200 



INSECTS INTURIOUS TO VEGETABLES 



chrysalis. This stalk-borer is credited with doing injury to 

 the stalks of tomato, potato, spinach, cauliflower, eggplant, pep- 

 per, dahlia, aster, lily, spirxa and salvia ; and to the twigs 



Fig. 127.— Common stalk-borer, a, Female moth; b, half-grown larva; c, mature larva 

 ia Injured stalk, d, abdominal segment of same; e, pupa. All somewhat enlarged. 

 (Author's illustration, U- S. Dept. Agr.) 



of blackberry, currant, apple and peach, as well as to the stems 

 and stalks of wheat and corn. 



When the borer infests the crop plants that have been 

 enumerated the portions above the point of attack in the stem 

 wilts and finally withers before breaking down. In the case 

 of infestation to such rank-growing vegetation as ragweed 

 {Ambrosia trifida), cocklebur and the like, several larva? of this, 

 as well as other, species may be present without seeming harm to 

 the weed's growth. In large stems the larva normally passes its 

 entire existence in a single plant, but when small grains are 

 attacked it deserts one for another. 



