48 PAPERS ON INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETABLES. 
development of the cutworm except for some evidence that it might 
be a preferred food plant. 
The moths issued in our rearing jars during the first and second 
weeks of September, and conditions were such at that time that this 
is probably about the same period of issuance as that under natural 
conditions. 
In May, 1902, this cutworm was again very abundant in the same 
locality, particularly around watermelon hills. Our correspondent 
wrote further of this species and of a related form (probably the 
granulated cutworm, Feltia annexa Treit.) with which it was asso- 
ciated, that it had been a terrible pest in his vicinity during the two 
years previous, and that in 1901 the insects were notably more 
numerous than before. He stated that it would have been impossible 
to have grown a crop like cotton or tobacco on his place that year. 
Some of the larvae were remarkably late in transforming to pupa?, 
this being painfully evident in his melon field. 
No positive information concerning damage by this species was 
reported for a few years thereafter, but there can be no doubt what- 
ever that it was injurious, more or less, during many if not all of 
the remaining years. 
In 1908 this species was observed by Mr. C. H. Popenoe and the 
writer injuring kale, spinach, and lettuce in June at Norfolk, Va., 
where it was also associated in every instance of observed injury 
with the granulated cutworm (Feltia annexa). 
September 3, 1909, near Poplar Branch, N. C, these cutworms 
were found by Mr. W. L. McAtee, of the Biological Survey of this 
department, to be exceedingly numerous in a little truck garden 
kept by Capt. J. T. TTestcott. Single rakes of the fingers over 6 
inches of the sandy soil disclosed from 6 to 12 cutworms. He 
gathered a quart of these for fish bait in a few minutes. Canta- 
loupe and watermelon vines were entirely defoliated and corn and 
tomatoes were slightly attacked. 
March 22, 1910, Mr. F. A. Johnston examined a field of about 3 
acres of cultivated dandelions on the farm of Mr. Bruce Carney, at 
Churchland, Va., and found it badly infested with cutworms of this 
species. Hidden in the dead leaves around the base of some plants 
there were as many as 5 or 6 young larvse. Some were quite small, 
and no appreciable damage had been done to the crop up to that date 
by this pest. The winter had been severe on the dandelions, most 
of them being killed back to the ground, but since the warmer 
weather set in the plants had made quite rapid growth and were in 
very fair condition. The crop was being cut for market and it 
seemed quite probable that a thorough spraying of the leaves that 
remained after the crop was harvested with either arsenate of lead 
or Paris green would control the pest. 
