INSECTS INJURIOUS TO COTTON 



249 



prefer the latter to cotton. The eggs hatch in from two to five 

 days, the larvae become grown in a little over two weeks, and the 

 pupal stage averages about ten days, so that the whole life cycle 

 requires about a month in Central Texas, where there are three 

 or four generations in a season. 



Fortunately for the planter the large majority of the cater- 

 pillars are parasitized, over 90 per cent of the June generation 

 having been thus destroyed. 



Usually, therefore, it is hardly worth while to attempt to com- 

 bat this insect, as it is not often seriously injurious year after 

 year. Should remedial treatment be necessary, thorough dust- 

 ing with Paris green or arsenate of lead would probably destroy 

 most of them, as the young caterpillars, like the bollworms, 

 feed to some extent upon the foliage before entering the squares. 



" Sharpshooters " * 



In late summer reports are frequent that cotton is being 

 injured by " sharp- 

 shooters," especially 

 on low land. These 

 insects are reported to 

 puncture the squares 

 and bolls, causing 

 them to drop prema- 

 turely, a small black 

 speck showing the 

 spot where punctured. 

 The insect which has 

 been most commonly 

 credited with this 

 work is the Glassy- 



wingedSharpshooter,t 



.,,., * IG - 177 - Tne glassy-winged sharpshooter (Ho- 



but With it are usu- malodisca triquetra Fab.) : adult at left, last 



ally associated several sta S e of nymph at right, young nymph below 



, ,. ,, all enlarged. (Author's illustration, U. S. 



near relatives with Dept Agr ^ 



* Family Jassidw. f Homalodisca triquetra Fab. 



