INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CORN 161 



Fields which are well infested with Johnson grass, or other thick- 

 stemmed grasses, should be avoided, for as already indicated the 

 beetles will be attracted to them before the corn is up. Both 

 on account of the feeding habits of the larvae and the migratory 

 habits of the beetles no insecticide treatment commends itself as 

 practicable. 



The Corn-root Webworm * 



Injury. When young corn-plants are seen to stop growing, 

 become deformed, and to die off in such numbers as to frequently 

 necessitate replanting, upon examination of the roots the injury 

 will sometimes be found to be due to the work of a small caterpillar. 

 Two or three, very often five or six, and sometimes as many as 

 eight or nine will be found at the base of a plant about an inch 

 below the surface of the soil, and not over 4 to 6 inches from 

 the stalk, usually being in close proximity to it. If each larva is 

 covered with a fine, loose web, to which cling particles of earth 

 forming a sort of case, it is probably a corn-root web worm. 



Where the webworms are present in any number they will 

 often necessitate a second, third, or sometimes a fourth 

 planting, making the corn very late and involving considerable 

 sxpense. The worms bore into the young stalks just above the 

 ground, frequently cutting them off entirely. Later on the 

 larger stalks are gouged out at or slightly above the surface of 

 the ground, and the larvae burrow into the folded leaves, which 

 when they unfold have several transverse rows of three to five 

 holes. On account of this habit these insects are sometimes 

 known as " budworms." Strong plants will often make a new 

 start and survive the injury, but remain much behind those not 

 attacked, while most of the weaker plants will decay and rot off. 



The Moth. As one walks through pasture or grass land, 

 many little white and yellowish moths are seen flying about 

 on all sides, but quickly disappear as they alight on the grass. 

 If a single individual be watched more closely, it will be noticed 

 that in alighting upon a blade of grass it quickly rolls its wings 

 * Crambus caliginosellus Clem. Family Crambidce. 



