170 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLES 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES 



This borer is exceptionally difficult of control, as ordinary 

 insecticides are of no value after the insect has entered the 

 vines, and repellents are also practically useless. We are, there- 

 fore, dependent upon cultural methods for relief. Knowing 

 that the insect passes the winter in the fields which it has 

 ravaged, it should be superfluous to caution growers not to 

 plant squashes in the same ground in successive years. 



Early squashes as traps. — Good results are obtained by plant- 

 ing as early as possible a few summer squashes, such as crook- 

 neck and early cymblin, before, and between rows of, the main 

 crop of late varieties. The summer squashes attract the in- 

 sects in numbers, leaving a smaller number to deal with on 

 the main crop. As soon as the early crop is gathered, or 

 earlier if the ground is needed for the main crop, the vines are 

 raked up and burned to destroy all eggs and larvae which they 

 may harbor, and the same treatment is followed after gathering 

 the late varieties. 



Fall harrowing and spring plowing. — This species can be 

 greatly reduced by lightly harrowing the surface of infested 

 squash fields in the fall so as to bring the cocoons to the 

 surface, where they will be exposed to the elements, and then 

 plowing in the spring to a uniform depth of at least six inches 

 so that the adults will not be able to issue. 



Cutting out the borers, although laborious, is about the only 

 method open for employment after they have entered the vines. 

 It is best to cut longitudinally, so as not to sever the vine 

 from the root stalk. The location of the borer in the vine can 

 be detected by the accumulation of its yellow excrement at 

 the point where it is working. 



Other methods. — When vines have attained some length parts 

 of them should be covered with earth so that secondary roots 

 will be sent out in case the main root is injured. Keeping plants 



