Gkass Insects 573 



The dry bran and paris green are thoroughly mixed in a tub or 

 similar receptacle. The juice of the oranges or lemons is squeezed 

 into the water; the remaining pulp and peel is chopped into fine 

 bits and added to the water. The molasses is dissolved in the 

 water and the bran and poison wet with it, the mixture being 

 constantly stirred so as to dampen the mash thoroughly. Only 

 just enough water should be used to moisten the mash, but not 

 enough to make it sloppy. 



This quantity of bait will treat about three acres. The material 

 should be scattered broadcast evenly over the infested area at niffht- 

 fall. If applied during the day it dries out and is not then attrac- 

 tive to the caterpillars. 



CUTWORMS 



Several species of Xoctuidae 



There are several species of caterpillars closely related to the 

 army-worm that live in grass land and which, in the aggregate, 

 cause an enormous amount of injury. They are known as cut- 

 woiTiis from the habit that many of them possess of eating off 

 plants at or just below the surface of the gTound. Cutworms are 

 most abundant in old sod land and attract most attention from 

 their injuries to crops immediately following old sod. 



Cutworm injury to grass crops and to crops following grass can 

 b--^ in large measure prevented by not leaving land in sod for more 

 than two or three years. When attacking other crops than grass 

 use may be made of the sweetened poisoned bait recommended for 

 the army-worm. 



GEASSHOPPEES 



Melanoplus atlanis Riley (Fig, 616), and other species 



While grasshoppers are widely distributed throughout the state, 

 they do not attract attention by their injuries except in certain 

 years in those regions where there are large areas of sandy land. 

 Grasshoppers are more abundant in such regions because the light 

 sandy soil furnishes ideal conditions for the laying and preseiwa- 

 tion of their eggs. 



The insect passes the winter in the egg-stage in the ground. 

 The eggs hatch in April or May and the young grasshoppers feed 

 on the scanty vegetation, growing in such sandy fields (Fig. 617). 



