368 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE MELON. 



FiQ. 379. 



Sometimes three or four larvae will be found in tlie same 

 fruit, while the presence of a single specimen will often cause 

 the cucumber to rot. 



When mature, the larva leaves the fruit, and, drawing to- 

 gether a few fragments of leaves on the ground, spins a slight 

 cocoon, within which it changes to a slender, brown chrysalis, 

 from which the moth issues in eight or ten days. The insects 

 forming the late brood pass the winter in the chrysalis state. 

 The moth (Fig. 379) is of a yellowish-brown color, with a 

 purplish reflection, the fore wings 

 having an irregular patch, and tke 

 hind wings the greater portion of their 

 inner surface yellow. The under side 

 has a pearly shade ; the thighs, breast, 

 and abdomen below are silvery white; 

 the other portions of the legs are yel- 

 low. The body of the female termi- 

 nates in a small, flattened, black brush, 

 squarely trimmed, the segment preceding it being of a ruFty- 

 brown color above. The male has a much larger brush-like 

 appendage, formed of long, narrow scales, some of which are 

 whitish, some orange, others brown. 



Remedies. — Tliis insect is a difficult one to control. If the 

 vines are carefully watched about the time the early brood 

 appear, the larvas may be destroyed by hand while still small; 

 but if not discovered until after they have penetrated the 

 fruit, the infested melons or cucumbers should be gathered 

 and fed to hosrs or scalded. 



Fig, 380. 



No. 226.— The 12-Spotted Diabrotica. 



Diahrotica 12-punctata (Oliv.). 



Til is beetle also is occasionally destructive to 

 melons and squashes, eating into their substance. 

 It is a yellow beetle, with twelve blade spots, 

 represented in Fig. 380. It is closely related to 

 the striped squash beetle, No. 222. 



