Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-07-20
THE ARMY WORM
 NOT A NATIVE
Come From South or Central Amer1. ca and in 1911 Did Great Dam-
 age to the Cotton Crop.

The following information concern ing the dread army worm which did so much damage to the cotton crop in 1911 has been prepared by an authority and will perhaps be of great value in acquainting farmers with the characteristics of the worm and methods used to combat it:
 For the information of my corre- spondents and in order that they may be informed on the distinctive char acteristics of the cotton caterpillar Improperly called the army worm) ! have prepared the following brief summary. The facts are drawn from an official bulletin prepared by the U. s. Department of Agriculture and are authentic. Worms have appear
 ed this season in many localities which have attacked cotton along with corn and grasses. This is a cat erpillar but not the one prevalent in the cotton fields in 1911 and it's ap- pearance is local and has no particu- lar significance.
 The outbreak of 1911 did not origi-
 nate in the United States but the sea- son reached the neighborhood of Brownsville, Texas, in April By the middle of June all fields in that vicin ity not protected by the use of poison had been defoliated. In July there appears to have been second inva-
 sion of the United States probably from South America. The moths land ed in the South Atlantic states where they bred in great numbers and nov ing northward and westward met the advancing army that had in the mean while been coming up from Texas and the southwest. The moth being of tropical origin does not survive in the winters in the United States save un- der the mildest weather and the best protection. Careful researches have found no live moths.
 The logical conclusion is that an outbreak in the United States 1912 will be possible only from an inva- sion from more southern countries There may, however, be such an in- vasion for the history of the insects is that they are numerous for two or three successive seasons. They have already appeared around Browns vile and Victoria, Texas, and if an other invasion lands in the South At lantic states it may reasonably be expected no later than last year or in middle or late July
 The egg of the moth is light green in color and laid on the underside of She leaf, never in clusters. They hatch in to 20 days according to the weather producing the caterpillar which begins at once to eat the leaf and never eats anything else until all leaves are gone. Then the bolls may be attacked, the outer covering being eaten away. The worms Will not eat anything save cotton and ef- forts to breed them on other plants have failed.
 The larva or worm varies in size but is generally about 1 1-2 inches long. Early ill the season it is yell Jewish green in appearance and not so distinctly marked as later. Gen. erally the upper surface has broad brownish or perfectly black stripe down the center of this stripe is a fine yellowish line and similar lines are on sither side of the black area. Each segment of the worm shows four black dots. On each side of the worm are also black dots less pronounced than those on the back.
 When the caterpillar has lived out it's life in that state it forms crude web turning down an edge of the leaf. it is suspended from the leaf by thread.
 The moth is brownish yellow or tawny and sometimes looks reddish or slightly crimson. The moth spreads its wings from i IA to 1 1-2 inches and flies principally at night.
 Powered arsenate of lead applied at rate of about pounds per care is the best poison. Paris green is also useful but should be mixed with equal parts of flour.