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In a garden a few plants may be protected by placing around the 
stalks when they are set out, a leaf, piece of smooth paper, or a paste¬ 
board box, letting them extend down a little below the surface. The 
leaf or paper may be wrapped about the plant when set out. Making- 
i smooth hole with a stick beside the plant has been recommended. 
In this case the cut-worms, rather clumsy insects, fall into the hole, 
md if the sides are smooth they cannot get out, and may be killed, 
[n corn fields where trouble is to be apprehended from them it is 
ilways safe to plant a little more seed than is expected to be needed, 
is by that means a few spears may be spared from the hills without 
serious injury to the field. 
Prodenia (Laphygma) frugiperda, Guenee.—The Fall Army-worm 
Moth. 
This species has been named by Prof. Riley Prodenia antumnalis , and 
mder its varying forms var fulvosa and var obscura. It was first brought 
o our notice as an injurious insect in vol. 2d of the American Ento- 
nologist, the caterpillars having been sent to the editor by Mr. E. 
Daggy, of Tuscola, who stated that the} 7 ate into the heart of young 
:orn plants in Central Illinois, besides feeding externally on the leaves, 
t was first named, in the place above referred to, Prodenia Daggyi, in 
lonor of Mr. Daggy, but in a subsequent article, when the habits of 
he caterpillars had become more fully known, the name autumnalis 
pas substituted for Daggyi. 
Besides eating corn, it has been found that they eat wheat and rye 
.nd grass, as well as some other substances, and that when they are 
mmerous they do considerable injury. As the common name would 
ndicate, they have the army worm habit, and may be controlled by 
he same means that are employed for the army worm. 
The general color of the caterpillar is variable, generally black 
phen young, but when full grown varying from pale brown or dirty 
;reen, with more or less of pink or yellow admixed, mottled with criru- 
on and yellow and the markings in brown. Back brownish, with a 
iarrow line in the middle, bordered each side by a darker shade. On 
ach side is a dark line that is bordered above with yellow. Below 
he stigmata, or breathing pores, is a line, either buff or flesh colored, 
ordered above with a wavy yellow line. 
The moth is variable. The fore wings are narrow, with the general 
olor mouse gray, variegated with smoky brown, reddish yellow and 
rhite ; a patch of the latter color, more or less distinct, at the apex, 
'he hind wings are pearly white, with a narrow outer border of dark. 
Prodenia commelinje, Guen.—The Spider Owlet Moth. 
This species is found throughout the State, and, bearing a resem- 
lance to the preceding, may be easily mistaken for it, but there is 
his difference—the fore wings incline more to a purplish gray, the 
rdinary lines are deep biown, and are more clearly defined. The 
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