132 REPORT 4, UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



attacks of these moths, as, by means of the spinous tip of their tongue, 

 they literally work through the skin, suck out the juices, and excavate 

 large holes. Figs and melons are often injured in the same way ; in- 

 deed, it is almost impossible to raise some of the finer varieties of figs if 

 these moths are abundant. 



There was some hope of beneficial results being obtained by using 

 baits that would prove at the same time attractive and destructive to 

 the mothf^, since, if we kill the parents, we prevent the injury by their 

 progeny. Taking advantage of the fondness of the moths for sweet 

 substances, many planters have been in the habit of breaking open ripe 

 watermelons, sprinkling them with Paris green or arsenic, and deposit- 

 ing them in cotton fields. Yery good results have followed, so far as the 

 destruction of the moths is concerned j and it is a little surprising, 

 viewed with the preconceived notions of entomologists, that compar- 

 atively coarse substances like these minerals should be sucked up 

 through the proboscis. 



A number of experiments, with a view of testing the most attractive 

 as well as the most deadly substances, have been made in various parts 

 of the cotton belt during the past few years under our direction. Eipe 

 peaches dusted with arsenic or drenched with a solution of arsenic and 

 dried peaches moistened with water and poisoned in the same way, were 

 placed in boxes on the ground in the fields. On examining the boxes 

 the next morning, several dead moths were found in those containing 

 the fresh peaches, but none in those with the dried ones. Experiments 

 with a mixture of molasses and rum, or vinegar, or beer, poisoned with 

 a small quantity of arsenic, Paris green, London purple, or cyanide of 

 potassium, and smeared on the trunks of trees, or on fence poles near 

 cotton fields, or again on the leaves of the plants, also proved that a 

 number of moths may be killed in this way, though it is difficult, if not 

 impossible, to get at the exact number, since many fly away before 

 dying. The mixture of molasses and beer seems to have the greatest 

 attractiveness, and the virtue of all these mixtures for this purpose may 

 be enhanced by the addition of the essence or flavoring extracts of 

 certain fruits, as peaches and apples. ^N^one of these mixtures are as 

 attractive, however, as the fruits themselves, or even as watermelons. 



The liquids may be employed not only by smearing in the manner set 

 forth, but also in shallow tin pans or vessels placed in the fields upon 

 pedestals, as in the case of the lamps to be described. Where such 

 pans or other vessels are used there should be a wooden lattice- work 

 made to float on the liquid, so that the moths may reach it without 

 drowning, and thus be able to get away to perish elsewhere and make 

 room for others. These liquids are frequen tly used in wide-mouthed 

 bottles distributed over the fields. One general rule should be observed 

 in the employment of these liquids and poisons. It is that they be 

 placed in the field only about sunset, and not allowed to remain during 

 the day 5 otherwise, more beneficial than injurious insects are actually 



