CHAPTER XIV 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE TOMATO 



In the introduction to the chapter on insects affecting potato, 

 eggplant, and similar crops, it was stated that nearly all of these 

 insects affect to a less extent the tomato. The species which 

 will be here mentioned affect more particularly the tomato, 

 and exceptionally potato and similar crops. The most im- 

 portant are the tomato or tobacco worms, the common stalk- 

 borer, often so abundant on tomato as to be known as the 

 tomato stalk-borer, which has previously been treated (page 

 199), and the tomato fruit worm, or the corn-ear worm. The 

 aphides which infest potato, eggplant, etc., are likely to attack 

 tomato and there are two additional species which have been 

 observed on the latter.^ Mealy-bugs, thrips, plant-bugs and 

 other sucking insects also feed on it. 



The Tomato Worms. — The large green "worms" that eat 

 tomato leaves are well known. There are two distinct species 

 of them, closely allied, much alike in all their stages, and 

 practically indentical in habits. They are called indiscriminately 

 tomato or tobacco worms and "hornblowers." In the District 

 of Columbia and vicinity, the two species are of nearly equal 

 occurrence as regards numbers on both tomato and tobacco. 

 They are the larvre of large sphinx moths. 



The tomato worm {Phlcgcthontius quinquemaculata Haw.). — 

 The tomato or northern tobacco worm is nearly as thick as 

 one's little finger, and a])ont three and a half inches long when 

 extended. The horn is larger and less curved, and usually 

 dark in color, whereas the Southern species has a shorter and 



^ Rliopalosiphum solani Thos. and Nectarophora ertgeronensis Thos. 



229 



