52 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLES 



and tlic locality which each inhabits; hence little that is really 

 typical of the group can be spoken of in general terms. After 

 cutworms have accomplished their customary injuries in the 

 spring and have attained full growth, they enter the earth, and 

 many species remain in little, rather compact earthen cells 



(fig. 26) for several weeks or even 

 months before assuming the pupal 

 stage, which is of variable duration 

 in thf^ summer, from three to six or 

 more weeks before the moths is- 

 sue to perform the functions of 

 their nature. 



The Greasy Cutworm (Agrotis y/^silon Rott.) is typical as 

 regards its general ap])earance and is abundant in most localities 

 suitable to it. It is one of our larger species, measuring when 



Fig- 26.— Pupa of cutworm in 

 earthen cell. (After Riley) 



Fig. 27. — Greasy cutworm, a. Larva; b. head of same; 

 c, moth. Natural size. (After Riley & Howard, 

 U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



mature about one inch and three-fourths. It is of the dull, 

 dirty brown color, characteristic of so many cutworms, with the 

 lower surface ])aler and greenish. The moth (fig. 27, c) has 

 brown fore-wings marked with darker brown, more or less like 



