The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1907-09-04
THE FALL ARMY WORM.
Qaphygma Frugiperda, Smith and
Abbott
By r. Y. Winters.

his insect has been found distribute
ed over the eastern portion Of the
United States from the Gulf States to
Maine, and as far west as Colorado.
Eight weeks ago the first brood OF
this season visited the Experiment
Station Farm, and not without it's usu-
al appetite. That it is a general
feeder has been quite evident from the
many plants that it has fed upon since
that time. The first brood contented
themselves with pokeWeed and crab
grass. The leaves Of both were almost
completely consumed. This destruct-
tive raid was almost completely check
ed by drove Of black birds which did
most OF their work during the morn
ing and afternoon.
1t was about two weeks ago that
second but larger brood began their
destructive Work upon the sweet pOta-
to vines. In only a few days many OF
the leaves were rlddled to the stems,
While others were simply eaten from
the under surface, leaving a net work
OF tine dry broWnish threads which
were once veins OF the leaf. This
naturally destroys the junction OF the
leaf, thereby inJuring the productive
ness OF the plant.
Description Of Insect.
The Egg-1he dull white spherical
eggs are deposited on leaves or green
stems III clusters Of from fifty to sixty.
The Larvae-When tull grown the
larvae are about one ana one-halt
inches long. And at this stage they
vary III color from yellOWlsh brown
to black mixed with yellow. there
are three thin stripes OF pale yellow
extending down its back. One ex-
tends down the center of the back,
While the other two are parallel to 1t
and at short distance on each side
Pupa-lhe pupa is found in the soil
to the depth OF from one-quarter to
one and one-quarter inches. 1t is in
this helpless form that the last brood
OF the season spends the winter.
Adult-The moth or parent of this
caterpillar is an ashy gray colored
creature with two light colored ring
like markings on each wing. The
hind wings are silvery white.
Zach female has the capacity IF de-
posting from nifty to sixty eggs, with
the fact that we sometimes have three
brooQs each season, gives us an idea
OF how fast they might increase if not
kept down by some means.
Natural Observation-Disclosures the birds.
and especially the black birds, the cat
erp1llar OF this insect has several in
sect enemies. OF these, a black wasp
with an orange cOlored ring around
its abdomen, and a Tachina fly "a
paras1te) are our most important
important helpers. However, unfor-
tunately these are seldom in a sufficient
number to bring about the proper
check. 1t therefore becomes neces-
sary to resort to other means.
Control-This pest has been success
full combated in the hay field by the
use OF Paris green. This should be
thoroughly mixed with water in the
proportion of one pound of Paris
green to IFS gallons of water, and
thoroughly applied to the infested
plants with spray pump. Should the
solution fail to stick, the addition OF
a small quantity Of soap will be found
useful When used on very tender
foliage, the addition of one pound OF
lime to the above solution will prevent
burning.
A powder of Paris green and air
Stacked lime thoroughly mixed at the
rate OF one pound Of Paris green to
thirty pounds Of lime may also be used
to advantage. This mixture may be
11Ir Cd 10