The larger corn stalk-borer . ve specimen are gone. In many sec-tions of the South this is commonly known as bud-worm injury,and though there are several other insects which cause a similarmutilation of the leaf, a very large proportion of the so-called bud-worm damage may be charged to this insect. The effect of itswork on the leaves of the young corn plants is similar to that re-sulting from attacks by the corn billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.) andis evidenced by the familiar rows of small circular or irregular holesacross the blades of the plant (fig. 2). The other form of serious damage chargea
The larger corn stalk-borer . ve specimen are gone. In many sec-tions of the South this is commonly known as bud-worm injury,and though there are several other insects which cause a similarmutilation of the leaf, a very large proportion of the so-called bud-worm damage may be charged to this insect. The effect of itswork on the leaves of the young corn plants is similar to that re-sulting from attacks by the corn billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.) andis evidenced by the familiar rows of small circular or irregular holesacross the blades of the plant (fig. 2). The other form of serious damage chargeable to this pest occurslater in the season. The larvae, having then left the leaves and [Cir. 116] descended to the lower part of the stalk, tunnel in the pith. (Seefig. 3.) If the larvae are at all numerous in the stalk, their burrowsso weaken the plant that any unusual strain will lay it low anddestroy all chance of its maturing. While frequently ten or morelarvae may live and mature in one plant, it must be remembered that. Fig. 2.—Work of larger corn stalk-borer, showing mutilation of leaves of corn by reduced. (Original.) any infestation, however light, will lessen in some degree the vitalityof the plant and cause a corresponding loss in the quality and quan-tity of the harvest. HABITS OF THE LARVAE. Immediately upon leaving the egg in spring, the young larva ofthe first generation, spinning a silken thread behind it, wandersdown into the throat of the plant as far as the water or dew usuallystanding there will allow it to go, and begins to feed on the leaves,going back and forth through the yet unfolded clusters and soonriddling the more tender leaves with aimless burrows. If the bur-row reaches the tender terminal bud where the future joints arebeing formed, further growth at that point ceases and the plant be-comes stunted and misshapen, with no tassel. As the plant continuesto mature, the larva grows out, as the farmers say. It is more LCir. 116] likel
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Keywords: ., bookauthorunitedst, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1910
