Seo. 12.J ENTOMOLOGICAL. 205 



climb the cotton-stalks to feed upon aphis, and not upon tlie jjlant. Sjjiders, 

 too, catch moths in their nets, and also seize and devour other insects. The 

 great aim should be to learn which of all the insects found in the cotton-field 

 are friends, and which foes. 



The boll-worm, and the one which is some seasons so destructive to Indian 

 corn in tiie milk, are declared by some, upon pretty good authority, to be 

 identical. The chrysalis is of a bright chestnut brown ; the moths, a tawny 

 yellow color. The upper wings yellowish, shawled with green or red, in some, 

 with a dark band, and crescent-shaped mark near the center of the wing. 

 The under wings are lighter colored, bordered with black. 



To prevent depredations from the boll-worm, it is recommended to light 

 fires around the field at night, to attract the moths when they begin. to make 

 their appearance. Doubtless many will be attracted to the light and de- 

 ftroyed. They have also been destroyed by jilaciug plates upon stakes set 

 among the cotton, in which about half a gill of vinegar and molasses is 

 placed, mixed, four of vinegar to one of molasses. This attracts the moth, 

 which perishes in the mixture. This kind of moth-trap requires a good d-eal 

 of labor, for the plates must be visited every evening and replenished, while 

 the moths last. Tlie same plan will be found a good one to catch other 

 moths than those which infest cotton. • 



243. Insects Destructive to ludian Corn and Wheat. — ^The insect which cats 

 info the grains of Indian com is not only a destructive one, but when it in- 

 fests tlie ears that are wanted for cooking in their green state, it is trouble- 

 some and disgustingly ofi'ensive. It only feeds while the corn is in the 

 " roasting car" condition. At first it is so small as to be almost impercept- 

 ible, and doubtless many a one gets between the teeth of the eater of early 

 green corn, even in this city, for here we have seen a great many marks of 

 their ravages. It is, however, much worse at the South. Sheltered under 

 the husk, it eats voraciously, and increases in size rapidly, until about an 

 inch long. Some are brown, some green, some striped. In fact, there is no 

 uniformity in color. The body is sparingly clothetl with short hairs, rising 

 from black spots or warts. The worm leaves the ear and goes into the 

 [rround to undergo its transformation. 



If farmers, particularly Northern ones, would watch the first appearance 

 of these insects, and try to destroj' the moths, they might save themselves 

 much loss in tlie future, for all insects of this kind are wonderfully prolific. 

 Tiicrc is an ichneumon fly which j)reys upon this insect, and the habits of 

 that fly should be studied, and, if possible, the family increased. Uirds, too, 

 are fond of this species of worms ; probably because the food it fattens upon 

 makes sweet morsels for their palates. 



The destruction of the grains of corn eaten by this worm is only a part of 

 tlie damage that ensues. Tlie grains eaten are upon the small end of the ear, 

 and here grows a fungus, which often destro^'s the ear. It also oftentimes 

 art'ords a secure harbor tor other insects, which destroy what the worms have 

 left. The corn-worm docs more damage in dry seasons than wet ones, owing 



