No. 6. DEPARTMENi" OF AGRICULTURE. 536 



moth, because the caterpillar has the habit of feeding upon the cu- 

 cumber, boring into and destroying it when about half grown. It is 

 more common in the western States, and no satisfactory recommen- 

 dations for its control have yet been made." — (Smith). 



This insect has not yet found its way to Pennsylvania, bui f it doecj 

 it can probably be successfully :ombatted by spraying in tii ..^ with 

 the arsenites (Insecticides, 1-5) before the "worm" enters the fruits. 

 This is to kill it when it commences to feed just as we now success- 

 fully contend with the Codling Moth by the same means and upon 

 the same principles. 



ORDER LP^riDOriERA: The Moths, Skippers and Butterflies. 



FAMILY PYRAUSTID^; The Pyraustids. 



The Melon-worm [Margaronia hyallnata). (Fig. 19.) 



The melon-worm is another pest of the southern and southwest- 

 ern States that is not yet common in Pennsylvania. It destroys the 

 leaves of the water-melon and the leaves and fruit of the musk-melon. 

 It is a light yellowish green caterpillar about an inch long. 



For all such biting insects the standard remedy would be the ar- 

 senites, especially Paris green, Xo. 1, applied as soon as the first signs 

 of the insect occur and continued weeklv for three or four weeks. 



ORDER LEPIDOPTEEA : iJ oths, Skippers and Butterflies. 



FAMILY SESIID^: The Clear-wings. 



The Squash-borer {MeUttia ceto). Figs. 20 a and 20 I.) 



The insect or so-called "worm" that bores in the stem of the 

 squash, pumpkin and some other Cucurbits is the larva of a moth 

 that is called "a Clear-wing," because it has a epace in its wing that 

 is clear and not covered with scales. The adult or moth measures 

 over an inch in extent of wings from tip to tip, and has the front 

 wings covered with dark green scales. There is a conspicuous tuft 

 of red, white and black hairs on each hind leg which is characteristic 

 and renders this moth easily determined. 



It flies by day, as do all clear wings, and at night remains quiet 

 on the leaves of the plant its larvae infest. On this account it is 



