20 
peas, and grass, extending its depredations over a considerable terri- 
tory and in some places completely consuming young corn. It was 
impossible to use Paris green at this time, as the corn was too tall for 
the purpose, and the larva? were, moreover, all over the g-round and 
over all vegetation in the neighborhood. 1 
During the latter half of July the writer observed this insect in 
considerable abundance in the unfolded leaves and young ears of corn 
at Marshall Hall. Md., and in great numbers on grasses in the experi- 
mental plats of the Department grounds, being particularly injurious 
on the creeping bent (Agrostis stolon if tr a), which it practically 
destroyed.' 2 
During August many reports of injury were received. The first 
was from Mr. C. A. Hart. Urbana, 111., who sent larvae found at 
Areola, in the same State, feeding on leaves of corn. On the 5th Mr. 
E. D. Sanderson brought larva? received from Mr. A. T. McCallum, 
Red Springs. Robinson County. X. C. with report that they were 
injuring corn, millet, sweet potatoes, cowpeas. and other vegetables at 
that place. On the 2'2d Mr. W. H. Stennett wrote concerning this 
species, inclosing a clipping from a Chicago daily, and reporting the 
appearance of the caterpillars simultaneously at Chicago and at Evans- 
ton. 111. 3 Injury in Chicago was most marked upon lawns; larva? were 
also observed to attack white clover, and were noticeable on young 
blue grass. 
August 24 Mr. Adam TVeehsler. New Glatz, Prince George County, 
Md. . brought larva? that were ravaging a field of sowed corn in that 
vicinity and were spreading into a field of spinach. Mr. YTechsler 
expressed the belief that he would probably lose both crops. The 
same day Col. Wright Rives. Rives. Md.. reported attack on millet at 
his place, the insects being so abundant as to cause fear that they 
1 Our correspondent stated that it had been very wet in his vicinity all of the pre- 
ceding year and until late that spring, after which the rain had been very light and 
insects of various kinds had been unusually troublesome, but what bearing those 
conditions could have had on the enormous numbers of the insects is not obvious. 
-A feature of this latter outbreak was that injury was at first believed to be due to 
the work of the sooty corn-root web worm (Crambus caliginosellus Clem.), the only 
insect that could be found July 17. when the attention of the writer was first called 
to the injury. A small grass-feeding billbug, Sphenophorus parwdus civil., was also 
present in large numbers and in all stages, as was also a minute wireworm, Mono- 
crepidius beUus Say. Specimens of white grubs hi the first stage (Lachnosterna spp. ) 
were also taken. Injury was undoubtedly due mainly to the fall army worm, 
although the root webworni and billbug were also in sufficient numbers to make 
their presence felt. This is a good example of what is often to be found where only 
a single species is reported as responsible for injury. 
3 From Mr. Stennett' s letter and from the newspaper account it appears that this 
invasion of caterpillars was preceded by one of the milkweed butterfly, Danais 
archippus (Anosia jrfexippp.s) , which species was described as descending in a cloud 
in certain parts of the city. 
