49 



Dr. Lintner recommends sprinkling with water heated to 130 Fahr. and up- 

 wards (1st An. Rep. p. 59). 



The Cabbage Plusia (Plusia hrassicw, Riley). — This insect has at length 

 invaded the Province of Quebec. It has been taken at Metis by Mr. Winn. Its 

 numbers will probably increase. The fore wings of the moth are brownish grey, 

 and have yellowish, indistinct, transverse lines. In the centre of each fore wing is a 

 silvery, horse-shoe-like mark, with a silvery spot beyond it at the lower side. 

 The hind wings are yellowish, with smoky hind margins. The male moth is fur- 

 nished with conspicuous abdominal side tufts of a golden hue. 



The larva is a half-looper, having only twelve legs. Its head is small and 

 flat, and the body is gradually enlarged from it to the anal segment, which appears 

 as if abruptly sliced off. In colour the caterpillar is translucent pale green, marked 

 with delicate longitudinal white lines, and with white spots. In each of the latter 

 is set a short dark hair. 



The pupa is of a pale colour, yellowish or green, and is enclosed in a slight 

 cocoon. 



Besides the cabbage, the turnip, lettuce, celery and tomato afford food for 

 this pest. 



An application of hot water as recommended in the previous case, is prob- 

 ably the best remedy for the assaults of the insect. 



The Cut- Worm Moths. — These are a numerous family, including species be- 

 longing to the genera, Agrotis, Mamestra, Hadena, etc. They may be grouped 

 as climbing and surface cut-worms. It is with the latter I am for my present 

 purpose, more particularly concerned. I shall give a short account of a few repre- 

 sentative species of these, and for further particulars would refer the reader to a 

 valuable paper written by the late Mr. G. J. Bowles, which may be found in the 

 Society's Annual Report for 1879. 



The Devastating Dart-Moth {Hadena devastatrix, Brace) — This moth 

 is one and three-fourths inches in expanse of wings. The fore wings are 

 dark brownish gray, and have several whitish transverse lines. Near the hind 

 margin is a row of arrow-headed black spots pointing towards the base of the wing. 

 The hind wings are light brownish grey. The thorax is dark grey like the fore 

 wings and the abdomen is of the same colour as the hind wings. 



The caterpillar, (Fig. 18) known as the " Glassy Cut- Worm," has a translucent 



glassy-green body, a Venetian-red head, and a dark- 

 brown cervical shield. It has a few scattered spots 

 on each segment — each spot being furnished with a 

 single hair. The caterpillar hibernates in the soil, 

 and, coming out early in the spring, commences its 

 destructive work upon the newly-planted cabbages. 

 It feeds only at night, and lies hid in the soil, near 

 the root of the plant, during the day. 



The Barred-Arches Moth {Hadena arnica, Harris). — This beautiful moth 

 expands about two inches. The ground colour of its fore wings is rich Spanish 

 brown. Near the hind margin is a broad, wavy, bluish-grey band, and near the 

 base of the wing is a narrower and darker wavy band. The reniform stigma (kid- 

 ney-shaped spot in the middle of the wing) is large and distinct. The hind wings 

 are ash-coloured, clouded on the outer margin. 



The caterpillar which is called the " Yellow-headed Cut-worm," is of a smoky- 

 brown colour, and the head, cervical shield, and anal plate are yellow, or chestnut- 

 coloured. This creature cuts off the young corn below the surface of the ground. 

 4 (EN.) 



