Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-29
The Cabbage Butterfly.

Insect invaders appear to be coming
upon us from the East and from the West
From the latter point we already have the
potato beetle and we cannot but have our
fears aroused sometimes by the relentless
grasshoppers, although our learned in
structors tell us there is no danger here to
be expected from that source. From the
East now comes new enemy of our
gardens, the cabbage butterfly.
The general color is white, though a
yellow variety of the males is said to
have made its appearance. In both sexes
there is a dash of black at the apex of
the front or primary wings, a black spot
near the outer margin of the same, about
midway between the front and inner mar
gins, similar spot on the front margin
of the posterior, or back wings, while the
female has a second spot on the primary
wings near the posterior border and is
more densely specked with black. Be-
meath, the markings are much the same,
both sexes having two spots on the prim-
aries corresponding in position to those
on the upper surface of the same in the
females The wings beneath are also
tinted with yellow, especially near the
tips, which feature is Important, as in
rare cases the spots are so obscure, or so
entirely absent, that the yellow tint be-
comes of much importance in determin-
ing the species.
The eggs are laid beneath the cabbage
leaves in clusters of tive or three. They
are so small as to escape notice, but under
the microscope are seen to be beautifully
marked. They are white first, but soon
turn yellow.
The first butterflies appear in April or
May, and begin the work of egg laying !;
and very soon the tiny green Larvae are
ready to issue, eating their way out of the
she'll They then feed on the tender
leaves of the cabbage, working their way
directly to the tenderer leaves of the core.
In June and July the second brood of
butterflies appear, when the same round
of mischief is repeated, but this time
with force vastly increased in numbers.
The second series of chrysalids, instead
of remaining week, continues through
winter.
The caterpillar is of pale green color,
finely sprinkied with black, with yellow
stripe along the back and more obscure
one along each side. When fully devel-
oped, it is over an inch long. These
chrysalids are found under clods, bits of
board, fence rails, ETC., and sometimes on
CdDDdgt
sprinkled with small black dots.
Here, then, you have picture Of this
evil-doer. Fix the impression in the
mind and be ready to recognize and re-
pulse the arch destroyer as soon as he
makes his appearance.
The butterflies are lazy filters and may
be easily taken in nets and destroyed. The
children should be provided with these
NETS and faupht to recognize the insect and
to use the net in catching them. To make
the net take a piece of No. 10 wire, or
SIC rod, three feet long; bend in q circle
and turn the ends SO that they may be in
serted into a handle the size of broom or
hoe handle, firmly. 1t is better to have
the ends of the wire or rod welded to-
gether. Attach to this frame work bag
of mosquito netting or muslin, and the net
is complete. Children may also be en-
ployed to collect and destroy the eggs,
though this would require great care.
Paris green would kill the worms and
also those who might eat the cabbage, SO
this cannot be recommended.
The most convenient method to destroy
is to place pieces of boards between the
rows of cabbage, raised about four inches
from the ground. As the insects suspend
beneath these they may be collected and
crushed These boards must be examined
every six days, as the chrysalis remains
only a week.
But is there no natural enemy of this
insect? None that we know of that are
natives OF our shores, but there is an
enemy which has crossed the Atlantic
with it, this butterfly is an imported
chap, and has come TO our aid, second