs, I have never been able to ascertain.

Mr. Smith sent numerous specimens, which were kept in cages in
the laboratory for some time, but all failed to oviposit.

Undoubtedly' the poisoned bran mash will prove perfectly effective
for the control of these insects if employed plentifully early in the
season. It is possible that the eggs are laid in grass land, and that
they or the }^oung hoppers ma}' be eaten to a considerable extent by
hogs where the latter are not restricted. Probablj' with larger areas
of land under cultivation in these western counties the species will
become less abundant, for, although it occurs as far north as Kansas
and western Missouri, it is reported by Doctor Riley to be not very
injurious there.

The species has been well named the clumsy locust, for it is exceed-
ingly awkward. The wings are shorter than those of the other lubber
grasshoppers, and, unlike those of Dictyophorus, are not raised from
the back when disturbed. The coloration is somewhat variable, being
mostly a tawny brown, with markings of greenish or yellowish, the
latter often being quite pinkish.

THE BUR CLOVER APHIS.

(Aphis medicaginis Koch.)

Associated with the common cotton or melon aphis, Aphis gossypii
Glover (fig. 14), there was found another species concerning which
no previous economic mention has come to our notice, although the
Aphis sp. mentioned by Mally ° may be the same thing.

The two species occur together on the young cotton plants just as
the first leaves are forming. A. medicaginis may be found abun-
dantly at this time, and for a week or two earlier, on the common bur

«1891: Bui. 24, o. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric, p. 30.

THE BUR CLOVKK A Pills.

27

clover and a species of Oxalis. Mr. Sanborn has also noted ii as
occurring on clover (Trifolium hajariensis), cowpea, alfalfa, and coffee
bean (Cassia occidentals). Late in April it often becomes so abun-
dant on bur clover as to cause the plant to wither, large swarms of
flies buzzing around the infested plants attracting attention to them.
Like the cotton aphis, the species is often so severely parasitized by
Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cress, that it is killed out in a very few days.

The }roung stages and the apterous females are not at first easy to
distinguish from A. gossypii, but the apterous females are darker and
have a shining reddish or brownish-black appearance, while those of
gossypii are deep greenish in color and have the cauda very much

cut.

Fig. U.— Aphis gossypii: a, winged female; aa, enlarged antenna of same: ah, dark female, side view.
!>, young nymph or larva: c, last stage' Of nymph: d, wingless female— all greatly enlarged (after
Chittenden).

longer. The winged forms are readily distinguished by the dark
markings on the abdominal segments of medicaginis which are lack-
ing on gossypii. These markings, however, are only noticeable when
the specimens are mounted in balsam.

Specimens were determined as probably medicaginis Koch by Mr.
Th. Pergande, who, however, seemed to share our own doubt as
to their identity with that species. After a careful examination of
Koch's description and figures, though there are some noticeable dis-
crepancies, it nevertheless seems probable that our species is that
described by him, especially as some of its host plants have come from
Europe. Koch states that the species is hardly distinguishable from

28 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

"Aphis cichorii" (A]?his intybi Koch), and his descriptions hardly
distinguish the two species, the main differences being the smaller size
of medicaginis and the coloration of the antenna? and legs. In colora-
tion of the legs the apterous females of our specimens resemble medi-
caginis, but the coloration of the antennae is like that of cichorii. The
size is difficult to determine from Koch's figure. It appears probable
that Aphis medicaginis Koch is synonymous with A. cichorii Koch
(A. intybi), but as it is practically impossible to determine this with-
out the t}Tpes, and as the name medicaginis has heretofore been used
in American literature, it seems best to retain it.

For those who are unable to refer to Koch's description it is here
given :

Head, neck, and body black, legs yellowish white, the points of the femora, tibiae,
and tarsi, black. Honey tubes somewhat long and black. The middle joints of the
antennae yellowish. This form is very closely related to and hardly distinguishable
from A. cichorii. It is smaller, and is the smallest of the species which have yet
come to my notice. The winged insect has the same colorings as A. cichorii, except
that the two middle segments, namely the fourth and fifth [evidently of the antennse —
E. D. S.], are yellowish, and the stigma of the front wing is smoky brown, darker
on the margin, approaching yellow toward the base.

The wingless mother is hardly larger than the winged, though a little broader, not
as broad, however, as the same form of A. cichorii. She is dark brown above and
below, on the back somewhat blackened. Honey tubes and style black. Antennae
and legs yellowish white. The two end joints and the three shorter basal joints of
the antennse, as well as the points of the femora of the third pair of legs, and the
points of the tibiae and tarsi of all the legs, black. The points of the femora of the
second pair grade into brown at the tips. The coxa? grade into smoky brown. The
whole insect has very little glossy appearance. Only the back part of the abdomen
shows itself somewhat flattened, and with a short brilliant gloss.

The host plant is Medico go fulcdta ; the aphis appears on this in very large numbers,
congregating in millions. They colonize on the twigs, and more seldom down on the
leaves. The winged forms readily make their escape when they notice danger. —
(Translation of C. E. Sanborn.)

The species was first noticed in this country at St. Louis, Mo., in
July by Monell/' who gives its food plants as Caragana arborescens,
JRobinia viseosa, and Melilotus italica. Monell notes the shining black
dorsum, which agrees better with our description than that made by
Koch, who states that it is glossy onl}r for a short distance on the
abdomen. This character is noted also b}T Thomas.6 The species is
also mentioned by CEstlund in his Aphidida? of Minnesota (p. 69), and
by Osborn in his Catalogue of the Hemiptera of Iowa/ In a paper on
the Hemiptera of Colorado d Cohen notes it on Astragalus bisulcatus,
principally in the racemes of the flowers, and on GJycyrrhiza lepidota.

«1879: Bui. U. S. Geol. Survey, Vol. V, No. 1, p. 24.
& 1895: 8th Rep. State Ent. 111., pp. 100-192.
^1892: Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci., Vol. 1, p. 129.
tf 1895: Bui. 31, Colo. Agric. Exp. Sta., p. 120.

THE FALSE CHINCH BUG. 29

DESCRIPTION.

Winged viviparous female. — Length, L.99 mm.; width, 0.58 nun.; antenna-, 1.33
mm.; segment III, 0.33 mm.; IV, 0.27 nun.; V, 0.22 mm.; VI, 0.10mm.; VII, 0.27
mm.; wing expanse, 6.64 nun.: cauda, 0.11 mm.; cornicles, 0.34 mm. ; metatibiae,
0.91 mm.

Head, thorax, antennae, cornicles, and cauda black; abdomen slightly lighter or more
grayish-black; legs yellowish, except distal half of femora and distal fifth of tibia and
tarsus, which are dark; stigma and insertion of wings yellowish; three lateral black-
ish spots on margin of abdominal segments in front of cornicles, and fainter dark-
brown markings forming broken bands on abdominal segments. Cornicles straight,
tapering. Antennae with a row of about five sensoria on segment III.

Apterous viviparous female. — Length, 1.H6 mm.; antenna-, 1.19mm.: segment III.
0.25 mm.; TV. 0.15 mm.; V, 0.17 mm.; VI, 0.11 mm.; VII, 0.22 mm.; cauda, 0.13
mm.; cornicles, 0.33 mm.; metatibiae, 0.86mm.

Reddish or brownish black when seen under lens, but otherwise apparently shin-
ing black; cornicles and cauda black; sutures of caudal segments whitish, pulverulent:
antenna* yellowish, except black distal segments; legs yellowish, except tarsi, tips of
tibiae, and tips of metafemora; cornicles slightly constricted at base, extending to
or beyond tip of cauda.

First and second instars. — Light yellowish brown, a lisrht stripe bounded on either
side by a darker brownish stripe along the dorsomeson; cornicles black and connected
by a dark rusty band: head darker, rather greenish: legs and antenna- similar to
adult.

Third instar (which will form pupa). — Deep pinkish, dorsal lines on abdomen as
in previous instar; shoulders whitish, otherwise same as before.

Pupa. — Deep pinkish.

Fourth instar, apterous. — Deep reddish or maroon covered with whitish pulveru-
lence; head rather greenish; at first the body is greenish or brownish, but gradually
becomes uniform dark reddish as seen under lens, and finally blackish.

In either this last or the adult stage the insects commence to turn
blackish on the caudal portion, the change in color gradually extend-
ing forward. At the same time the pruinosity is lost, and finally the
adults become shining blackish. The color of the immature stages is
exceedingly variable.

THE FALSE CHINCH BUG.
[Nysius angustatus Uhl. Fig. 15.)

During the spring of ltK)4 the false chinch bug occurred in unusual
numbers over widely separated localities in Texas and Louisiana, dam-
aging all sorts of crops, many of them not heretofore known to be
injured by it. and among them cotton.

Attention was first called to its occurrence by the citizens oH Sabinal.
Uvalde County, Tex., late in April; and on May *2 Mr. Sanborn visited
tin1 locality. The insect had been known there for several years, but
until that spring had never done serious damage. The young bugs
occurred at that time in countless numbers, having caused the mesquite
trees to turn yellow, and destroyed the young cotton so as to necessi-
tate replanting over large areas, more or less injury occurring over the

30 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

territory within a radius of 10 miles from Sabinal. The migration
of the bugs was much like that of the true chinch bug (Blissus leucop-
terus Sa}^); they would remain in one place until the vegetation there
was destroyed and then move on. At this time hardly anv adult
bugs were seen. Late in May the writer visited the same fields, and
hardly a specimen could be secured, although a few adults were found
in corn. In this case the damage was done entirely by the nymphs;
and the swarms disappeared after their devastation of the cotton as
suddenly as they had appeared. Of the nymphs taken to the labora-
tory all died before maturing, so that their identity can not be definitely
established; but there seems to be no doubt, from a comparison with
determined specimens, that they are Nysius angustatus.

Early in May the same species appeared in immense numbers in
wheat fields in one or two localities in north Texas, greatly to the

alarm of the owners, but no
f% *x=-^ ^-t< ^TNo/P^ material injuiy was done.

Later in the month speci-
mens were received from
several points in central
Texas, where, occurring in
^ij ^ / iUr \ ^ vJH^ ^ immense numbers, they were

doing serious damage to va-

Fig. 15. — Nysius angustatus: b, last stage of nymph; c, j*jouS P'lrdeil Cl'ODS 111 Bl*'l-
adult— much enlarged (after Riley). if . '" ,

zos County they appeared
sporadically in April, May, and early June, seriously injuring gardens.
They were also observed in the field working on prickly lettuce and
other weeds. In most cases they appear suddenly, practically destroy
the vegetation within a certain area, then move on, and nothing more
is seen of them in that locality. In habits they are much like the
true chinch bugs, many of them remaining in the soil at the base of
the plant and quickly running into it when disturbed, so that it is
exceedingly difficult to combat them successfully. This was observed
at Sabinal, where the nymphs attacked the }7oung cotton before it was
fairly out of the ground.

Late in May Prof. H. A. Morgan, State entomologist of Louisiana,
forwarded specimens of this species collected by Mr. E. W. Dayton,
who reported them as seriously injuring cotton at Jonesville, La.
On June 15 Mr. Dayton wrote further:

Just after receiving your first letter we had a hard rain, and that with the hot
sun caused most of the insects to disappear, but there are spots of about one-fourth
an acre scattered over the fields yet, and they are doing some damage. They dam-
aged about 75 acres, reducing the stand to about one-half on this. I noticed a spot
of about one-fourth an acre yesterday covered with them, and they seemed to be
doing the usual damage.

It would seem, therefore, that this pest feeds on nearly all low-
growing vegetation. Its favorite food seems to be plants of the

THE COWPEA-POD WEEVIL. 31

family Cruciferae, such as shepherd's purse and pepper Lira--, under
which the nymphs arc frequently found in large numbers.

All efforts to rear the insect or to determine it- life history proved
futile, as appears to have been the ease in the past, for no definite

observations seem to have been made concerning it- life history.
Professor Forbes0 states that Professor Osborn ha- taken the ecro- in

Amaranthus blossoms, but this would not necessarily indicate that to
be the usual place of oviposition. Undoubtedly the winter i- passed
in the adult stage, and there is probably more than one brood in a
season. The species is a difficult one for the entomologist to study,
either from the economic or from the systematic standpoint. After
the examination of a large series taken in various localities in Texa-
and on various plants. Mr. Heidemann considers all the specimen- t<>
be of this species, but he states that the genus is so poorly known that
it is impossible to satisfactorily separate the species at present.

The nymphs may be readily combated by spraying with kerosene
emulsion, but the adults are difficult to handle. On garden crop- \\ re
have found that by beating along the infested plants with a small
screen covered with a sticky substance, such as is used for "fly paper."
large numbers may be caught. Tobacco water applied copiously on
the soil around the plants is also of value in the garden. A better
knowledge of the life history would undoubtedly aid in devising means
for controlling the insect on Held crops, which fortunately, however,
are not often attacked.

THE COWPEA-POD WEEVIL.
i Ckalcodermus seneus Boh. Figs. 16 arid 17.

This weevil was frequently sent to us, being mistaken for the boll
weevil. In several instances, however, it was stated that it was doing-
noticeable damage to young cotton, as has
already been reported by Doctor Chitten-
den/' Subsequent to his report, in May.
L904, serious injury was done by the species
in Georgia. As it was impossible to investi-
gate the cases in Texas, the following ac- ,,

= • H<;. 16. — Chalcodermus stneut: lat-

count of the injury in Georgia and the habits erai view, much en •_

of the weevils has been kindly furnished Chittenden

by Prof. Wilmon Newell, recently State entomologist of Georgia:

Injury by this species was personally investigated at Herod, Dear Dawson, Ga.,
May 27, 1904. Beetles were found upou about 15 acres of cotton, from 4 to 10 beetles
on each plant The plants wen' about 4 inches high. The beetles feed for the most

"1900: 21st Rept Stat,- Ent. 111., p

•'• L904: Bui. 44, Div. Ent., I'. S. Dept. Agric, p. 39.

32

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

part in the afternoon or early morning, and upon cloudy days, although a few may
be found on the plants at noon on bright days. The beetle punctures the tender

m^ m

-,f^ ■•■ . ■

., r/:k ^*

jfc.^y

Wi ■ ■ ^^^v^^^B

*|HPf^v '.'.

"■

Fig. 17.— Work of Chalcodermus seneus: above, on young cowpeas; below, on young
cotton. (Photograph by Wilmon Newell.)

stem, often just below a leaf, and this puncture reaches to the very center of the
stem or occasionally to the epidermis of the opposite side. Punctures occur upon

SALT-MAB8H CATERPILLAR.

-puis and the upper tender part of the main etem, often just below a leaf, bat
rarely apon the base of the r-tem near the ground. The punctures upon leaf -
are BO close as to practically -ever the stem; th< eaf £ n wither- and diee
drops. In some cases the beetles seem to stay over the puncture after it is made

an<l suck up the gap which accumulates. In several cases we found a beetle upon
the shady Bide of a >tem. remaining over or clos< - ral punctures, indicating

that a single individual may make several punctures an<l take the sap that accumu-
late- in all of them. Punctures in a case of this kind are not over i - ath to
one-eighth of an inch apart, and from two to four are found in each group. We are
inclined to think that the punctures are made purposely for securing the -ap and
not for devouring the tissue. Eight punctures were counted on a plant not over 2
inches high, and in this rield were found an average of from 5 to as many as 16
V«eetles on and about each plant. In this 15-acre rield fully 25 per cent of the cotton
stalks had been killed by the attacks of this beetle, and in some small areas as much
as half had been killed.

During the day the weevils hide for the most {part in the loose dirt about the plants
at a depth of from one-half an inch to 2 inches. They occurred also on neighboring
farms, but in no other case in such injurious numbers. In all cases the own- -
infested fields reported that the first appearance of these insects in the cotton was in
those portions of the fields that had been in cowpeas the year previous. About
three weeks later — May 27 — the injury became less, owing to the more rapid growth
of the plants, and perhaps also to the greater dissemination of the beetles.

The use of arsenical- is not likely to result satisfactorily unless the treatment is
exceptionally thorough. If cotton is not planted after cowpeas the pest will be dis-
posed of. but the latter crop is very necessary in the rotation plan.- of the Georgia
farmer. Where these beetles appear in the cotton fields in early spring we SUggi -
merely that chopping be as long delayed as possible or until the amount of damage
can be accurately forecasted. The injury will probably not result in more than a
severe thinning, and if care is exercised in chopping a good stand may lit- secured in
nearly all parts of the infested fields. In the laboratory adult beetles placed upon
young cotton plants readily left them and migrated to young cowpea plants near at
hand. A decided preference for cowpeas i- indicated, and trap rows of cowpeas
through the cotton fields might be efficient.

LEAF-EATING CATERPILLARS.

SALT-MARSH CATERPILLAR.

[ Estigmene acraea Dru. Fig. L8

This caterpillar is a common pest in cotton fields and often does
considerable damage locally. A very satisfactory description of the
different stages of the insect has been given by Doctor Hind- in his
account of an outbreak in cotton at Victoria, Tex., so that the follow-
ing note- will merely furnish further data toward a more complete
knowledge of the life history.

al904: Bui. 44. I>iv. Km., V . S. Dept Agric, p. so.

34

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

Table Y

-Transformation records of the salt-marsh caterpilh

Place.

Larva taken.

Pupated.

Days
pupa.

Moth emerged,

June 18

June 20, 27

Julv2

August 29

October 18

25
14
14

August 22, unhealthy.
July 16, 1904.
September 12,1904.
1904

Do

June 29

Do

Do

October 8

Do

July 11

14
24

July 26, 1904.
November 8 to Janu-
ary.

College Station, Tex

September 5, 1902.

October 14-22 . .

Cocoons, May
29, 1885.

Ercildoun, Pa. a

July 17, 1893

July 29

Eggs laid August
3.1893.

Cocoons, March
9, 1883.

a From the records of the Bureau of Entomology.

The notes concerning the cocoons from Paris, Tex., state that they
were found by the million on cotton, and that the caterpillars were
destroying- it and other green plants. As hibernated caterpillars of

e c

Fig. 18.— Estigmene acrsea: a, male moth; b, half-grown larva; c, mature larva, lateral view; d,
head of same, front view; e, egg mass— all slightly enlarged, except d, more enlarged (from
Chittenden).

this family do not usually feed before pupating, these cocoons must
have been those of the first spring generation. In this case there
would probably be four generations in a season. The life history is
exceedingly variable, as may be seen from the above records and by
comparing them with those in Doctor Hinds' account.

Mr. Newell observed in 1902 that Podisus spinosus DalL, which
hatched from eggs taken in the field with the larva? of acrsea, attacked
the young. larvae vigorously and would soon have destroyed all of
them.

THK BEET ARMY WORM. OD

The caterpillars of Estigmene acra&a are parasitized by Apantde*
rileyanus Ashm.

THE ARGE TIGER MOTK

(Apantesis arge Dru. )

The caterpillar of this species is quite similar to the one last men-
tioned and is common on cotton, but has never been noted as very

injurious. Our records concerning its life history arc as follow-:

Table VI. — Transformation records of the arge tiger moth.

Larva taken at Terrell. Pupated.

Ma v 27 Tune 15

. . . : 1 ul v 9

October 11 October IS.

Moth
emerged.

June 26.
July 23.

Apparantly the life history is very much like that of the salt-marsh
caterpillar, probably three generations occurring in a year.

The Division of Entomology received eggs of this species on a
peach twig from J. W. Porter, Charlottesville, Va., April 22, 1887.
which hatched May 4. The larvae commenced to pupate June 23.
and moths issued June 28 and July 2, although even on the latter date
a number of larvae were still feeding. Doctor Chittenden states that a
moth attracted to light April 15 laid eggs April 16, which hatched by
the end of that month. Another lot of larvae transformed to pupa'
June 4, and moths emerged June X6, while others pupated and emerged
just three days later.

THE BEET ARMY WORM.

(Caradrina exigua Him. Fig. 19. )

Larvae of this species were found eating cotton foliage at Terrell
June 20, 1904. These pupated June 23, and a moth emerged July 1 .
July 3 at least 75 eggs were laid in several masses on both sides of the
leaf. These hatched July 6, the larva* pupated July 29, and moths
emerged August 4. More larvae were taken in the Held July 2, eat-
ing leaves and into the squares. These pupated July L0, and moths
emerged July 18.

A very complete account of this species has been given by Doctor
Chittenden. a Recently Prof. C. P. Gillette* has published consider-
able data concerning the life history. His observations show that in
Colorado injury by larva' has been observed in June, the egg hatching
about June 1; again in July, all of this brood having pupated by July
29, and again in August. His observations, as well as those recorded

"1902: Bui. 33^ n. 8., Div. Km., V . S. Dept. Agric, pp. 37-46, figs, 8 and 9; and
1903: 1. c, pp. 36-37.

&1905: Bui. 9*8, Colo. Agric. Exp. Sta., pp. 13-15, PL III.

36 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

by Doctor Chittenden, would seem to indicate that the moth hibernates
over winter. Professor Gillette states that the eggs require four or
five days to hatch, and that the hrst eggs are laid about five and the
last about sixteen da}Ts after emergence. No record of the length of
the larval stage has been given. In Texas the eggs hatched in three
days as against tive, and the pupal stage was six to eight days as
against ten to fourteen — approximately — in Colorado. The length of
the larval stage in Texas Avas twenty -three days. Thus the complete
life cycle from the time of oviposition until the moth lays most of her
eggs would require in that section about forty days.'

Comparing the above data with the life history of the garden web-
worm, as given on pages 12-13, many points of resemblance will be seen.
From this analogy the hibernating moths of the beet army worm

probabl}T oviposit early in
April, the moths maturing
from them — those of the first
generation — being abundant
about the middle of May.
The second generation of
moths emerges during the
first or second week in July,
and the third a little over a
month later — early in August.
A fourth generation of moths
undoubtedly matures by the
third week of September, as
larva? have been taken in
southern California October
24 and November 5, in about
the san.e latitude as southern
Texas. The hibernating moths would thus probably form the fifth
generation. Previous writers are doubtless correct in stating that in
Colorado there are but three generations.

Owing to the destructive habits which this insect has shown in the
Colorado beet fields, its course in the cotton fields as it moves east-
ward will warrant attention.

Parasites. — The July brood of larvae which matured early in August
were badly parasitized by Pristomerus texanus Ashm., Chelonus tex-
anus Cress., and Apanteles algonquinus Ashm.

PLATYNOTA LABIOSANA Zell.

Small green larvae of this species were found rolling up cotton
leaves at Terrell July 2, 1904. They pupated July 11, and moths
emerged July 20. Mally has mentioned Platynota rostrana Walk, as
sometimes working on cotton/'

Fig. 19.—Caradrina exigua: a, moth; b, larva, lateral
view; c, larva, dorsal view: d, head of larva: e, egg,
viewed from, above; /, egg, from side— all enlarged
(e, /, after Hofmann; a-d, after Chittenden).

«1893: Bui. 29, o. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric, p. 30.

THE SNOWY TREE CRICKET. 6i

THE 10 MOTH.
I tomeri* to Fab.

Larva1 of the io moth were found working on cotton at Pari-. Tex.,
in August, 1904. September 8, about a dozen wore found on a single
stalk of cotton at Cooper, Tex.: one of them had pupated by October
1. This is a not uncommon species on cotton, but the injury i- only
local.

INSECTS AFFECTING THE STALKS.

THE SNOWY TREE CRICKET.

(Ecanthus nireus De<i. Fig. 20. )

This insect is of little economic importance in the cotton held, being
beneficial, if anything: hut the fact that the ego> found in the stalks
in winter have been generally mistaken for those of the boll weevil
by persons unacquainted with the habits of the latter inject makes
it of interest. The
eggs are laid in the
fall in the stalks of
cotton and various
large weeds. They
are arranged in a
longitudinal row.
and form a scar with
numerous punctures,
like the scars upon raspberry canes and fruit tree- dig. '21). These
^gg> hatch in early spring and the young feed upon plant lice. The
habits of the nymph- have been well described by Prof . C. O. Hough-
ton." and our observations confirm his statement- regarding the food
habits, except that we have observed the adults to feed somewhat
upon the tender portions of the foliage. The young become full
grown by the middle or latter part of June in Texas, whereas in
Delaware they did not mature until July 25. In the North there is
but one generation a year, but there seems to be good evidence that
two generations occur in Texas.

Two females were placed in a cage June 12. 1904:, at which time the
adults were common. A week later it wa- observed that the leaf
petiole had been eaten until almost severed and the lobes of the Leaves
had also been attacked for food. July 1 it was found that the under-
side of the petiole toward the leaf was the favorite feeding point.
July 8 egos were found deposited in a leaf petiole, sometimes the egg-
puncture extending through it. The egg- are about 1 by 4 nun.

Fig. 20— (EcatdA

dult— three times natural <\ze original) .

k Entomological News, Vol. XV, pp. 57-61.

38

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON" INSECTS.

These eggs hatched July 23, but the nymphs subsequently died. This
observation clearly indicates that oviposition sometimes, if not alwa}Ts,
takes place in July/' During July and August nymphs are commonly
captured by sweeping, though the first generation matured in June.
The fall eggs are not laid until October or November, and during
September fresh adults are found.

The oviposition on cotton is of no practical
importance, and the crickets doubtless do much
unnoticed good in consuming the plant lice always
abundant.

STALK-BORERS.

AMPHICERUS sp.

Early in March, 1904, Mr. J. W. Howell, of Cor-
sicana, Tex., sent cotton stalks containing speci-
mens of a species of Amphicerus. Upon visiting
this field as many as a dozen of these beetles were
often found in a stalk. No injury could be attrib-
uted to them, and it seems probable that they
work merely in the mature stalk and hibernate in
it. The species may be the same as that observed
at San Diego, Tex., by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, who
took specimens of Amphicerus fortis Lee. in old
cotton stalks April 25, 1895.

ATAXIA CRYPTA Say.

This species has been styled the cotton stalk-
borer. It can hardly be considered a cotton insect,
however, as it attacks only diseased or injured
stalks, and normally breeds in cockle. It has not
been recorded as injuring cotton except individual
stalks here and there. The records of the Bureau
of Entomology state that a larva of this species
which had been boring into the root of Xanthium strumarium was for-
warded by Mr. Schwarz from Beeville, Tex., October 26, 1895. One
beetle issued June 24, another July 3, two July 27, and one July 29,
1896. May 1, 1897, a beetle was reared from a stem of cockle from
Tucson, Ariz., three more emerging June 8.

Fig. 21.— (Ecanthus niveus:
egg punctures on stalk
(original).

« June 23, 1905. Mr. Sanborn states that the species has been full grown for at
least five weeks and has been ovipositing. He thinks that there are undoubtedly
two broods.

Bui. 57, Bureau of E*--.

Plate I.

*

Work of Oncideres cingulata on Cotton Stalks.
[These illustration-, running from Left to right, -how earlier and later stages in the girdling pp

I'APAIPEMA NTTELA

39

OBTHOSOMA BRUNNEUM Forst.

A larva, probably of this species, was sent to the Bureau of Ento-
mology by Prof. Wilmon Newell, from Villa Rica, Ga., where it was

stated to be boring into the bases of growing cotton stalk-, [t is
probable that this injury is more or less accidental. The larva usually
works in dead wood; and possibly where dead wood occurred in the
cotton field and was plowed up, the larvae might have attacked the
cotton.

ONCIDERES CINGULATA Say.

In October, 1904, numerous specimens of cotton stalks cut off about
1 foot above the ground were received from Waco. Tex., the work
being undoubtedly that of this species. Subsequently the fields were

Fig. 22. — Papaipema nitela: a, female moth: b, half-grown larva; c, mature larva in injured stalk: d,
lateral view of abdominal segment of same; e, pupa— all somewhat enlarged (from Chittenden .

visited, but none of the beetles could be found, though similar work
was noticed on neighboring hackberry trees. Injury by this insect is
very common to shade and fruit trees, especially to pear, in west-
central Texas.

PAPAIPEMA NITELA (uien.

In July, caterpillars presumably of this species (fig. 22) were tound
not uncommon, boring in the cotton stalks at Terrell, especially along
a small creek. The larva4 enter the stalk 3 or 4 inches above the
ground, boring upward and causing it to wilt and die. The larvae
were very common in the stalks of ' 'blood weed " (Ambrosia trijida)
in Bra/os County, but none were found on cotton. June 24, 1904:,

40

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

specimens were received by the Bureau of Entomology from L. Gold-
man, Lagrange, Ark., who reported them boring into cotton stalks.
Injury b}r this species seems to be rather accidental, and probably
occurs more commonly where fields are weedy, or where they adjoin
uncultivated fields.

INSECTS AFFECTING THE FRUIT.

THE COTTON-SQUARE BORER.

( Uranotes melinus Hbn. Fig. 23.)

History. — In the two brief economic accounts of this species already
published0 it has been considered as an enemy of beans and hops, but
no reference to it as a pest of cotton has been found. Mally has

recorded the similar habits
of CaVycopis cecrqps Fab.
{Thed a pceas Hbn.),^ and
since then much of the inj ury
due to melinus has been re-
ferred to the latter species.
In Texas, although cecrops
is common, by far the largest
amount of damage is done
by tnelinus.

The records of the Bu-
reau of Entomology give
the following data concern-
ing this species: A larva
sent by C. V. Riley, September 16, 1878, taken feeding on cotton at
Augusta, Ga., was found to be parasitized by a species of Apanteles.
September 1, 1880, a larva on cotton was received from Selma, Ala.,
likewise parasitized. July 6, 1880, a larva was received from R. F.
Cooke, Marion, Ala., and parasites emerged the next day, seemingly
Apanteles theclde Rile}'. June 27, 1892, larva? taken on cotton were
sent by L. T. Sanders, from Plain Dealing, La. Under date of June
18, 1895, Mr. E. A. Schwarz, investigating the boll weevil, wrote
from San Diego, Tex. :

My friends here have brought me during the last two days plenty of squares said
to be infested by the weevil, and I myself find others, but in every instance the
author of the mischief is the cotton Thecla, which at present is the only injurious
insect on cotton here.

Mr. Schwarz sent larva? of this species from various points in south
Texas in May and June. One larva was sent by him from Beeville,
22, 1895, and another one from Bergs Mill, Tex.,

Fig. 23. — Uranotes melinus: a, dorsal view of butterfly; b,
butterfly, with wings closed; c, larva from side; d, pupa;
e, egg— all somewhat enlarged, except e, greatly enlarged
(all except e redrawn from Howard).

Tex., October

«1895: Riley and Howard, Insect Life, Vol. VII, pp. 354-355; and 1902: Chit-
tenden, Bui. 33, n. s., Div. Ent., IT. S. Dept. Agric, pp. 101-102.
?> 1893: Bui. 29, o. s., Div. Ent., IT. S. Dept. Agric, pp. 29-30.

THK COTTON-SQUABE BORER. 41

December 9. He also sent a pupa from Beeville November 29, the

butterfly from which emerged December 2<>.

Butterflies of this species arc always common about the cotton field,
and may be seen laying their eggs upon the foliage. Injury is more
prevalent, however, when- cotton adjoins or succeeds cowpeas, upon
which plant the larva1 feed readily, according to the testimony of
planters preferring it to cotton. Injury to cotton squares is exactly
like that done by young bollworms later in the season, but occur- when
the first squares appear. Often when the squares have been destroyed
a larva will bore into the young stalk. Local injury to young cotton
is often quite serious.

Life history. — The butterflies appear about the middle of April and
eggs are laid in May. The larvae of this generation are most injurious
to cotton, and butterflies from tbem emerge late in June and early in
July. A third brood of butterflies emerges in August. Larvae are
taken during September and October, and pupae later in the fall, so
that it seems probable that the winter is usually passed in the pupal
stage, in old leaves, under rubbish or bark, etc., though sometimes a
butterfly emerges in December and may hibernate. Mr. Sanborn
observed the butterflies October 15, 1904, more abundant than at any
time during the summer. At that time they were feeding on castor
bean blossoms. The different generations are by no means distinct,
and quite possibly four ma}' occur in a season. After the first brood
the larvae are so parasitized that injury to cotton is not usually appar-
ent, though considerable damage was noticed October 8, 1904, at
Clay. Tex.

In addition to the food plants noted in the previous accounts — cotton
and cowpeas —eggs and larvae have been taken on "goatweed" (Oroton
capitatu8\ and a single larva, apparently of this species but not reared.
was found boring into a half-grown peach in May. other fruit bearing
marks of similar injury.

The small yellowish or almost transparent e^o: is laid on the leaf
stem just at or upon the base of the leaf. The female, in ovipositing,
bends the ovipositor downward and forward, so that she may deposit
her ego; upon the under side of the leaf though resting 14)011 the upper
surface. No eggs have been observed upon the squares. The egg-
hatch in from two to five days. The larva becomes full grown in fif-
teen or sixteen days in midsummer, though twenty-nine days are
required in May. The length of tlu^ pupal stage averages about ten

day-. Thus the complete life cycle occupies about a month. 'Hie
records of rearings are summarized as follows:

42

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

Table VII. — Transformation records of the

cotton

■square borer.

Place.

Egg laid. |iJ§fed.

Larva taken. g^|

Pupated.

Days
pupa.

Adult emerged.

Adults col-
lected.

Junell,full Died.

grown.
June 21 . .

June 23.:.
July 11 . . .
Julv 21 ...
July 25 ...
August 14.
....do

Died.

8-11

10

13

Died.

7

June 25,29

15

Julv 17,22 ....

August 1

August 7

August 21

College 1

Julv 2 Julv 6 . .

April 27.
May 11.

Tex.

July 26 . July 28 .

J 16

Aug. 2

Oct. 8, near- , Died.
iy full
grown.

! Died.

29

June 15.
July 14, 21.

August 7.

April 2S. May 3 ..
May 6.. May 11 .

June 9

June 30...
July 19 . . .

11
9
9

June 20

Julv 8

July 28

April 20.
August 5,26.
Julv 30 ..

Terrell,

Tex.

Julv 5

October 22.. Died.

September. 6.

i

The pupal stage is passed in a folded leaf, which is drawn together
with a few strands of silk and which is attached to the stalk or under
some shelter.

As yet injury by this species has been local, and rarely has any
considerable amount occurred year after year in the same fields. This
is undoubtedly due to the exceedingly effective work of the parasites.
Should remedial measures be desired, thoroughly dusting or spraying
the foliage of the young plants with Paris green or other arsenical
will doubtless result in killing many of the young larva?, as they feed
somewhat upon the foliage in the same manner as the true boll worm.

Parasites. — As noted above, the June caterpillars are so thoroughly
parasitized that it is difficult to rear adults from larvae taken from the
fields. Were it not for this good work of the parasites the insect
would be a most serious enemy of the planter. Practically all of the
parasites bred were Apanteles cardidcola Pack., but one lot of cater-
pillars was parasitized by Metadontia <nii<vn<t Say, which Doctor Ash-
mead states is "a rare species long lost to science."

THE COTTON-BOLL CUTWORM.

(Prodenia ornithogalli Gvien. Figs\ 24 and 25.)

The larya of this species was commonly observed in north Texas
feeding upon the foliage of the young cotton plants, and later boring
into the bolls in the same manner as does the bollworm. The species
was under study thrpughout the season at Terrell, and the data con-
cerning its life histor}T are given in the following table:

Table VIII.

Eggs laid.

Transformation records of the cotton boll cutworm..

Days

Eggs hatched. Larva taken.

Days ,
larva.

Pupated.

August 9 .
August 27
October i;

March 30 April 5

May 14 May 21

May 28

June 28 July 4

July 10 July 15

18 August 27

21 i September 17 .

(i0 December 17 . .

pupa.

Moth emerged:

36 May 11.

June 9.
June 12.
Julv 15.
July 25.
September 12.
September 28.
January 5.«

a One moth emerged.

THE COTTON'-KOLL CUTWORM.

43

The first larva taken oh March 30 was full grown, and was feeding
upon amb'd quarter (Chenopodium alburn). All the others were taken
on cotton. No eggs were secured from reared moths, hut two lots
were found in the field. The brown, globular eggs were deposited
upon the under side of a cotton leaf, in a pile of about 2<»<> or more.
They are laid in rows in a nearly square mass, fifteen to twenty
in a row and about fifteen rows. The mass is covered with light-brown
down from the female, which hides the eggs from view.

Of several larvae pupating December IT. one adult emerged January
5. the remainder dying- in the pupal stage.

Owing to the very complete description and account of this species
given by Doctor Chittenden a it is unnecessary to enter into further
discussion concerning it except to indicate its life history.

Fio. 24. — Prodenia orntthogalli: dark form,
mule, above; pale form, female, below—
somewhat enlarged (from Chittenden i.

a b

Pig. 25. — Prodenia ornUhogalli: a, pale
form of larva: b, dark form: (.lateral
view of abdominal segments Of pale
form; d. of dark form— all enlarged
i from Chittenden |.

In addition to the records published by Doctor Chittenden, the

following notes in the records of the Bureau of Entomology upon
Prodenia jlavimedia, which is now considered synonymous with this
species, are of interest. September 13, 1878, a larva sent by ('. Y.
Riley was received from Albany. Ga. October 5. 1878. another larva
was received from Professor Riley, probably from the same locality.
This specimen commenced to pupate October 8 and the moth emerged
December 27. May 1. L882, a larva was received from E. II. Ander-
son, who stated that he had observed the species feeding on cotton
at Kirk wood. Miss., for several weeks. This larva pupated May 8
and the moth emerged June 5.

L901: Btil. 27, n.s.3 Div. Ent., V. S. Dept. Agric, p. 04.

44

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

These records, with those published by Doctor Chittenden, would
indicate the following as the probable life history of the species in the
Gulf States. The winter is usualty passed in the pupal stage in the
soil, though possibly a few moths, emerging late, hibernate. The first
brood of moths appears from the middle of May until the middle of
June, mostly early in June. A second brood appears during the latter
half of July, and a third late in August and during September. A
few of the fourth brood may emerge in December, but most of them
do not do so until the very early spring, when they lay eggs upon
various weeds on which the larvae feed until cotton appears. The
length of time occupied in the different stages is seen to be quite varia
ble, but is approximately 6 days for the egg, 20 days for the larva,
and 13 days (usually 10 to 15 days) for the pupa — making a total of
about 40 daj^s for the complete life cycle.

A larva of Prodenia eridania Cress, taken on cotton at Terrell
October 22, 1904, pupated November 1 and the moth emerged
November 22.

The caterpillars are parasitized by Ophion bilineatum Sa}T.

THE COTTON LEAF-BUG.

( Calocoris rapidus Say. Fig. 26. )

These capsids were noticed commonly upon cotton at College Station
and elsewhere late in the summer of 1903, and a few were received for

Fig. 26. — Cotton leaf-bug, Calocoris rapidus: a, mature bug; b, young nymph;
c, fourth stage of nymph: d, fifth stage of young (author's illustration).

identification, but little importance was then attached to them. Late
in August, 1904, reports of serious injury to cotton were received from
Kaufman, Hunt, Ellis, and adjoining counties, and Mr. Lewis was
directed to investigate the injury. He reported as follows:

On September 1 the insect was found abundant in all fields examined at Wolfe
City, both nymphs and adults feeding upon the squares, young and half-grown bolls,
and in the blossoms. The nymphs were most numerous on the squares, the adults

THE (OTTOX LEAF-BUG.

45

FIG. 27.— Cotton boll showing-
punctures of CalocorU rapi-

du8 (author's illustration!.

on tlic blossoms and bolls, especially just after the blossom has fallen. Planters

stated that this injury prevents squares from blossoming and that they drop. At

this time but few squares were being injured, but planters stated that tin- bugs had

been very much more abundant and injurious a fortnight previous. In the flower

they feed at the base of the petals, causing it to wilt and drop. The small bolls fed

upon dry up and drop off, while if the larger ones are

much injured they become soft and mushy; some of them

continue to grow on one side, the punctured side being

found dead and discolored. The insect appeared about

the middle of July at Wolfe City, and is stated to have

done some damage in 1903. During the next ten days

fields were visited at Commerce, Ennis, Crisp, Cooper,

and Enloe, and at all of these places conditions were

found much the same as those described above. Most of

the damage seemed to have been done to late cotton and

to the young bolls just after the blossoms had dropped.

The adult bug is a quick flyer and is difficult
to capture when disturbed, though it flies but a
short distance, usually to the next row or for
a few yards only. The nymphs are swift run-
ners and are most common on the young squares.
No eggs were secured, but a very small nymph
not over 2 or 3 days old, which had probably molted but once, was
taken September 8. It molted September 16, 19, and 24. when it
became adult, Another young nymph was taken September 24. molted
September 28, October 3 and 8, when it became adult. The complete
life cycle probably does not occupy over thirty days.

Practically nothing is known of the habits of this species earlier in
the season. Two specimens were taken at trap light at College Sta-
tion April 18, and one was received from Wise. Tex.. June 1. 1903.
At Terrell, the first specimen was taken at trap light June IT, 190-1.
Later, on July 3, three were taken; on the 7th, 4: 8th, 5; 9th. 4: loth. 5;
14th. 6; and 26th, 4.

Where the bugs fed upon the bolls there appeared around each punc-
ture a black spot, much like the early stages of anthracnose (fig. 27).
To determine definitely whether or not this was produced by the punc-
tures of the bugs, six of these were placed on a young cotton plant
about 8 inches high October 1. Five days later the plant was dead
from the injury. October 7 six bugs were placed in a bag over a
fair-sized boll, perfectly green; by the 10th it was well covered with
the black marks made by the bugs. To make certain of the nature o(
the injury, bolls were submitted to Dr. A. F. Woods. Pathologist
and Physiologist of this Department, who reported: "These resemble
somewhat the early stages of anthracnose. but we have been unable to
rind any fungus present, and the spots have not enlarged or developed
any fungus even after several days in a moist chamber." There is no

46 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

doubt, therefore, as to the cause of this injury, which was quite con-
siderable in the counties mentioned and noticeable elsewhere.

That this is no new enemy of cotton is shown by the fact that
Glover in his report on cotton insects in 1855 a mentions and figures
it. Again, in his manuscript notes and plates, he states that it injures
the plant by piercing the leaves and young shoots. b It was next men-
tioned b}T Prof. F. M. Webster* as injuring wheat in Indiana by attack-
ing the heads and causing them to wither. In 1893 Malty gave a brief
description of the injury done to cotton, similar to that recently
observed/''

Calocoris chenopodii, an allied species, has been observed to feed
on larvae of the asparagus beetle in Europe, and Doctor Chittenden
states6 that the present species is not uncommon in asparagus beds.

There seems to be no feasible means of combating the adult bugs;
but the nymphs would undoubtedly succumb to a spray of kerosene
emulsion or similar contact insecticide, which should be applied as soon
as they are observed to be numerous. By such an application during
July, when there are but a few here and there, serious injury by the
increased numbers late in the summer might be prevented.

CORIZTJS PICTIPES Stal.

September 5, 1904, this species, which somewhat resembles the pre-
ceding, was found very abundant in all stages at Sherman, Tex., on a
species of Althaea, affecting it much as the leaf-bug affected cotton.
From eggs which hatched September 5 adult bugs matured October T.
Later in October the species was found on cotton at Terrell, and
specimens taken on cotton were received from Cameron, La., Octo-
ber 10.

OTHER PLANT-BUGS.

The black spots upon the bolls and the consequent shrinking and
softening are not always due to Calo<-<n'is ,-<ij>/(lus Say, as several
other species have been noticed as producing the same injury, although
the}^ do not occur in such large numbers and the injury is not so
general.

largus succixctus Linn.

This species is frequently found on the bolls in late summer,
causing some injury. Adults were found common late in July, and
on the 28th a pair were confined on cowpeas. On August 6 two egg

«1856: Kept. U. S. Comm. Patents f. 1855, Agriculture, p. 87, PI. VII, fig. 6.
&1878: Manuscript notes from my journal — Cotton and the principal insects,
etc. — Washington, pi. 11.

*1885: Kept. Comm. Agric. f. 1885, p. 317.

<*1893: Bui. 29, o.s.,Div. Ent., U. S. Dept: Agric, p. 31.

^1898: Bui. 10, n. s.', Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric, p. 57.

THE GREEN SOLDIER BUG.

47

masses were deposited under trash in the soil, one mass containing 215
eggs. The species has been previously recorded as injurious to cotton
by Glover and Mally (/. <?.), and to nearly ripe peaches near San
Antonio, Tex., by Lintner, who has given the only complete discus
sion of the insect." It has been similarly mentioned by Doctor
Howard/'

JADERA II.KMATOLO.MA H.-Schf.

This dark-bluish bug often occurs on cotton, though no injury by it
has been observed. It normally feeds on weeds and low growing
vegetation. The young, in all stages of growth, were seen feeding
on various weeds at Navasota, Tex., about the middle of May. The
nymphs have the interesting habit of keeping together, so that a con-
siderable number are found feeding in one spot; but as they grow
older the}' drift apart, and the adults are usually found in pairs. V^^>
laid July 20 hatched on the 29th. On August 4, adults which were
found common on the china- berry tree were confined on cotton, and
were observed to oviposit in crevices of the soil. Jn oviposition the
female turns the abdomen upward at a decided angle and expels the
egg, which falls to the ground. After laying about a dozen eggs in
this manner she makes use of her forefeet to cover them with loose
particles of soil. Copulation takes place after each laying. Eggs
were also found in the hull of a china
berry, in which they seemed to have
been hidden. Probably they are laid
under any sort of rubbish on the soil.

LEAF-FOOTED PLANT-BUGS.

(Leptoglossus oppositus Saw tig. 2S, and Metapo-
diusfemoratus Fab. )

These insects have been frequently
observed by Messrs. Lewis and Bishop})
in north Texas puncturing cotton bolls
and causing more or less injury. Both
were mentioned by Glover as cotton

Fig. 28. — Leptoglosstis oppositns: adult
insects. twice natural size (from Chittenden).

THE GREEN SOLDIER BUG.

[Nezara hilaris Say. Fig. 29.)

A letter dated March V. L903, from Mr. K. L. Taylor, of Help, Tex.,
first called attention to this insect as a cotton pest. Mr. Taylor sent

«1885: Second Rept. N. V. State Knt.. \k L64, fig. 41.
&1901: The Insect Book, i>. 307, tig. -200.

48

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

a specimen he had that day found in the woods and stated that in 1902
this insect had ruined his cotton crop. As many as three of the bugs
were found on one boll, and by shaking the stalks as many as five
bolls would sometimes drop, presumably as a result of their injury.
The statement that the injury was done by this insect may be ques-
tioned, but its identity could hardly be confused; and, judging from
later observations, if it occurred in the numbers stated, the injury
would undoubtedly be serious.

In September and October, 1904, Mr. Lewis frequently found these
bugs puncturing bolls at Terrell, causing black spots and injuring the
lint. September 1 a mass of fifty eggs was taken at Wolfe City, and
several masses were previously taken at Terrell. These eggs hatched
September 2, the young nymphs being almost black. The nymphs
molted September 5, 19, 26, and October 1, the wing-pads appearing
on the latter date. The last molt occurred on October 11.

The adult bugs hibernate over winter, as is shown by the fact that
specimens have been taken at Wellborn, Tex., March 7, 1903, and at
Manor, Tex., March 29, 1901.

The insect has been known as a resident of cotton fields before, but
its exact status has never been determined. In the Fourth Report of
the United States Entomological Commission, page 79, it was reported

as feeding upon the
cotton caterpillar.
Riley and Howard
record injury )rv it
to cotton and also
to garden plants at
Tallahassee, Fla.,
November 11, 1890. a
Nymphs were also
recorded by them as
seriously injuring-
beans in Stafford
County, Va. , Sep-
tember 30, 1889. h
The records of the Bureau of Entomology show the insect to be
undoubtedly an enenry of the orange tree and to have a wide range of
food plants. March 19, 1883, eggs, nymphs, and adults were received
from Mr. T. Franklin, West Apopka, Fla., who stated that they were
injuring orange trees. More eggs and n}Tmphs were received April 7.
October 3, 1898, specimens were received from W. L. Thomas, Val-
dosta, Ga., who reported great numbers injuring leaves and fruit in

« 1891: Insect Life, Vol. Ill, p. 403.
&1889: Insect Life, Vol. II, p. 148.

Fig. 29.— Nezara hilaris: a, mature bug: 6. beak of same; c, egg mass;
d, single egg; e, young nymph; /, last stage of nymph— all enlarged;
b, d, more enlarged (from Chittenden).

THE GUiA88Y-WLNGED 8HABP8HOOTEB. 49

his orange grove, in Orange County. Fla. January 5, L899, Mr. J. P.
Donnelly, of Mount Dora, Fla. , sent an adult of the species and stated
that they were sucking- the juices of his oranges. The specimen sent
had been attacked and killed by Euthyrhynchus Horidanus Linn..
which accompanied it. Injury to cabbage, coin, cotton, and pea- was
reported by Mr. J. P. Cooksey, Pin Hock, Fla.. January 6, L892, and
injury to peaches from the adult bugs by Mr. J. P. Lorenson, Salt
Lake City, Utah, September 12, 1898. September 26, 1904, Doctor
Chittenden observed the adults puncturing okra pods at Washington,
D. C.

THTANTA CUSTATOK Fab. AND PROXYS PUNCTULATUS BeailV.

These insects were also frequently observed on cotton bolls, though
no injury could be directly attributed to them. The former species
was exceedingly destructive to various field crops — corn, sorghum,
cow peas, etc. — in north Texas in 1903.

SHARPSHOOTERS.

Although the first species to be discussed below is the one commonly

known as the ••sharpshooter" of cotton, we may well consider three
others, nearly related and with very similar habits. All four specie-
are found more or less on cotton, and would not be readily distin-
guished by the average planter.

tin: glassy- winged sharpshooter.

(Hbmalodisca triquetra Fab. Fig. 30.)

Life history. — The adults pass the winter in rubbish, leaves, etc..
near the food plants. On January 11. 1905, they were found feeding
on yaupon (Ilex decidua), reported by Mr. Sanborn as one of their
favorite food plants. On cold days they crawl down among the trash
and leaves. They begin to leave their hibernating quarters late in
March, our first record at College Station being March '24. 1904, but
are not common until two weeks later. On April *>. 1904, adults were
common along a small tributary near the Brazos River on hackberry
(Oeltis mississippiensis) and cottonwood, and still more numerous on
elm and willow. On April 14 they were exceedingly numerous on
(dm and hackberry, the droppingof their exudation being very notice-
able: but none were found copulating. At this time numerous jassid
nymphs were found upon these tree's, but. as we were then unfamiliar
with the nymph of t riqw tra and were unable to rear any of them, the
species is uncertain. The occurrence at this time oi these nymphs,
which if not the species under discussion, must certainly have been
nearly related to it. indicates, in any event, the possibility o( oviposi-
tion in early April, although this is certainly not common. Numerous
observations were made each week, vet none were found mating until

50 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

May 13, when a single pair was observed. On May 20 several pairs
were observed en copula and other females were found to be full of
mature eggs. At this time they had left the elms and some had migrated
to sorghum, cotton, corn, and sunflowers, but they were still common on
hackberry. On June 10 the adults were numerous on sunflower and
pigweed; and nymphs, undoubtedly of this species, were found on
hackberry. On the 17th as many as fifty to the stalk were observed
on sunflowers; but although common on weeds at the edges of the
fields, none were found on cotton. During the weeks previous to
this date none were seen on elm or hackberry, but they were quite com-
mon on cottonwood. During June and July numerous unsuccessful
attempts were made to secure eggs from adults in confinement. Until

about July 20 the adults were

common upon sunflower and

\ /"~\ cottonwood, but at about that

\ J X / date the}7 became more scarce,

VV/ and were found only on young

bushes. During the early

// ■';' • % summer a few nymphs in vari-

^ II 1] ^ ' . ous stages of development

: \\ were usually found with the

/ I \ adults.

^%$T At Terrell several adults

\ % ^ a were confined on cotton June

IT. The next day one lot of
ten eggs was laid in a row
just under the epidermis.
Vrr, on rr , 7- , , 7 u t , P+ , f f These hatched June 24, and

Fig. 30. — Homti/oih^cti tn</uelra: adult at left, last stage '

of nymph at right; young nymph below— all enlarged the nymphs molted Oil July

(author's illustration). ^ -, i o- it 1. ^ r ah

11 and 25 and August 15. All
died on August 26. After the third molt the wing pads were just
appearing. Judging from this fact and comparing further observa-
tions on nymphs taken in the field August 8, which molted once
before becoming adult, it seems probable that had these nymphs
lived they would have molted twice more and become full grown
early in September. During the latter half of July the adults were
decidedly less abundant near College Station. About the 1st of
August the cowpea was found to be a favorite plant for food and
for oviposition. Young were observed hatching on August 3, and
5, and at about the same time n}Tmphs were observed to make the last
molt and become adult. During the first two weeks of August numer-
ous egg masses were laid in cowpea leaves in field cages at the college,
often two or three masses in a leaf. The eggs are usually laid in rows
on the ventral side of the leaf, averaging about twenty in a row. The
surface of the leaf above the eggs is covered with a whitish powder

TJN-. GLAb8Y-WINGED 3HABPSHOOTER.

from the body of the female, which givesthem :i very striking appear-
ance and at first sight seems to be a decided disadvantage, but which
possibly is of some value in protecting them from parasites. This
wears otf in a few day-, often leaving a margin of white around the

ergs. Eggs known to have been laid August 17 hatched about 7 a. m.
on the 25th almost simultaneously. About twenty minutes later the
nymphs changed from a bright green to a metallic lead color and had
increased very rapidly to about twice the size at which they emerged.
On August 1^ more adult- were found on okra than on any other plant.
Eggs were common on the bloodweed, and were also found at College
Station on catalpa. Only a few sporadic adults were found on cotton.
Nymphs were most common alone- the Brazos River on young elm.
box elder, mulberry, and bloodweed. About the middle of August a
very large percentage of the egg> became parasitized by Ooctomis
hornalvdiscae Ashm. n. -p.. so that it was exceedingly difficult to rear
nymph-. The larva of a chrysopid was also observed feeding on the
young nymph-. This larva, which was colored like the petiole at the
base of the leaf, awaited it- prey upon the red spot at that point. On
August i"1 an egg ma— was found deposited in the bract of the invo-
lucre in a field cage in which adults had been placed on cotton in the
Brazos bottom. These were parasitized, but -ix eggs were found in
one -mall boll. This is the only instance in which any injury to cot-
ton was observed under held conditions. On August 28 the adult-
were quite abundant on tig trees and on cotton near the Brazos, but no
eggs were found on tig. On August i?T egg- were taken on okra and
catalpa. By September 1 the adult- were much less common on cow-
peas, but one lot of egg> deposited September 15 hatched the 22d. On
October 8 adults and nymphs in the last stage were taken on the tie-
tree-, but no egg- could be found.

At Terrell a nymph with wing pad- just -bowing was taken August
8, and became mature upon molting August 15. On August 24, adults
were found in the field, which from their bright color and texture
were evidently newly transformed. Eggs laid September 6 hatched
September 12.

These observations mav be brieflv summarized a- follow-:

E IX.

Transformation records of (hi glassy-winged sharpshooter,

Place.

Mating.

aiil.

Eatcbed. Nymph-.

• irown
nymph-.

New
adu

f....

.....

••• ....

June 18.

June -Jl August 15

;'»! Btage, Au-
gust -

Angus

Terrell. Tex...

....

September 6. .

1....
Maj

i. 1

io-ju!

Soon after

May 20.

August 5

August 17

September l">.

October 22

» >i[.

College statin
Tex.

August 11. IS

August 3

....

....

-

-

52 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

It will be seen that the eggs hatch in six or seven da}Ts; but that
the period of oviposition lasts for a number of weeks, so that the two
broods overlap more or less. There seems abundant evidence that
there are two and more probably three full broods. Concerning this
matter Prof. E. D. Ball, one of the best authorities on the Jassidae,
writes as follows:

If adults go over winter they would surely not have second stage larvae by April
14, as overwintering species usually have to feed long enough in the spring to develop
their eggs, and* usually larvae are later in appearing than from overwintering eggs by
about a month. The record of "sexes copulating May 20" would be about the
record I should expect for an overwinter adult.

However, as previous^ noted, the adults frequently come out and
feed on warm days during the winter months, and as the season was
early and the previous winter very open in 1904, it is entirely possi-
ble that there may sometimes be an additional spring brood; but this
is undoubtedly not true in the large majority of cases.

These insects seem to be much more active in the spring than in the
fall, but are decidedly more hardy in the fall. On October 11 it was
observed that they did not move around much and were not easily
disturbed. Early in the morning, in early summer, they will jump
like a grasshopper when disturbed; but if the plant is slightly jarred
in the middle of the day they fly with a distinct buzz.

Frequently a large white spot of lime-like matter is found toward
the tip of the wing of this species, often more or less rubbed off.
Mr. Sanborn has observed the formation of this spot:

It is transferred to the wing from the anus with the distal end of the metatibia.
When exuded it is globular and resembles an egg, but is not pure white. With an
adroit motion of the hind leg the insect secures the drop as it is drawn past the anus,
and with a forward movement it is brought against the side of the wing to which it
adheres. A similar spot is then placed in the same manner on the other wTing.
These spots occur on both sexes.

Food plants.— In addition to those mentioned above, the following
food plants have been observed: Wild grape (Vitis cinerea), Osage
orange, Johnson grass, thornj^ amaranth {Amaranthus spinosus),
cocklebur (Xanthium canadense), grape, banana, and apple. Riley
and Chittenden record it as attacking asparagus in South Carolina.

Supposed injury. — During August there is always considerable com-
plaint that "sharpshooters" are injuring cotton by causing the squares
and small bolls to flare and drop. Many of these complaints have been
investigated. The writer has solicited reports of injury, with the offer
to personally investigate thern, and has had extensive correspondence
upon the matter with many planters, but no evidence of such injury
being due to this insect has been secured. On the other hand, all
manner of insects were sent us, many even considering the boll worm

THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER. 53

as "the sharpshooter." Moreover, when the insect was described to
planters, many recognized it as "the dodger," which name they had
given it from its characteristic habit of dodging around the stalk when
slightly disturbed, and stated that though they had seen it commonly
on cotton for years they had never thought it injurious. In our own
field observations we have sometimes seen this species quite abundant
on cotton, but have never noted any injurious effect from its presence.
and it is never so abundant on cotton as on other preferred food
plants. It is exceedingly fond of young sorghum, sunflowers, and
bananas. Prof. H. A. Morgan informs us that he has seen sunflowers
considerably injured by the large numbers of these insects upon them.
To further test the matter, numerous observations were made upon
individuals confined in cages upon cotton, both in the laboratory and
field. In only one instance was anything like injury to the squares
observed. In this instance two specimens were confined on a twig of
cotton bearing three squares. Five days later two of the squares were
flaring, and by very close examination a very small puncture, but
slightly larger than the black markings on the square, was found on
the side of each. Observations a few days later in a field where the
adults were very abundant on cotton showed no such injury, however,
so that it is doubtful whether or not the supposed punctures were
made by these insects. Indeed, it is safe to assert that the insect does
not feed or oviposit upon the squares or bolls, except by the merest
accident in very exceptional cases. It is always seen feeding upon the
stems, and the v^g^ are laid in the leaves or possibly in the bracts, but
preferably on other plants than cotton.

The occurrence of this species on cotton has been noted by Riley
and Howard in Insect Life/' The only other previous observations
recorded are those of Mally and Banks/' who give a very excellent and
detailed account of the process of oviposition and state that "they feed
by puncturing the epidermis at the base of the fiowerbud or the very
young boll * * * . Soon after the form or small boll will 'flare5
and drop off. If examined when about to drop off a small roundish
black spot will be found upon the peduncle, the base of the form, or
boll." This is stated to refer to the feeding habits of the young. It
is the popular impression, however, that it is due to the feeding i^' the
adults. As previously stated, neither the writer and assistants nor.
as we are informed, any of the other field agents of this Bureau, work-
ing in the cotton fields of Texas and Louisiana have been able to rec-
ognize any injury caused by this insect. We therefore wrote Pro-
fessor Mally concerning the above account of the injury and received

a 1S9L>: Vol. V, pp. 150-154, tig. 10.

&1893: Bui. 29, o. s., Div. Ent, U. S. Dept A.gric, pp. 31-33,

54 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

the following reply, which it will be noticed much more closely agrees
with our observations and practically explains the seeming differences:

Replying to your favor of August 11 (1904), making inquiry concerning my obser-
vations upon Homalodisca coagulata (triquetra), I beg to state as follows: The observa-
tions on the laying of the two eggs were the first in which I actually saw the deposi-
tion made. Later on, however, I found the egg-laying in greater quantities and in a
row, as y ou indicate you have observed. So far as I have ever observed, they always
lay just underneath the epidermis of the leaves or stems, and I have often found them
on the outer surface or at the base of the involucre of the squares and forms. I cer-
tainly ought not to be quoted as observing them laying their eggs within the young
form and squares, because it is not correct [in reply to my query concerning the
statement in Insect Life to this effect]. The small black speck which you speak of
on the squares is certainly not due to the egg deposition of this sharpshooter; neither
is it due to the feeding habits of these leaf-hoppers, especially if they are more than
half grown. The newly hatched sharpshooters feed more or lesd under shelter; that
is, they may be more or less hidden; for this reason the very young are often found
in the bud, so called, of the tender growing tips of the branches on cotton. It is
here, while the leaf buds and fruit buds are bunched together and in a formative
condition, that the most serious damage is done. The feeding punctures are often
not serious enough to shed the squares until they grow out and attain some size. Just
where the square has been punctured can not be readily determined when the injury
has been done while the square was very young, as it simply yellows a little and
sheds. However, there is no question but that much of the shedding charged to
the sharpshooter is due to natural causes or lack of proper nutrition in the plant.

You will not find the second brood very clearly indicated by anything you will
find in the cotton crop or, in fact, any of the cultivated crops which it is known to
attack. It seems to prefer the indigenous plants of various kinds, where the later
brood and egg laying has a better chance of escaping destruction.

Summing up all our information, we are forced to conclude that the
possible injury to the cotton plant from this insect and those to be dis-
cussed below which might easily be confused with it, is inconsiderable;
and that the shedding usually attributed to injury by the vague and
unknown ;t sharpshooter1' is due to pureLy natural causes involved in
the physiology of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF NYMPH, BY E. D. BALL.

Head long, flat, shovel-like as in the adult, but not as much inclined. Vertex flat
or slightly concave on the disc, with the margins rounding. Jugse distinct, shorter
than in the adult; front very similar to the adult in the pupae, somewhat flatter in
the younger stages. Clypeus rounded. Color pale olivaceous-brown; front pale;
arcs on front, a continuation of them on vertex, and a pair of depressions at base of
vertex, slightly fuscous. The ocelli appear as pale-reddish spots in the pupa?.
Front with median fuscous stripe widest above and fading out on clypeus. There is
sometimes a faint median light stripe on abdomen and usually a row of white dots
on either side midway to the margin. Legs pale, the anterior tibiae flattened in the
later stages; claws dark.

ONCOMETOPIA LATERALIS Fab.

(Fig. 31.)

This species has been fully as common in cotton fields investigated
by us as the last, but being smaller is not so readily seen. We have
never observed the species in large numbers on any of its food plants.

ONCOMETOPIA LATERALIS.

Our notes upon it are meager, but indicate that the life history is
probably the same as for the last species. The adult- emerge from
hibernation about the last week in March, though specimens were sent
as from Ondee, Tex., January 25, L903. The adult- arc most abun-
dant during June and July. Mr. Lewis observed the oviposition
at Terrell several times. The eggs arc laid just beneath the epider-
mis, ten or twelve in a row. in practically the same manner as by
//. triquetra.

Table X. — Transformation records of Oncometopia lateralis.

Eggs laid.

3 - batched.

Nymphs died.

May 30 "

.Tunc 6 rune ]0.

August 20.

During- the preceding summer we endeavored to rear the nymphs

in a field cage, but all died. It would seem that there are two distinct

generations, the larger number

occurring in July being the new i /*"% i

adults, which oviposit in August. lot M) /

Professor Ball, however, finds

but one generation in Colorado.

He writes us a> follows:

The .species (0. lateralis) is but single
brooded in all parts of Colorado from
the coldest to the warmest. The adults
hibernate over winter, as do all of the
tettigonids here, and are common from
the middle of March into June, most of
them disappearing by the middle of that
month; hut a few scattering ones run on
into July. They lay eggs in May and Jun<
continue to c >me out through June, the last ones disappearing in August, about the
15th. Fresh males appeared July 6 — the females not until later— and ran on through
tlic season, without mating or developing eggs. Thus there is a wide variation in the
time of appearance of all stages: one could find nearly full grown larvae in June and
again in August, two months later. From almost daily observations on a single area

where they were (0111111011. I am very positive that there is hut one brood.

The difference in latitude between Colorado and Texas— equal to
that between Washington, D. C, and Jacksonville, Fla. however,
will easily account for another brood occurring in Texas.

. 31. — Oncometopia lateralis; adult aud nymph —
greatly enlarged I author's illustration .

The first larva' appear about May l'4 and

MX KII'IION"

NYMI'll, BY E. I>. H U.I..

Head much longer and more inflated than adult, with about the same anterior
slope. Front Longer and narrower, proportionately, giving the larva a much more
pointed head 88 viewed from the side, and a long sloping face. Color: pale, creamy
yellow, a round black spot at apex of head; from this two fairly definite dark stripes

56

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

extend the entire length of the body; these stripes are often narrowly interrupted on
a line with the antenme. Another pair of dark stripes originate behind the eyes,
and extend along the margin to the wing pads, where they divide and continue
slightly obliquely to the margin of the latter, appearing again as single stripes on the
abdomen. A transverse band runs in from the antennal sockets on each side.
Front with five brown stripes, the median and lateral ones narrow and definite, the ■
intermediate ones which arise on the vertex are broad and interrupted by light arcs.
Legs pale.

The species is entire!}- harmless to cotton, and, so far as we have
observed, and as may be judged from the fact that no records of injury
by it have been published, it does not damage any cultivated crops.

ONCOMETOPIA UNDATA- Fab.

(Fig. 32.)

The life history of this sharpshooter also seems to closely resemble
those of the preceding species. The adults emerge from hibernation
late in March, our first record being on the 22d. At this season and

throughout the summer they
are particularly fond of redbud
( ( '< rcis canadensis) and are also
common on elm. The first eggs
were laid in confinement on
cotton at Terrell May 5, and
the first observation on adults
mating in the Held was made
on May 9. Three more lots of
eggs were laid May 11, the de-
position being much like that
of Q. lateralis. These eggs
hatched in eight and ten days.
Those which hatched the 13th
molted on the 26th and again
on June 10. On June 30 all
were dead, the wing pads just appearing on the larger ones. On
July 2 Mr. Lewis observed in the cotton field numbers of this species,
which, judging from their fresh, bright colors, had evidently just
become mature. A few were copulating. Eggs were laid July 1 by
females confined on cotton. The eggs were laid, as a rule, on the
under side of the leaves, the single exception being laid on the out-
side of the involucre, but not on the square. In the cage they were
observed feeding on the leaves and stems of cotton, but never were
seen resting on the squares. These eggs hatched July 10 and all the
nymphs were dead by the 15th. By August 15 nymphs were found
in the field with wing pads forming. On September 5 three adults
were inclosed over a cotton limb, and on the 12th young nymphs were

Fig. 32. — Oncometopia undata: adult at left, nymph at
right— greatly enlarged (author's illustration).

ONCOMETOPIA DNDATA. D i

found, though the eggs were not observed. Our latest record for the
adults in the field is October 10, L902, at Courtney, Tex., but it is
quite possible that they may occur later. It seems clear that there
are two generations of this species, and there is a derided probability
of at least a partial third generation.

The species is entirely harmless to cotton and is much more common
on trees. It was reported as quite injurious to grapes at San Marcos,
Tex.. May L0, 1886,° and at Greensboro, Ala., dune 25, L890,J and we
have recently had similar reports. Lugger has also given a short
description of the species and its work on grape.c It was responsible
for the so-called 4* weeping willow." which attracted public attention in
north Texas in L889,d the '* weeping" being due to the remarkable excre-
tion of this species, which very frequently is ejected to a considerable
distance. This has been observed and reported to us by Mr. J. ('.
Melcher, of O'Quinn, Tex. It has also been recorded in Insect Life
as occurring on orange trees in Florida and on cabbage and okra in
Mississippi. On August 8, 1896, the records of the Bureau of Ento-
mology state that specimens were received from Joseph Husband,
Leanderville, 111. He wrote that they infested apple, pear, and plum
trees, and he had counted Id specimens on a young shoot 18 inches
long.

Dr. F. H. Chittenden states that the species is abundant in the Dis-
trict of Columbia, and prefers for food the half-woody stems of volun-
teer parsnips growing in shack1. The nymphs and adults are found
particularly on elder. The species has been previously noted on cot-
ton by Riley, Mally, and others, but no injury was reported. We
must therefor*1 conclude that, although occasionally injurious to
grapes, the specie's is practically harmless to cotton.

DESCRIPTION OF NYMPH, BY E. I). BALL.

Head of general iorm of adult, less inclined ami slightly more inflated, almost
semicircular before the eyes ami evenly rounding on to front. Body stout, about as
wide as head, with abdomen tapering to a blunt apex. Color pale straw, marked
with irregular pale fuscous lines and spots. Vertex with a fairly definite band con-
necting the antennae, ami another between the eyes, usually interrupted in the mid-
dle and connected by longitudinal stripes, dividing the disk of the vertex into irregu-
lar oval compartments. A median basal pair of compartments contain two very
definite dark spots. Anterior margin of vertex and front with three longitudinal
stripes, the median one narrow and definite, the lateral ones broad and irregular
above and narrowing down to a line below, where they curve in and unite with the
median one. All three stripes interrupted by a narrow light line apparently sepa-
rating vertex ami front. Pronotal and abdominal segments very irregularly marked
with stripes ami dots. Legs pale.

O1890: Riley and Howard, [nsect Life, Vol. II. p. 321.

&1890: Riley and Howard, Insect Life, Vol. Ill, p. 123.

'• litoi): link <;u. Minn. Agric. Exp. Sta., p. 136.

"'iss<. Riley and Howard. Insect Life. Vol. II, p. 161, and 1891: loc. cit, Vol.111,
p. 41.").

58

MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

AULAOIZES IRKORATA Fab.

(Fig. 33.)

This species is also not uncommon on cotton. Mr. Lewis found it
feeding on cotton at Terrell, July 2, 1904. Eggs
were laid in a cotton stalk in the laboratory on
July 6, one bunch of twelve and another of six-
teen. The eggs hatched July 14, the young nymphs
being nearly white. On July 15 eggs taken on
cotton in the field had also been deposited in the
stem. The eggs are laid in a row up and down
the stalk just below the epidermis. In ovipositing,
the female inserts her ovipositor just beneath the
epidermis and deposits an egg^ then backs a little
and deposits another until a slit about half an inch
long, in which the eggs are laid, is formed.

Adults were taken at trap light at College
Station, May 27, 1904, and at Courtney, Tex.,

Fig. 33.— A ulac < us irro
rata: adult— much en
larged (author's illus-
tration ) .

October 10, 1902.

OYPONA OCTOLINEATA hay.

This is a common inhabitant of cotton fields and was specially
noticed at Wellborn, May 29, 1904.

I N 1) E X

Page.
Agrotis ypsilon

Alfalfa, food plant of Aphis medicaginis 27

Jjoxi tstege sim ilalis L3

Althaea, food plant of Corizus pictipes 4b'

Amaranth, thorny. See Amaranthus spinosus.

Amaranthus blossoms, occurrence of Nysius angustatus eggs 31

food plant of Loxostt ge similalis 13

spinosus, food plant of Homalodisca triquelra 52

spp., food plants of LachnosU rna lana olala Is

Ambrosia trifida, food plant of Papaipema nitt la 39

Amphicerus sp ;!x

Apantdes algonquinus, parasite of < 'aradrina exigua

carduicola, parasite of Uranoles melinuz 42

laphygma , parasite of LoxosU ge similalis 13

rileyanus, parasite of Estigmt ne acra a 35

sp.. parasite of Uranotes melinus 40

tin da . parasite of Uranotes melinus 40

Apantesis argt 35

Aphis, bur clover. See Aphis medicaginis.

cichorii, A. medicaginis probable synonym ! B

cotton. See Aphis gossypii.

gossypii 26-27

intyin — A. cichoirii

im dicaginis 26-29

description

descriptions of stages 29

probably =A. cichorii

melon. See Aphis gossypii.

Apple, food plant of Z>< UephUa lineata 16

Homalodisca triqut tra 52

Oncometopia undata 57

Arge tiger moth. See Apantesis arge.
Army worm, beet. See Caradrina exigua.

Asparagus, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 52

beetle, Calocoris chenopodii as enemy 46

rapidus as probable enemy 46

Astragalus bisulcatus, food plant of Aphis m< dicaginis .' 28

Ataxi i crypta 38

Aulacizes irrorata

Autonu ris io 37

Banana, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 52,53

Bean, food plant of Lachnostema farcta 19

Nezara hUaris 48

Uranotes melinus 40

Beet army worm. See faradrina exigua.

BUgar, food plant of Agrotis ypsilon 9

]>• ilephila lineata 16

Blackbirds, feeding on Loxostege similalis 14

lf< lanoplus liji'i rentialis 22

Blissus It ucopU rus 30

Bloodweed, food plant of Homalodisca triqut tra 51

See also Ambrosia trifida.

59

60 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

PaL;e.

Bobolinks, feeding on Melanoplus differentialis 22

Boiscluvalia, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Borers, stalk. See -Stalk-borers.

Box-elder, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra ' 51

Brachystola magna .. 24-26

Bud worm. See Heliothis obSoleta.

Buckwheat, food plant of Deilephila lineata 1(5

Cabbage, fopd plant of Agrotis ypsilon 8

Felt la malefida 10

Nezara hilaris 49

Oncometopia undata 57

Calocoris chenopodii, enemy of asparagus beetle 46

rapidus 44-46

Calycopis cecrops 40

Caradrina exigua 35-36

Caragana arborescent, food plant of Aph is medicaginis 28

Cafdiochiles exploratory parasite of Loxostege similalis 13

"Careless weed." See Amaranthns.
"Careless worm." See Loxostege similalis.

Cassia occidental is, food plant of Aphis medicaginis 27

Castor bean, food plant of Uranotes melinus 41

Catalpa, occurrence of eggs of Homalodisca triquetra 51

Caterpillar, cotton. See Cotton caterpillar.

salt-marsh. See Estigmene acrsea.

Caterpillars, leaf-eating 33-37

( 'eltis mississippiensis, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 49-50

Cercis canadensis, food plant of Oncometopia undata 5(5

Chalcodermus seneus 3)1-33

Chelonus texanus, parasite of ( 'aradrina exigua 36

Chenopodium album, food plant of Prodenia ornithogalH 43

Chick weed, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

China-berry hull, occurrence of eggs of Jadera hannatoloma 47

Chinch bug, false. See Nysius angustatus.

Chrysopid, preying on Homaloduca triquetra 51

Clarkia, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Clover, food plant of Aph is medicaginis 27

bur, food plant of Aph is medicagin is 26-27

Cockle, food plant of Ataxia crypta 38

Cocklebur. See Xanihium canadense.
Coffee bean. See Cassia occidentalis.

Collards, food plant of Lachnosterna lanceolata 18

Corizus pictipes 46

Corn, food plant of cutworms 7

Homalodisca triquetra 50

Lachnosterna cribrosa 17

Loxostege sim ilalis 11,12,13

Melanoplus djffert ntialis 21-22, 23

Nezara hilaris 49

Nysius angustatus 30

Peridroma saucia 10

Thyanta cusiator 49

Cotton caterpillar, destruction 1 >y Nezara It ilaris 48

insects — subject of this bulletin,
leaf-bug. See Calocoris rapidus.
stalk-borer. See Ataxia crypta.
Cotton-boll cutworm. See Prodenia ornithogalH.
Cotton-square borer. See Uranotes melinus.

Cottonwood, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 49-50

Cowpea, food plant of Aph is medicagin is 27

Homalodisca t<riquetra 50-51

Lachnosterna cribrosa 17

Largus suceinctus 46-47

Thyanta custator 49

Uranotes melinus 41

Cowpea-pod weevil. See Chalcodermus seneus.

Croton capitatus, food plant-of Uranotes melinus 41

INDEX. 61

( 'ultural methods, against t halcodermus a tu us

cotton insects

I), ilephila lineata 16

I . alis 14

Cutworm, cotton-boll. See Prodenia ornithogatti.
granulated. See Feltia annexa,
greasy. See Agrotis ypsilon.
shagreened. Bee Feltia malefida.
variegated. See Peridroma saucia.

Cutworms 7-11

I), ilephila lineata 14-16

Dictyophonis n ticidatus --i. ->>

Elder, food plant of Oncometopia undata

Elm. food plant < >f Homalodisca triqut bra 49-60

One "'" topia undata 56

Epilobinm, food plant of J) ilephila lineata 16

Erfignu m acra n

Encharidium, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Euthyrhgncfiusfloridamis, preying on AT< zara hilaris

Exorista hypenst . parasite of Loj ostege similalis 13

/•', Uia anm xa 8

malefida ... 10

Fig, fox .<1 plant of Homalodisca triqiu ii" 51

Fruit trees, injury by Oncidt res c ngulata 39

Fuchsia, food plant of Dt ilephila hnecta 16

Fungous disease- against locusts 23-24

I Jarden cr< >ps, injury by D> ifi phila lineata 14. 16

LachnosL ma crihrosa 18

Nysius angustatus 30

plants, injury by Nt : ira hilaris 4^

Glycyrrhiza lepidota, food plant of Aph It medicagin is

Glyptapanteles militaris, parasite of F> Uia malsfida 10

'• <T<iatwcf-il.*' See CroUm capitatus.

< rodetia, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Gonia capitata, parasite of Agrotis i psilon

Grape, food plant of I>> ilephila lineata 16

Homalodisca triquetra 52

Lach nosterna cril/rosa 17

Oncomt topia undata 57

wild. See Vitis dm r< a.

I Irass, food of Lachnosterna farcta 19

Grasshoppers. S •>• Brachystola magna and Melanoplus differeidialis.

Gypona oetoHru ata

Hackberry, food plant of Oncidt res cingulala

See alx) Celtis mississippiensis.

Helioth is obsoU ta 12

Bogs, cotton protection by feeding on Brachystola magna

Homalodisca triquetra 4,.>-~>4

description of nymph 54

Hop, food plant of Uranotes'melinus . ." 40

II, ,- decidua, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 4'.'

Io moth. See Automeris io.

Jadi ra hsematoloma 47

Johnson grass, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 52

Lachnosterna crihrosa 1&-18

farcta 19

lanceolala Is

Lamb's quarters. See ( henopbdium album.

Largus succinctus 46-47

Leal-bug, cotton. Set Cotton Leal-bug.

Leptoglossus oppositus 47

Locust, clumsy. See Brachystola magna.

differential. See Melanoplus differentialis.

imilalis 11-14

eticticalis 12

Lubber grasshopper, southern. See Dictyophorus reticulata*.

62 MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS.

Page.

Lysiphlebus testaceipes, parasite of Aphis gossypii 27

medicagin is 27

May beetles 16-19

Medicago fulcata, food plant of Aph is medicaginis 28

Melanoplus differentials - 19-24

Melilotus italica, food plant of Aphis medicaginis 28

Mesochorus electilis, parasite of Loxostege sim ilalis 13

Mesquite, food plant of Nysius a ugustatus 29

Metadontia amcena, parasite of Uranotes melinus 42

Metapodius femoratus 47

Meteorus vulgaris, parasite of Feltia malefida 10

Mucor ? sp. , against locusts 23-24

Mulberry, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 51

Nezara hilaris 47-49

Nysius angustatus 29-31

(Ecanthus niveus 37-38

(Enothera, food plant of Deileph ila lineata 16

Okra, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 51

Nezara h ilaris 49

Oncometopia undata 57

Oncideres cingulata - 39

Oncometopia lateralis 54-56

nymph, description 56

undata 56-57

nymph, description 57

Onion, food plant of Agrotis ypsilon 8, 9

Ooctonus homalodiscx, parasite of Homalodisca triquetra 51

Ophion bilineatum, parasite of Prodenia ornithogalli 44

Orange, food plant of Nezara hilaris 48-49

Oncometopia undata 57

Orthosoma brunneum 39

Osage orange, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 52

Oxalis, food plant of Aphis medicaginis 27

Papaipema nitela 39-40

Parsnip, volunteer, food plant of Oncometopia undata 57

Pea, food plant of Nezara hilaris 49

Peach twig, occurrence of Apantesis urge eggs 35

Peaches, food of Largus succinctus 47

Nezara hilaris 49

Peanut, food plant of Lachnosterna cribrosa 17

Pear, food plant of Oncideres cingulata 39

Oncometopia undata .- 57

Pepper grass, food plant of Nysius angustatus 31

Peridroma sa ucia 1 0-1 1

Phorocera parra, parasite of Loxostege sim ilalis 13

Pigweed, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 50

See also Amaranthus.

Plantain, food plant of Deileph ila lineata 16

Plant-bugs, leaf-footed. See Leptoglossus oppositus and Metapodius femoratus.

Platynota labiosana 36

rostrana 36

Plum, food plant of Oncometopia undata '. 57

Podisus spinostis, preying on Estigmene acrsea 34

Portulaca, food plant of Deileph ila lineata 16

Potato, food plant of Agrotis ypsilon 8

cutworms 7

Feltia malefida 10

Prickly lettuce, food plant of Nysius angustatus 30

Pristomerus texanus, parasite of Caradrina exigua 36

Prodenia eridania 44

flavimedia =P. ornithogalli, var 43

ornithogalli 42-44

Proxy s punctulatus 49

Prune, food plant of Deileph ila lineata 16

Purslane, food plant of Deileph ila lineata 16

food plant of Lachnosterna cribrosa r... 17

INDEX.

Redbud. See Cerciscanadi

Robinia viscosa, io<><\ plant of . [phis nu dicaginis _'

Rumex, food plant of Deilephila I'm ea ta I''

Salt-marsh caterpillar. Sec Estigmem acrsea.

Shade trees, injury by Oncideres cingulata

Sharpshooter, glassy-winged. Sec Homalodisca triquetra.

Sharpshooters 49-;

Shepherd'.- purse, food plant of Nysius angustatus

Soldier bug, green. See Nezara hifaris.

Sorghum, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 50, o

Thyanla custator A '

Sphinx, white-lined. See Deilephila lineaia.

Stalk-borers 38-fl

Strawberry, food plant of Lachnosterna cribrosa !

Stylogaster bmnnuXata, probable parasite of Mi lanoplus diffi rentialis 2t

Sunflower, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra •"

Lachnosterna lanceolata 18

Tachina flies, parasites of Deilephila lineaia 16

Thecla pa as= ( 'alycopis cecrops 40

Thyanla custator . 9

Tiger moth, arge. See Apantesis urge.

Tobacco, food plant of Agrotis ypsilon 9

Tomato, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Tree cricket, snowy. See CEcanthus niveus.

Trifolium bajariensis, food plant of Aphis medicaginis 27

Turnip, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Uranotes melinus 40-42

Vitis cinerea, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 52

Watermelon, food plant of Deilephila lineata 16

Webworm, garden. See Loxostege similalis.
Weevil, cowpea-pod. See Chalcodermus seneus.

"Weeping willow," caused by Oncometopia undata 57

Wheat, food plant of ( 'alocoris rapidus 46

Lachnosterna cribrosa 18

fields, occurrence of Nysius angustatus 30

Willow, food plant of Homalodisca triquetra 49-60

Winthemia quadripustulata, parasite of Dt ilephila lineata 14-K>

Xanthium canadU nst . fend plant of Homalodisca triqw tra

gtrumarium, food plant of Ataxia crypta 38

Yaupon. See Ilex decidua.

o