590 Report of the Entomologists of the 



these small white eggs attached. Few, if any, such caterpil- 

 lars reach maturity, as the eggs soon hatch into minute white 

 maggots, which burrow through the skin to feed on the fleshy 

 tissues beneath. The maggots grow rapidly, and soon the un- 

 fortunate caterpillars succumb, although not until the maggots 

 have had sufficient food to meet their wants. Among the most 

 prominent predaceous insects which were found attacking the 

 army worms were the fierce larvae of some of our common ground 

 beetles. Some of these larvae grow tO' nearly the size of the cut- 

 worms themselves. They are very active and fight fiercely for 

 the mastery over their prey, which they grasp in their strong 

 jaws and endeavor to hold firmly while sucking the victim's 

 juices. Several species of birds also feed upon the army worm. 



Methods Recommended for Checking the Army Worm. 



The methods which are usually recommended for checking the 

 army worm are mainly these: Plowing deep furrows around in- 

 fested fields or around an infested section of a field; also where 

 possible in front of the army of advancing insects. It is better 

 to make the sides of the furrow's as near perpendicular as possi- 

 ble, and, where the soil will permit, to slant them back, especi- 

 ally the side opposite the infested section. Holes should be dug 

 in the furrows at intervals of from ten to fifteen feet. The cater- 

 l)lllars which fall into the furrows, not being able to get out, 

 will crawl along the sides, finally falling into the holes, where 

 they may be easily killed by crushing or by the application of 

 kerosene oil. The caterpillars in the furrows may also be killed 

 by scattering straw over them and burning it, or they may be 

 crushed by a log drawn back and forth through the furrow. 

 I'late L is from a photograph of a field of corn in which the 

 advancing ai'my of caterpillars was successfully checked by fur- 

 rows plowed between the rows of corn. In this case the soil was 

 light and stony and it w^ould have been a difficult matter to make 

 the sides remain perpendicular. The soil being very loose, how- 

 ever, gave way with the weight of the caterpillars as they at- 



