WasHINneToN, D. C. 
Lf i: Veet ba eS Se: 
FARMERS’ 
BULLETIN 
739 June 1, 1916. 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief. 
CUTWORMS AND THEIR CONTROL IN CORN AND 
OTHER CEREAL CROPS. 
By W. R. WALTON and J. J. DAvis, 
Hntomological Assistants, Cereal and Forage Insect Investigations. 
IMPORTANCE AND NATURE OF CUTWORM INJURY. 
Numerous complaints of the ravages of cutworms, especially in 
relation to corn, are received each season by the department. Prompt 
action is neces- 
sary for control- 
ling cutworms 
after their pres- 
ence becomes 
noticeable in the 
spring, which is 
usually — about 
the time the corn 
begins to sprout. 
Because of the 
fact that the de- 
lay necessary be- 
tween the time 
the worms make 
their appearance 
and the time a 
reply can be 
received from 
the department 
is often disas- 
Fic. 1.—Variegated cutworm (Peridroma margaritosa) : a, Moth; 
b, normal form of caterpillar, side view ; c, same in curved posi- 
tion; d, dark form, view of back; e, greatly enlarged egg, seen 
from side; f, egg mass on twig. (From Howard.) 
trous to the crop, the importance of recognizing these insects and 
knowing how to control them is evident. 
39281°—16 
