THE FALL ARMY WORM. 
(Laphygma frugiperda S. & A.) 
The fall army worm, or grass worm as rt is also called in the South, 
like the common army worm, feeds normally on grasses and grains 
and certain forms of weeds, particularly such as belong to the Grami- 
nere or grass family, but will attack in its seasons of abundance almost 
any form of vegetation that is encountered in its line of march. At 
such times it becomes a pest in garden and orchard, on lawns and in 
greenhouses, as well as in pastures and in fields of grain. In most 
years it seems to be particularly destructive to winter wheat and other 
cereals, grasses, and other graminaceous plants, but it often does 
damage earlier in the season to various other crops. It especially 
attacks young corn in a very similar manner to the corn-ear worm, 
the young larva? devouring the tender folded leaves and, as they 
increase in size, sometimes burrowing into the heart and destroying 
the forming ears. 
The moths are nocturnal, and their eggs are deposited in clusters 
on grasses or other food plants, and (when these insects occur in 
abundance) often also on the leaves and twigs of trees, on the outer 
walls of buildings, and in similar locations. 
The larva? are frequently so dark in color as to readily escape recog- 
nition except when they are moving in numbers, particularly as it is 
their normal habit to conceal themselves during the daytime deep 
under grasses and to feed mostly at night, or at least not in the heat 
of the day. 
A feature of this insect's attack, and one from which it derives its 
popular name of fall army worm, has always been emphasized, viz, 
that it seldom travels in numbers or does appreciable injury except in 
the fall. It is seldom noticed, therefore, except in the extreme South, 
earlier than the first of August, while the outbreaks of the common 
army worm usually occur prior to that time and seldom later. 
There is practically no doubt that there are two or three generations 
of this species produced each year in its normal range, and, in seasons 
which favor its development, each succeeding generation usually 
becomes more destructive than that which preceded it; hence its great 
abundance late in the season, when it causes most destruction. 
The infested territory during the season of 1899 comprised a very 
considerable portion of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, 
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