CUT-WORM MOTHS. 75 



CHAPTER LIL 



CUT-WORM MOTHS. 



{Mmnestra JEwingi^ and Agrotis sp.). 



Order : Lepidoptera. Family : Noctuidoe. 



The so-called " Cut-worm " moths are closely allied to 

 Heliothris armigera, the one described in former pages 

 of this book, the economy of all also being very similar, 

 inasmuch as they are amongst the worst of all the 

 farmer's insect enemies, coming as they do in such 

 enormous numbers that croj^s of most kinds are simply 

 ruined before there is time to gather the harvest in even 

 for safety. Jn our plate, two kinds of these moths are 

 shown, both having been drawn by Mr. Brittlebank from 

 specimens which he found concealed in hundreds beneath 

 an old haystack. Fig. II. is meant to represent a well- 

 known and most destructive kind, Mamestra Ewingii, but 

 in both figures the printing of the moths tliemselves is 

 not so good as the original drawings were. Many of the 

 Noctuidse are very difficult to distinguish one from 

 another, hence our difficulty on this occasion, the larvae 

 being almost alike, and the moths different, both having 

 been found in the position as described. 



When the caterpillars of these pests enter a field of 

 crop, no matter whether it be wheat, barley, oats, or any 

 other cereals, they attack it in such vast numbers that, if 

 not checked, at least partial ruin speedily follows. These 

 moths are diurnal as well as nocturnal flyers, and some- 

 times hide during the day amongst stones, rubbish, under 



