INSECTS AND DISEASES 75 



class, or true bugs. It often goes by the name of 

 stink bug, on account of the very offensive odor 

 which is given off when disturbed. The eggs are a 

 golden brown color and are laid in clusters on the 

 underside of the leaves, where they soon hatch into 

 little active bugs, differing from the adults in size, 

 color, and in the absence of wings. They suck their 

 food from the leaves, causing them to dry up and - 

 die. This, of course, has the same effect upon the 

 plant as does the melon aphis, only the leaves do not 

 curl up as in the latter case. 



Remedies. — Like most of the sucking insects, it 

 is very difficult to control, especially if it has gotten 

 a good start before it is discovered. Contact poi- 

 sons are the only ones recommended in this case. 

 Spraying with kerosene emulsion is often practiced 

 with good results early in the season. In a small 

 way, the old bugs may be picked off and destroyed 

 as soon as they make their appearance, thus pre- 

 venting many future generations of young bugs. 

 The bright clusters of eggs are quite conspicuous 

 and easily seen on the underside of the leaves. 

 These should be picked off and destroyed. Then, 

 too, the same trap remedy recommended for the 

 striped cucumber beetle will apply here ; 'viz., plant 

 early hills of squashes here and there in the melon 

 field, and when the bugs have collected on them, 

 spray with pure kerosene oil. 



The Squash Lady-bird (Epilachna borealis, Fab.). 

 — We usually look upon the members of the " lady- 

 bird " or " lady-bug " family as our friends^ as the 

 greater number of species are predacious in their 

 feeding habits, living upon other insects of various 

 species, but especially the plant lice, thereby assist- 



