Noctuidse 
A common species in the Atlantic States. It is abundant in 
the fall of the year in western Pennsylvania. 
Genus HELXOPHXLA Hiibner 
A large genus well represented in both the eastern and the 
western hemispheres. Thirty-six species are credited to our 
fauna. Of these we give figures of eight, selecting the 
commoner and a few of the rarer forms. 
(i) Heliophila unipuncta Haworth, Plate XXIV, Fig. 40, $ . 
(The Army Worm.) 
Syn. extranea Guenee. 
This species, the larva of which is known as the “ Northern 
Army Worm,” or simply as the “Army Worm,” is found from 
the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, and 
from Canada to Texas and southward at 
suitable elevations upon the higher plateaus 
of northern Mexico. It appears occasionally 
in vast numbers, and is regarded by the 
farmer and the horticulturist as one of those 
pests against the ravages of which they 
must direct a great deal of energy. The 
first appearance of these insects in great 
numbers is recorded as having occurred in 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the 
year 1743. In the year 1770 they devastated 
the fertile fields of the valley of the Con¬ 
necticut. They devoured the grasses and 
cereals, but neglected the pumpkins and 
potatoes. The chronicler of this invasion 
says: “Had it not been for pumpkins, which were exceedingly 
abundant, and potatoes, the people would have greatly suffered 
for food. As it was, great privation was felt 
on account of the loss of grass and grain.” Suc¬ 
cessive attacks of the insect have been made 
since then upon the crops in various parts of the F . IG ' III -~ Pu P a 
country. The year 1861 is memorable as having (After Riley) 
been marked by their ravages, which were 
particularly noticeable in the State of Missouri and in southern 
Illinois. An excellent account of this invasion has been published 
Fig. no.— Larva of 
H. unipuncta. 
(After Riley.) 
200 
