ATTACKING THE FRUIT, 3^7 



Remedies. — If the first brood of young worms occur before 

 the melons have attained half their growth, powdered helle- 

 bore mixed with water, in the proportion of an ounce to two 

 gallons of water, and sprinkled on the vines, may be safely 

 used to destroy them. Strong tobacco- water would also prob- 

 ably have the same effect, while on small patches they could 

 doubtless be killed by hand. Two species of parasitic' insects 

 are known to prey on them : one is a species of Tachina fly, 

 the other an Ichneumon fly, Cryptus inquisitor, (See Fig. 

 227, where it is referred to as a destroyer of the bag-worm, 

 No. 120.) 



ATTAOKINa THE PEUIT. 



No. 225.— The Neat Cucumber Moth. 



Eudioptis nitidalis (Cram.). 



Another common name for this insect is the "pickle- 

 worm,^' which has been given to it in consequence of its larva 

 being often found in 



pickled cucumbers. ^^^' ^^^* 



This larva is about 

 an inch long, trans- 

 lucent, and of a yel- 

 lowish-white color 

 tinged with green ; 

 on_ each segment 

 there are a few slightly-elevated shining dots, from each of 

 which issues a fine hair; the head is yellow, margined with 

 br6wn. Fig. 378 represents this larva, with a young cucum- 

 ber into the side of which it has bored. These caterpillars 

 are very destructive in some of the Western States. They 

 begin to appear about the middle of July, and continue their 

 destructive work until late in September; they attack the 

 fruit, boring cylindrical holes in it, and feed on the flesh. 



