50 
about equally relished. May 25 this larva was found by the writer at 
work on young beets on the Department grounds. May 28 Mr. W. C. 
Hollowell, Barnes. Kans., wrote that this cutworm was devouring the 
corn in that county, and that there were hundreds of acres that were 
cut off. The larvae began attack upon the blades, eating down the 
heart for 2 or 3 inches under the ground. This cutworm was described 
as devouring everything, including weeds of various kinds. One 
patch of potatoes had been completely stripped of leaves. The same 
day Mr. Warren Knaus, McPherson, Kans., sent larva? with the 
report that they were doing considerable damage in McPherson and 
adjoining counties, eating all kinds of garden vegetables, and being 
especially destructive to alfalfa. 
During June this species was sent to us on the 1st by Mr. W . H. 
Edwards, Coalburg, W. Va., as being concerned in injury to cabbage 
and tomato in that locality. The same day Mr. E. M. Wright, 
Eureka, 111., sent this cutworm found on cabbage. June 5 Mr. 
Knaus, who is an entomologist of experience and reputation, reported 
that many individuals were found beneath pea vines and in a lettuce 
bed. He stated that this species attacks all garden vegetation except 
growing beans, and defoliates currant and gooseberry bushes and box 
elder trees. Potato vines were attacked, particularly in the vicinity of 
fields of alfalfa, which seems to be the principal host plant in that 
vicinity. Sunflower, hollyhock, and cocklebur were also attacked. 
In July Mrs. Dora Hans, Quilcene, Jefferson County, Wash. , wrote 
on the 17th that it was eating everything in the shape of garden flow- 
ers, and even grasses. The larva? were described as cleaning every- 
thing to the ground, and at the time of writing were defoliating fruit 
trees. Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, potatoes, and other garden truck 
were also injured. On the 20th Mr. Ernst Stock. Chicago, 111., 
reported that it was known as the army worm in that vicinity and had 
destroyed his lawn entirely the previous year. 1 It appeared to eat the 
roots of the grass so that the grass soon died. On the 21st Mr. A. 
J. Maise, Dora, Coos County, Oreg., made a report that this species 
was doing a great deal of damage in that section, destroying garden 
and other vegetation. July 23 Mr. Thomas Oswald, Wynooche, Che- 
halis County, Wash., wrote that this cutworm was a pest in that 
country, eating everything in the gardens. The insect had damaged 
hay fields very badly; it was observed also on cabbage. Some of the 
residents called it the army worm, but the caterpillars were not noticed 
traveling, although very abundant in some places. July 26 Miss 
Daisy Fowler, Burley, Wash., wrote that this insect was eating flow- 
ers and vegetables in that vicinity. Only the poppy seemed exempt 
x The injury in 1899 was doubtless due to the fall army worm, as that species was 
very troublesome on Chicago lawns that year, as has already been stated- 
