REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1 33 



as it is known to destroy at least seven other species of Lepidoptera, 

 both moths and butterflies (Howard, in Bull. 5, Bureau of Entomology, 

 U. S. Dcpt. AgricuL, 1885, p. 31). 



A correspondent from Virginia, whose attention had been drawn to an 

 article on the margined soldier-beetle, Chauliognathus marg'matus (Fabr.), 

 in my Fourth Report (pp. 84-88), in which its valuable service in 

 destroying the apple- worm in its burrows is shown, reports that he had 

 seen a number of these beetles in his infested melon patches, and that 

 there was good reason to believe that they had entered many of the 

 nitidalis burrows which he found tenantless, and destroyed the borer. It 

 would be an interesting fact if, by watching, with this purpose, the 

 Chauliognathus beede could be detected entering the melon in search of 

 its prey, or still better, if found within, engaged in its repast. 



Remedies and Preventives. 



As the insect feeds upon the leaves at times, and most probably in the 

 earlier part of the season, Paris green or London purple could be used to 

 great advantage. If it can only be shown that the caterpillar feeds in 

 its first stages upon the foliage, then an early spraying by all growers 

 would be a most effectual check for the pest. If this fails, then resort 

 must be had to other methods. 



Sprinkling the melons, cucumbers, etc., occasionally with London pur- 

 ple or Paris green and water, during the time that the moths are abroad 

 for the deposit of their eggs, would probably be the most effectual 

 method to prevent the attack of the insect. The young larva, upon 

 hatching from the egg, would be killed by the poison, in its attempt to 

 enter the fruit, as is the apple-worm of the codling-moth. 



The increase of the insect may be prevented by frequent examination 

 of the cucurbits and the destruction of all such as are seen to have been 

 penetrated by the borer. Several of the borers are frequently found 

 within a single melon or cucumber. 



If the eggs are placed on the fruit, and only there (not on the leaves), 

 it would seem that the injuries of the borer may be prevented by destroy- 

 ing the eggs. This could be done by going over the fields, if not too 

 large, and, lifting each melon, rub the surfaces where the eggs are 

 deposited (if on the under side only, the operation would be simplified) 

 with a gloved hand, crushing the eggs. Preparatory to resorting to this 

 method, the time of the earliest appearance of the moth should be noted, 

 and the length of time that the egg-laying continues. Going over the 

 melons once a week should suffice to reach all of the eggs. 



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