38 The Bulletin. 



remedies. 



The remedies for this Army-worm are much the same as for the Fall 

 Army-worm next discussed, hence will be considered in that connection. 

 (See page 40.) 



THE FALL ARMY-WORM. {Laphygma frugipcrda, S. & A.) 



Description. — Grown caterpillars are from 1 inch to IV2 inches long; 

 along each side a black stripe and in middle a wider yellow-gray stripe 

 which includes four black dots on each body segment. Sometimes occur- 

 ring in great numbers together, in late summer, though often more scat- 

 tering; feed on great variety of plants. The adult moth spreads about 

 1 inch from tip to tip, front wings mottled grayish-brown, hind wings 

 pinkish white, almost transparent. 



Injury in North Carolina. — In 1899 (before the writer was engaged 

 in work in the State) this species was destructive in the southeastern 

 part, being reported to the U. S. Department of Agriculture from several 

 localities. 



In 1902 (August 23) it was reported from Duplin County, and as the 

 letter well illustrates the work of the species, Ave quote : 



"Crab-grass came up all between the peas and the outlook for a fine crop 

 of hay was very good, but two or three weeks ago a small striped worm ap- 

 peared and has literally stripped the grass, leaving stems only ; are beginning 

 to cut the peas ; they are here by millions." 



But during the present century, at least, there has been no year in 

 which the area and severity of its ravages could compare with that of 

 1912, when it was indeed a severe scourge in many localities in our 

 State. 



Outbreak of 1912. — The first positive report of Fall Army-worm in 

 1912 came July 20, from Chadbourn, Columbus County, where it was 

 reported as eating young corn. The last complaint w^as October 26, from 

 Pilot Mountain, Surry County, where it was attacking rye. The com- 

 plaints were, however, divided approximately into three series, which 

 we believe did actually indicate three successive destructive broods of 

 the worms. The first series of complaints covered the period from July 

 20 to August 3. The second series began August 17 and ended August 

 26. The third series of complaints opened September 25 and closed 

 October 26. There were no complaints dated between August 3 and 17, 

 nor between August 26 and September 25. The last series contained 

 only three complaints (September 25, 27, and October 25), of which the 

 last might possibly represent a fourth destructive generation of worms, 

 though probably not. 



Many of the complaints indicated no particular crop, but among the 

 crops which were definitely reported as suffering were corn, grass, soy 



