(li(jrlucllus), and these liuve hatcliecl in t'roin ten to iourteen duy.s. Aio.st 

 of them were laid singly, but occasionally in clusters of five or six. When 

 first laid they are nearly white, but they change with age to yellowish 

 orange. The young caterpillars form their web-lined nests imme- 

 diately upon or just under the surface of the soil, strengthening them by 

 the addition of bits of grass or particles of dirt to the surface. They 

 commonly cut off the blades of grass ajid draw the ends down into the 

 nest so that they can feed without leaving it. 



The data concerning the life histories of the various species are not 

 sufficiently complete for all to warrant general comparative statements con- 

 cerning them. It is certain that two of the species, trisectus and mutah- 

 ilis, are at least two-brooded. A tabulation of the dates of collec- 

 tion of a very large series of adults made in .several succe.ssive years, 

 shows two well-marked periods of maximum occurrence, one in July 

 and one in August, with a comparatively sparse showing towards the 

 middle of July. Larvte of trisectus have been found abundant in May 

 and early June, and again in late July and early August. Those of 

 mutabilis are conunonest in the latter half of June. The fact that a 

 thi d wave of abundance of the moths of trisectus was noted one year in 

 early October suggests the possibility of a third l^rood of this species at 

 least. Vulgivagellus, on the other hand, appears to be a single-brooded 

 species. The larva mature late in May, but remain, as a rule, in their 

 underground cells, like some cutworms, dormant through midsummer, 

 emerging as adults in August artd September. The eggs are then laid 

 for the hibernating brood of the caterpillars, which will be found in 

 young corn most abundantly during the latter j)art of .May and early in 

 June. 



The data concerning luteoleUus also indicate, so far as they go, a 

 single brood, the moths appearing most abundantly in June and July, 

 with only scattering occurrences in August, and none in the later months. 

 (Jur breeding-cage results are likewise consistent with this supposition. 



The points of especial economic interest in the life histories of these 

 various species are virtually the same as in the case of cutworms. It is 

 desirable to know at what time in fall the eggs are laid for the hiber- 

 nating brood of caterpillars, since this will fix the time when grass-lands 

 should l)e plowed as a preparation for corn-planting the following year. 

 It is also desirable to know at what time in spring the hibernating .cater- 

 pillars cease their work, and when eggs are laid for the next generation. 

 The first of these dates fixes the time of planting or replanting corn on 

 infested land, and the second determines when gra.ss-lands may be plowed 

 in spring to the best advantage if the sofl was not broken up the preceding 

 year. 



Prevention and Remrdi/. — The facts concerning these welo-worms all 

 admonish the farmer to l)reak up a grassy turf as early in the fall as 



