The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-06-03
THE NoXIoUS INSECTS, OF
NOR TIL CAROLINA.
Cotton-Eati Insects--The Cotton
Caterpillar---The Boil Worm
TSEOoND PAPER

TSEOoND PAPER
THE T CATERPILLAR. -Atet1G aTyI
lGceG.
This much dreaded pest Of the cot
ton field is less troublesome In North
Carolina than in States further South.
The cotton moth is a tropical species,
introduced into the Southern States
from South America in or about
1898. The damage caused by this
pest since its Introduction almost ex
ceeds belief. During the two decades
from 1860 to 1880, competent author
tiles estimate the average annual
damage at $50, 600, 900. During bad
worm years Texas has lost from this
ource alone S7,4OO, 900; Mississippi,
5000, 900; Alabama, 81, 700, 600;
Louisiana, S4, 500, 900; Georgia, 81,
900, 900; Arkansas, S 1900, 900; South
Carolina, $500, 900; Tennessee and
North Carolina $3.50, 900 each.
The cotton moth passes the winter
in the p9rfecs or winged state. But,
being a tropical species, 1T is unable
to withstand the winter te nperature
north of the latitude of Savannah and
Vicks5urg. At the commencement
of c id weather all the moths found
north of that latitude die; of th,se
found south of the line, some few
survive. hidden in cracks and corners
of gin houses, stables, negro cabins
and other buildings, or they find
shelter under heaps Of rubbish IN
fields and woods. These survivors
suffice to propagate the species new
each spring. The insects as they in,
crease in number spread northward,
and usually reach North Carolina
about the first Of August.
The moth lays her eggs singly on
the I'm ter side of the leaf, and each
female usually lays from $50 to 200
egg. The eggs are at first greenish,
soon changing to whlJish They are
about lao inch in diameter, semi
spherical, and ribbed like a cotton
picker's basket. The eggs usually
hatch in two or three days and the
young caterpillars at once begin to
eat. The first few days they cOn6ne
themselves to the under side of the
leaves, but eventually eat through or
rag" the leaf and appear on the
upper side. The caterpillar grows
rapidly and eats voraciously for about
20 days. It then, by means of silky
threads, webs itself up in a leaf and
remains dormant for a week or ten
days. At the end of this period it
comes forth as the perfeci or winged
moth. Within thirty six hours
after issuing, the moths have paired
and the female begins to lay her eggs
for the next brood. The number OF
broods varies from two in North Caro-
lima to six or more in Texas.
REMEDIES.
AS the cotton caterpillar does not
feed to any great extent upon any
plant except cotton, and as the frs
sharp fros5 Of winter makes an end O
the larger portion Of the moths, i
would seem to be a comparatively
easy matter to prevent the ravages o.
this pest by concerted and timely &C
ton on the part of the cotton growers
An insect that cost the cotton State
$40, 1000, 900 a year is a foe worthy o
very serious consideration. To pre-
vent the ravages of this pest it is oni,
necessary for cotton growers to unit
for mutual protection, and provid,
competent agents to see hat in all tn
section in which the moth is know
to hibernate, no brush or trash pile
are allowed to remain in the field
during the winter, and that all gin
houses, cabins, ETC., are thorough
cleaned and disinfected by means O
carbolized whitewash, This work is t.
be supple nented in spring by lanterr
traps in the fields and by hand pick
ing of the few caterpilars that in spit
of all precautions may appear. Al
this of course would cost money, bl
not a 1.-THE of what the moth will cos
if permitted to breed at will. Tb
preventive work would be done dun
ing the season when the hands ar
usually idle, and the expense Nigh
justly be borne by the planters Q
the different States according to thei
liability to damage from the pest.
As the moth does not survive til
winter in North Carolina, palliativ
measures only can be here employed
The early planting Of early maturin
varieties; trapping the first arrival G
moths and hand picking Of the frs
brood of ~caterpillars will De foun
the most satisfactory treasures. l
no case is the prudent "stitch i
time" more valuable than il RI
gard to this pest. By keeping tn
plants free from the caterpillays unit
the end of August the growth is COZ
tinuous and rapid and the lint is 500
matured and out Of danger. The us
of poisoned bats is very commend
able. The moth is verv fond \