48 PAPERS ON INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLES. 



development of the cutworm except for some evidence that it might 

 be a preferred food plant. 



The moths issued in our rearing jars during the first and second 

 weeks of September, and conditions were such at that time that this 

 is probably about the same period of issuance as that under natural 

 conditions. 



In May, 1902, this cutworm was again very abundant in the same 

 locality, particularly around watermelon hills. Our correspondent 

 wrote further of this species and of a related form (probably the 

 granulated cutworm, Feltia annexa Treit.) with which it was asso- 

 ciated, that it had been a terrible pest in his vicinity during the two 

 years previous, and that in 1901 the insects were notably more 

 numerous than before. He stated that it would have been impossible 

 to have grown a crop like cotton or tobacco on his place that year. 

 Some of the larvse were remarkably late in transforming to pupae, 

 this being painfully evident in his melon field. 



No positive information concerning damage by this species was 

 reported for a few years thereafter, but there can be no doubt what- 

 ever that it was injurious, more or less, during many if not all of 

 the remaining years. 



In 1908 this species was observed by Mr. C. H. Popenoe and the 

 writer injuring kale, spinach, and lettuce in June at Norfolk, Va., 

 where it was also associated in every instance of observed injury 

 with the granulated cutworm (Feltia annexa). 



September 3, 1909, near Poplar Branch, N. C., these cutworms 

 were found by Mr. W. L. McAtee, of the Biological Survey of this 

 department, to be exceedingly numerous in a little truck garden 

 kept by Capt. J. T. TVestcott. Single rakes of the fingers over G 

 inches of the sandy soil disclosed from 6 to 12 cutworms. He 

 gathered a quart of these for fish bait in a few minutes. Canta- 

 loupe and watermelon vines were entirely defoliated and corn and 

 tomatoes were slightly attacked. 



March 22, 1910, Mr. F. A. Johnston examined a field of about 3 

 acres of cultivated dandelions on the farm of Mr. Bruce Carney, at 

 Churchland, Va., and found it badly infested with cutworms of this 

 species. Hidden in the dead leaves around the base of some plants 

 there were as many as 5 or 6 3 7 oung larva?. Some were quite small, 

 and no appreciable damage had been done to the crop up to that date 

 by this pest. The winter had been severe on the dandelions, most 

 of them being killed back to the ground, but since the warmer 

 weather set in the plants had made quite rapid growth and were in 

 very fair condition. The crop was being cut for market and it 

 seemed quite probable that a thorough spraying of the leaves that 

 remained after the crop was harvested with either arsenate of lead 

 or Paris green would control the pest. 



