62 



THE STALK BORER. 



Like caterpillars and other pests which congregate in large 

 numbers, the army worm is subject to disease and the attacks 

 of parasites, wliich thus indirectly aid the farmer. 



THE STALK BORER, 

 Papaipema {Gortyna) nitella. 



Among the minor pests in this state, the Stalk Borer con- 

 tinues to be very near the head of the list, increasing in num- 

 bers and enlarging its range of food plants yearly. While its 

 presence is felt more keenly in the flower garden, tomato and 

 potato plants, young corn, raspberries and blackberries suffer, 

 and even cereals are not exempt, the pest having been found 

 in wheat and oat stalks. Shrubs and even trees which have 

 a soft, pithy center are occasionally attacked. In the flower 

 garden, as previously mentioned, we have found it in dahlia, 

 hollyhock, golden glow, aster, gallardias, phlox, and various 

 other much prized plants. 



Fig. 53.— Weapons to be used against the Stalk Borer. (.Author's illustration.) 



This year in addition to the above it has occurred in 

 peonies and lilies, ragweed and pigweed, and in the laboratory 

 it has fed eagerly upon a variety of plants. 



This pest is particularly insidious, from the fact that one 

 does not realize its presence until the drooping of some choice 



