Twelfth Keport of the State Entomologist 309 



Datana iNrEGERRiMA Gr.-Rob. 



The walnut trees in Bellport, L. I., have been almost entirely stripped 

 of their leaves by the caterpillar of this species, according to reports 

 received from Dr. H. G. Dyar, of New York city. 



This is one of the most common of our Datanas, and its larvae are 

 often found assembled in large companies on the hickory. They also 

 feed on walnut (Jug/a/is), beech (J^agus), oak, and occasionally on 

 willows and apple. 



The Armv-Worm. 



The notable entomological event of the year has been the occurrence 

 and the ravages of the army-worm, Leucania unipiincta, over the greater 

 part of the State — from its eastern to its western borders, and from its 

 southern to nearly its northern boundary. It has been authentically 

 reported from 55 of the 60 counties of the State. Its extension and the 

 injuries committed by it are believed to be greater than had ever before 

 been recorded in the State. When it appeared on Long Island and in 

 Westchester county in 1880, although serious harm was done to the 

 crops invaded, it was limited to the southeastern portion of the State, 

 although spreading over some of the New England SFates, New Jersey 

 and Pennsylvania. 



Its habits have been similar to the many recorded occurrences else- 

 where, unless that in many instances its operations were first observed in 

 rye fields. From these it spread to oats, to timothy, and corn. Clover 

 has been reported as eaten by it, and peas to a limited extent. Grass, 

 of course, was consumed in its travels. 



Of its abundance it may sufiice to state : In many places they occurred 

 in millions. Roadways crossed by them were "blackened" by their 

 numbers. They " covered fences " and it has been said that they covered 

 sides of buildings. The noise made by their feeding could be heard 

 afier nightfall. The clothing of a person standing for a sliort time in an 

 infested field needed frequent brushing and picking over to remove 

 them. The sight of their marching armies was said to be "nauseating." 



Of the many preventives employed to prevent their ravages — as hereto- 

 fore, plowing furrows with a perpendicular side toward the field to be 

 protected from invasion, was the most effective and the one more gen- 

 erally resorted to. Attempts to save fields of barley, oats and timothy 

 when once infested, were of little avail. 



