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FARMERS' BULLETIN 872.
bore into the growing tips of the plants and occasionally destroy the flowers as well. In tobacco the injury consists of the penetration of the small leaves in the growing tip, hence the common name of budworm. A related caterpillar,' however, attacks tobacco in a very similar manner. A single caterpillar may render several leaves unfit for wrapper by penetrating the bud. HABITS OF THE INSECT AND HOW IT DEVELOPS. A general knowledge of the life history and habits of an insect is needed in order intelligently to combat it. The bollworm or corn ear- worm when mature (fig. 4) is a moth or miller about 1J inches across the spread wings. It varies in color from a light brown or olive green to pale yellow and it is commonly seen flying about in the evening. These moths feed upon nectar of various flowers and when mature they de- Sposit from nearly 500 to almost 3,000 eggs. The eggs (fig. 5) are laid on various parts of the plant and to some extent upon weeds and upon the ground. They are white or yel- lowish in color, oval, and covered with minute ridges running from FIG. 4.-Bollworm moth with wings top to bottom and still smaller folded in natural position. About ridges across these. They are large twice natural size. (Quaintance.) enough to be seen readily with the naked eye. The eggs hatch in from 2. to 8 days or even longer, de- pending upon the temperature. When first hatched the larvae or caterpillars are extremely small. They feed here and there on the surface of the plant near where the eggs were laid, but gradually work to- ward some tender portion within which they can bore. Growth is rather rapid, being completed in about 20 days. The larvae shed their skins four or five times FIa. 5.--Fgg of bollworm moth. during this period. When full grown side and top views. Highly they are about 11 inches in length. The magnified. (Quaintance and color varies from pale green to almost 3ruee. black. During the last few days of the life of the caterpillar it is capable of consuming large quantities of food, an;l it is during this period that it is most destructive. 1 Known scientifically as Chlorldea virescens Fab.
