358 



INSECT PESTS OF FARM GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



July and August the complete life cycle requires about four weeks 

 in Georgia, and at least three definite generations have been 

 recognized, the injury by the larvae being most severe in July and 

 August, evidently by the second generation. The winter is passed 

 in the pupal stage in the foliage or trash remaining on the field. 

 Control. As injury is worst in late summer, early plantings and 

 early-maturing varieties are but little injured. The thorough de- 

 struction of the vines, foliage, and 

 trash on the field after the crop is 

 secured is of the utmost import- 

 ance in controlling this as well as 

 other pests of cu curbs, and may 

 probably be accomplished with this 

 species by deeply plowing under the 

 refuse. Professor A. L. Quaint- 

 ance, to whom we are indebted for 

 our knowledge of this pest, has 

 found that the moths greatly prefer 

 to oviposit on squash and that it 

 may be successfully used as a trap 

 crop for the protection of other cu- 

 curbs. Rows of summer squash 

 should be planted through the cu- 

 cumber or melon fields as early as 

 possible, the rows being planted 

 every two weeks so there will be 

 flowers through July. The squash 

 bloom, with the contained larvae, 

 must be collected and destroyed at 

 '(Photo" by frequent intervals. Otherwise the 

 squash will merely augment the in- 

 jury, as the larvae will migrate to the crop. Careful tests of this 

 method showed almost complete protection to muskmelons. The 

 use of arsenicals has been of little value against this pest as far as 

 tested, but as they should be applied to control the next species, 

 may be of some incidental value. 



FIG. 301. Squash flower_ infested 

 with pickle worms. 

 Quaintance.) 



- 



