142 



PESTS OF GARDEN AND FIELD CROPS' 



Fig. 136. 



Adult of Noctua c-mgrum 

 Original. 



In the garden injury may 

 be avoided by the use of 

 poison bran mash in the 

 spring, scattering it over 

 the ground before the plants 

 arc due to come up. The 

 worms will then be killed 

 before they have done any 

 damage. Tomatoes, cab- 

 bages, and other large plants 

 may be protected by fitting a collar of paper around the stem, 

 setting it two or three inches into the ground, and letting the 

 upper edge be three or four inches above the surface. 



Grasshoppers {Acrididce) 



Grasshoppers have been at times among the most destructive of 

 pests on American farms. Almost every season finds them in exces- 

 sive abundance and seriously injuring crops in some one of the states. 

 At least half a dozen species have 

 records of periodical devastation, 

 but all are of such characteristic 

 form, and their life histories are 

 so similar, that it is unnecessary 

 to attempt to recognize the va- 

 rious species. 



The j^oung appear early in 

 summer. They have no wings, 

 and are quite small, but other- 

 wise they are much like the 

 adults. They reach the winged 

 stage in midsummer or later. Eggs are laid in the ground in pod- 

 shaped masses, an inch or so below the surface. Pasture land, 

 lanes, or places in undisturbed, close-growing vegetation of any 

 kind are chosen for egg laying. Frequently large numbers are laid 

 in alfalfa. The insect remains in the egg stage over winter. 



Fig. 137. — Adult of MelanopLus femur- 

 rubrum. Original. 



