[76 J RE POET 4, UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 
I suggested that perhaps the plant on which the egg was deposited might give 
direction or impress the worm with desire to eat of that plant. I am ready to change 
or modify my views, and say that now I think the plant on which the worm feeds 
must have the effect to determine the plant for the future worm. 
I have observed this year that the Cotton Worms, after finishing the cotton, at- 
tacked the crab-grass, and have eaten it up — nothing left in the corn held for stock 
to eat; looks like a frost had killed it. These worms did not retain their cotton-leaf 
color, but underwent a great change; the black streaks were obliterated and green 
color took its place; the half-grown worms became stouter and shorter and more 
sluggish and of a dirty green color. 
The change in the worm is so great that the identity of the worm has been most 
stoutly denied by very good farmers, who have said, " if you examine them elosely 
you will find them to be the genuine 'grass' worm." If all things work according to 
my views, we shall be visited by "grass" worms next spring, which will eventually 
attack the cotton. 
9. A large and strong light carried slowly through the fields will surely destroy the 
moth ; but this must be kept up once a week, and the moth must be startled from its 
rest. 
13, 14, 15. Paris green cheapest, used in powder ; if too strong, will kill plant and 
any animal that will eat the plant. Should be used only sufficiently strong to kill 
worm and not damage the plant. Animals should not be allowed in fields where Paris 
green is used. 
In regard to the answers herein given, my aim was to get the farmers' individual 
opinion unbiased, and after taking it down would read it, and ask if I had expressed 
him correctly. 
P. S. CLARKE, 
C. V. Riley, Chief U. S. E. C. 
Question addressed to farmers of Waller County, Texas. — What is your opinion as 
to the manner or mode of perpetuation or preservation of the Army or Cotton Worm 
from one year or season to another? In what condition does it hibernate ? 
Answer by J. A. Peebles. — The miller, or fly, makes its deposit of " eggs " in the 
fall in the ground ; they hatch out in the summer, these eggs reproducing the miller. 
The miller subsists on some kind of food. Believes in a male and female fly and cop- 
ulation. 
Answer by Dr. J. J. Perry. — Believes it is propagated in the chrysalis from the 
chrysalis burrowing in the ground, there remaining intact till the period of incuba- 
tion has expired, when the moth appears. Duration of incubation from six to nine 
months. Thorough system of winter plowing would eradicate them. 
Answer by John Peebles.- — Believes the eggs are deposited in the ground by the 
fly ; there remaining till cold weather is over, when they hatch as a fly. They (the 
fly) subsist on some kind of food while existing; they copulate. 
Answer by A. T. Bedell. — Some of the eggs remain unhurt by the winter and are 
hatched out in the spring, and in this manner are perpetuated. 
Answer by Dr. L. W. Groce. — Believes the eggs are deposited under the bark of the 
cotton-stalk, under and at the ground, and in this manner lie dormant through the 
winter and hatch out in the spring. No copulation. 
Answer by J. C. Ralston. — The fly deposits its egg, which becomes a worm, which 
becomes a chrysalis, which becomes a fly, which again deposits eggs. The fly does 
not eat. The egg is the medium of perpetuation, which holds through the winter in 
a capsule. 
Answer by Dr. William Clinton. — The flies, or moths, are brought from the per- 
petual cotton fields of South America by strong southern breeze. Each year termi- 
nates them, and again are brought by southern breeze. 
Answer by Frank Cooke.— Originated in Southern States, is a hybrid or cross from 
common grass-worm ; deposit their eggs on cotton-stalks or in the ground, from which 
comes the first crop, these eggs lying in the ground till spring. Can be destroyed by 
deep plowing or freeze. 
Answer by Dr. R. C. Watson. — The moth deposits eggs on leaf, hatches in worm, 
then goes into chrysalis; depends on peculiar conditions how long it remains in this 
state, from which comes a moth. The chrysalis hibernates, the fly copulates. 
Answer by R. G. White. — The chrysalis drops from the stalk and becomes covered 
under ground ; in this manner is preserved during the winter. The moth copulates. 
Answer by B. F. Elliott. — Believes the caterpillar goes in the ground in the fall ; 
then becomes a chrysalis.; remains dormant till next summer, when it hatches out a, 
fly. The fly eats, copulates, lives three or four weeks. 
"Answer by Zack Wooley. — The moth deposits eggs in the fall, which are preserved 
through the winter and hatch out a worm in the spring, which attacks vegetation; 
then go to work, web up, and turn to the miller again, which deposits eggs; these 
eggs hatch out the worm, which goes to work on the cotton. The fly eats, copulates, 
lives three or four weeks. 
