CHAPTER VIII. 
NATURAL ENEMIES. 
We have already seen that meteorological conditions may favor or 
retard the multiplication of the Cotton Worm, but that their influence 
is, in a great degree, indirect, t. e., by favoring or retarding the work of 
the insect's natural enemies. Careful observations in the field for a 
single seasou will convince any one that these natural enemies are far 
more numerous than has hitherto been supposed, and that without their 
aid man would be powerless in his efforts to cope with an insect with 
such powers of multiplication as Aletia possesses. Those who have 
carefully watched the worms in any given spot have been struck with 
the sudden disappearance from day to day of a certain proportion of 
them. This apparently mysterious disappearance is admirably set forth 
in the experiments made by Professor Willet with the yeast fungus, and 
quoted farther on. It frequently puzzled and baffled Mr. Schwarz in 
his efforts to watch the worms on certain special plants, and there can 
be no doubt that it is due mainly, if not entirely, to the efficient work of 
natural enemies, especially those that are nocturnal. 
Since the introduction and general use of arsenical poisons as a 
remedy for the Cotton Worm, the economic importance of its natural 
enemies has greatly lessened ; as many of these, especially such as 
bodily devour their victims, are likewise poisoned. Yet whole crops 
are occasionally saved by these friends to the planter, as is proven by 
instances given farther on. But few new enemies have been added 
to those treated of in the first edition of this work ; but the habits of 
many, especially of the parasites, have been more carefully studied. 
VERTEBRATES. 
Among quadrupeds the Cotton Worm has few enemies of importance. 
Hogs are rather fond of it, as attested by many planters." The Raccoon 
is also reported to have been seen eating the worms from the plants, 
and breaking these down in doing so. The Skunk and the Opossum 
have also been known to feed upon it. These animals can do little good, 
except where the worms are in such large numbers that they travel over 
the ground and from field to field. Bats devour large numbers of the 
moths, and, in favorable localities, may be seen at evening time dash- 
ing over the cotton fields in pursuit of them. 
Birds are of incalculable benefit, and it is probable that most of the 
insectivorous birds which prevail in the South feed at times on the spe- 
87 
