115 



or eel worms all conspire against the gardener and con- 

 stantly remind him that eternal vigilance is the price of 

 liberty. 



CUCUMBERS. 



Cucumbers, melons, squash and other related plants 

 are subject to the attacks of a variety of insect pests. 

 The green fly (Aphis gossypii, Glover) often infests the 

 leaves to such an extent as to dwarf the plant, if not 

 entirely kill it. The young plants are often attacked by 

 cut worms and the leaves and stems are severely injured 

 by the caterpillars of the melon moth (Diaphania 

 hyalmata, L.). The pale-green larvae of this very 

 pretty little moth (Fig. 132) are often to be seen on 



Fig. 132. Melon caterpillar. 

 Moths, larvae, aud pupa. Natural size {From U.S. Dept. Agric.) 



the under side of the leaves of these plants. They feed on 

 the tissues of the leaf between the veins, but they generally 

 do not eat through the upper epidermis. The result is that 

 an attacked leaf shows a number of dry, thin spots before 

 the leaf wilts and entirely dries up. 



