No. L] Further Notes. 33 



The fact, observed by Mr. Fisher, that vigorous trees are not attacked 

 to the same extent as trees in an unhealthy condition, is worthy of notice 

 as being- another instance of what would seem to be a very general law 

 with insect pests. 



5.— CUT WORMS. 



Agrotis suffusa, Hubn. 



Plate III, fig. 2, a larva (nat. size), b larval head (enlarged), c moth (nat. size). 



Injury to paddy from insects that are probably " Cut worms " has 

 been reported from Balasore and Chittagong, while it is not improbable 

 that much of the damage reported from other districts as due to obscure 

 lepidopterous larvae, may also have been doneby insects belonging to this 

 group. 



The following abstract therefore is given of an account by Dr. Riley 

 of the general habits of Cut Worms in America, together with his sugges- 

 tion for dealing with them : — 



" Cut Worms are Noctuid moths, generally belonging to the general 

 Agrotis, Hadena and Mamestra. The larvae are stout, naked worms of 

 sombre colours, curling iuto a roll when disturbed and transforming to 

 naked pupae under ground. The moths fly only at night or in the dusk ; 

 they generally attach their eggs near the ground on twigs and branches 

 of trees away from the food of the young larvae, which have therefore to 

 seek their food-plant when they hatch out. In their first larval stages 

 the larvae are much like loopers (Geometrites) ; at the approach of 

 winter (in the North States of America) they are generally about half- 

 grown and hybernate under stones and logs, or burrow beneath the sur- 

 face of the ground. From these winter quarters they come forth on 

 the approach of spring and do great injury to young and tender plants, 

 not contenting themselves with feeding on leaves but cutting off the 

 plants at their stems. Many feed by day, as well as by night, pulling 

 leaves and sprouts into the underground burrows and there devouring 

 them at their leisure. The pupal state, which is passed underground, 

 lasts three or four weeks. Many of the species are one-brooded in the 

 United States, but others have two broods. The larvae are attacked by 

 Tachinid and Ichneumon parasites." 



The following has been found effectual by Dr. Riley for destroy- 

 ing Cut worms. Bundles of cabbage, turnip, or 

 clover are sprinkled with Paris green water and 

 laid at intervals between the rows of the crop to be protected, but> 

 before the plants come up, these poison the Cut worms, which are thus 

 got rid of before the appearance of the crop which they would otherwise 

 attack. 



