INSECTS 49 



As soon as the lateral growths push forward they take to these, and 

 thus the operation is repeated until the plant often becomes a mass of 

 stunted growth. See Fig. 25. 



The adults are yellowish brown, about 3-1G of an inch in length, and 

 will continue their destructive work upon any part of the plant or flower 

 that is soft and abundant with sap. They puncture witlj such violence as 

 to distort the growth and ruin promising buds, and later on deface the 

 petals of expanding flowers. The pest is known in nearly all parts of the 

 United States, being more or less destructive to many other plants, such 

 as asters, goldenrod and sunflowers, and they are very partial to carnation 

 blooms. 



Hand-picking is the best remedy we have found, and whoever attempts 

 to catch any of these little intruders must be alert indeed. The adults 

 will fly at the first intimation of your presence and the young either hide 

 under the leaves or drop to the lower part of the plant. 



CorytJiiica Gosspyi is about the size of a full grown aphis; color, a 

 dirty gray, having a woolly appearance. It is more or less troublesome 

 throughout southern states, but is little known in the north, although it 

 has been reported in many localities. Its habit is similar to the red 1 

 spider feeding upon the under side of the foliage. It is reported as being 

 very destructive, and the affected leaves curl and die. When disturbed 

 they fly to the ground and immediately return to the plants by climbing 

 up the stems and are soon re-established. The best remedy is weak kero- 

 sene emulsion, and this should be applied to the under side of the leaves 

 to be most effective. 



Grub Worm The common white grub so prevalent in meadows is 

 often carted into the house with the soil. The first indication of their 

 presence is, the plant will begin to wilt and eventually die. They harbor 

 in the soil and feed upon the roots and should be hunted out and killed, 



Cut Worm This dark-colored worm, which sometimes attains two 

 inches in length, burrows in the ground and at night feeds upon the foli- 

 age of the plants, generally going to the tender leaves at the top. Owing 

 to their nocturnal habits they are easier caught at night. 



Lady Bwcl (Coccinella.) This little beetle varies in size and color, 

 being from % to % of an inch in length in the adult form and nearly 

 round. Commonly red with black spots, varying in size and number. 



In the larvae state they are % inch long, color, bluish-gray, more or 

 less marked with yellow and black spots. At a certain stage of develop- 

 ment they fasten themselves to the under side of the leaves and in a day 

 or so shed their larvae coat and are thus transformed to the winged 

 or mature state. In all stages they feed upon the aphis but are more active 

 and greedy when young. They are also known in this country as lady 

 bug and should never be molested, as their persistent hostility to the aphis 

 is very beneficial. 



Lace-Winged Fly or Golclcneye (Crysopa Oculata.) This fly which in 

 the mature state, is a peculiar shade of light green, approaching opalescent 

 tints, entirely except its golden eyes. It is about one inch in length and its 



