AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 107 



but it is comparatively scarce and of little consequence, and the 

 same natural enemies repress its increase. 



CUCUMBER BORER. 

 LARVA OF .EGERIA CUCURBITS. 



The winged insect is orange-colored, with some black spots 

 on the body, and black and orange -colored hairs fringing its 

 legs. The eggs are deposited near the roots of the plants in 

 July and August. 



The larva is a small worm that sometimes destroys cucum- 

 ber arid squash vines after they are well grown, or even in 

 fruit, by eating off the skin of the main root, and boring it, 

 when, of course, the whole vine wilts and dies. It is not very 

 common, but in some seasons makes naked spots in the squash 

 or cucumber patch. All vines found wilting from this cause 

 should be immediately carried away, and the stems and roots be 

 burned, or boiled, or macerated for some hours in water poured 

 hot upon them, thus preventing the perpetuation and increase 

 of the insect. 



CUT WORM. 



Fig. 71. 



LAEVA, WITH PARENT MOTH. 



a, Larva 



&, Agrotis devastator. 



This moth, says Fitch, is of a grayish brown, and, when 

 spread, measures from an inch and a quarter to an inch and a 

 half across. Extending from the base of the wing along the 

 inside of the inner stripe is a broad black or dark-brown streak, 

 crossed by two slender pale bars, not parallel, whence it is 

 named the dart moth ; this is its distinctive mark. 



