New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 241 
was one of the main crops. It also attacks melons and pumpkins. 
In the work® by this Station on this species, tests were made of 
kerosene emulsion, carbon bisulphide, pyrethrum and other insect 
powders to determine their values for the treatment of this insect. 
Kerosene emulsion diluted with four parts of water killed the old 
bugs but was not regarded as a practical remedy except in severe 
‘cases as the emulsion at this strength would endanger the plant. 
The emulsion diluted with nine parts of water was considered en- 
tirely effective and was advised for the treatment of the young 
bugs. Carbon bisulphide under light covering completely destroyed 
the adults, and the young bugs, less than half grown, proved much 
more susceptible, with less time exposure and smaller quantities of 
the liquid. Pyrethrum and other insect powders failed entirely to 
affect the bugs. The measures calculated to avoid injuries by this 
insect are the burning of rubbish and all crop remnants, and fall 
plowing. The first bugs to appear in the spring should be caught 
and destroyed. Bits of boards, chips, squash leaves, etc., placed 
underneath the vines make good traps, from which the insects may 
be collected and destroyed. Young vines should be carefully exam- . 
ined for eggs which should be burned. Upon the appearance of 
young bugs the plants should be sprayed with kerosene emulsion di- 
luted with nine parts of water. 
SQUASH VINE BORER. 
(Melittia satyriniformis Hubner.) 
This is a well known pest in this State and has been exceedingly 
destructive, especially on Long Island. It was estimated* in 1894 
that from one-third to one-half of the vines grown in the vicinity of 
Jamaica and Brooklyn were more or less affected and that nearly if 
not quite 50 per ct. of the crop of late squashes was destroyed by 
this pest. The borer seems to prefer the Hubbard and the Marrow- 
fat varieties. Cucumbers, melons and pumpkins are also liable to 
attack. The work of destruction is accomplished by the larva which 
is a fat white grub of about an inch long. The adult moth appears 
shortly after July and remains for some time, continuing to 
lay eggs on almost any part of the vine, specimens having been 
found as late as September r. It was found that the eggs hatch in 
about ten or fifteen days and the larvae immediately burrow into the 
stem or roots. In four weeks the larvae are full grown, and during 
* Bul. 75; same in Rpt. 13:713-728 (1894). 
