Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1915 — Skunks Kill Army Worms. [ARTICLE]

Skunks Kill Army Worms.

The skunk is the best known mammal enemy of army worms. The common army worm, the wheat head army worm and the fall army worm are all very destructive to small grains, corn and grasses, and their invasions entail heavy losses among farmers. The good work of skunks in destroying army worms has frequently been noticed. In a report of this insect in Pennsylvania, published in 1896, Dr. B. H. Warren brought forward much testimony of' farmers as to the usefulness of skunks in the work of extermination. Also he had examined some skunk stomachs which contained chiefly beetles and army worms. Professor Lugger of Minnesota also mentioned the' skunk as one of the principal enemies of the army worms in that state. —Circular U. 8. Dept. Agriculture. "