The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1919-08-09
The Army Worm and Its Control
How to Dispose Of Pest Which Swoops Down on All Green
Crops

The army worm that has been doing 81 much damage TO corn, wheat end
green crops in various sections of the country is the caterpillar form of a
gst for the Indiana state conservation commission. In a bulletin issued by
thu commission, Mr. Wade describes the family history of the pest and tells
TIT los approved methods of fighting it.
ITO begin with" said Mr. Wade, "he moth is about N and onehaf
inches across the spread wings and is brownish gray in coor. The caterpillar,
usuahy green's In generalc color with broad stripe OF dark gray or DacK
down the middle of the back and with a narrower stripe of the same color Oh
either side. The broad stripe usually has a fine light broken stripe running
ITS center. The head is greenishrbrown, specked with black.
1T is this caterpillar form that does the damage by eating every green
thing within reach. So numerous do they sometimes become that al
actually hear them eat in concert. When they have cleaned up IN the food
supply in field they move n masse to an adjoining field, and thus comes
about the familiar name of army worm.
I'll full grown caterpillar ceases to feed and goes into the pupa or
beneath the surface of the soil, a a rule, for about two weeks. The pupae
look something like date Seeds The moth IN emerging from the pupal case
dries its wings and flies away to mate. The eggs are then laid usually in the
folded part of grass blades, and they hatch in from eight to ten days, thus
starting the tiny catepnlars once more.
ITO control these pests one should be alert to detect the first attack, for
the AREA invaded is usually relatively small at first and may be moved off and
straw scattered and burned, thus destroying the caterpnlars. Another method
of control is to spray the infested area heavily with paris green Gone pound to
30 gallons of water) or with lead arsenate 1.-TWO pounds to so ganons). Such
sprayed material should, OF course, not be used as>feed.
poisoned bait will also do good service. Make Up a bran mash with 80
pounds of wheat bran and n pound IF parse green r two pounds of lead
a dozen lemons or oranges. By scattering this bait broadcast. throughout the
infested ara in small pieces, a large number of worms may be killed.
ITO keep the worms from moving m to new feeding grounds, trenches
should be plowed entirely around the infested area. The trench should be at
least six inches deep and Should have a vertical side toward the new ground.
1t should have postholes at intervals for the worms to fall into and it should
be kept as dusty Is possible by dragging a log through 1t to pulver1ze The SOIL.
1t should be tended at all times when the worms are on the move, a Is they
should be burned when they begin to get numerous in the trench. A gasoline
torch or straw covered with coal oil may be used for this purpose.
I'm wet weather the trench will not stop the worms and then a line Of
heavy road oil laid a inch or two wide o a smooth hard surface should be
used. Drag a plank heavily loaded with stones over the ground to prepare
the surface for the oil
THE army worm appears about the m time each year, but in small
numbers and without doing noticeable damage. 1t is only when, because of
very numerous, that it is a menace. Probably som of it's natural enemies
Jared i'll last winter and were not OIL hand in their usual numbers o dispose
of the wormst this spring. At any ratet they are with us and if not properv
handled they bid fair to do more damage in the localities where they appear
than the seventeen-year locust"