INSECT PESTS OF CIGAR-TYPE TOBACCOS 9 
of the worm. ‘These maggots feed within the body of the host and 
finally destroy it. 
From the standpoint of economic importance a black-winged, red- 
bodied, wasplike insect, Cardiochiles nigriceps Vier. (fig. 18), stands 
first among the several species of parasites that attack the tobacco 
budworm in the tobacco-producing sections of Georgia and Florida. 
When the weather is bright and warm this insect is often seen hover- 
ing around tobacco plants. Upon finding a small budworm the insect 
quickly inserts an egg into its body. Many young budworms seem 
to die almost immediately as the result of this attack, although the 
majority approach maturity before they succumb. As the parasitized 
Figure 10.—Tobacco bud showing serious budworm injury. 
tobacco budworm continues to do serious damage throughout its 
entire period of growth, it is evident that the benefit derived from 
this parasite is more cumulative than immediate. 
During the early part of the tobacco-growing season the parasite 
1s observed only rarely, but as the season advances its numbers rapidly 
increase. In July and August parasitization by this species sometimes 
averages from 50 to nearly 100 percent. 
CONTROL MEASURES 
THE USE OF POISONED BAIT 
The budworm may be controlled very etlectively until after the 
plants are topped by applying to the tobacco buds a mixture of lead 
arsenate and corn meal in the ratio of 1 to 75 by weight. The corn 
meal is more attractive to the budworm than is the tobacco leaf, and 
IDS ago 2) 
