148 
SURFACE CATERPILLARS. 
Caterpillars of “Turnip” or “Dart” Moth, <Aygrotis segetwm, 
Ochsenheimer; and of “Heart and Dart” Moth, 4dgrotis 
exclamationis, Linn. 
leer gH 
Zine 
| SNS 
AGROTIS EXCLAMATIONIS.—Moth, caterpillar, and chrysalis in its earth-cell. 
‘Surface Caterpillar ” attack was the chief agricultural infestation 
of the year; it was widespread, did much mischief, and lasted for a 
long time. The first enquiry regarding the nature of the attack was 
sent me on July 10th; this was followed by frequent enquiries, occurring 
daily, or almost daily, in the latter part of the month, and continued 
some way into August; in September there was some slight mention 
of attack, and on October 30th I had again notice of the caterpillars 
as doing great mischief to the roots of young Gorse in coverts. 
This attack has been so often entered on that the reports would 
not be of interest to give at length; but the following short notes of 
locality, date, and general statement of amount of injury to the crops 
of the writer, or in his neighbourhood, taken from some of the letters 
of enquiry, may be worth record, as showing the widespread prevalence 
of the Surface Caterpillar attack in England. I had no notes of it 
from Scotland, and only two from Ireland. 
Aston Glebe, Poyntz Pass, Co. Armagh, July 10th.—Attacking 
young Mangold; but earlier sown Mangold escaped the grubs, and 
Turnip not touched. 
Lubstree Park, Wellington, Salop, July 13th and 25th.—Made sad 
havoc with the young Turnip plants; after repeated sowings they 
have swept the young plants off. 
Ossemsley Manor Farm, Lymington, Hants, July 14th.—Looks as 
if the small breadth of Mangolds left was going to be destroyed by 
Surface Caterpillars. 
