Climbing Cutworms. 671 



were applied at about the time the worms were maturing and disap- 

 pearing into the ground for pupation ; the "remedy" was applied 

 and the cutworm disappeared, hence it was a success, and the fact 

 that they may have disappeared in obedience to nature's laws is not 

 taken into account. 



These facts, and doubtless a difference in surroundings also, must 

 account for much of the conflicting testimony regarding the etheacy 

 of a majority of the scores of "remedies" with which our agricul- 

 tural literature abounds. It is beyond the scope of this bulletin to 

 enter into the history of all of these " remedies " that have been 

 proposed. Only those methods will be discussed which seem 

 practicable, whose efficiency has been thoroughly tested, and which 

 are adapted to the special conditions under which the pests may 

 have to be combated. The efficiency of any method will depend 

 largely upon the time when it is applied and the person who applies it. 

 Most of the methods thus far suggested are to be employed against 

 cutworms when in their most destructive stage ; most of the other 

 recommendations for combating them at any other time or in other 

 stage are principaliy guess-work. We do not yet know enough 

 about the habits and life periods of the different stages of the insects 

 to enable us to make such recommendations with deffniteness and 

 much hopefulness. 



Before beginning the discussion of the methods adapted to special 

 crops or conditions, we may properly discuss one method that is in 

 no way connected with these. It is directed against the adult 

 insect — the moth. 



Trapping the Tnoths. — Lights and sweets have great attractions 

 for the owlet-moths at night, and some have suggested that they be 

 made to serve as traps. Many different kinds of trap-lanterns have 

 been patented (see Comstock's Report on Cotton Insects, pp. 

 262-275). There are two records of some of the results obtained 

 by a continuous use of traps during the whole period of flight of 

 most insects. 



In 1891, Dr. Fernald kept eight of Barnard's Moth Traps * in 

 operation day and night from April 21st to September 15th. The 

 captures were examined each day, and in all over 17,000 l^octuid 



* "Tbese traps are glass jars, with a tin ^rrangeraent on top with holes around 

 the side, near the top, through which the insects find their way to the inside of 

 the jar which is partly filled with an odorous liquid strongly attractive to 

 insects. 



