Climbing Cutworms. 657 



The insect is of especial interest, however, for the caterpillar or 

 cutworm has never before been identified, although the moth has 

 been known for nearly forty years. 



Its history and distribution. — It is an American insect, but the 

 moth was first described in England from specimens taken in Nova 

 Scotia. It is now known to occur in Canada and in the United States 

 west of Colorado and south of Georgia. In 1875, it was captured 

 in Erie and Lewis counties in our State. The cutworm has never 

 appeared in sufiicient numbers to do noticeable injui-y. 



Its appearance. — The cutworm, shown twice natural size at Z, 

 Plate 2, is about one and a half inches in length, with its whole 

 dorsal surface above the spiracles of a dull, dark greyish-brown 

 color; it is considerably lighter on the venter. The greenish-black 

 piliferous spots are very distinct all over the body ; the lateral 

 ones are considerably larger, as shown in the figure. The spiracles 

 are black. The head and the thoracic and anal shields are brown 

 with black mottlings. The caudal aspect of the base of the true 

 legs and the cephalic aspect of the pro-legs are of a dark greenish- 

 black color ; these dark spots render this cutworm easily distin- 

 guishable from the white cutworm. 



The moth is shown natural size at m on Plate 2, and twice natural 

 size at mm. The front wings and dorsum of the thorax are of 

 an ecru-drab or ash-grey color and marked with small triangular 

 black and white spots as shown in the figures. The hind wings are 

 nearly clear white. 



Its habits. — This cutworm was found feeding at night, in com- 

 pany with the white cutworm, on peach buds in western New York. 

 Further than this nothing is yet known of its habits. 



The moth is attracted to lights and to sugar baits. Prof. J. B. 

 Smith says he has "taken it on goldenrod in September during the 

 day." 



Its name. — No popular name has yet been proposed for this 

 Noctuid. The characteristic spots on the legs of the caterpillar 

 suggested to us the name, " spotted-legged cutworm," with which 

 we have christened it. 



Its life-history. — Nearly full-grown cutworms were received from 

 Monroe county early in May. One of them changed to a pupa July 

 23d on the surface of the soil in our cage. The moth did not 

 emerge until August 17th. The moths have been captured in 

 Massachusetts in August and September, and in New York in July 



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