95 



somewhere between August 1 and September 10, at which latter 

 date several moths were taken from the breeding cage. During 

 the spring of '89 this cutworm has proved to be a faii-ly abundant 

 species, collected at many dates from the last of February to April 

 20, varying from very small to about half grown at the time first 

 mentioned, and about an inch in length the 20th of April. 



DESCEIPTION OF LARVA. 



A dark cutworm, with the back pinkish or orange overlaid with 

 dusky, deej)ening at the middle to a monilifoim dark band, most 

 distinct posteriorly. 



Ground color of the dorsal area pinkish gray, or obscure orange 

 gray, brightest posteriorly, minutely mottled everywhere with 

 brown and black. A broad, blackish median band composed of 

 rhomboidal blotches, one for each segment, the series connected 

 by their narrow ends. These blotches break up towards the front 

 into irregular mottlings, or form a diffuse darkish shade, still re- 

 taining, however, the appearance of lozenge-sMped patches. Very 

 obscure median pale line, much interrupted, but commonly dis- 

 tinct at the incisures — most so on the thoracic segments. Dorsal 

 area brightening at the margins into a scarcely distinct subdorsal 

 line, clearly separate only on the thoracic segments, and below 

 this a black band broken at the incisures, forming a series of 

 luDate or triangular blotches, widest above. These become con- 

 tinuous on the thoracic segments so as to form a dusky brown 

 band reaching from the subdorsal area to the spiracles. No spi- 

 racular markings, but sides finely mottled with gray and brown 

 much lighter than the back and becoming still paler beneath. 

 Piliferous tubercles inconspicuous except at the sides, where those 

 adjacent to the spiracles, above, behind, and below, are of moder- 

 ate size. Hairs short, small. 



Prolegs pale gray, each with a shining black blotch on the outer 

 surface. Thoracic legs dark. Cervical shield very smooth and 

 shining, quite dark, with the usual three longitudinal stripes, 

 l)inkish in color, the lateral ones much wider than the median. 

 Head nearly black. Antennae flesh-colored at base, ringed in black 

 beyond. Anal shield scarcely different from the preceding seg- 

 ment exteriorly. True legs pale brown, piliferous spots at base 

 large, shining dusky. Antennae pale. 



The Bristly Cutworm. 

 {Mamesira renigera, kSteph. ) 



(Plate v., fig. 3.) 



This cutworm, reported by Riley as an August species in gar- 

 dens in Northern Illinois, transforming in fall, is also a spring 

 <;utworm not uncommon in pasture lands. Numerous larvae, nearly 

 full grown, taken at Champaign April 25, 1888, yielded the imago 



