INSECTS IXJURIOUS TO THE SUGAR-BEET. 



257 



Noctuidas. The injurious species belong almost entirely 

 to the genera Mmnestris, Hadena, and Agrotis, and are 

 sufficiently alike in their habits and life-history that the 

 same methods may in general be applied to all. The 

 worms are of dull brown, gray, or greenish hues, generally 

 with longitudinal stripes, and often with oblique dashes. 



Fig. 146. — Peridromia snicin. a, adult; b, c, d, full-grown larvae; 

 e, f, eggs— all natural size except e, which is greatly enlarged. 

 (After Howard, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



They are one and one-fourth to almost two inches in length 

 and rather stout, but tapering. The head and segment 

 back are reddish brown and horny. There are eight pairs 

 of legs; the first three jointed and tapering, the last five 

 (pro-legs) short and stout. Besides the beets they have 

 been recorded as injuring almost every croj^ of the farm, 

 orchard, and garden. Beets, turnips, and many of the 

 garden crops are cut off at the neck just below the surface 

 of the soil. Like the adults, the worms feed only at night, 



