CORN INSECTS 215 



development of individuals. The later generations are only 

 partial, owing to the fact that some of the pupse of these broods 

 do not transform until the following spring. 



As a rule, tomatoes are most seriously injured by the corn 

 ear-worm early in the season. At this time corn is not large 

 enough to be attractive to the moths and they are forced to 

 lay their eggs on tomato. The young larvse feed slightly on the 

 leaves and may sometimes even burrow into the stem of the 

 plant, killing it down to the point reached by the larva. The 

 injury, however, is greatest to the fruit. The caterpillars bore 

 into tomatoes of all sizes. A caterpillar does not, as a rule, 

 remain long in one fruit but as soon as decay sets in leaves it, 

 often entering several fruits in succession. It is not unusual 

 in the South for half or more of the crop to be destroyed in 

 this way. In New Jersey the injury is confined mostly to the 

 early crop, but in Florida the attack may continue throughout 

 the season. 



Peas and beans are often attacked by the corn ear-worm when 

 corn is not available. The caterpillars bore into the pods and 

 devour the seeds and may sometimes tunnel in the stems as well 

 as feed to some extent on the foliage. Cucumber, squash, 

 melons and pumpkin are sometimes injured, the larvae boring 

 in the stems, and even entering the fruit. 



Corn may be attacked while still quite small. The eggs 

 are deposited on the leaves and the caterpillars eat out irregular 

 holes, especially in the tuft at the center of the plant. The 

 moths begin depositing eggs in the silk as soon as it appears. 

 On hatching, the young caterpillar usually devours its egg-shell 

 and then works its way through the silk and in about twenty 

 minutes reaches the tip of the ear, having fed very little if at 

 all during this time. It then begins feeding on the silk and 

 after a time burrows down under the husk, continuing to feed 

 on silk and the unripe kernels (Fig. 136). The injury may 

 extend halfway down the ear. The injured kernels and the 



