Circular No. 6i. (Revision of No. 43) February, 1916. 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 



CUTWORMS. 



HV H. T. FERNALD, PH. D. 



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

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

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

 and flowers, which are the ones here 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 September 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 betweea the last of June and the last of July. 

 The following 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. 



Usually in July and August, the moths emerge from these pupae and fly at 

 night feeding upon the nectar of flowers and other sweet exudations from 

 trees or plants. 



The life history of this insect is completed about the last of August when 

 the eggs are laid for the new generation. 



