375 



EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 



The Mole Cricket as a Harbinger of Spring. 



I seud you herewith au iusect locally kuowu as the "Mole-bug," from the fact that 

 it burrows a track or " run" just under the surface of the ground, very much as the 

 mole does, and you will see, if the specimen reaches you iu good condition, that its 

 forefeet are very much like those of the mole. You may be familiar with the habits 

 of this iusect, and then you may not. The object I Iiave in sending you this speci- 

 men is because of this very interesting fact, that the first appearance of the "Mole- 

 bug" in the spring of the year is a sure indication that winter is over — that sprino- 

 has come — that there will be no more cold w-eather. The "Mole-bug " announces his 

 appearance just a little before dusk of an ev^euing by the i^eculiar grating nasal sound 

 it makes, in an unbroken repetition of tay-tay-tay-tay, which can be heard for a 

 considerable distance. He is very shy, and not easilj' approached without the risk 

 of disturbing his evening song, and causing him to seek safety by making a hasty 

 retreat into his run, which ho has made under the ground, from just outside of which 

 he has been sending forth his harsh music. 



I have been noting the first appearance of these insects for several years, and an 

 oldgentleman of my acquaintance, who first called my attention to this little prophet, 

 says he has noted its first appearance for a great many years, and our observations 

 warrant the assertion that when the " Mole-bug " is heard winter is over and spring 

 has most emphatically arrived. It usually makes its appearance between the '20th 

 and 30th of March ; but the first one I heard this season was on the 17th of March, 

 earlier than usual. I do not know that this information will be of any use to you, 

 but then it is like taking a bread pill — if it does not do any good it will not do any 

 harm. Farm work is progressing very rapidly in this section ; the rain-fall during 

 this month has been below the average, and no thunder or wind storms up to this 

 date, which is something very unusual. — [B. T. Webster, Louisville, Miss., March 29, 

 1889, to Prof. R. B. Fulton, of the University of Mississippi. 



First injurious Appearance of the Army Worm in Florida. 



I fully believe that I have the true Army Worm of the North {Leacaiiia unipuncta) 

 on my place. They were first noticed about ten days since in a field of very rank 

 Oats, -which were shooting to head and about waist high. The worms exist in im- 

 mense numbers. Thej- have eaten the Oats to the bare stems and are spreadiu"- over 

 the farm, destroying as they go. Ditches do not stop them, and I am now burning 

 straw around the field during the middle of the day, at which time they are in mo- 

 tion. If you desire it I will forward specimens. They may prove to be the Laphijgma 

 frugiperda, but I believe them to be Leiicania unipuncta. I have not heard of them 

 anywhere else in the country, and have never known them to appear sooner than 

 July or August until now. — [J. V. Dansby, Fensacola, Fla., March ], 1887. 



Reply. — » * * The appearance of either the true Army Worm (LeMcaHtVi wni- 

 puncta), or of the Grass Worm {Laphygma frugiperda), at this season of the year in such 

 enormous numbers as you describe is a matter of great interest. You are doubtless right 

 in supposing that it is the first named of these two insects. We have already recorded 

 the occurrence of the true Army Worm in Florida during late winter and early spring, 

 but have never known of its occurrence in such injurious numbers. * * » We 

 should be very glad to receive a large number of specimens from you. These should 

 be inclosed in several small boxes together with a supply of grass or other food, and 

 sent by mail. We hope that you will give us every detail of this invasion.— [March 

 5, 1387.] 



