CUTWORMS. ( 
the U. S. National Museum, for the determination of the parasitic 
Hymenoptera, to Prof . E. I). Ball, Logan, Utah, for the descriptions, 
and to .Mrs. Ball for the drawings, of the Jassid nymphs. 
INSECTS AFFECTING THE YOUNG PLANTS. 
CUTWORMS. 
Observations were made upon three of the most common species of 
cutworms, and although the facts ascertained arc not complete in any 
instance, so little lias been written concerning the life histories of cut- 
worms in the South that it seems well to record the facts observed. 
Reports from numerous voluntary observers in different sections of 
Texas indicate that injury by cutworms to garden crops commences 
during the first half of March and ceases from the middle of April 
until early May. the exact dates depending upon the latitude. Thus 
in 19(»4 Mr. (t. E. Miles reported that at Friendswood, Galveston 
County, cutworms commenced work on corn and potato about Febru- 
ary 20, were still at work March 30, and ceased injury about April 13. 
In Cherokee County injury commenced about March 1. In Anderson 
County the injury was most serious about March 15, subsiding about 
April 16, and cutworms were reported as being found in gardens dur- 
ing the entire winter. Little injury was reported to cotton in L904, 
but correspondents state that in many previous seasons they were 
obliged to replant very largely, on account of cutworms. Planters 
state that the injury is much more serious if during the previous fall 
there has been, an abundant rainfall, so that there is a rank growth of 
grass and weeds about October 1, and that in the spring the worms are 
found in greatest numbers at the sides and along the ends of the fields, 
where there has been more vegetation. 
After studying the following rearing records in Texas and other 
available data concerning these and other species in the South, the 
conclusion has been reached that the three species discussed below 
probably have much the same life history. It is probable that the 
insects may pass the winter in either the adult, pupal, or larval state: 
but the latter is by far the most common method, and wintering larvae 
of all stages of growth have been found. The moths of this brood are 
seen about May 1. A second generation of moths appears during the 
first half of July, the larva 1 being found about the middle of June. 
During September considerable injury was observed in 1904 in fall 
gardens, the larvae, doubtless, being the progeny of the July moths. 
The adults of this third brood probably deposit Qggs during early 
October, the larvae from which pass the winter. It is very evident. 
however, that there is great variation in the Life history, in Texas even 
greater than elsewhere, for, with the open winters and with but little 
if any frost in the southern half ^\' the State, there is. doubtless, \crv 
