Circular No. 43. (Revision of No. 2) June, 19 14 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTORAL [XPEKIINT STATION 



CUTWORMS. 



BY H. T. FERNALD, PH. D. 



The general term "Cutworms" refers to the larvae of the Noctuids 

 or owlet moths, but all Noctuid larvae are not necessarily cutworms. 

 There are two classes of cutworms, those which feed on weeds, veg- 

 etables, and flowers, and which are the ones herein treated, and 

 those which feed on the leaves and buds of trees, which are not 

 usually abundant enough in Massachusetts to cause serious injury. 



The cutworms attack almost any succulent and juicy plant, such 

 as grass, clover, corn and wheat, garden vegetables and flowering 

 plants. 



LIFE HISTORY. 



The moths lay their eggs, 200-500 in number, in masses of rank 

 vegetable growth, usually on the stalk, though sometimes on the 

 leaves. This occurs about the last of August or the first of Septem- 

 ber and about the last of September or the first of October the 

 young caterpillars begin to feed on the plant upon which the eggs 

 were laid. After they have grown to about three-fourths of an inch 

 in length, they go into a dormant state for the winter in the ground 

 and remain there until spring. They then come to the surface and 

 eat whatever plant food they may find until full grown, this being 

 generally between the last of June and the last of July. The follow- 

 ing features are possessed by nearly all the species and by these 

 they may be recognized. They are from i 1-4 to nearly 2 inches in 

 length ; have sixteen feet, the three anterior pairs being sharp, the 

 five posterior pairs blunt and stout and armed with minute hooks 

 for clasping ; they have the appearance of being stout with an 

 inclination to taper at both ends and they are usually dull-colored, 

 greasy-looking, dingy-brown, gray or greenish, with some light and 

 dark longitudinal lines and sometimes with oblique dashes. The 

 head is large, shiny and usually of a red or reddish brown color. 

 The first ring or collar bears a darker colored, shiny, horny plate as 

 also does the last segment of the body. 



When full grown the caterpillars cease feeding and work their way 

 into the soil for a depth of four to six inches, and there form an oval 

 cell by rolling and twisting about until it is smooth and compact and 

 then change to brown, conical pupae. 



