80 
TURNIP. 
caterpillars ate the leaves down to the crown, and were then lying 
buried round the roots, in the way in which they are the most 
commonly observed. 
The following note by Mr. David Rowland, of the Balance Farm, 
Titley, may very probably refer to the same kind of attack, but 
whether this is so or not the observation is well worth notice, 
relatively to the effect of sudden and plentiful rain in destroying 
grubs. Instances of this have been given before, and, under the head 
of “ Oak Leaf-roller Caterpillar,” another instance is given in the 
present Report of this effect, and the fact is worth notice, though at 
present we have not either enough water-supply saved up, or enough 
power of agricultural machinery, to make artificial drenchings available 
at a paying rate. Mr. Rowland’s note is as follows:— 
“ In the spring of 1884 I had a field of Oats somewhat damaged by 
a grub varying from half an inch to an inch in length, of a dirty 
earth-colour, and of the thickness of a small straw. It is much more 
common here than Wire worm, and I think much of the mischief 
attributed to the latter is really due to the former. 
“ The season was cold and dry, with east wind, and the growth of 
the plant was checked. On searching I found this worm in great 
numbers about half an inch in the soil, none appearing above ground. 
On the following day a good deal of rain fell. On going over the 
field next morning I found, to my surprise, that the worms were 
hurrying about in all directions, some dead, some dying, and the 
others seemingly ill at ease and uncomfortable. It struck me then 
that the improvement following upon rain is not due altogether to the 
fresh growth induced by the rain, but that it (the rain) has a fatal 
effect on the worm.” 
One curious circumstance in the habits of these caterpillars, which, 
so far as I am aware, has not yet been brought forward, is the 
appetite with which, when restricted from other food, they will prey 
on one another. 
About August 16th I received some Turnip Moth caterpillars, of 
which one so completely disappeared that I conjectured his com¬ 
panions had eaten him, and consequently I placed two by themselves 
in a box. Being away on business for a few days they remained 
unexamined until the 25th, when, on opening the box, I found one 
caterpillar remaining, but only the horny head of the other. 
On the following day more Turnip Moth caterpillars were sent, 
and I confined three in one box, without other food than their 
carnivorous propensities might find from each other, and on the 
following morning found one caterpillar much as on the previous day; 
another much grown, shiny, plump, and most thriving; whilst the 
third tenant of the box was represented merely by a horny head, a 
