106 



As has been mentioned already, the work of the young bollworm is 

 often termed ''sharpshooter work,-' and the ver}^ 3^oung larvse referred 

 to as sharpshooters, thus confusing them with the true sharpshooter, 

 Homalodisca trlquetra Fab., which feeds by puncturing the stems of 

 the cotton plant (see ^^. 12). 



When greatly pressed for food, the cotton-leaf caterpillar, Alabama 

 {Aletia) argiUacea^ sometimes injures small bolls in a way which might 

 possibly be mistaken for bollworm injury. Bolls thus injured always 

 have the involucre eaten away first, and then large irregular cavities 

 are eaten out along the sides. Often several caterpillars take part in 

 injuring the same boll. 



In the identification of the bollworm moth by planters frequent mis- 

 takes are made. The moths most usually confused are the army worm, 



HeliopTiila {Leiicania) uni- 

 puncta, and the cotton moth, 

 Alabama, just referred to 

 above. It is very unfortunate 

 that such confusion exists, since 

 on account of it the moths of 

 the third brood are not noticed 

 when they begin to oviposit on 

 cotton. To know the dates of 

 maximum oviposition is impor- 

 tant, since all attempts at poi- 

 soning the 3^oung larvae must 

 be made with a knowledge of 

 the time when they will be 

 hatching from the eggs. 



On corn, however, several 

 species injure the plant in a 

 wa}^ somewhat similar to the 

 bollworm, both by feeding in 

 the tender "bud" and in the 



Fig. 12.— "Sharpshooter," Homalodisca triquetra (after ear. In the South the larva of 

 Riley and Howard). ^^^ f^^j ^^,^^^^ ^^^^^ Lapliygma 



friigiperda S. & A., is often found during the spring of the year 

 eating out the bud of field corn, and from its resemblance to the lighter- 

 colored bollworms is usually mistaken for that insect. During the 

 summer late-planted June or other corn is usually badly infested by 

 the fall army worm, and the offender is almost universally considered 

 to be the bollworm. The former insect occasionall}^ bores into the soft 

 milk}^ ears of corn, either from the tip end, or from the base or side. 

 In the more northern States, and occasionally south, the larva of 

 Papaipema nitela Guen. eats into the bud of young field corn, boring 



