FARMERS BULLETIN 819, 



FOOD PLANTS. 



Besides feeding on tobacco the biidworm has been recorded in the 

 United States as attacking deer grass,^ geranium, and ageratum. It 

 has been reported as feeding upon wild solanaoeous plants, including 



ground cherry - and 

 other species of the 

 same genus, and 

 Solanum seigllnge. 



INSECT ENEMIES. 



Certain wasps have 

 been observed to de- 

 stroy the larger lar- 

 vae, but the mos^ im- 

 portant enemy of the 

 budworm is a small 

 wasplike insect ^ 

 which deposits its 

 eggs in the bodies of 

 the larvae. This re- 

 sults finally in the 

 death of the bud- 

 worm. The parasitic 

 insects may be seen 

 continually fHang 

 from plant to plant 

 examining the buds 

 in search of bud- 

 worms. Many farm- 

 ers mistake these in- 

 sects for the adult 

 form of the budworm 

 and often destroy them. Having seen the parasites enter the buds 

 and fly away, the planters have examined the buds and, having 

 found the small budworms within, have supposed that they were left 

 there by the parasites. 



CONTROL MEASURES. 



POISON APPLICATIONS. 



It is evident from the habits of the budworm that the most feasible 

 means of direct control are applications of some insecticide in the 

 bud. Experience has shown that at least two applications a week 



Fig. 2. — Stick and cup method of applying poison mixture 

 In the tobacco bud in combatting the budworm early in 

 the season before the bud leaves have become folded. 



Rhexia viryinicu. 



Thysalis risvusa. 



