Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-13
HAVOC By CUT WORMS
HOW TO COMBAT THEM

orono, June 12-Complaints being
daily received at the College of Acri-
culture and by agricultural extension
service agents throughout the state
indicate that cutworms arc raising
havoc in many gardens ana fields in
Maine. They seem to be unusually
plentiful and active this year.
Speaking Of this pest and methods
OF combating it, \. X. Gardner, crops
specialist of the extension service
said:
Under the general term cutworms
we commonly designate any of tho
larvae of several species Of moths
Nhlrh are more or less similar in
general appearance and habits. ana
which have the habit Of feeding On
HOMECOMING vegetation. and cutting
OH the stem Just at the surface of
Iile ground. They are different than
the grubWormS or white grubs, with
which they are sometimes confused.
ana which are, at times, equally de-
stfuctlVe. These cutworms are ON
hlNorous in their feeding. When
abundant they will eat ANYTHING
green and succulont, foliage. flowers
BUDS. fruit, stalks or roots. They
sometimes migrate to other fields in
armies like the army worms. We do
not of course have this condition in
the state.
The little catcrpillars which hatch
from the eggs of the moths in August
or September feed on the roots OF
Whatever vegetation is availa bic
until frost, going deeper as it an
proachos, and finally hollow out small
cells, In which they curl up and hi
bernatc until the next spring. The
next spring they are exceedingly
hungry after their long fast. and at
tack any vegetation OF hand with
surprising voracity. If tho land ID
IN grass or weeds they have plenty
or food, and if it is then plowod and
planted, the crop is bound to be in
jured
Inc cutTorms usually become full
grown during late spring or earl,
summer. and are then one and one
half to two inches long, of a dun
brown, gray or blackish color. often
tinged with grecnish, and more or
less marked with stripes, dots or
dashes, the markings usually being
Of a subdued tone, harmonizing in
color with the soil. The mature cat
erplllars pupate in cells a few inches
below tho surface and in three or
four weeks tho adult mot, s emerge
usually in the latter part of J,,Iv ~
August There is usually but one
generation year.
1t is evident from their life bis-
tory That, like the white grubs and
wireworms, cutworms may be most
eilectually combated in the field ~
Flowing in late fall and again pIor,-
ing and narrowing Thoroughly in the
carry spring. so as TO keep the land
ialloW and thus starve them out
Land which is to be planted j. corn
or crops subject to cutworm iniur,.
snould be plowed as early as posi-
ple IN late summer Of the preceding
year and kept fallow so that the
moths will not deposit their eggs nm
on II, as they Will if it is left in grass
or weeds.
POISONED brann mash is probably
the best thing for destroying cut
worms and il well applied few DAYS
before the plants are set or a few
Gays after the seed is planted, will
oittn protect the crops on infested
land. on corn land it may be APP
pied with seed drill, and in gar
Gems an onion drill is sometimes used
IN the same way, placing the mash
on the surface near the plants; or