Ss “a! ioe 
SIM, =FT 
i iif 
CORN EARWORM or Tomato 
Fruitworm (illustrated) feeds on 
tomato fruits and corn ears. The 
larger worms make holes about as 
big around as a lead pencil in the 
fruits. Enclosing fruit clusters in 
paper bags will offer some protec- 
tion. Dusting the plants with cryo- 
14 
lite when fruit begins to form also 
will help. Repeat applications every 
10 days, or after each rain, as long 
as injury persists. Dusted tomato 
fruits should be washed thorough- 
ly before they are eaten or mar- 
keted. Corn earworms once inside 
the ear Cannot be controlled. Stop 
them with a medicinal mineral oil, 
or, preferably, a commercially pre- 
pared oil with another insecticide 
added to make it more effective. 
Place the oil in the silk about one- 
half inch inside the tip of the ear. 
About one-fourth of a teaspoonful, 
or 20 drops, to each ear can be 
applied with an eyedropper or an 
oilcan. Wait at least 3 days after 
the silks first appear at the tip of the 
ear before applying the oil. By that 
time the silks should be wilted and 
the tips beginning to turn brown. 
Earlier treatment will damage the 
ear, and later treatment may not 
give good control. 
