55 



the 31st October showed that the outer stalks of nearly every 

 stool were dead, although, owing to the recent rains, new leaves 

 were being sent up from the center of the stool. The stand was 

 light upon the ground, but the owner reported that it had been ex- 

 cellent at first. On examination, the greater part of the dead stalks 

 were found to harbor the larvte of Meromyza about half grown. 

 When taken from the stalks these larvae traveled with considerable 

 activity, using their mouthhooks to draw themselves forward. 



This field of rye was sown unusually early (July 9) for pasture, 

 a fact entirely consistent with respect to the conditions favorable to 

 injury by this pest. Late sowing remains the only preventive 

 measure against it. 



6. The Grass Worm or Fall Army Worm. 



(Laphygma frugiperda, Guen.)' 



Order Lepidoptera. Family Noctuid^. 



tPlateV. Figs, land 2.) 



An abundant southern insect well knowa in fields of cotton and 

 corn in the Southern States, but rarely noted in Illinois, has twice 

 appeared in this latitude in numbers so extraordinary as to attract 

 general attention and to do very considerable mischief in fields of 

 young winter wheat in autumn, and once in corn fields in midsum- 

 mer. It first appeared here fifteen years ago, and has since been 

 seen only by entomological collectors, until the autumn of the pres- 

 ent year. Its occurrence was first announced to me on the 2d Octo- 

 ber by Mr. H. C. Mclntire, of Topeka, Tazewell county, who wrote : 



"I have this day mailed you a box containing specimens of a 

 worm that is devastating wheat fields in this part of our county. 

 They hatch on land that was in oats this last year, and they are 

 eating the wheat clean. Hundred of acres in this part of the county 

 are as clean at it is possible for land to be, not a green thing left. 

 From land that was in oats, they go to wheat that was in wheat 

 last, eating it clean as they go." 



Two days later, Mr. F. E. Buckley, of Tremont, wrote me: 



"There is a worm working in the winter wheat in this section, 

 which is causing much consternation among the farmers. Many 

 call it the army worm. In a field of wheat of twenty acres, visited 

 by the writer this morning, this pest could be seen working in large 

 numbers. Throughout the entire field there were probably on an 

 average, from a dozen to a dozen and a half worms to the square 

 foot ; worms from one-fourth to one-half inch in length to full grown 

 ones. A full grown one is about one and a half inches in length. 

 They seemed to have entered my wheat from an adjoining corn lield 

 on the north, and are working towards the south. In many places 

 the oats is quite thick, as the wheat was sown upon oats stubble. 

 But the worms do not touch the oats. They cut the wheat off close 

 to the ground and eat it up clean, or else climb the spears and eat 

 it down." 



