Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-07-03
NEW CORN WORM.

NEW CORN WORM.
| Our attention has been called within the last few
days to a nep depredator upon this valuable grain,
whose ravages, should they continue to spread,
well calculated to arouse the serious spprehensons
and soci,ude of the farming interest. 1, is an
enemy to this crop, heretofore unnoticed, we be-
lisve. in our country; stranger certainly 20 tho
oldest and most observant planters of our country
and may be regarded as a new infiction, supersd-
dsd to those nrder which we have heretofore la
cnsive ingenuity Of the oultvators of the soil. Its
fret appearance was about twelve months ago upon
the farm Of DR.. Thomas S. Page, near town, now,
and then, in the occupancy Of Mr. Adam Bowers
the tenant. We have not heard that it has yet
been seen in any other portion Of the County. Its
ravagss last year did not extend more than rod
across the narrowsst part Of field; this year they
have extended over the entire field and into ono Of
different description of soil. adjoining il. /, may
be discovered by its bgh,ing influence upon the
corn tbs plant has attained weeks
growth; Il 10 then quite small, hut grows rapidly
until it sttsns tho size of Of largest orchard
csterpilars Its attack 10 fatal to the plant. Those
specimens Of the insect particularly examined BY
US, were taken from stocks from two to two and
half feet high. 1t was easy to perceive upon tho
first view Of them, that some destructive worm was
feeding at their core. Their tops were withered
and had fallen. Upon a close examination Of the
plant, We observed, about three inches from the
ground, q small perforation extending into tho
heart Of the stock, upon opening which We found
the worm actively at work-,he whole Of the inner
substance of the plant, for two three inches
,rely consumed with nothing there left bu: \ dark
colored exeremen, of a somewha, pungent smell.
We profess but little acquaintance with Ento-
poioey-a science of such extensive limits, that
the discovery of multitude of insects fails to
excite the least ishment, and whose research.
es have fully confirmed the commonly received
opinion, that the insect race, in the diversity of
| it's species, may be regarded as boyndless. We
would therefore pretend to give such descrip.
ton OF this insect would convey to the scientific
ma trualist the precise classification which it be-
| longs. II, however, we might venture our opinion,
we would place it in the class with the eat
espilar, not sOlely from the ap,nss Of it's verbal
Derivation but from its resemblance to that com.
| mon pest in many of the essential points of its
structure and formation.
This worm, at that stage Of its growth when sub
mitted to our examination, was inch in length.
The body, like that Of tho caterpillar. consists of
twelve rings; the head, connected with tho first,
10 Of yellow color, bard and crastsceous II has
six snt,rior feet, hard, pointed and fixed to the rs,
three rings Of the body. Tho posterior feet are
eight in number, soft, flexible and aaembrsnaceous.
On each side Of the body are small oval spertures
or spirselss, the aSusss not sscsrtained for the
want Of . moro Perfecs msfni6eI. Its body is
marked with alternate stripes Of white and black
One white extending its whole length on the con-
ire Of the back, and two Of che came color. short
or. and running parallel to from the middle of the
trunk. lu movemeass. when taken from the plant,
are brisk and active, somewhat resembling in its
| motion the measuring worm. although exhibiting
less hs1ibility sad power In the eontortons of is
body.
Within the limited range Of ito attack last year,
IL indicted material injury upon the corn; more
rous results may be anticipated this season from
the more extended theatre Of its ravsges. We
have been informed by Mr.. Bowers. who has. with
! great Intelligence, observed its movements, that
when il has destroyed one stock, it quickly emf.
CRATES to another, and that its destructive progress
continues until the fall.
1t lis proper that the public attention should be
invited as promptly as possible to this new enemy
of the agricultural interest, that some remedy may
be suggested, If possible, to counteract its devasta
tons. We shall take soma pains this summer and
fall, to ascertain more particularly its habits and
modes of attack. In the time, we trust that
the learned and obliging Editors of the Albany
Culiipator, the American Farmer, Southern Plan
ter and the Valley Farmer will furnish US with
any information which they may possess on the
subject. 1t is possible, however, unknown to US,
thi. new depreda,or may have been brought within
the range of Asir reading observation. We
shall be happy to receive from any OF our Berkeley
farmers any information which they may possess
respecting the insect which We have attempted to
County.
VI Specimens of this insect preserved in spirits,
and some stocks Of corn, as injured by their at
lacks, may be seen upon spquiring at the Gazette
Office.
-From Catss, food, and pillev (French) TO rob.
The animal that eats up the fruits Of the EARTH
| DR.. Johnsoa.
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