398 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



THE WESTERN ARMYWORM 



Euxoa agn •$ I is ( ( I rote ) 



[Chorizagrotis agreatis (Grote)] 



(Agrotis auxiliaris agreatis Grote) 



(Fig. 398) 



Description. — The adult moth is about 1 inch long and dark brown 

 with gray markings. The caterpillars or armyworms attain a length 



of nearly 2 inches and vary 

 from pale-green to dark- 

 brown. 



Life History.— The life his- 

 tory of this species is prac- 

 tically the same as that of 

 the army worm. 



Nature of Work. — The 



Avork is practically the same 

 as that of the armyworm. 



Distribution. — This species 

 occurs in all parts of the 

 State. 



Food Plants. — The common 

 food plants are alfalfa, beet, 

 cabbage, celery, clover, corn, 

 grasses, horseradish, onion, 

 peas, potato, radish, rhubarb, 



Fig. 39S. — The western armyworm, Euxoa tomato, fruit and forest 

 agrestis (Grote). Moth and larvae. Slightly , -, ,-. •. 



enlarged. (After Chittenden, U. S. Dept. Agile.) trees and many Other plants. 



THE COMMON CUTWORM 



Euxoa atomaris (Smith) 



(Agrotis atomaris Smith) 



(Fig. 399) 



Description. — The caterpillars are light gray in color, smooth, and, 

 when full grown, measure about 1| inches in length. The moth is 

 about 1 inch long with a wing expanse of 2 inches. The color of the 

 fore wings is almost uniform gray with paler markings, while the 

 hind wings are much lighter. 



Life History. — The eggs are laid early in April by moths recently 

 emerged from the over-wintering larva' and pupa?. The young cater- 

 pillars burrow into the loose soil or under the bark on the vines during 

 the day and feed at night. When full-grown they go into the soil, 

 transform into dark brown pupa?, and thus pass the winter in small 



