Cutworm Research Articles

A large Scolopendra heros was selected for the initial study because of the convenience of its size. The specimen was found on a hillside of rough pasture land near Manhattan, Kansas. It was kept in a 600 cc. glass container so that more accurate observation could be made. The container was kept two-thirds full of soil which was changed every fifteen days. The specimen was observed in captivity from June 18, 1927, until August 2, 1927. For the first twelve days the specimen remained in a horse-shoe shaped tunnel it had excavated in the soil. The tunnel was two centimeters in diameter. During this time no food was eaten. The food, diurnal insects, consisted principally of Musca domestica and Leptinotarsa decemlineata. After the twelfth day, live nocturnal insects were used as food. These were immediately seized and the soft parts devoured. Four species of Noctuidae, one of which was a common cut worm adult, seemed to be preferred. Other insects eaten were Agonoderus pallipes, Ochrosidia (Cyclocephala) immaculata, Apan'tesis vittata, Haematopis grataria, Eustixia pupula, Diabrotica 12-ptnctata, some small larvae of June beetles, and an Arctiid moth.