28 CIRCULAR 849, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



Feeding is resumed the following spring, and by May 15 the larvae 

 are full-grown. Shortly thereafter they enter the soil, construct 

 pupal cells of silk mixed with soil, and by the end of May have trans- 

 formed into the pupal stage. They pass the summer in that stage, 

 and the adults emerge from August to October, depending on the 

 locality. 



Be productive capacity. — The number of eggs from 21 females dis- 

 sected ranged from 470 to 1,173 and averaged 877. 



Natural enemies. — Over a period of several years 102 field-collected 

 larvae were reared. Of this number 8 percent were killed by fungus 

 diseases and 11 percent by hymenopterous parasites. 



Nephelodes emmedonia (Cramer) 



Bronzed Cutworm 

 (Figs. 2, H; 4, K) 



Notes on this species were published by the writer (19) in 1937. 



Distribution. — This cutworm is recorded throughout the northern 

 part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, with Colorado, 

 Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia as the approximate 

 southern limit of its range. It also occurs in injurious numbers in 

 eastern Canada, particularly in Xew Brunswick (Gibson 8). 



Economic importance. — The species is of minor economic importance 

 in the central Great Plains. However, it is important in northeastern 

 United States and eastern Canada. 



Food plants. — The larvae show a pronounced preference for bluegrass 

 (Poa spp.), and may be found deep in the crowns of this grass. They 

 also feed on Virginia wild-rye (Elymus virgin icus L.) and on the buds 

 and leaves in fruit trees. Hence this species has the habits of both 

 surface and climbing cutworms. 



Seasonal history. — There is but one generation annually in the 

 central Great Plains. The adults emerge about mid-September and 

 are present until the early part of October. The females oviposit 

 shortly after emergence, but the eggs do not hatch until the following 

 spring. The larvae become full-grown by the last of April and cease 

 feedirg during the first 10 days of May. They then enter the soil 

 and form the pupal cells, remaining quiescent therein until pupation 

 begins about August 15. The pupal period takes about 4 weeks. 

 The seasonal cycle is completed with the emergence of the adults in 

 September and October. 



Reproductive capacity.— -The number of eggs dissected from 16 

 females ranged from 533 to 1,381 and averaged 1.071. 



Natural enemies. — Of 169 larvae collected at various times from 

 bluegrass, 1 percent were parasitized by undetermined Hymenoptera, 

 and 1 percent were killed by undetermined fimgus disease and 32 

 percent by a wilt which quickly liquefied the larvae. 



Septis cariosa (Guenee) 



(Fig. 4, TV) 



Distribution. — This species is recorded from the northern United 

 States, including Xew York and Pennsylvania, and from Arizona. 

 The writer has collected larvae and adults in Kansas 



