89 



COT-WOnSIS. NAue or TBB UOTIt. DESTROTER OF THE CttT-WOtlMS. 



towards the outer side. The veins are not marked witii dusky, except a 

 spot or siiort streak upon each of them, forming a transverse row forward 

 of the hind border, which row becomes obsolete towards the inner edge 

 and towards the outer edge is confluent, forming a dusky band. The cen- 

 tral crescent is more distinct than on the upper side, and on the hind edge 

 is a row of slender black crescents. The fore wing-S are dusky, of the 

 same shade with the border of the hind pair, becoming slightly paler 

 towards their bases. Tliey show an oblique black streak on the outer 

 edge between the middle and the tip, and immediately beyond this is a very 

 faint band crossing the wing parallel with the hind margin. 



The description now given makes it apparent, I think, that this moth is 

 not essentially different from tiie species of Agrotin named nigricans by Lin- 

 naeus, which species we have upon this continent with the same varieties 

 described by authors as occurring in Europe. In this species the teliform 

 stigma is marked by two parallel lines connected by a rounded mark at 

 their ends. But in the examples which I bred from the Cut-worms of the 

 corn, and all those wliich I captured that season a mere dot was the only 

 remaining vestige of this stigma. Therefore to facilitate future references 

 to this particular variety of which I have here treated, it may be well to 

 separate it under a distinct name, which I have accordingly done. 



The larger Yellow-headed Out-worm which came out as this was disap- 

 pearing, produced as I expected, the same moth which was described in 

 my Third Report, under the name Hadena amputalrix, the Amputating bro- 

 cade moth. 



Thus it was the larvas of these two insects which were so numerous and 

 did all the injury to our crops the past season, neither of these beino- the 

 species which Mr. Brace describes as the insect which produces the Cut- 

 worm. And it is therefore evident that in different j'ears and at different 

 localities, it is sometimes one sometimes another of the insects of this 

 group which becomes multiplied and injurious to us; whereby it will require 

 a series of observations extending through several seasons to obtain a full 

 acquaintance with them. 



Before leaving this subject I may advert to one of our most efficient na- 

 tural destroyers of these Gut-worms, which correspondents are occasionally 

 sending me, for information as to its name, its origin, &c. It is the larva 

 of a large black beetle, (Plate 4, fig. 4), having rows of round dots upon 

 its back resembling burnished gold, the brilliancy of which dots cause it 

 to bo frequently noticed as it is wandering about in plowed fields and pas- 

 tures in search of food, the beetle as well as its larva subsisting upon these 

 Cut-worms. It is the Bold Calosoma, Gaiosoma calidum as it is named in 

 scientific works, and pertains to the order Coi.F.orTERA and the family Cara- 



Its larva (Plate 4, fig. 5,) is a flattened, black, worm-like creature, 

 having six legs inserted upon its breast, and a pair of sharp hook-like jaws 

 projecting in front of its head, giving it, in connection with the agility of 

 its movements, a very ferocious and formidable appearance. It is curious 

 to watch this little creature when it is upon a hunting excursion, in pursuit 



