174 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLES 



is this difference, important to the grower, that the first genera- 

 tion of the melon caterpillar usually attacks the foliage, partic- 

 ularly of muskmelon, to which it, as well as the preceding, is 

 most destructive. By reason of this habit we can control it, in 



Fig. 114. — Melon caterpillar. Moths, larva and pupa in case. Natural size 

 (From Comstock) 



a measure at least, with stomach poisons, which is impossible 

 with the pickle worm, since the latter lives internally through- 

 out its later larval stages. 



The parent insect has the wings pearly white, with a strong 

 iridescence, and bordered with brown (fig. 114). The cater- 

 pillar when full grown is a trifle smaller than tlie pickle worm, 

 measuring about eight-tenths of an inch. Tt is pale, greenish 

 vellow, with black mouth-parts. It is southern in distribution, 



