THE PINK COEN-WOEM. 



worm as evidenced by abundant webbed-up excrement. He stated 

 that this 'species, together with the rice weevil, whose presence was 

 show^n by characteristic holes in the corn, was at that time destroying 

 all corn in the crib throughout the country, and that if not prevented 

 from so doing the ''worms" would destroy all the corn there. 



November 28, Mr. R. W. Harned, entomologist, Mississippi Agri- 

 cultural and Mechanical College, Agricultural College, Miss., sent 

 specimens of corn which were badly infested with this small pink 

 larva. He wrote : 



During the past few weeks we have received dozens of complaints from correspond- 

 ents in regard to the damage caused by these insects. Some claim that practically 

 all of their corn has been consumed by these small "pink worms." Many who claim 

 to have raised corn for years state that they have never before seen anything of this 

 kind. Although I have received dozens of samples of these insects I have so far 

 been able to rear only one adult or moth, and 

 I have noticed only one kind of larva. They 

 are these little pink larvae that make webs 

 wherever they go. In some cases they eat 

 the entire grains. 



In order to furnish you with an idea as to 

 what farmers in Mississippi think about the 

 pink corn-worm I quote from a few letters 

 on file as they come to me: 



Mr. W. M. Taylor, Kilmichael, Miss., 

 wrote, ' ' I am sending specimens of small pink 

 worms which are doing considerable damage 

 in this section to stored corn." 



George M. Bates, Union, Miss., wrote, 

 ' ' There is a small worm of a reddish color 

 eating up the corn in the bins. I want to 

 know the origin of this worm and what rem- 

 edy to use to stop its work." 



J. H. Rice, Sardis, Miss., wrote, "I have 

 inspected and find a small red worm in 

 every ear of corn. * * * It seems to be 

 eating the corn severely. I have looked at several other places around Sardis and find 

 them in every place. ' ' 



C. S. Tindall, Winona, Miss., wrote, "I am sending some pink worms found in my 

 corn. Every ear has from 1 to 50 worms and the corn that has been in the barn 

 longest seeras worst infested. The recent cold weather did not kill them on the corn in 

 the fields." 



Jason N. McColl, McColl, Miss., wrote, "Am inclosing small box of worms which 

 are ver}' numerous in everyone's corn in this section. " 



L. P. Bell, West, Miss., wrote, "We find a small pink-colored worm in our corn. 

 They enter the grain at the little end next to the cob and eat up the grains. Some farmers 

 report that cribs of corn have been destroyed in places. Investigation shows that they 

 are in all cribs of corn in more or less quantities and the farmers are becoming very 

 uneasy for fear the entire corn crop will be devoured. They appear to be worse in 

 damaged corn but are found in sound ears too. " 



G. G. Tucker, Tyro, Miss., wrote * * * "lamsendinganear of corn. You will 

 see how it is damaged. My entire crop is infested with this insect; in fact, it is almost 

 half ruined. I want to crib my corn at once but an afraid to do so in the condition it 

 is in." 



Fig. 6. — The pink corn-worm: Pupa, ventral 

 view at right, lateral view at left. Enlarged. 

 (Original.) 



