184 
Agrotis messoria, Harr. The Reaping Rustic. 
This larva is the Dark Sided 
Cut-worm. It is about 1.10 
inches in length; of a dingy 
ash-gray color, darker on the 
sides, with a dark, dingy dorsal 
line; on each segment there are 
eight small black, shining, raised 
spots, from each of which pro¬ 
ceeds a short hair, or bristle; 
stomata black, with one of the 
black spots placed close to the anterior side of them on each seg¬ 
ment ; the posterior extremity has a greenish tinge; under side and 
legs somewhat lighter than the upper. Head similar in color to the 
body, and shining; thick on the upper side, thinner below. 
This larva possesses the climbing habit of the Climbing Rustic, 
and may be found in the ground, among Cabbages, Potato hills, 
in Corn fields and Flower gardens. 
Fig. 45. Agrotis messoria. Moth and larva. 
Agrotis ypsilon, Ratt. The Lance Rustic. 
The larva of this species is the Greasy 
Cut-worm, or Black Cut-worm, and meas¬ 
ures from 1.50 to 1.60 inches in length. 
It varies in color, from a dark greasy 
gray to a dull leaden brown; a faint dirty 
yellowish white dorsal line, and a sub¬ 
dorsal line more distinct; on the side two 
indistinct pale lines; on each segment 
there are eight shiny-black piliferous spots, 
four on each side : one small one is sit- 
Fig. 46. Agrotis ypsilon. Moth. uated aboye the sub -dorsal line Oil the 
anterior part of the segment, another larger one just below it a 
little back of the middle of the segment, one is placed just above 
the stigmatal line, and another below it in a similar position to 
those above ; under side a dull lead color; pro-legs greenish, thoracic 
legs light brown. Head light brown, darker above, and a dark brown 
spot on each side; inverted A mark light brown. 
This worm is one of the most pernicious cut-worms of the group; 
when in confinement it will eat, with equal relish, vegetables, Apple 
and Grape leaves; it has been found in gardens, cutting Tomato 
plants, Cypress vines, Tobacco and Corn. It is found in May, and 
changes to a chrysalis in June ; the moths appearing a month later. 
Agrotis saucia, Hub. The Unarmed Rustic. 
This larva is the Variegated Cut-worm, and is hatched from a 
pink-colored egg, with ribs radiating from a common, center. These 
eggs are laid, in batches, on a twig or a leaf. The young larva is 
a minute yellowish thread-like worm, with the dark piliferous spots 
quite distinct. Before the first molt, they have the looping habit 
found in the Geometers, or Span-worms. When full grown, it is 
two inches long; varies in color from light to dark gray, and finely 
