634 Report of the Entomologtst of the 



There is a natural migration of the cutworm moths from the high 

 to the low ground and vice versa. This migration is probably 

 fostered by the dry seasons. The pastures are cropped close by 

 the stock, and hence furnish poor hiding places for the moths. 

 If we take for granted that this species deposits its eggs early 

 in August, and that the cutworms make part of their growth 

 during the fall, as some other species of cutworms are known 

 to doi, then the rank growth of barnyard gra^ss and numerous 

 weeds around the margins of the onion plots furnish excellent 

 breeding places for the moths. (See Plate LIX.) This is also a 

 good theory for their being so much more numerous on the " gray 

 soils." These gray soils are, as a rule, more foul with weeds 

 and grasses than the new lands. 



Life History and Habits. 



Dr. Riley* states in his first report that this species of cut- 

 worm is single brooded. In his Grovernment report for 1885t 

 he says tliat the evidence points toward their hibernation in 

 the larval stage, and, as the larval hibernation is by far the 

 mo'st common among the cutworms, is of the opinion that the 

 species so hibernates as a rule. He also says: "This does 

 not, however, preclude the hibernation of some of the later- 

 developed moths, and the fact that neither moths, eggs nor 

 young larv<e were found in October, must, we think, be explained 

 on two grounds. First, either limited or insufficient search or, 

 second, their occurrence in adjacent localities or on other plants." 



Gillettel says: "The moths of this species have been most 

 abundant abont lights and sugar baits from the 20th to 30th of 

 July. From dissections made it seems that the eggs are laid 

 in the latter part of July and August." 



Dr. Smith§ says: " The eggs are laid by the moths toward the 

 end of summer and hatch soon afterward. The larvie or young 

 cutworms develop slowly and become little more than half-grown 

 in fall." 



* First Report on nosious, beneficial and other insects of Mo., p. 74. 



tU. S. Dept. Afjr. Kept, 1885, p 271. 



; Bulletin 12, Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, p. 538. 



^ Ann. Kept. N. J. Agrl. Exp. Station, 1892, p. 470. 



