280 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



There is a variety of this caterpillar which feeds upon the 

 sumach, and another which feeds on the black walnut and hickory. 

 The habits of the three are identical; the only difference is in the 

 markings and color, which, it is thought, is the result of the plant 

 food on which it is developed. The body of the caterpillar living 

 on the sumach is either black or very dark reel, with much broader 

 lemon-colored stripes on the sides, while the top of the neck is 

 black,. bordered with a yellow stripe; while the caterpillar living 

 on the walnut is wholly black, without stripes, top of the neck 

 black, and the hairs are pure white and twice the length of the 

 yellow-necked variety. The moth of the sumach variety has more 

 of a yellowish cast to the wings, and those of the walnut form are 

 of a much darker shade. 



The most effectual method of destroying them is to carefully 

 examine the trees previously infested with them, and cut off the 

 leaf or twig when they first appear, or to crush them when gathered 

 on the body of the tree at the moulting periods. An acquaintance 

 with the habits of this and of all our insect enemies will aid us greatly 

 in their destruction. Each one has some vulnerable point in its 

 career where it can be more successfully attacked. By making 

 ourselves familiar with them, and by taking advantage of them, 

 many things will become plain and simple which were before hard 

 and mysterious. One reason, and a great one, too, why insects 

 have done so much damage to the farmer, is because of the pre- 

 vailing ignorance in relation to their history and habits. 



The Army Worm. 



Noctua unipuncta. — Haworth. 



In various parts of the country there are frequent reports of 

 great destruction occasioned by this pest; but in very many of the 

 cases thus reported, the foe is not the true army worm. Many 

 even who have given considerable attention to our insect enemies 

 mistake the tent caterpillar, both the orchard and forest varieties, 

 and also the fall web worm and the hickory worms, for the army 

 worm. There is a marked difference in the habits and in the form 

 and appearance of these insects, which once noticed will enable 

 even a common observer to readily distinguish them. By reference 

 to the accompanying cuts, many points of difference will be 

 easily seen. 



