148 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GEORGIA. [434] 



It is important that farmers become familiar with the 

 butterflies and moths which lay the eggs of the caterpillars 

 which are most destructive to vegetation, as well as their 

 habits, in order that the means necessary for their destruc- 

 tion may be used. 



Tobacco growers destroy great numbers of the tobacco 

 fly by poisoning with cobalt the flowers of the stramo- 

 nium (commonly known as Jamestown weed) upon which 

 the fly feeds at night. 



Since each female usually lays from 200 to 500 eggs, the 

 importance of destroying the adult insect, if possible 

 rather than the larvae, is apparent. The difficulty attend- 

 ing the destruction of the fly or moth renders warfare upon 

 the caterpillar necessary. 



The principle distinction between the butterflies and 

 moths is found in the antennas, the position of the wings 

 when at rest, the hind legs, and the times at which they are 

 active. 



Butterflies have thread-like antennae with knobs at the 

 ,end, have two little spurs on the hind legs, fold their wings 

 back to back, when at rest, and fly only by day. 



Hawk-moths have the antennae thickened in the middle, 

 and tapering at each end, wings inclined like a roof when 

 at rest, and hind legs with two pairs of spurs. Some fly 

 by day, but the majority of them only in the morning and 

 evening twilight. 



Moths have antennae tapering from the base to the ex, 

 tremity, have two pairs of spurs on their hind legs, wings 

 sloping when at rest, and fly mostly by night. 



Many of the night flyers may be destroyed by fires kept 

 up for a few hours, beginning with early twilight. 



6. "HEMENOPTERA (sawflies> ants, wasps, bees, etc.) In- 

 sects with jaws, four veined wings, in most species the 

 hinder pair being the smallest, and a piercer or sting at the 

 extremity of the abdomen. Transformation complete. 

 Larvae mostly maggot-like, or slug like ; of some, caterpillar 

 like. Pupse with the legs and wings unconfined." 



