Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1877 — About Cut-Worms. [ARTICLE]

About Cut-Worms.

Tjhe name cut-worm, as applied to caterpillars, grubs and the various larva* of moths aDd beetles, is rather an indefinite term; still it answers the purpose of designating a certain injury done to garden and field crops. The fanner is generally averse to the study of natural science, although, of all men, he would be most benefited by it, for he cannot avoid coming in contact with nature at every step, and, much as he may try to shut his eyes and shirk the labor of investigating, he is frequently forced to ask for light of those whom he had previously considered mere parasites upon the producing classes. This is especially the case in regard to entomology, a branch of science which comes directly home to the agriculturist, for who is called upon to fight noxious insects more than he ? And who should know friends from foes among insects, if not the farmer? The ravages of late years of the codling moth on apples, the chinch-bug upon the cereals generally, the cotton-worm, grasshopper and the swarming hordes of Colorado potato beetles have had their effect in making our farmers seek for light in regard to the habits of these insect pests. Over a large portion of the Eastern States what are called cut-worms have been exceedingly abundant the present season, and in many localities they are still at work cutting off the young corn, cabbages and various field and garden crops as soon as the plants appear above ground or are set out from seed beds. The questions which naturally arise in the minds of those who suffer losses from these peats are: What are these worms ? and where do they come from ? There are, as we have said, several distinct kinds of cut-worms, but those most abundant in the Northern States are the caterpillars of small night-flying moths, classed by entomologists under the general name of Noctuidcs. There are, of course, different species of these moths, and the natural history of a dozen or more is given in our entomological works. The moths are mainly of a grayish color, but variously marked with black or yellow, and the same difference may be observed in the caterpillars or cut worms. Then, again, the caterpillars have different habits; and while the majority of them hide under the ground during the day, coming out to feed at night, cutting oil' the plants near the surface and drawing away pieces into their burrows at the approach of day, when not fully satisfied with their nocturnal tepast, other species, called the climbing cut-worms, will ascend shrubs, and even fruit-trees, eat the leaves and fruits, and drop to the ground when the repast is finished. But the more common species are the caterpillars of what are called the rustic or owlet moth (Agrotis), the of which lay their eggs ip the fall, attaching them to some weed or stick near the ground. These eggs hatch, and the young caterpillars descend into the earth at the approach of cold weather, remaining there until spring, when they again come to the surface and commence feeding upon whatever lender and succulent herbage they can find. In the fall the caterpillars are so small, and plants so abundant, that their ravages are scarcely noticed • but in. spring there is a rapid increase in size and voraciousness, with comparatively little to eat, and every plant cut off is noticed by the farmer and gardener. Wnen the caterpillars have completed their growth, which is generally during the month of June, they again descend into

the earth, where, after forming for themselves a small oval chamber, they undergo their second transformation, or metamorftnoeis, becoming chrysalids. They remain n this state three or four weeks, when the pupa skin bursts open and the moths crawl out to the surface, to repeat the same routine of life as described above. The moths, as we have said, fly at night, and large numbers may be destroyed bv building fires in the gardens and fields during the months of August and September, as these insects, like many others, are attracted by light and will fly into the fire and he deslroyed. But the fire will also attract useful insects as well as noxious, including the parasites which prey upon the cut-worms; hence it is a question whether such methods of destruction are advisable. The caterpillars, like the parent moth, also work at night, as every fanner and gardener knows to his loss, burrowing into or j ust under the surface of the soli at the approach of day, and remaining there until the following evening, when they again crawl out and attack the nearest plant. The usual way ot protecting cabbage, tomato and similar plants, which are set out singly, is to wrap the stem for about an inch below ihe surface and the Bame distance above, or perhaps a little more, with any strong kind of paper, as the ordinary cut-worms will not go over, or under these protectors. Of course, the paper-wrapper may be placed loosely around the stem, and it is usual to cut the strips so that when applied they form a funnel, opening upward, which will catch the water falling in rains and carry :t direct to the roots. With a very little practice these funnel shaped protectors can be applied very rapidly, especially if put on when the plants are set out.

But when it comes to protecting melons, corn, beans and other plants which come up from seed, the case is quite different, and some other method of protection must he devised. A hoop of convenient size, say a foot in diameter, and three or fbur inches wide, the lower edge pressed'into the soil, is an excellent protector ; and we think some of our cheesebox manufacturers might find a good sale for such an article, and at the same time use up a large amount of waste material in making them. Square boxes made of thin stuff will answer the same purpose, or even if cut out of tin or sheet iron. We have tried dusting the soil about the hills with lime, ashes and plaster, without any apparent benefit, the worms passing over these substances without the least inconvenience ; hut they do not appear to care about meddling with sulphur, and a light ring of this material around a hill is a good and cheap protector until hoeings or rains distribute it through the soil. It is always well, however, to kill all the worms that one can find, for by this means their numbers may be decreased. For this purpose traps of various kinds have been employed. Handfuls of freshcut grass laid about on the surface of the ground infested by cut worms are attractive hiding places, and dozens will often crawl under a heap instead of burrowing in the soil as usual where no more com venient protection is afforded. These traps should be visited every morning, and all the worms found under them killed. In rather stiff, firm soils a narrow, smooth, circular channel, two or three inches deep, and one inch wide at the top, made entirely around the hill, will form an excellent trap for the worms; for, in trying to reach the plant they fall into the ditch, and if the sides are smooth they cannot get out, and the next morning the same implement used in making the channel should be thrust info it again, thereby crushing the worms. A circular instrument made of iron with a handle would be very convenient for making those ditch or channel traps; but we do not know whether any such has been manufactured. From the above brief sketch of the history of the cut-worm we hope our readers will gather sufficient information to enable them to proceed undefstandingly in the pursuit of this great and apparently constantly-increasing pest. — N. Y. Sun.