The Bulletin. 55 



are only occasionally destructive. For these we enter into no lengthy 

 discussions either of injuries, life-histories, or remedies. 



Seed-corn Maggot (Order Diptera). — A white maggot infesting seeds 

 of corn, preventing germination. Once reported from Forsyth County 

 as damaging corn which had been planted, and presumably the same 

 once reported from Rowan County infesting planted seeds of melons. 

 The attack is made after the seed is planted. The adult insect is a gray 

 slender fly, smaller than house-fly. Remedies not very available, and in 

 this State not much needed. 



Flea-beetles and Leaf-beetles (Order Coleoptera). — Several species of 

 these are known to attack young corn, eating the blades. Several com- 

 plaints have been made in this State, but injury never widespread and 

 usually not serious. Adult insects (which do the damage) are small, 

 usually shining beetles, often jumping or dropping quickly when dis- 

 turbed. Remedies scarcely necessary. Dusting with ashes, or with 

 Paris-green in ashes or lime (1 ounce to 1 lb. ashes) would probably 

 drive many away. 



Red Spider (not a true insect). — This small creature is related to the 

 spiders, mites, and ticks. Primarily a pest on cotton, sometimes on corn, 

 peas, etc., especially in long hot spells. Rainy weather checks them. 



Grasshoppers (Order Orthoptera). — We have many native kinds 

 which feed on corn, but usually not destructive and the injury is soon 

 outgrown. Some appear full-winged in spring, others are in young 

 wingless state in spring and develop wings in summer and fall. When 

 serious they can be combated by use of poisonous baits. 



Lady-beetles (Order Coleoptera). — One of our most common Lady- 



. beetles is frequently seen on corn where 



..^ig^ Pfc^ it feeds to some extent on the pollen, 



>^^_,^___^^^^^!j5BlP[^^ blades, and the soft kernels. This is the 



"'^^^=«^;;;;^^^^^^^^\_^ Thirteen-spotted Lady-beetle (Megilla 



macidata). The species also feeds to 

 some extent on other insects, and its 



Fig. 20. — Lady-beetle (Megilla inacu- , . . , . . . . ,. 



lata) from which a parasite has larva IS entirely msectivorous m its diet, 



emerged and spun its cocoon be- r- j • i" x t ^ j. Tn 



neath the insect. Slightly enlarged, leeding on plant-lice, slugs, etc. Jb re- 

 ^^.^'iSXel^'^'^iXJ^ quently specimens of this beetle may be 

 parasitized in this way may fre- found on blades of corn standing over a 



quently be found on blades of corn. _ ^ , 



(After Riley, Div. Ent., u. s. Small silken cocooii of ycllowish or 

 Dept. Agr.) brownish color. 



Such a cocoon contains a parasite, the larva of which has issued from 

 the beetle. In a few days the adult parasite emerges from the cocoon 

 as a small winged wasp-like creature, which goes off to seek a Lady-beetle 

 victim. The beetle invariably dies soon after the parasite emerges. 

 ' Stinging Caterpillars (Order Lepidoptera) . — There are two kinds of 

 caterpillars frequently found on corn which if brushed against carelessly 

 may produce painful stings. One of these is known as the Saddle-back 



