140 



GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



entire plant will soon die unless tne insects are destroyed. 

 The adult insect is a moth which flies during the heat 

 of the day, and toward the close of day it lights on the 

 leaves in a rather sluggish condition. The eggs are laid 

 on all parts of the plant, and they hatch from six to fifteen 

 days after being deposited. The caterpillars are small, 

 white, with a dark head and a few scattered hairs over 



d f 



Fig. 43 — Melittia satyriniformis. a, Male moth, b, Fe- 

 male when at rest, c, Eggs shown on bit of squash 

 stem; d, Full grown larva in vine, e, Pupa. /, 

 Pupa cell. All one-third larger than natural size. 

 Div. Ent. Dept. Agri. Cir. 38. 



the body. When full grown they measure about one 

 inch in length. 



/'hints Attacked. — Squashes, pumpkins, gourds, musk- 

 melons, cucumbers. 



Remedies. — Because the caterpillar is found in the 

 stem it is very difficult to treat it with spraying methods, 

 so we are compelled to resort to cutting the insect out of 

 the stem and to use preventive means. Rotation of crops 

 will serve to check the trouble; also planting trap crops 

 and burning these when the eggs are deposited on them. 

 Fall harrowing and deep spring harrowing have also 

 been found beneficial in exposing the pupae or cocoons 



