^HE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. S3 



Is a smaller species, seldom expanding more than 1.25 inches and 

 differs materially upon a strict comparison, and especially in the 

 ground color being lighter and more silvery. It is faithfully repre- 

 sented at Plate 1, Figure 11. This species, as I am kindly informed 

 by Mr. Cresson, is marked Agrotis jacutifera in the collection of the 

 American Entomological Society, but without authorship ; and as the 

 siame seems appropriate 1 have retained it. 



Thus we have in this country, at least three species of cut- worms, 

 which differ no more from one another in general appearance, than 

 do individuals of the same species; and yet they all produce distinct 

 moths, though it is worthy of remark that the moths produced from 

 worms so resembling each other, viz : Agrotis nigricans, var 

 maizi, A, suhgotkica and A jaculifera ; have, all three of them, 

 the space between and behind the two ordinary spots on the front 

 wings of a dark brown color. It is possible that each of these species 

 may have a different habit, but time, and further investigation will 

 alone determine the point. 



Agrotis 3 aculifeba — Larue— Length one inch. Similarly marked to that of Agrotis subgx>- 

 ihicc, with the colors darker and more dingy, the longitudinal lines less conspicuous, and the dor- 

 sum of a urore decided pale buff color. 



Chrysalis — Length 0.G5-0.70. .Color honey-yellow with dull brown shadings, and dark-brown 

 •eyes, but characterized especially by two subquadrats dark spots on the wing-sheaths just abov« 

 antennae. 



Perfect insect — Much resembling A, subgothica, Haw., being marked as at Plate 1, Figure 11. It 

 •differs from that species in the following respects : The average expanse is but 1.30. The whole 

 ground-color is colder (to use the language of the artist), i. e., of a whiter gray, with less of the 

 buff color. The costa is barker, and the light costal band narrower; the posterior median nerve is 

 almost white and very distinct to the lower part of the reniform spot ; nerves 3, 4 and 5 are well re- 

 lieved by light margins ; the streak running between nerves 2 and 3 is very distinct and less diffuse; 

 die terminal space is darker, and the inner margin only broken by nerves 4 and 5 ; there are no 

 sagittate spots, while the posterior margin is very clearly defined by a block line bounded outwardly 

 hy a light one. 



Described from three bred specimens, 



THE GLASSY CUT-WORM. 

 (Larva of the Devastating Dart, Agrotis devastator, Brace.) 



In the year 1819, in a short article upon the cut- worm, published 

 in the first volume of Silliman's Journal, p. 157, Mr. Brace, of Litch- 

 field, Connecticut, gave an account of this moth, which he bred from 

 pupas that were found a few inches under the ground, in a cabbage 

 patch. He did not describe the worm which produced the pupae, as 

 he evidently supposed there was but one kind of cut- worm in exist- 

 ence. Consequently, up to the present day the larva of this common 

 Devastating Dart moth has been unknown. It was my good fortune 

 •to breed this moth from the larva state. The cot-worm from which it 

 was produced, was found on the 12th of May 

 under a wild endive plant, upon the leaves 

 of which it had evidently been feeding. It 

 was but half grown, and. being placed in a 

 jar half filled with earth, that contained 

 growing grass, it burrowed into the earth 

 and after once casting its skin, fed entirely 



