SURFACE -CATERPILLARS. 
85 
“ Surface-Caterpillars,” or larvae of Turnip Moth, Agrotis segetum , 
Westwood; Heart and Dart, A. exclamationis , Linn.; and 
Yellow Underwing, Tryphana pronuba , Linn. 
Agrotis segetum. 
Common Dart Moth ; 1, moth ; 2, caterpillar. 
Various kinds of the caterpillars commonly known as “ Surface- 
caterpillars ” did more harm than usual last year, probably in part 
for the reason suggested by Mr. G-lenny that the season was so dry 
that the plants had not power to grow well past attack ; also the warm 
and settled weather would be favourable to the moth, and the young 
caterpillars would not be materially lessened in number by the heavy 
rains, whieh sometimes are of great service in checking moth-cater¬ 
pillar ravage. 
We had an instance of this in 1879 in the great appearance of the 
Silver - Y or Mangold 
Moth, Plusia gamma; 
it was noted that the 
caterpillars, which were 
very numerous about the 
middle of August near 
Maldon, in E ssex,‘ ‘ were 
destroyed in immense 
numbers by the per¬ 
sistent downpour of 
rain.” 
Damage was re¬ 
ported last year from the Surface-caterpillars of three kinds of moths, 
of which the general habits are much alike : the Dart or Turnip Moth, 
Agrotis segetum; the Heart and Dart Moth, A. exclamationis, also very 
injurious to Turnips ; and the Great Yellow Underwing Moth, 
Tryphcena pronuba. The size, shape, and markings of these various 
moths and caterpillars are given by their respective figures. 
Mangold Moth, caterpillar, and chrysalis in cocoon. 
