o'2Q Wjscoxsin State Horticultural Society. 



and even the leaf buds. The worm has eight pair of legs; three 

 pair near the head, which are the true legs; four under the mid- 

 dle part of the body called prolegs, and a pair near the posterior 

 part called anal legs. Their sudden appearance in an almost ma- 

 ture state, especially where their habits are not known, often oc- 

 casions much surprise, as well as their more sudden departure, 

 after a brief but destructive career. The reason for this will be 

 evident when their habits are considered. As remarked at the 

 outset, the different kinds differ but slightly in the manner of 

 their development, so that one general description will serve for 

 all. 



During the months of July, August and September, dark, 

 sombre colored moths are frequently seen flitting about in the 

 early evening, and often come into rooms where a'light is burn- 

 ing, attracted by the blaze, into which they often plunge. Though 

 nocturnal in their habits, they are sometimes seen flying about in 

 the daytime, in dark, cloudy weather. They are also to be found 

 behind the shutters, under boards or in other places that will 

 afford them a dry shelter from the bright light of day. Their hodies 

 are stocky ; about an inch in length. The wings when extended 

 are usually from one to one and a half inches in length, the fore 

 wings being narrower, but much longer, and generally of a darker 

 color than the hind wings. When the moths are at rest, the 

 wings cover the back like a fiat roof, the hind wings being folded 

 under and entirely covered by tbe fore ones. The color of the 

 wings varies from an ashy gray to a dark brown, often mottled or 

 shaded with spots of lighter or darker shades. Tufts of hair are 

 usually placed on the shoulder and on the abdomen. 



After mating, the female deposits her eggs either on the plant 

 from which they are to draw their sustenance^ or near it, on some 

 substance close to the ground. The instinct of the moth leads it 

 thus to provide for the future wants of the young larvae, and this 

 will account for the fact that land where the cultivation has been 

 clean, and there is little vegetable growth, is seldom troubled 

 with them, and that they especially abound in grass land that 

 has been seeded for a number of years. Prof. Biley says that 

 the moth of the variegated cut- worm lays its eggs in clusters on 



