670 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Tlie fall army worm and variegated cutworm, F. H. Chittenden ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Division of Entomology Bui. 29, n. ser., pp. 64, figs. 11).— The fall army worm 

 {Laphygma frugiperda) feeds normally on grasses, cultivated grains, and a few weeds, 

 and i^roduces 2 or 3 generations per year, according to the location. In 1899 the infested 

 territory comprised large portions of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 The author gives a description of the insect in its various stages, accompanied with 

 technical descriptions of the egg and larva, by H. G. Dyar. The insect is distributed 

 from Canada to Florida, and west to Colorado and Montana. It also occurs in 

 Jamaica, Brazil, and Cuba. It is considered indigenous to North and South America. 

 Notes are given by the author on the common and scientific names under which the 

 insect has been known and on the various reports which were received concerning 

 its outbreaks in 1899, 1900, and 1901. During 1900 it was reported as injurious on 

 corn, which it attacked in a manner similar to that of the boUworm, and also to the 

 chick-pea, ruta-baga, hollyhock, and lamb's quarter. The insect was described 

 somewhat more than a hundred years ago, but it was not until 1855 that it began to 

 attract attention by its depredations. The food plants include grasses, cereals, cot- 

 ton, peas, grapes, various fruit trees, and other plants. The egg masses which are 

 deposited in the fall produce larvae and, as a rule, pupfe before winter. The full- 

 grown larvte enter the soil to a depth of about an inch and become inclosed in earthen 

 cells. The larvae of the first generation appear in May and June. The egg period is 

 determined as about 10 days. In the District of Columbia hibernation takes place 

 exclusively in the pupal condition. The natural enemies of this insect include 

 English sparrows, which feed upon the larva', blue jays, and a number of parasitic 

 and predaceous insects of which the most important are Wintheinia quadripustulata, 

 Frontina frenchii, and ants. 



When the fall army worm assumes the habits of the common army worm it may 

 be combated by the same means which are usually adopted against the latter. 

 Wherever the arsenical poisons can be conveniently and effectively used, this 

 remedy should be adopted. Lawns may be successfully treated by application of 

 kerosene emulsion. In some situations mechanical methods, such as rolling and 

 the use of barriers, may be adopted with success. Clean cultural methods and rota- 

 tion of crops are always indicated in cases of bad infestation, and fall plowing has 

 the effect of breaking up the earthen cells in which the pupae are found, and thus 

 exposing them to climatic changes. Infested rice fields may be flooded, and where 

 bad outbreaks of the species are expected wheat and rye should be sown late. In 

 vegetable gardens the use of poisoned baits is recommended. A list is given of the 

 literature relating to this subject. 



The variegated cutworm {Peridroma saucia) is a common insect in gardens, pasture 

 lands, fields, orchards, and greenhouses, and feeds upon a great variety of cultivated 

 plants. The insect is considered as originally from Asia Minor or southern Europe, 

 and its distribution is cosmopolitan. It occurs practically throughout the United 

 States. A description is given of the insect in its various stages, and notes are pre- 

 sented on outbreaks which have occurred in various parts of the United States and 

 in Canada. These outbreaks include attacks on crops in gardens and fields, and also 

 on greenhouse plants. Extended notes are given on the food plants of the insect, 

 which include a great variety of cultivated plants and weeds. As a rule, this cut- 

 worm hibernates in the larval stage, although hibernation takes place to some extent 

 in the pupal and adult conditions. Considerable injury is done in the spring by 

 larvae which have hibernated. There are at least 2, and perhaps 3, generations in the 

 latitude of the District of Columbia. Hibernated larvae begin their attacks in May, 

 and a second generation is produced which causes injury in July and August. The 

 duration of the egg stage is about 3 weeks at moderate temperatures, while the pupal 

 stage lasted for from 10 to 21 days. The natural enemies of this species include a 

 number of parasitic insects, among which mention may be made of Fhorocera saun- 



