32 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 239 



er l)rown usiuilly runs alonp,- the back. Tlie head, tlie neck shield and the 

 spiracles are mostly lilack. 



These worms have a peculiar disgusting appearance that has been described 

 as "greasy". They are about an inch and a half long when mature and often 

 are very active in the afternoon. 



The Muth. 



The moth (Plate One, fig. 10) expands nearly one and three-fourths inches. 

 The head is mostly reddish brown. The collar is sooty gray with a trans- 

 verse line of l)lack. The front part of tlie back is sooty gray. The breast is 

 light gray. The hind part of the body is pale brownish above and light gray 

 below. The fore wings are mostlj- sooty above with a few inconspicuous black 

 markings, tiie outer third of each l)eing light brown. They are pale brown- 

 ish underneath. The hind wings are pale with brown shades toward the 

 margins. 



Treatment. 



Floodituj. 



On Jiotia tlmt cannot he re flooded. — Pre\ention: Let off the winter water 

 before May 2.5. 



On hoijs that con he reflooded. — Flood for 15 liours as soon as the net count 

 (page 3) shows it is necessary. 



Sprai/iiij/. 



What has l)een said of the lilossom worm in regard to spraying is true of 

 this pest also. 



Baiting. 



See page 26. ' 



Armyworm. 



This notorious cutworm infests bogs after late draining of the winter water 

 oftener than the others. It may attack if this flood is let off at any time 

 ))etween about May 27 and about July 10. It never harms a bog drained early 

 unless it is very grassy or is reflooded for ten days or longer in late May. 



The motiis seem to fly at times with tlie prevailing winds for many miles in 

 great numbers and aliglit in a body to lay their eggs in a place favorable to 

 the development of the worms. This accounts for the sudden appearance of 

 this insect in regions remote from any known source of infestation. A few 

 of the moths appear every year over most of the area in which it occurs, but 

 this does not explain the sudden great invasions that come from time to time. 



Armvworm outlireaks nearly alwavs start in the Southern States. They are 



40. Cirphii iinipicntta (Haw.). 



