242 



INSECTS AFFECTING TRUCK CROPS 



rich brown or black insect, five-eighths of an inch long. It has a 

 strong sucking beak and a small head. This insect attacks cucum- 

 bers, melons and squashes, and is well known to most of our gar- 

 deners (Fig. 250). The young, or nymphs, are grayish to black, 

 and cluster in colonies. The orange or red eggs are laid in batches 

 on the under side of the leaf. The adults hibernate over winter 

 in the old vines. One brood is hatched in the northern states and 

 two or three in the southern. The insect appears as soon as the 



vines are up. The eggs hatch in 

 a few days after being laid. As 

 a result of the attacks of the 

 squash bug leaves curl, turn 

 brown, and die. 



Control. The egg masses 

 may be destroyed. The young 

 nymphs may be killed with 

 kerosene emulsion. Use one 

 part of the stock emulsion 

 diluted with nine parts of water 

 by volume. The adults may be 

 trapped under bits of board 

 where they hide. The vines 

 should be destroyed as soon as 

 the crop is off the ground, in 

 order to kill the bugs not yet 

 matured. Any contact spray is effective for adults. Growers 

 should plant an excess of seed, and it is wise to protect young 

 plants by coverings of some sort. Early in the morning, while still 

 cool, the adults are more or less sluggish and may be hand-picked. 

 The Horned Squash Bug (Anasa armigera Say) calls for the 

 same measures of control. It is similar in general appearance 

 and habits to the species above discussed. 



INSECTS AFFECTING BEANS AND PEAS 



Bean Aphids. These small black plant lice (Aphis rumicis 

 Linn.) may be observed crowded together in clusters on the tender 

 tips of bean stalks and on the under side of the leaves. They also 

 attack dahlias, dock, shepherd's purse, pigweed, snowball, etc. 

 Winged forms appear during the season. Eggs are laid in the fall 

 around buds of certain weeds and shrubs. In the spring the first 

 generations multiply upon these plants and then separate to other 



FIG. 250. The squash bug; a, mature 

 female; b, side view of head and beak; c, 

 abdominal segments of male; d, same of 

 female; a, twice natural size. (After Chit- 

 tenden, U. S. Bu. Ent.) 



