212 



INSECTS AFFECTING INDIAN CORN. 



The Southern Corn Root- worm. 



Diabrotica 12-punctata. 



The three later stages of this insect are represented 

 at Fig. 112. The larva (a) is a slender, whitish 

 worm, about half an inch long, resembling the West- 

 ern Corn Root-worm, to which, in fact, it is closely 

 related. It feeds promiscuously upon the roots and 



base of the stalk of 

 corn, pupating in the 

 soil about the roots, 

 and emerging short- 

 ly afterwards as ;i 

 yellow beetle with 1 2 

 black spots upon the 

 back (c). There are 

 two broods each sea- 

 son, eggs for the first 

 brood being depos- 

 ited by the female 

 beetles in spring about the roots of young corn, and 

 the second brood of larvae generally developing upon 

 the roots of certain wild plants, especially those of 

 the Composite family. The insect hibernates as an 

 adult, and the beetles feed upon a great variety of 

 vegetation, often doing serious damage to cucum- 

 bers, squashes, melons, and other garden vegetables. 

 Remedies. — No practicable remedy has yet been 

 found for this insect in its corn infesting stage 



. 112. Southern Corn Root-worm : or, larva ; 

 b, pupa ; c, beetle. Magnified. 



