3 
even through the leaf-stalks, and young larve may be found even in 
the larger veins, into which they bore when the eggs have been placed 
in such locations, and often attack the fruit. They also penetrate 
gourds so hard that it is difficult to cut into them with a sharp knife. 
Larve have been observed on the wild balsam apple (Hchinocystis 
lobata), which is probably a natural food plant. 
Injury is greatest to Hubbard, marrow cymlings, and other late 
varieties of squash, and is apt to be more acutely felt in small gardens 
than where crops are grown for market. Even if the plant survives 
attack it may not bear fruit, and often the grower loses a large propor- 
tion of his crop year after year. Not infrequently entire crops are 
destroyed. 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
This species is injurious only in the larval form. Although the 
larve are familiar objects to squash growers, the moths are not gener- 
ally recognized as the parents of these pernicious borers. 
The moths, unlike most others, fly only during the daytime and in 
the heat of the day. Toward twilight they become less active and may 
be seen sitting quietly on the leaves of their host plants. Both when 
in flight and when at rest the moths are singularly wasp-like in 
appearance, 
Time of appearance of the moth.—Approximately it may be stated 
that the moth appears as soon as the vines are sufficiently advanced to 
serve for oviposition and the subsequent subsistence of the borer larvee 
within their stems. Indications are that as far south as the District of 
Columbia the moths make their first appearance in the field some time 
in May, or at least early in June, as larve nearly matured have been 
found by the middle of July. In New Jersey, according to Dr. J. B. 
Smith, the moths are abroad at or soon after the beginning of June; 
on Long Island, from the middle to the last of June. In Massachusetts, 
according to Harris, they appear about the plants the second week in 
July. We thus have considerable variation in time of earliest appear- 
ance, dependent upon season and locality—a variation to be expected in 
a species of so wide a range. 
The egg and oviposition.—The eggs, which are oval and dull red in 
color, are laid upon all parts of a plant, from the roots to the buds and 
petioles, but chiefly along the stems, although in some varieties of 
squash, it is said, nearer the base of the stem than otherwise. Ovi- 
position is very rapid, the moth flitting from hill to hill, leaving an egg 
ineach. A single moth may lay as many as 212 eggs. The eggs hatch 
in from six to fifteen days after they are deposited, and the larve are 
said to attain full growth four or more weeks later. This period will 
undoubtedly vary in different temperatures, according to the season of 
the year when oviposition takes place. 
[Cir. 38] : 
