THE LEPIDOPTERA 



275 



Fig. 283. — Dingy Cutworm {Feltia 

 subgothica Haw.): a, moth, wings 

 spread; b, larva (Cutworm); c, Moth, 

 wings folded. All somewhat enlarged. 

 (From U. S. D. A. Farm. Bull. 856.) 



from 50 to several hundred in number, are laid preferably on grass blades 



and in the South hatch in a few days. The caterpillars feed 2 or 3 weeks 



before reaching full size and are then very similar to those of the Army 



Worm. They then pupate for 10 to 14 



days in the ground, after which the adult 



moths emerge. Many of these moths 



now fly northward, often several hundred 



miles, before laying their eggs, and in 



this new location another generation is 



produced, the adults of this generation 



also flying northward to lay their eggs. 



In this way the northern part of the 



country becomes infested in the fall but 



frost puts an end to the development of 



these insects near their northern limits 



before more than one generation can be 



produced. Going southward, more are 



possible, and in the Gulf States there 



may be six in the course of a season. 

 Where corn and cotton are grown the 



destruction caused by this insect is often 



very great, the caterpillars as they get large having voracious appetites. 



They usually feed more at night than during the daytime, and like the 



Army Worm, march to 

 other places to find food 

 when the supply where they 

 are becomes exhausted. 



In general the methods 

 used for controlling the 

 Army Worm apply to this 

 insect also. 



A number of other 

 species of Noctuids have 

 the habit of marching in 

 armies when their food be- 

 comes scarce. Their life 

 histories and habits are for 

 the most part quite similar 

 to those of the two species 

 already described, and con- 

 trol methods for them are 

 generally the same. 

 Still another section of this family occurs, widely distributed, and 



causing much injury. The insects of this division are called Cutworms 



(Figs. 283 and 284) because of the habit of the larvae of feeding on the 



Fig. 284. — Cotton-boll Cutworm (Prodenia ornitho- 

 galli Guen.): a, light form of Cutworm; b, dark form; 

 dark form of Moth above; pale form below. All some- 

 what enlarged. (From U. S. D. A. Farm. Bull. 890.) 



