CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMMON INSECTS 1 85 



of apple, etc. {h) Dagger Caterpillars, feeding on the leaves of many 

 shrubs and trees, {i) Underwing Moths, some feeding on the leaves 

 of trees (Fig. 123). 



(a) Cutworms Proper 



(Consult Bull. 95, 111. Agric. Exp. Station, 1904; Bull. 10, Div. Ent. Can., 1912) 



There are many species of cutworms that feed upon economic 

 plants. They are mostly "plump, soft-bodied, cylindrical caterpillars, 

 dirty greyish or whitish, and variously spotted and striped" (Forbes). 

 They are the larval stages of species of Noctuid moths, commonly 

 termed "millers," and are night feeders. ''They are essentially grass 

 and clover insects, and by far the greater part of them are bred in 

 pastures and meadows." 



Life-history. — The majority of the species hibernate as partly 

 grown larvae, and enter the ground to pupate m late June and early 

 July. The adults — usually greyish nocturnal moths — emerge in 

 early August and lay their eggs in grass lands. Each moth may lay 

 from 200 to 500 eggs, either in masses or singly. The larvae that 

 hatch from these eggs feed on the roots of grasses until winter sets 

 in. Feeding is resumed in the spring, when most serious injury is done, 

 until their larvae pupate in June- July. 



Control of Cutworms. — Plow grass land in midsummer or early fall 

 to prevent the female moths from egg-laying; late fall plowing of grass 

 lands will destroy many of the hibernating cutworms; allow poultry 

 and hogs upon cutworm land; use poison bait: bran 20 lb., molasses 

 I qt., paris green or white arsenic ^2 lb., water 2}^-^ gals. 



Natural Enemies. — Calosoma calidum, Ammophila luctuosa, Win- 

 themia 4-pustulata. 



The following species are most commonly met with: 



Spotted Cutworm {Agrotis c-nigrum Linn.). — General color grey to 

 brownish; a row of triangular black spots along each side of back; a 

 pale line down the middle of back, a conspicuous whitish-yellowish 

 stigmatal band, and a pale intermediate line; head and shield yellowish- 

 brown; front feet pale brown and shiny, i^-^ inches long. Active in 

 April and May in vegetable gardens (Fig. 124). 



W-marked Cutworm (Agrotis unicolor Wlk.). — General color pale 

 brown; four rows of dark spots and often also with lighter lines along 

 the back, resembling the letter W; sides of W-marks bordered with 



