Cutworms and their control [microform]

CIHM
Microfiche
Series
(IMonographs)

ICMH

Collection de
microfiches
(monographies)

Canadian Instituta for Historical Microraproductions / institut Canadian da microraproductions historiqut

Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to otrtain the best original
copy available for filming. Features of this copy which
may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of
the images in the reproduction, or which may
significantly change the usual method of filming are
chedced below.

D
D
D

n

D
D

D

D

D

Coloured covers /
Couverture de couleur

Covers damaged /
Couverture endommagte

Covers restored and/or laminated /
Couverture restaur^ et/oi< pellicuMe

Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque

Coloured maps / Cartes g^raphiques en couleur

Coloured inl( (i.e. other than blue or black) /
Encre de couleur (I.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

Coloured plates and/or illustrations /
Planches et/ou Illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material /
Reli^ avec d'autres documents

Only edition available /
Seuie Mition disponible

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along
interior margin / La reliure sen^ peut causer de
I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge
int^rieure.

Blank leaves added during restorations may appear
within the text. Whenever possible, these have been
omitted from filming / Use peut que certaines pages
blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration
apparaissent dans le texts, mais, lorsque cela 6\aH
possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6\6 filmdes.

Additional comments /
Commentaires suppl^mentaires:

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'll lui a
M possible de se procurer. Les d^ils de cet exem-
plaire qui sont peut-«tre unk)ues du point de vue bibll-
ographkfue, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite,
ou qui peuvent exiger une modifk»tk)n dans la metho-
ds normale de fllmage sont indkiute ci-dessous.

I I Cotoured pages/ Pages de couleur

I I Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es

□ Pages restored and/or laminated /
Pages restaur^es et/ou peliteui^es

["V' Pages discotoured, stained or foxed /
b^ Pages dteoiordes, tachet^es ou piques

I I Pages detached / Pages d«tach6es

Showthrough / Transparence

I I Quality of print varies /

D
D

D

Quality indgale de I'impression

Includes supplementary material /
Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire

Pages wholly or partially obscured by enata slips,
tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best
possible image / Les pages totalement ou
partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une
pelure, etc., ont M fiim^es & nouveau de fafon h
obtenir la meilleure iniage possible.

Opposing pages with varying colouration or
discotourattons are filmed twtee to ensure the best
possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des
colorations variables ou des decolorations sont
film^es deux fois afin d'obtenir ia meilleure image
possible.

This Kam is fiiiiMd at tha reduction ratio dMdwd bolow /

Co doeumont oat film* au taux da rMuction indiqu* d-doasous.

lOx

14x

18x

22x

26R

30x

V

12x

18x

20x

24x

28x

»9y

Th« copy filmed bmn has baan raproduead thanka
to tha o«naroalty of:

Ubrary
Afrioultura Canada

Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality
poaalbia eonaidaring tha condition and iagibiiity
of tha original copy and in Icaaping with tha
filming contract apacifications.

Original eopiaa in printad papar covara ara filmad
baginning with tha front covar and anding on
tha iaat paga with a printad or llluatratad impraa-
sion. or tha bacit covar whan appropriata. All
othar original capias ara filmad baginning on tha
first paga with a printad or illustratad impras-
•ion, and anding on tha last paga with a printad
or illustratad imprassion.

Tha last racordad frama on aach microfiche
shall contain tha symbol — ^> (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or tha symbol V (moaning "END"),
whichavar applies.

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diegrams illustrate the
method:

12 3

1 2

4 5

L'MMnplair* film* fut raproduH grie* A la
g«n«rMlt« d«:

BiMiUllMIIIN

AgrieultHra Canadi

Lm imaoM suivantM ont 4tt raproduitaa avac la
plua grand aoin. compta tanu da la condition at
da la nattat* da I'axamplalra film*, at •n
conformM avac laa condMona du contrat da
fllmaga.

Laa axamplalraa originaux dont la couvartura an
papiar aat ImprimAa aont fllmte an commandant
par la pramiar plat at an tarmlnant salt par la
darni*ra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'impraaalon ou d'illuatration, soit par la sacond
plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras axamplalras
originaux sont filmte an eommanpant par la
pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'imprasslon ou d'illustration at an tarmlnant par
la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla
amprainta.

Un das symbolas suivants apparattra sur ia
darnlAra image da chaqua microficha. salon la
cas: la symbols — »> signifis "A SUIVRE", ie
symboia Y signifia "FIN".

Las cartas, planchas, tabiaaux. ate, pauvant ttra
filmis A das taux da reduction dIffArants.
Lorsqua la documant ast trap grand pour Atra
raproduit an un saul cllchA, il ast fiimA A partir
da i'angia supAriaur gaucha. da gaucha A droita.
at da haut an bas, an pranant la nombra
d'imagas nAcassaira. Las diagrammas suivants
iliustrant la mAthoda.

2

3

5

6

•••CWCOPT MKUmON TUT OMIT

(ANSI and ISO TEST CHAUT No. 2)

A

1853 East Main Strtet

Roeh««t»r, N«« York t4BM iic«

(716) «J- 0300- Pto»'°» ""

('le) 2e»-s»M-rii«

CANADA.
DBPASTMBITT OV AOBZOVLTUmS.

ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH.
C. GoHooN Hkwiti', D<jmimon E.VTOMoiiOanT.

Crop ProterfioH Leaftrt Mo. S.

Cutworms and Their Control.*

Injurious inaecU wage • hearjr toll on fanners, fruit growers, and gardeners. The
annual loss from such peats amounts to many millions of dollars. Among the deatruc-
tivp insects, the rutworms are insidious enemies which necessitate prompt warfare if
we would save the enormous quantity of food-producing plants which they destroy
every year.

In general, cutworms are similar in appearance, being omooth, cylindrical cater-
pillars, about one inch or more in length, and in colour of some dull shade similar to
the ground in which the.y hide during the day.

The moths, which lay the eggs from which the cutworms develop, are of a grayish
or dull brownish colour, and measure with the wings spread, from about an inch to two
inches in width. When at rest the wings lie folded over the body. Being nocturnal in
habit they are seldom seen during the day time, but in the early evening they appear
in search of the nectar of flowers. The eggs laid by these moths are pale in colour.

Young plant showing characterirtic cutting bsbit of entwonns ; cutworm on carl)!, aUive ;
cutworm coilrd up in earth, below. (Original).

dome-shaped, and less than one twenty-fifth of an inch in diameter. They are deiioaitcd
in clusters or masses on the leaves of trees, shrubs, weeds, grasses, etc., anc' ome kinds
even lay their eggs on the soil. They are chiefly active in .Tune, .Tuly, am" ugust.

• By Arthur Uibaoii Chief Assistant Bntomologist. in charge of Field Crop 1
gntions,

632. 70M ■*
C212

ect Inveati-

Injury by cutworms is mostly in siiniiK wb«n plants are younit and sucoulrnt. but
tben art a few apcoics which ooour in dcstmctiTC nnmbars as late as the middle of
summer. As a rule, bowerer, cutworm injury ceases before the end of Juno. As their
popular name indicates, these caterpillars have the habit of cutting off the plants dur-
inc the niffht, near the surface of the ground or a little below it. Vhen th:>y ore
present in numbers, in a irarden or field, the plants will soon be seen to have been cut.
or eaten off, and if an examination is made, the cutworm will most likely be discovered
in the soil, coiird up, and just below the surface. Not ail cutworm*, however, itt-A in
this manner; some climb up into fruit trees or such plants as currants, fronaeberrira,
tomatoes, etc., and feed upon the foliage or upon the fruit In fact, when they are
excessively abundant, they will attack anythinK green and juiry. In such year* Mime
kinds assume the marching habit, so characteristic of the army- worm.

METHODS OF CONTROLLING OUTWOR.Ma.

PREVEMTIVC MEAStlREI).

Clean Cu/<«t>«Won.— The eggs of most of our cutworm moths are deposited soon
after the adult initects appear in early or midsummer. As they are laid on weedo, or
other nearby succulent vegetation or upon the soil or the remnants of eiops, it is most
advisable to plough deeply, in the early fall, all fields where cutworms have been
troublesome. Sui-h clean cultivation not only destroys mnny of the eggs and the young
hibernating cutworms, but also numbers of other insects which winter beneath fallen
plants, refuse, etc. Fall ploughing should always be practised where circumstance*
will permit, not only for the destruction of hibernating insects, but also because the
land will he put into better condition for early spring sowing. In gardens and orchards,
all remnants of crops, or other refuse, should be carefully gathered together and de-
stroyed by burning.

Protective Bands. — In fields or gardens where such plants as cabbages, caulifiowers,
tomatoes, etc., are set out, protection against cutworm attack can be had by placing a
band of tin, or wrapping a piece of papei-, around the stem of each plant at the time o£
Netting out. Tin. of course, lasts longer than paper and is, therefore, to be preferred.
Pieces about 6 inches long and 2) inches wide are sufficiently large for this purpose,
and can easily be made into a cylindrical shape by bending them around a broom
handle. Old tomato or other tins, in which canned vegetables have been prepared, are
useful for this purpose, and if thrown into a bonfire the tops and bottoms fall off, leav-
ing the central piece of tin which, if cut down the middle, will be sufficient for protect-
ing two plants. When paper is used, cut this into pieces about three inches square.
The piecea may be threaded on to a loop of string, which may be tied to the box in
which plants, such aa cabbage and cauliflower, are taken to the field. About two inches
of the paper should be left above ground.

To protect fruit and other trees from climbing i-utwonns, a bei I of cotton battintr
four inches in width may be fastened tightly around the tree near the bottom. The
wir<; or strong string holding the cotton batting ahould be placed near the lower odge.
so that the upper part of the band can be hung down, thus forming a sort of funnel.
or cone-shaped mass of batting. Bands of tree tangle-foot are al»o useful in pre-
venting the caterpillars from gaining access to the foliage, etc., of trees.

REMEDIAL MEASURES.

Poisoned Bali. — The poisoned-bran remedy is the one which is now used most
extensively for the destruction of cutworms generally. This is made as follows: —

Bran 30 pounds.

Molasses 1 quart.

Paris green, or white arsenic } pound.

Water 2 or 2J gallons.

Mix th* bran mh) Parit vtmo (or whitr ic) thoroughly in a wanh tub, whil;-

dry. DiMoWe the mulaaiM in the wator and wut the bran and poiinti with the Mme,
utirring well eo ai to dampiMi the bran thorouffhly.

Short* or middling* in place of bran are alto uiM>fiil for uutwurin <-untritl.

A limple formula for imall irarilcnt it one quart of bran, one tpanpoonful of I'liri*
Vropn, and one tableipoonful of niolanM*, with iiufficif.it water to roointfii the liran.

The mixture ihnuld be applied thinly a« loon as cutworm injur> it noticed. It
it important, too, that the mixture (« scattered after nundown, to that it will W in
the very best oonditi<in when the cutwortna eome out to feed at nifrht. Thin nintcriul
it very attractive to them, aud when they crawl about in learch of food they will cut
it in preference to the growing veKetation. If tlie mixture it put out diiriiifr a wnrm
day, it aoon becoroea dry, and it not, of courte, a^ attractive to the cutwiirinn. In
treating fieldt of hned cropa, tuch at beet*, turnip*, etc., a timple method 'i» to have
a *ack filled with the bran hung around the neck, and by walking betwp«>n two row*,
and uaing both hand*, the mixture may be icattered along the row on cithor aide.
When cutworm* are so numerou* at to a*«umo tho walking habit, the poisoned bran
may be spread ju»t ahead of their line of march. In gardens, where veKctiihle* or
flowering plants are to be protected, a nnall quantity of the material mu.v he put
around, but not touching, each plant. Fruit trees nmy be protected from climbiiig
putwormt in the tame way, but the mixture ihould. of ooune, not be thrown in
quantity againtt the bate of the tree, otherwise injury may result from the possible
burning effect of the Parit green.

Under field conditiont, 20 pounds of poisoned brun is sufficient to treat about 3
acre*. Scattering the mixture thinly places it where it will reach the great^ttt number
of cutwormi. and when thus tpread there it no danger of birds, poultry or live stock
being poisoned.

Observations have shown that the cutworm moth* very often lay their eggs on
weeds, etc., on the higher elevation* in fields, and that the young cutwornw migrate
therefrom to other parts. If *uch places are watched from time to time in gp ing, it
may frequently, be possible to control the outbreak by scattering the poi^ionod bait
chiefly within such areas.

Fresh bundles of any succulent weed, grass, clover, or other tender vegetation,

which have been dipped into a strong solution of Pari* green (one ounce of Paris

green to a pail of water), may be placed at short distances apart in an infested field,

or between rows of vegetables, or roots, and will attract many cutworms und pro-

'■ct the crops from further injury. In Alberta the common weed known os Stinkweed

. been successfully used. The bundles, also, should be put out after sundown, so

.lat the plants will not be too withered before the cutworms find them. .\s in the

« of the poisoned bran, they should be applied just as stwn as the pn-seiu'c of cut-

ivorms is detected.

The above poisoned baits have given excellent results for aurfnct-fccding cut-
worms, such as the Red-backed cutworm, the Striix'd cutworm, etc. For tlii>>i> kinds,
however, as the Glassy cutworm, which feed almost entirely underground, tlicsc baits
are, of course, of little value. For such cutworms it is important to keep the land
to be used for grain crops the following year ns free as possible from long gru-^s and
weeds. If this is done, there will be no tall vegetation to attract the female moths
for the purpose of egg-laying.

Furrows or DUrhes. — As a rule, wlicn cutworms assume the marching habit, they
are nearly full-grown and, of course, are very ravenous. In such instances, applica-
tions of poisoned bran have be<'n extremely useful in stopping the attack. Severe out-
breaks may also be largely controlled by ploughing deep furrows in advance of the
line of march of the cutworms. The progress of the caterpillars is thus stopped, and
when a furrow is entered by them, a log drawn by a horse may be dragged through it
and the cutworms in this way will be crushed and killed. If a series of post holes

•bout a foot derp and about 15 feet apart •!« Avg in tba furrow, hundrwk of thr eut-
worm* will fall into th«>iii. and th«y •^n th«>n he eaaily kilW by rniahinc them with
the blunt end of a po«t. or a pieee of fence rail.

Handpirking —In imall garden*, a* i<o«>n '!• injury ii noticed, the cutworm* oan.
a* a rule, be eaiily located in the (oil, about on inch or »o ben4>iith the iurface, and
within a radiu* of a few inche* of the p!.^'>t, and dettro.ved by hand.

We shall Ix' plen-fd to hi-iir from any one concerning damage or trouble of any
kind due to insect |K'»t«. No |K»tagc in required on such lettars of inquiry when

iiddressed : —

Diiminiun Entomologist,

Department of Agriculture,
Ottuwa. Ont.

Siii'h inquiries should Im> n^timi'imi'-d in all <•»!<«. wht-rc it i- possible by spe«'in»ena
of the insects. The inM-ots shou'.tl be sent packed with their food plant in a strong
wooden or tin box to prevent los-. in transit. Pockaiies up to 12 ounces in weight
muy be mailed free, and every package should bear or contain the sender's luiiue and
iiddrfss, and !«• nfcompanied by a letter.

Ottawa, February, 191?.

Published by authority of Hon. T. A. Crarar, Minitttr of Airicuttura, OtUwa, Ont.