PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY. 161 



coon, in which it can move backward and forward and covers the 

 cocoon with a coating of wax &c., which protects it from the sting 

 of the bees, and feeds upon the beeswax. The hives should be ex- 

 amined frequently and the moths killed. A shallow dish partly 

 filled with sweetened water and set near the hive will delude many 

 of them. 



The cut worm, {Ag-roiis.) There are several species of Agro- 

 tis as the A, golhica, A, segeimn etc. They commit their rav- 

 ages among all kinds of vegetables and are most destructive during 

 June and July. The moths vary from a pale ash to a deep brown 

 color, but that of the corn cut uwrm, A segetitm, presents the pecu- 

 liarities of the family. It is of a brownish gray freckled with col- 

 ored shades. It expands from an inch and a half to three quarters ; 

 during the day they keep concealed and lay their eggs by night, 

 when they may be seen in the room attracted by the light of a can- 

 dle. 



The larva or worm remains concealed in the ground during the 

 day and comes forth at night to feed upon the succulent corn. The 

 best way to destroy them is to dig them out of the retreat beside 

 the young corn and kill them. It is a good idea also to plant plenty 

 of seed as the worm cuts off only one or two in a hill. 



The spindle worm, {Gortyna Zecn.) The moth expands an 

 inch and a half: head, thorax and fore wings a rusty red color, 

 hind wings yellowish gray. The caterpillar worm is about the size 

 of a goose quill and an inch or more long. It receives its name 

 from its destroying the spindle of the Indian corn. It commences 

 near the ground and eats its way upward in the spindle of the corn, 

 causing the leaves to wither, by which sign its appearance is known. 

 Probably the only way of destroying them will be to kill the worm 

 while at work and thus prevent a continuation of the species. 



The grain moths {Tli/ca grajiella.) This is a very small moth 

 being not over half an inch across the expanded wings. There are 

 many varieties which cause much damage to stored grain, their larva 

 or worm state being attained similar to those before named. Heat- 

 ing grain to one hundred and sixty-seven degrees will kill the in- 

 sect in all forms. 



The cabbage moth, {Mamestra Brassica.) The moth is little 

 more than half an inch across the expanded wings. It occurs from 



