REPORT OF THE SOCIETY 



113 



The majority of the cutworms winter as partly-grown caterpillars and 

 pupate in the ground in late June and early July. The moths emerge in early 

 August and lay their eggs in grass lands. The caterpillars that hatch from 

 these eggs feed on the roots of grasses until winter sets in. 



Cutvvorms are then most destructive in May and June. They lie hidden 

 in the daytime in the ground close to the plants attacked, but at night they 

 come to the surface to feed and "cut ofT" the young plants close to the 

 ground. 



A cutworm — showing various stages. 



Cutworms are readily controlled by (a) a poisoned bait such as is used 

 against army worms and grasshoppers; (b) deep plowing of grass lands in 

 autumn destroys many eggs and young cutworms; (c) protecting cabbages, 

 tomatoes, etc., by a collar of tin around the stem. 



"White Head" Disease of Cereals and Grasses. 



It is often observed in a field of oats or other cereals that many of the 

 heads are white, and on examination it is found that these heads have not 

 filled out. This "white head" condition, sometimes called "silver top," is 

 produced by several agents, to some of which reference has already been 

 made. The Wheat Stem Maggot and the American Frit Fly are largely 

 responsible in the case of wheat heads and timothy, and in other cases where 

 oats are concerned the cause is a minute, sucking, yellowish-brown insect 

 called the "grass thrips." This insect lays its eggs in spring and the young 

 forms become full grown in about two weeks. It is likely that there are 

 several broods of this insect and that it is able to reproduce in much the 

 same way as plant lice. At present no remedy is available. 



