34 



by using it — a more thorough adherence of the spray to the 

 leaves — is sufficient to pay for the extra expense and trouble. 

 In any case it is most likely to be of value where the acreage of 

 cabbage is very large. 



The Squash Bug. 

 (Anasa tristis DeG.) 



The squash bug is a familiar insect in this country on squashes,, 

 melons and other cucurbits. The adult bugs pass the winter in 

 any protected places they may find, and, in the spring after the 

 squashes are well up, lay their eggs on the under side of the leaves. 

 The eggs are light reddish brown in color and very noticeable on 

 the leaves. They hatch in a little more than a week, producing 

 small green and black young somewhat resembling the adult, but 



without wings. These young keep quite close 

 together on the under side of the leaves at 

 first, but before long work toward the stems, 

 all the time sucking the juices from the plant. 

 They feed in this way and grow for about a 

 month, the insects changing in appearance- 

 Fig?4.— Squash' bug: from time to time as they throw off their out- 

 adult bug, natural size, grown skins, till finally after the last of these 

 molts the changes brought about in this way produce the full- 

 grown adult bugs which proceed to lay eggs for a second brood. 

 These develop in a similar manner and many of this brood have 

 become adult by the time cold weather approaches, when they leave 

 the plants to seek protected places in which to pass the winter. 



Treatment. 



This insect does not lend itself readily to treatment. No- 

 stomach poison is of any use, as both the young and adult only 

 suck the juices of the plant, and contact poisons such as kerosene 

 fail to kill any except the youngest, unless used so strong as to 

 destroy the vines. Under these circumstances other methods 

 must be resorted to. 



It is evident that if all the bugs which pass the winter could be 

 destroyed no spring brood could be possible. As to do this is 

 impracticable, however, efforts should be made to reduce their 

 numbers as much as possible. At all times, but particularly when 

 the nights begin to grow cool in the fall, these insects tend to- 

 leave the plants towards dark each evening and seek protection 

 under fallen leaves, sticks, pieces of board, etc., on the ground. 

 If shingles or pieces of bark be placed near the plants at such 



