108 FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



iV. minians, the darker space between the transverse lines is of a dull 

 red color; the anterior transverse line is less curved and the front 

 wings are broader and less produced apicallj than in JV. violans. 



Distribution of the Species. 



The species appears to have a wide distribution over the United 

 States. At present we know it from Massachusetts, Michigan, Wis- 

 consin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and some otherof the Southern States. 

 It probably occurs in Washington Territory, as iV^. minians is reported 

 as having been taken there. In Ontario, the moth has occurred more 

 frequently than in the United States. 



Its Natural History. 



The moth may be seen abroad as early as the first of August, in fa- 

 vorable seasons, and it continues until the latter part of September. 

 According to Prof. Riley, it not infrequently hibernates as a moth in 

 the Southern States, where it has been observed at different times dur- 

 ing the winter months. We have no knowledge of its eggs. They are 

 probably deposited upon the grass near some object which may serve 

 as a hiding-place for the young larvas. The time of their deposit is 

 unknown, but from the facts given (see p. 103) of nearly full-grown 

 larvEe having been seen as early as April 24th (in Missouri), and full 

 grown ones on May 1st, we may safely infer that oviposition takes 

 place soon after the appearance of the moth in August or September, 

 and that the young larvas, after eating sparingly, and having under- 

 gone at least two molts, retire to their hiding places wherein to pass 

 the winter. Those that survive this perilous period of their existence 

 — perhaps a small proportion of the original number — resume their 

 feeding as soon as the grass starts in the spring. 



The habits of this caterpillar place it in that destructive class 

 known as " Cut-worms," of which so much has been written, and which 

 are justly a terror to agriculturists from the secrecy of their depre- 

 dations and extreme diflBculty of arresting them. The name of cut- 

 worms was originally given to those species which were addicted to 

 cutting off the stalk of young cabbages, turnips and other plants just 

 at or beneath the surface of the ground. As now extended, it em- 

 braces those numerous species which conceal themselves during the 

 day either beneath some object lying on the ground, or buried just 

 below the surface, and come abroad at night to feed upon garden 

 vegetables and other low plants. Some of the species, not confining 

 themselves to low vegetation, climb trees, grape-vines, etc., to feed 

 upon the buds and tender leaves. Instead of the omniverous and 

 ubiquitous cut-worm of early writers, upon which was charged vastly 

 more than any one insect should be called upon to bear, we have now 



