Webworms Injurious to Cereal and Forage Crops. 9 
dumosus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), and ~ fleabane” (Evigeron 
spp.). Very early in the spring, as soon as growth starts, the worms 
become active and continue to feed until they are fully grown. This 
is about the 1st of June in Tennessee and correspondingly later in 
more northern States. They construct their cocoons in the earth near 
their food plant and change 
to the pupa or chrysalis. Not 
all the worms make this 
change at the same time, but 
some of them after making 
their cocoons he quietly for 
periods ranging from a few 
days to several weeks. Usu- 
ally about 10 days is spent in 
the pupa stage. 
The first moths make their 
appearance toward the last 
of June and from that time Fc. 7.—Pupa of the bluegrass webworm. About 
through July and most of three and a half times natural size. 
August some individuals are always present. It has been supposed 
that there might be a second or intermediate midsummer generation, 
but such does not seem to be the case. The moths are small and 
dark, sometimes almost black; they are quick fliers, and, because of 
their small size and dark color, are difficult to follow with the eye. 
They seem to pre- 
fer weedy and 
brushy areas, neg- 
lected fence rows, 
etc., and unless 
very abundant 
are not commonly 
found in open 
places. In Ten- 
nessee, at least, 
corn following 
fallow or weeds 
Fic. 8.—Adult of the black-headed sod webworm. About three cych as spring up 
times natural size. Se 
after a wheat 
crop is more likely to be attacked by this species than after clean 
grass sod. Because of this fact many farmers think that the 
worms winter in the weed stems, but this is not the case, although 
many worms and larve very similar in appearance to the webworms 
can be found in such places. The eggs of the cornroot web- 
