Blister beetles may be controlled, under ordinary circumstances, by the same method employed against the Colorado beetle. When they are present in great numbers a good remedy consists in driving them with the wind from the cultivated fields into windrows of straw or similar dry material previously prepared along the leeward side of the field, where they will congregate and can be burned.
FIG. 38—TOMATO WORM (Protoparce sexta)
(a) Adult moth; (b) full-grown larva; (c) pupa—all reduced. (After Howard, U. S. Dept. Agr.)
The tomato worms, of which there are two common species closely resembling each other, are often abundant and destructive on tomato foliage, particularly southward. The arsenicals will kill them, or they can be held in check by hand-picking, a little experience enabling one to detect their presence readily. Turkeys are utilized in destroying these worms in the South.
FIG. 39—TOMATO STALK-BORER (Papaipema nitela)
(a) Female moth; (b) half-grown larva; (c) mature larva in injured stalk; (d) lateral view of abdominal segment; (e) pupa—all somewhat enlarged. (From Chittenden, U. S. Dept. Agr.)
The stalk-borer, as its name implies, attacks the stalk, and is an intermittent pest, though quite annoying at times. It is difficult to combat, but its injuries may be prevented by care in keeping down, and by promptly destroying, the weeds after they are pulled or hoed out during the growing season. If weeds are left to dry the striped caterpillar of this species will desert them and enter cultivated plants. Ragweed and burdock are the principal foods of this insect, and special attention should be given to eradicate them where tomatoes are planted. Crop rotation is advisable where this can be conveniently practiced, and such plants as cabbage, radish and the like, onions, beets, asparagus and celery are suggested as alternates. When the plants are sprayed with arsenicals for other insects this will operate to a certain extent against the stalk-borer.
FIG. 40—CHARACTERISTIC WORK OF THE TOMATO FRUIT WORM (Heliothis obsoleta)
(Redrawn by Johnson from C. V. Riley)
