VEGETABLE INSECTS. 



289 



of the leaves, and the presence of a sawdnst-like frass. It also 

 frequently hores into tlie young ears of corn and destroys them. 



The caterpillar when full grown is a little over an inch long. It 

 varies greatly in color, hut is usually a light In-own, witli a broad, 

 wavy, yellow line along the side, and three narrow, yellow stripes 

 along the hack. Tiie front of tlie head is marked with a white in- 

 verted Y which serves to distinguish it from larva; of allied species. 



The adult moth also varies considerably in color. One variety 

 lias grayish-brown front wings, and shining white liind wings, while 

 the other variety has brownisli fore wings ornamented with patches 



of black, yellow, and 

 other colors, tlie hind 

 wings being the same as 

 ill the first variety. 



This insect normally 

 breeds on some of the 

 native grasses, but pre- 

 fers the succulent corn 

 leaves. It is also very 

 fond of many other vege- 

 table plants, and is fre- 

 (juently found boring 

 iiito the fruit of tomatoes- 

 and the green pods of 

 the l)ean. When numer- 

 ous, the larva; have the 

 habit of moving in large 

 bodies from place to place 

 as the food supply grows 

 scanty, to which habit is 

 due the common name of 

 army worm. 



donlrol. — The most effective way of controlling this pest is to 

 dust the plants with a mixture of equal parts of arsenate of lead 

 and hydrated or air-slacked lime, being careful to shako the dust 

 well down among the folded leaves. Another method is to luind- 

 piek the worms. 



CORN EAR WORM {lleliotJiis ohsolcta). 



Another caterpillar th-it is injurious to the corn is the so-called 



Fig. 4.3. — Corn Ear Vvoriu {Heliothis obsoleta). 

 laivii in sitio. (U. S. Bureau of Kuto- 

 raology). 



