26 CIRCULAR 8 4 9, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



Natural enemies. — The larvae of Lacinipolia meditata were never 

 numerous during this investigation. A total of 78 field-collected 

 larvae were reared, of which 1 percent were parasitized by an uni- 

 dentified species of Ophion and 14 percent died of an unidentified 

 wilt disease. 



Lacinipolia vicina (Grote) 



Distribution. — Holland (10) records this species as ranging from 

 the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. It is also recorded from Xew 

 York and Pennsylvania, and the writer has taken the adults in 

 Kansas and Nebraska. 



Economic status. — This cutworm is of no economic importance. 



Food plants. — During many years of collecting, only three larvae 

 of this species were taken. They were 'found in surface trash at the 

 edge of a field of winter wheat. 



Seasonal history. — Little is known of the seasonal history of the 

 species. The three larvae, taken on March 21, were then about half 

 grown. They pupated early in May and the adults emerged in June 

 and July. Records of capture at light traps showed that a few adults 

 were present early in the season, but that the heaviest flight occurred 

 in September. This would indicate that the species has at least 

 two generations annually, and, as larvae were present in March, 

 they probably pass the winter as partly grown larvae. 



Lacinipolia renigera (Stephens) 



Bristly Cutworm 

 (Figs. 2, F; 4, T) 



Distribution. — The range of this species includes the eastern United 

 States and extends as far west as North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, 

 Colorado, and New Mexico. It also occurs in Europe. 



Economic status. — It is of no economic importance in the central 

 Great Plains. Elsewhere in its range it is at times destructively 

 abundant locally. 



Food plants and larval habits. — This species is a general feeder. 

 The food plants include alfalfa, clover, corn, tobacco, and turnips. 

 The protective coloration of the larvae is remarkable. Stretched out 

 among the bits of dead stems and fitter in which it prefers to rest, 

 the larva is difficult to discern. Furthermore, it clings to a stem when 

 disturbed, not coiling as do so many cutworms, and, being covered 

 with dust particles, it blends almost perfectly into its surroundings. 



Seasonal history. — So far as known, the bristly cutworm has two 

 generations a year over its entire range. It passes the winter as 

 partly grown larvae, which reach maturity by the end of March. 

 Nearly all have pupated by the end of April. The moths of the 

 spring brood appear early in May and are present until the last of 

 June. These moths give rise to the summer generation, the moths 

 of which appear late in August, that flight continuing until early in 

 October. Eggs deposited by these adults produce the overwintering 

 larvae. 



Life cycle. — Winter generation: Eggs deposited on October 3 

 hatched on October 10 and 11. The larvae passed through six or 



