46 



The Bulletiiv. 



Fig. 15. — The Corn Ear-worm, showing the destructive 

 larva at work in ear of corn. 



(After Quaintance, Bureau Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



Life-history and Habits.^ — The winter is passed in the pupa stage, 

 under the surface of the ground. The adult moths come out in spring 

 or early summer and, being very active fliers, wander Avhither they 

 will in search of nectar-bearing flowers or suitable plants upon which to 

 place the eggs. When corn is the object of attack the eggs are laid 

 on the silk, though the early brood of moths often, deposit them in 

 the terminal growing part of the plant, in which case the caterpillars 

 eat the leaves and tassel and are called "Shatter-worms." The great 

 majority of the eggs are laid on the silk, and the larvae work dowm the 

 silk, or bore directly through the husk to the forming ear, where they 

 feed on the kernels and soon attain full growth, when they burrow out 



iThis portion of the account is based partially on Farmers' Bill. 191, U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 by A. L. Quaintance. 



