Florida Agricultural Experiment Station


 BEAN LEAF-ROLLER (Eudamus proteus)
 Another insect which is very troublesome to the early fall-
planted crop is a caterpillar which rolls up the edges of the
leaves after cutting slits in them. From these shelters the
caterpillars range over the leaves which are often so badly
eaten that no pods can be formed.
 The caterpillar (fig. 58), which grows to an inch in length,
is a light greenish-yellow, velvety insect. The brownish-yellow
head is attached by a neck which is much narrower than usual
in caterpillars so that there is a marked constriction between
the head and thorax.
 In the summer the larva will complete its growth in 14
days, but in October and November, 30 or more days are re-
quired. The larva then forms the pupa on the plants and in 6






 FIG. 58.-Bean leaf-roller: Larva. Much enlarged.
 (Original.)

days the bluish butterfly emerges. The insect belongs to the
group of butterflies known as skippers," doubtless because of
their habit of darting quickly from plant to plant in search of
nectar or a place for an egg. The eggs are deposited on beans
and other legumes, especially beggarweed, and hatch in 4 days
in summer. This group of butterflies when at rest, hold their
wings at an angle of about 45 degrees instead of horizontal or
perpendicular as do other butterflies. This specie (fig. 55)
may be distinguished from other skippers by its larger size, 2
inches across the outstretched wings, and by the prolongations
(" tails ") of the hind wings.
 The insects are scarce in the spring and early summer so
that early beans are not troubled. But by the first of Septem-
ber the butterflies are abundant and beans become heavily in-
fested.
 Control.-The insect can readily be killed by spraying with
lead arsenate. However, beans are easily injured by arsenicals
so not over 12 ounces of the powdered, or a pound and a half
of the paste, form of lead arsenate should be used to 50 gallons
of water, and to this should be added, before using, a pound of