The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1912-05-31
GRASS WORM BACK
ALONG THE COAST
Three Counties Report Reap
pearance Of Pest To State
Experiment Station.
HISTORY Of THE INSECT
NOW THOROUGHLY KNOWN
The Worms" Destroy Corn And
Oats And Attack Sugar Cane
And Other Crops-Prsvious
Outbreaks Costly.

weeks t0efe mas heen Il serious out
break OF the Southern grass worm u
Southern army worm along the gul
coast in Mississippi Correspondent
from Jacksun, Harrison and Georg,
counties have sent these insects to US
1t is quite likely that the insects also
appeared in other counties.
In the region where these insect.
appeared In large numbers they have
destroyed almost all Ut the corn and
oats and have seriously damaged sugar
cane and other crops. This tnsec,
should not be confused with the cot
ton worm or cotton army worm that
was so abundant during the summer
and fall Of 1911, nor with the true
army worm Of the Northern and
Western states.
This is one OF the well known In.
sect pests Of tile Southern states. II
Is liable to occur at any time and IL
capable OF doing a great amount oil
damage The bureau OF entomology
OF the United States department OF
agriculture records serinus outbreak
Of this pest in Lafayette and Mar
shall counties, Mississippi, 10 August,
1884.
The only other outbreak OF this in
sect 10 this state that we have any
record OF occurred during August,
1907. in Oktihieha, Lowndee, Monroe,
Clay and N0xubee counties. At that
time the "worms" did much damage
to johnson grass and other grasses,
and also to alfalfa and other legumi-
nous crops.
Practically the only measure that
the farmers used was To IN into the
fields at once with moving machines
aud cut the grass and alfalfa before
the worms could eat it up
LIFE AND APPEA
There are, beyond doubt, at least
three and possibly as many as six
generations OF these insects each year
in Mississippi The eggs are laid in
masses upon the food plants. and are
seldom noticed. They hatch into
"wOrms" or larvae and these usually
70 unnoticed except when very mum.
erous and, even then, until they are
nearly grown.
At that time they are about an
inch and quarter long; they vary Ia
color from light brown to black, but
always have stripes running length
wise. These stripes vary In color,
but are usually yellow. A very few
hairs are always present, and small
black spots can always be seen II the
"worms" are closely examined. When
full grown these worms" 90 into the
ground and transform to the pupa
stage just below the surface of the
ground.
In about one week the adult moths
appear. These moths fly at night.
They have dull grayish- brown fore
wings and white hind wings.
These insects seem to prefer grass
plants aud small grains such as oats
and rye. Next to these they seem to
prefer corn, especially when 1t is
young. However, they will attack
ALMOST any succuent plant. In 1907
they did much damage to alfalfa in
the northeast prairie section of the
state. They are reported also as a
pest OF cotton and garden vegetables.
WHEN WILL THEY APPEAR?
No one can tell just when these 10.
sects are likely to appear again 10 de-
numbers. The three insa-
siOns that we have recorded 10 this
state are years apart and 10 widely
separated parts Of the state. This
has usually been the history of the |
insect 10 other states, however, occa.
'ionally. it is a serious pest during |
Two successive years.
Everyone should be on the lookout
'or these insects and be prepared to
light them at their FIRST appearance.
There are other insects that may be
mistaken for them, therefore it is
always safer for Mississippi farmers
20 send some Of the insects when
ound to the Ent0mologist, Agricul-
,ural College, Miss, for identifica.
ion.
IL the case OF hay crops IL will
Usually pay tn begin using the NOW
ng machines as snnn as the worms
re noticed. rim m ,irs will de
troy many oil Lnr insec,>. AID, as
he hay becomes dry, 1t is not relish.
d by them SO that usually most of
he crop Is saved.
In gardens and even with cnrn and
ther field crops, hand picking will
sually pay. Preseason Morgan, now
{ the Tennessee Experiment Sta.
ion, states: "As these caterpillars
eed in the cool OF the morning and
veninR, they may be found on the
utter leaves Of the corn, and with 4
tick and wide mouthed vessel great
can be hand picked. Two
Z three pickIngs will relieve . field
lmost entirely, and will be the means
{ saving the crop"
Arsenate OF lead, Paris green, or
tber srsenical poisons may be used
Ither in the powdered form or mixed
18th water. When Paris green IL
sed 10 the dry form, It should be