CHAPTER XVII 

 GARDEN INSECTS 



145. Cutworms.* The larvae of several species of moths, 

 which are more or less similar in general appearance and 

 habits and which feed on low-growing vegetation, cutting 

 off the stems just at the surface of the ground, are commonly 



known as Cut-worms. They 

 should be distinguished from 

 the white grubs (page 236), 

 which are often wrongly 

 called cutworms on account 

 of their similar habits. Some 

 species prefer certain crops, 

 but most of them are almost 

 omnivorous, though most 

 injurious to garden crops 

 and to corn, cotton, tobacco 

 and similar crops grown in 

 hills or rows. 



The adult moths have 

 dark fore wings, variously 

 marked with darker or lighter spots and narrow bands, as 

 illustrated, and expand from one to two inches. The wings 

 are folded over the back when at rest. Most of the larger, 

 dark-colored moths which fly into lights in summer, commonly 

 called "moth-millers," are cutworm moths. Like their 

 larvae they feed at night, sipping the nectar from flowers. 

 * Family Noctuidce, see page 80. 

 266 



FIG. 189. The dark -"sided cut- 

 worm (^4 gratis messoria) . (After 

 Riley.) 



