218 Psyche [December 
Iridaceae (iris family) : Gladiolus hybrids (gladiolus). 
Rumex sp. (dock). 
Polygonum hydropiper L. (common smartweed). 
Rheum rhaponticum L. (rhubarb) . 
Chenopodium album L. (lamb’s-quarters) . 
Beta vulgaris crassa Alef. (beet) . 
Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach) . 
Amaranthus retroflexus L. (pigweed). 
Phaseolus vulgaris L. (kidney bean) . 
Phaseolus lunatus macrocarpus Benth. (lima bean) . 
Solanum tuberosum L. (potato) . 
Solanum melongena L. (eggplant). 
Ly coper sicon esculentum Mill, (tomato). 
Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber). 
Cucumis melo L. (muskmelon). 
Cucurbita pepo L . (pumpkin) .) 
Ambrosia elatior L. (ragweed). 
Dahlia pinnata Cav. (dahlia) . 
Arctium sp. (burdock). 
According to B. E. Hodgson 4 eight of these plants are 
“true hosts,” serving the dual purpose of food and hiberna- 
tion. To date corn is the only plant known to suffer real 
commercial damage. Two other major crops of the area, 
however, although their yield is probably not seriously low- 
ered by the European corn borer, are considered extremely 
important hosts. The first of these is the potato. This plant 
is attacked rather severely at times by the first-generation 
borer. For example, in 1933, in Suffolk County, potato 
plants harbored 51 first-generation borers per square rod 
to 99 borers in each square rod of corn. The liking which 
the European corn borer appears to have for the potato 
plant is of considerable significance in view of the fact that 
this plant serves as a convenient and very important carry- 
over host, thus furnishing moths of the first generation to 
attack corn and some of the late vegetable crops. Where 
corn and potatoes are planted in close proximity, danger of 
serious commercial damage to corn, and possibly also to 
potatoes, is greatly enhanced. 
4 Hodgson, B. E. The host plants of the European corn borer in 
New England. U. S. Dept. Agr., Tech. Bull. 77, 63 pp., illus. 1928. 
