36 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of slightly converging spines and on each side of these, two fine, 

 curled hooks; the spiracles are nearly black. The pupae are found 

 just beneath the surface of the soil. 



Moth. The moth is a plain appearing, reddish gray or fawn- 

 colored insect with a wing spread of about one and one-half inches. 

 The forewing is peculiar because of the small, characteristic, angular, 

 white spot near the middle. These characteristics will serve for the 

 recognition of the adult. 



Life history and habits. There were two destructive broods in 

 1896, and the same conditions appear to prevail the present season, 

 since moths were reported by Roy Latham at Orient as late as 

 November 28th. This record was accompanied by the statement 

 that a few pupae were being turned out by the plow. Doctor 

 Howard considers there may be as many as six generations annually 

 in the Southern States. 



The accepted life history in this State may be briefly sum- 

 marized as follows: Overwintered moths or recently emerged ones, 

 which may hibernate as larvae or possibly pupae, deposit eggs early 

 in the spring and from them the first brood of larvae develop. These 

 latter, on account of their comparatively small numbers, rarely prove 

 destructive and are consequently unnoticed. They complete their 

 growth, pupate, and the moths emerge and lay the eggs from which 

 is produced the second and usually destructive brood of caterpillars 

 or army worms. These become nearly full grown early in July, and 

 at about this time the reports of serious injuries are generally received. 

 This second generation of caterpillars pupates the later half of July 

 and the moths emerge early in August. They in turn, deposit eggs 

 the latter part of the month and early in September the third brood 

 makes its appearance, and by the latter part of the month is full 

 grown. This generation occasionally becomes quite injurious, as 

 was the case at Ghent, N. Y., in 1896, the larvae pupating the last of 

 September or early in October and moths emerging the last of October 

 and into November and probably wintering as adults. 



The habits of the moths are of considerable importance in practical 

 control work, since outbreaks are most likely to occur where adults 

 are numerous and deposit eggs freely. The moths fly in the early 

 evening hours or during the day in cloudy weather and are probably 

 capable of long, sustained flights. There is a suspicion that injuries 

 in the north by this insect may be due to extended flights of the adults, 

 a theory which is supported in part at least, by the long flights of the 

 alHed cotton moth, Alabama argillacea Hiibn. The army 

 worm moths feed upon a variety of blossoms and also upon fruit, 



