100 
Cut-worm trait. Should they multi pi}' so as to be destructive to corn 
and grass, burning our meadows and fields late in the Spring will 
doubtless destroy them. 
THE STALK-BORER —(Gortyna nitela —Guenee.) 
For the characters of this species, as well as Gortyna nebris, see Miss 
Smith’s article. 
THE SPINDLE WORM MOTH -(Achatodes zeae— Harris.) 
Though little has been said in regard to this insect since Dr. Harris 
described its habits, I am satisfied, since it is found throughout the 
northern part of the State, that it has not abandoned its old habits, 
hut that it still eats into the young and tender stalks of growing 
corn. 
From Dr. Harris’ description we learn that “its ravages generally 
begin while the corn stalk is young, and before the spindle rises 
much above the tuft of leaves in which it is embosomed. The 
mischief is discovered by the withering of the leaves, and, when 
these are taken hold of, they may be drawn out with the including 
spindle. On examining the corn, a small hole may be seen in the side 
of the leaf-stalk near the ground, penetrating into the solt center of 
the stalk, which, when cut open, will be found to be perforated, both 
upwards and downwards, by a slender worm-like caterpillar, whose 
excrementitious castings surround the orifice of the hole. This cater¬ 
pillar grows to the length of an inch, or more, and to the thickness of 
a goosequill. It is smooth, and apparently naked, yellowish, with the 
head, the top of the first and of the last wings black, with a double 
row, across each of the other wings, of small, smooth, slightly eleva¬ 
ted, shining black dots.” 
The chrysalis is formed in the hollowed out stalk, and the moth 
issues from it early in August. The wings expand a little less than 
an inch and a half. The fore wings are gray, streaked with rust red 
along all the veins, with about three somewhat irregular transverse 
lines of the same, and a large patch at the apex. Hind wings smoky 
brown. The body a purplish gray, with a row of rust red tufts down 
the back from the head to near the end of the abdomen. 
Remedies —I will quote those recommended b} T Dr. Harris “In or¬ 
der to check the ravages of these insects the} T must be destroyed while 
in the caterpfillar state. As soon as our corn fields begin to show by 
the withering of the leaves, the usual signs that the enemy is at 
work in the stalks, the spindle worms should besought for and killed: 
fo v if allowed to remain undisturbed until they turn to moths, they 
will make their escape, and we shall not be able to prevent them from 
laying their eggs for another brood.” About as good a method as any, 
if the above suggestion is acted upon, will be to cut such infested 
stalks and at once feed them to cattle before the caterpillars have a 
chance to escape. 
