Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. tak os * ienen akc poy y, i Tae G = : a eager crip 4 5 s er |. &, Devartment £ Asricnitn, | Fee Of Aoricultn, ||| nce —— ~ INSECT MANUAL a a i «MISCELLANEOUS ile. PUBLICATION . ' ; No.318 OU ee UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE | p MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION No. 318 Washin¢gton, D. C. February 1939 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL | By M. P. JONES, senior extension entomologist, Division of Cooperative ak % Extension, Extension Service* | CONTENTS baal Page Page Fill ImitnOductiOnes = ceateense= soe Ge ee oo 1 | Part II.—Life studies and control of insects... 43 hl WihyStudwainsects ies eae eee 2 iLifeistudicssa= = pakeee a ea ee 43 Part I— Acquaintance with insects___________ 3 ControlotinsectSse see 43 Collection and identification______________ 4 Collection and identification._____________ 44 Calendar of activities, first year___________ 6 Calendar of activities, second year______-__ 46 Activities for first year outlined__.________ 6 Activities for second year outlined________ 46 Scientific names of insects________________ 11 Things to know about insects____.________ 52 Further aids to identification._.._.________ 12 List of common insects_____-_-______- 54 ie Orthoptera (grasshoppers and others) - 13 Answers to questionnaire_____________ 55 hal Hemiptera (true bugs)_-______.-______ 15 | Part III.—Telling others about insects________ 57 Homoptera (bugs) ---.--..-___________ 17 Collection and identification__.__.________ 57 Coleoptera (beetles) __.....___________ 19 Calendar of activities, third year_________ 58 NI Lepidoptera (butterflies and others) __ 23 Pla yle tsa t2 3) Seno ie As re a 58 heh Miptera, (iies)\eea == sss. es 30 Demonstrations asa ee 59 | Hymenoptera (wasps and others) _____ 33 1 Ops 0] OT FS pe Sf a a BN GO oe 62 y Miscellaneous groups_-_---____--______ 37 SUEVG YS 2622 3US aees Saae oe a eee eee 62 ti} insectirecord!sheetsa---2=5- 2s ee 41 : MI passin as er ae th i H : INTRODUCTION ) This insect manual was prepared primarily for the use of 4-H club members, but it also may be useful to other groups of young people. Its purpose is to give a better understanding of insects and the principles underlying insect control. The study of insects at camps affords an ideal way to introduce entomology. Under a competent leader who knows insects many interesting things can be pointed out, such as facts pertaining to insects in relation to other forms of life. Although this manual was | prepared primarily for a definite year-round project in entomology, alr it will be helpful at camps also. | In industrial sections of the country where use of leisure time is | becoming a problem, the study of insects and the making of insect collections afford an excellent pastime. The cost of equipment is small, and the insect supply is almost unlimited. In some places county fair boards and local chambers of commerce have provided money to be given as awards for commendable insect collections. | Although some insect collections have sold for large sums of money, such collections represent the lifetime jobs of the persons making 1 Grateful acknowledgment is made to the Division of Insect Identification of the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine for selecting the list of representative hy, insects of the United States, for providing photographs or drawings of them, and for the abl, | outline of the story about each insect. The other subject-matter divisions of the Bureau reviewed all referentes to the biology and control of the insects listed. Acknowledgment is also made to the extension entomologists and 4-H club workers in the States who | offered suggestions that have aided in making this manual useful and workable, 76088°—39 1 2 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE them. The collector should not be misled by advertisements of cer- tain companies to the effect that they will purchase insects, espe- cially when he is obligated to buy a book of instructions before these companies will buy the insects. Insect collecting should be started as a hobby, just as the collect- ing of stamps and other objects, and not as a means of making money. _ The value of insect collections to scientific institutions depends on the number of authentically identified species the collections contain and the preciseness with which the specimens are mounted and labeled. The public in general is becoming more conscious of the damage caused by insects and the need for more information on insect con- trol. Members of 4-H clubs who participate in the activities out- lined in this manual will learn many things of permanent value to them. To get the most out of the insect study, one should follow the 3-year program outlined. This will allow time not only for the acquirement of experience, which is the best teacher, but for a review of litera- ture on insects. All persons cannot become entomologists, but they may acquire knowledge for practical use. WHY STUDY INSECTS? Many persons go through life finding little enjoyment in the beau- ties of Nature and knowing very little about them. If we learn to know more of our natural surroundings, we shall be building toward a fuller life. The human race makes up only a very small part of the living creatures here on earth. Man feels that he has about reached the top of the social ladder, but in reality he still has a long way to go. HISTORY OF INSECTS People could profit much by turning to some of Nature’s other children who have been struggling along life’s pathways for millions of years, possibly long before man came into existence. The lowly insects, as we think of them, were living on the earth more than 40 million years ago. In fossils and in amber, we find preserved insects almost identical with those we can find in our own back yard today. Scientists have found no trace of man that dates back to anywhere near those geological ages. What is it about the insect that has permitted it to withstand all these centuries while many other forms of animal life have appeared on the earth and after a relatively few years passed out of existence? We see pictures of large prehistoric animals and wonder why, with all the strength they must have possessed, they did not dominate the earth. This process of elimination is still going on, and every few years some form of animal life passes out of existence. Our natural- ists today are working hard to perpetuate certain kinds of birds and animals that are almost extinct. IMPORTANCE OF INSECTS Insects, however, live on, and today they are man’s greatest com- petitors in his struggle for existence. Insects destroy our crops, they kill our animals, they crumple our buildings, and they actually feed on man himself. In addition, they spread disease germs that 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 3 threaten our plants and animals. Some of the diseases carried only by insects have killed more people than have been killed in all wars. However, to give the impression that all insects are pests would be unfair, for most of them are of little or no importance and many, such as the ground beetles, ladybeetles, wasps, and certain flies, are beneficial, as they feed on insect pests. The honeybee makes honey and beeswax, the silkworm makes silk, and many insects pollinate plants. Insects also provide food for birds and fishes. This manual has been prepared so that young people may have a better understanding of the lives and habits of many of the insects and why they have been able to exist for so many centuries. Re- member that even an insect may be justly entitled to a living and do not destroy one wantonly or without good reason. We must, how- ever, be able to protect ourselves against their taking too much of the material we claim. The more of us there are who know our friends and foes in the insect world, the better we shall be equipped to stand our ground against the ravages of our greatest rivals, the insect pests. Part I—ACQUAINTANCE WITH INSECTS [Introduction to first-year work] What is this creature we call an insect, and how does it differ from other forms of animal life? Insects are animals that in the adult stage have an external skeleton and three definite body regions, the head, thorax, and abdomen. They have three pairs of legs and only one pair of antennae (feelers). They usually have compound eyes and one or two pairs of wings. aa AEM OC = \Head | thorax Abdomen Ficure 1.—External construction of an insect. Insects are adapted to a wide range of conditions. Some live in the air and soil, some in plants or animals or their products, and some in the water. Those that live out of the water breathe through small openings along the sides of their bodies, and some of those that live in the water are equipped with gills which enable them to get their air from the water. There are more kinds of insects than of all other forms of animal life put together. In fact, an entomologist found more than 1,000 different kinds in his small back yard in a suburb of New York City. As there are about 700,000 different kinds of insects known to exist, the need for some form of classification becomes apparent. Entomolo- gists separate them into orders, families, genera, and species. (Each of these classifications further divides the one preceding.) In this manual no more can be done than help to acquaint the reader with the more common orders. 4 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE A scientific name, in addition to helping to classify an insect or show its relationship to other insects, aids in designating more clearly the particular insect referred to. There are several insects that have the same common name. For instance, potato beetle is a name which may refer to the Colorado potato beetle, the black blister beetle (old- fashioned potato bug), or the tiny flea beetle; but if we say Leptino- tarsa decemlineata, 1t doesn’t matter whether we are in the United States, England, or China, the entomologist knows the beetle to which we refer. Let us analyze Leptinotarsa decemlineata and see what the words mean: Leptinotarsa: From leptos, meaning thin, and tarsos or tarsus, meaning part of insect leg. decemlineata: From deca, meaning 10, and linea, meaning line. Thus we have Leptinotarsa decemlineata, an insect with small tarsus and 10 lines on its back. The technical name of an insect often refers to some part of the insect, or to the plant or animal on which the insect feeds. Insects may have different common names. Take the corn earworm, for instance. In places where tomatoes are grown extensively, this worm is called the tomato fruitworm; in the cotton sections it is called the cotton bollworm, and in corn-growing sections it is referred to as the corn earworm. But if we say Heliothis obsoleta, the ento- mologist anywhere will know the insect we mean. No doubt many boys and girls will want to refer to the scientific names of some insects. Tor this reason, in the discussion accompany- ing the pictures, on pages 13 to 40, are mentioned the common name, and the names for the order, genus, and species of several of our common insects. It must be remembered that in referring to the scientific name, only the names for genus and species are given. COLLECTION AND IDENTIFICATION It is hoped that club members will make an insect collection, and that after a few years each member will have representative specimens of the more important orders of insects and note sheets giving a complete description of each. Beginners should endeavor to have by the end of the first year insects representative of the following eight orders: ORTHOPTERA.—Orthos (straight), pteron (a wing). Four wings, when present; front wings leathery, straight; hind wings folding fanlike under them. Chewing mouth parts. Antennae and legs usually long. Life changes (meta- morphosis) incomplete. Grasshoppers, crickets, FIGURE 2.—Grasshopper. katydids, roaches, walking sticks. HEMIPTERA.—Hemi (half), pteron (a wing). Four wings, when present; front wings leathery at base, forming an X on back when wings are folded. Piercing and sucking mouth parts folding under body. Life changes incomplete. Odor sometimes sickening. Stink- bugs, squash bugs, plant bugs, chinch bugs, and bedbugs. FKIGURD 3.— True bug. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 5 HOMOPTERA.—Homos (same), pteron (a wing). Winged forms having four wings, front pair clear or leathery and longer ~ and narrower than hind wings; wings folding rooflike over back. Mouth parts for piercing and sucking. Life changes incomplete. Aphids, cicadas, leafhoppers, treehoppers, and scale insects. FicureE 4.— Plant louse. COLEOPTERA.—Coleos (sheath), pteron (a wing). Front wings leathery, fitting over hind part of body like a case, meeting in a straight line along center of back; hind wings clear, jointed in middle, folded under front wings when at rest. Mouth parts formed for chewing. Life changes complete. Ladybeetles, potato beetle, Ficurr 5.— leaf beetles, carpet beetles. Beetle. LEPIDOPTERA.—Lepis (scale), pteron (a wing). Four similar wings, when present, mem- branous, but covered with overlapping scales. Mouth parts for sucking. Life changes complete. Butterflies, moths, skippers. DIPTERA.—Dis (twice, from duo, meaning “two”’), pteron (a wing). Two clear wings; knobs in place of hind wings. Three distinct body regions. Mouth parts tubular, for sucking, piercing, or lapping. Life changes complete. Flies, mosquitoes, gnats. HYMENOPTERA. — Hy men (membrane), pteron (a wing). Four clear wings, when pres- ent; few wing veins; hind wings smaller than front wings and often hooked to them. Mouth parts for chewing. Abdomen often with slender waist, females of some kinds with stingers. Life changes complete. Wasps, ants, bees, sawflies. ODONATA.—Odous (a tooth). Four long, rather narrow wings, finely netted and either clear or banded, of equal or nearly equal size. Wings with a short, heavy cross vein and a slight notch along front side so that they look as if jointed. Large eyes, head loosely joined to long, narrow body; antennae short. Mouth parts for chewing. Nymphs living in wa- FIGURE 9.—Dregonfly. ter. Life changes incomplete. Dragon- flies, damsel flies. 6 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES, FIRST YEAR This manual is so outlined that 4-H club members can carry on insect work for 1, 2, or 3 years. To help members get the most out of this insect study, the following calendar outlines the activities for the first year. Similar calendars for the second- and third-year activities appear on pages 46 and 58, respectively. If less than 12 meetings a year are held, two or more activities can be combined in one meeting period. Meetings Acquaintance with insects Page First; Hebruany.—- Organization. Review introduction to manual________________________ 6 Second, March__-___---___- Outline work for year. Make collection box___-______________________ 6 Third; -Aqril sot: See Makercollectin gone (isaac = ore ot eee SR UREN ee ee igre erent 7 fourth; Maye ee Makeykillingsarss “Pin inSec tsa ses eee ea eae ee a 8 CIEE Uli Cees ee re Make spreading board. Spread butterflies or moths__________________ 9 Sixth, gulysee = oe CollectianGiG@entifivetn See ts ee ae ee 9 Seventh, August_________- Collectingtrip: Make butterfiy;mountss=22 = eee 9 Eighth, September-____--__- Fill out note forms. Arrange insects by orders____----________________ 10 Ninth; October = Exhibit collections] “Siwienie?4roast. -8 2252 a eee se ee 10 Tenth, November_-_---___-- locate insects in winter quarters. 2-22 ee ae 11 Eleventh, December-_---__- Reports on work and literature references_________-._______-__________ 11 Twelfth; Januarya= ss... Discussionion life cy clevofimSectsS a as ae ee ee ie 11 ACTIVITIES FOR FIRST YEAR OUTLINED The following outline breaks down the calendar of activities for the first year of insect work. It lists some of the equipment neces- sary and suggests a few steps in procedure for carrying out the work for each meeting of each month. When entire clubs are engaged in insect work, the work for each meeting can be illustrated by team demonstrations. The introduc- tion and summary for each demonstration will be about the same. In the introduction the demonstrators should tell (1) what is being demonstrated, and (2) what it will be used for. In the summary, they should present briefly the main points in the demonstration to be remembered and ask for questions. Because the equipment and procedure will vary with each meet- ing, this outline gives the equipment necessary and a few points on procedure for each meeting. ORGANIZATION. REVIEW INTRODUCTION TO MANUAL [First meeting—February] The county agent or entomologist tells the story of insects—how they cause damage and how they are controlled. Reads and explains the introduction to the manual. Tells how club members can do in- sect work. The club is organized. OUTLINE OF WORK FOR YEAR [Second meeting—March] The club president, county club agent, or extension entomologist outlines the work for the year and has club members make a survey of the insect situation before the next meeting. Summary of work for the year is read through. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 7 MAKE COLLECTION BOX ; Equipment : 1. Cigar box, 2 by 6 by 8 inches preferred. 2. Piece of double-faced, corrugated cardboard or soft fiberboard. 3. Glue. 4. Moth ball. 5. Common pins. 6. Box or folder of matches. FIGURE 11.—Cigar box equipped FiIGurRE 10.—Cigar box. for insect collecting. Procedure: . Cut cardboard to fit bottom of box. . Smear glue on bottom of box and insert cardboard. . Box may be lined with white paper. . Heat head of pin from lighted match. . Insert hot head of pin into moth ball and cool. . Stick moth ball, on pin, into corner of box. OUR CONE MAKE COLLECTING NET [Third meeting—April] Hquipment : 1. Small wooden handle about 3 feet long (broom handle). 2. Five feet of heavy, stiff wire (barrel hoops or telephone wire). Wood handle Wire C/orh pattern Figure 12.—Wooden handle, wire, and cloth pattern for making collecting net. 3. Piece of cloth 3 by 5 feet (mosquito netting or better grade material). 4. Pattern from which to cut cloth. ; 5. Saw, hammer, brace, small bit, narrow wood chisel. 6. Cord for wrapping wire onto handle. Procedure: . Bend wire into shape. . Bore hole and cut grooves in proom handle. . Cut cloth and sew it together. . Slip bag on wire. . Attach wire to handle. . Reference: Collection and Preserva- tion of Insects. United States De- partment of Agriculture Farmers’ FicurE 13.—Collecting net. Bulletin 1601. aOwopow wre 8 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE MAKE KILLING JARS [Fourth meeting—May] Equipment : 1. A 1-pint fruit jar (tight lid). 2. Piece of cardboard (double-faced, corrugated preferred). 3. Small bottle of gasoline or calcium cyanide. 4, POISON label for calcium cyanide. Procedure: Cut cardboard to fit tightly inside jar. For gasoline killing jar— 1. Place several small scraps of cardboard in bottom of jar. 2. Saturate scraps with gasoline. soo Se a [ee od ————— ree FIGURE 14.— FIGurE 15.— FIGURE 16.— Glass jar. Gasoline Cyanide killing jar. killing jar. 3. Cover with cardboard disk. 4. Place lid on tight. ; For calcium cyanide killing jar (dangerous! handle with caution )— 1. Place calcium cyanide (G grade) about half an inch deep in bottom of jar. 2. Cover with cardboard. 3. Place lid on tight. 4. Place POISON label on jar. 5. Plaster of paris may be poured in jar on cardboard to make a better seal. PIN INSECTS Equipment : 1. Pins (No. 3 insect pins preferred; common pins may be used). 2. A few freshly killed insects representing each of the five major groups; namely, stinkbug, beetle, bee or fly, grasshopper, butterfly. 3. Spreading board. 4. uabels to be placed on pin with insect. Beetle Bee Grasshopper FIGURE 17.—Insects, properly pinned. Procedure : 1. Pin insects according to figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Farmers’ Bulletin 1601 (pp. 8-10). 2. Place on pin, label giving name of insect, name of collector, date when collected, and place. a. Instructions; See sixth meeting, calendar of activities, first year. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 9 MAKE SPREADING BOARD. SPREAD BUTTERFLIES OR MOTHS [Fifth meeting—June] Equipment : 1. Two strips, 44 by 2 inches, of softwood 1 foot long. 2. One strip of cork or similar material, 44 by 2 by 12 inches. 3. Two blocks, 44 by 2 by 5 inches. 4. Small nails, hammer, pins. Procedure: 1. Nail wooden strips on blocks, leaving them about one-fourth of an inch apart. 2. Nail cork strip flatwise to slats, beneath crack between slats. 3. Pin butterfly before it is dry. 4. Insert pin through 6 EES | | cork so that body Hi rests on cork be- tween slats. “es A Wy i [Ly y f yi, i es in ‘ 5. With point of another | pin move wings for- FicuRr 18.—Butterfly, spread. ward. 6. When wings are spread, place strip of paper across them. Fasten down with pins. 7. Allow butterfly to remain on spreader a few days, or until dry. COLLECT AND IDENTIFY INSECTS [Sixth meeting—July] Equipment : 1. Killing jar or bottle. 2. Collecting net. 3. Extra bottle or box for young or soft- bodied forms. 4. State or Government farmers’ bulletin on insects. 5. Textbook on insects. 6. Small labels 4% by 1 inch, cut from stiff paper. Procedure: 1. Collect economic insects from gardens, orchards, or field crops. Figure 20.— Figure 19.—Insect 2. Observe plant on which each insect is Insect, pinned in killing jar. feeding. and labeled. 3. Kill adult forms only, in killing jars. 4. Keep lid tight on killing jar except when inserting or removing insects. 5. Immature insects may be pickled in alcohol or formaldehyde. 6. Compare insects with pictures and descriptions in bulletins and books. 7. Prepare labels (to be placed on pin with insect). 8. On one or more labels have: a. Name of insect. b. Place where collected. c. Date collected. d. Name of collector. COLLECTING TRIP. MAKE BUTTERFLY MOUNTS [Seventh meeting—August] Equipment : 1. Collecting material. 2. Piece of window glass 4 by 4 inches. 76088 °—39——_2 10 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 3. Piece of cardboard, Same size as glass. 4. Thin layer of cotton, CARD- same size as glass. 5. Picture binding such BOARD as passe partout tape. Butterfly with wings spread and dried. Procedure : 1. Collect insects and note kind of plants on which they are found. 2. Spread thin layer of cotton on ecard- S Ot: & COTTON / board. ) 3. Arrange butterfly on ly a cotton. Se fs 4. Place glass over ee fe butterfly. 5. Bind edges of card- FIGURE 21.—Materials for making butterfly mount. board to. glass with binding tape. 6. String may be attached for hanging mount, or strip of cardboard may be glued on back of mount as a support. FILL OUT NOTE FORMS. - ARRANGE INSECTS LY ORDERS [Eighth meeting—September ] LCquipment: 1. Note forms, pencils. 2. Insect collections. 3. Reference bulletins. Procedure: 1. Write notes about insects on forms similar to that shown on page 41. 2. Arrange insects in the collections. 3. Make sure that each insect is properly labeled. Date and locality are im- portant. 4. Insects should be neatly arranged in rows, heads toward back of box. Place insects representing the different orders together—beetles in one place, flies in another, etc. caANMLNNINANTAD Navi Ol FIGURE 22.—Butterfly in mount. EXHIBIT COLLECTIONS. ‘“‘WIENIE’ ROAST [ Ninth meeting—October] Equipment: 1. Insect collections and any notes on insects. 2. “Wienies,” cider, marshmallows, ete. FIGURE 23.—Insect collections arranged for exhibition. Procedure: 1. Place all insects from a given club in neat order. 2. Refreshments. 53. Program—games, playlets, stunts, etc. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 11 LOCATE INSECTS IN WINTER QUARTERS [Tenth meeting—November] Equipment: 1. Notebook and pencil. 2. Bulletins, as an aid in identifying insects. 3. Hoe, pick, or shovel to uncover insects. Procedure: 1. Locate hibernating insects under loose bark of trees, in crevices in bark, clumps of grass, under rubbish or plant refuse, in soil, ete. 2. Make notes on insects—kinds, when and where found. REPORTS ON WORK AND LITERATURE REFERENCES [Eleventh meeting—December ] Equipment : 1. Collection and any notes that member may have. 2. Book, farm paper, newspaper, or bulletin carrying some unusual or interesting story about an insect. Procedure: Each club member— 1. Tells name of the insects in his or her collection. 2. Tells what he or she knows about each insect in collection. 3. Names book or bulletin where information was obtained 4. Tells in his own words an interesting story about an insect, and his source of information. DISCUSSION ON LIFE CYCLE OF INSECTS [Twelfth meeting—January] Equipment : 1. Book, bulletin, or paper giving life history of some insect. Procedure: 1. Each member reports on life of some insect. a. Its name. b. The plant or animal on which it feeds. c. How it feeds (chews or sucks). d. Kind of life cycle, complete or incomplete. e. Where it Spends the winter. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF INSECTS Some boys and girls may want to know more about the technical names of insects or the relationship of one insect to another. In the description accompanying the pictures, the scientific name of the insect is given. For example, the scientific name of the red-legged grass- hopper shown on page 13 is Melanoplus femur-rubrum. For classi- fication purposes, other larger divisions such as orders and families are also used. No reference is made to families in the description, but the order to which the insect belongs appears under the discussion of the first insect in the group, if not under each insect. The following chart shows how the technical name of an insect is used in classification. Remember that in the order Homoptera there are many more families, genera, and species than are shown here. In the family Aphiidae (plant lice) five genera are listed, each of which has certain characteristics in common. One finds on close examina- tion, however, that in each of the genera are individuals differing in character, so these are placed under species, as we see, for example, under “Aphis.” 1 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE The order Homoptera subdivided into some of its families, genera, and species Order Family Genus Species gossypii. : maidi-radicis . ADDIS awe ee pomi. Trumicis. Aphiidaeress2 3 6 ea seeton FANUC DIS ee roseus. Breviconymes += Sates brassicae. ETLOSQTIUG see ee lanigerum. ae Mes Bae fe ee cee ae cerast. icadid aes Sten s vee oes Qg1ccOdg st = eee es septendecim. Homoptera - -_-------------- Cicadellidae [erspoase Paes eet ee maligna. oe Ais a PEGE TOME UT Gee eee ae comes. Membracidae=____________ CORCSO Sees ele ee bubalus. ios Remora res, Sec perniciosus. . LOMOS 1S apa ee teen furfura. Coceidae._-.-----.--.----- Lepidosaphes______-_____-- uli. POULTON 1 Ce vitis. Thus it can be seen that the cotton or melon aphid (Aphis gossypii) belongs to the family Aphiidae and the order Homoptera. FURTHER AIDS TO IDENTIFICATION Anyone who is sufficiently interested in insects to want to make a collection, will want to know the names of those collected. Because there are so many different kinds, it is almost impossible to prepare a simple key for identification that the average person can use, The best that can be hoped for in this publication is to acquaint club members with the larger groups of insects such as the orders. In some cases it is well to know the families, and, where the insect is of major importance, it is very helpful to be able to identify the species. INCHES 4 5 6 MILLIMETERS FicurE 24.—Rule for measuring insects. Instead of the usual key, a number of pictures have been used to assist in identification. In some cases the picture of a single insect is shown to represent an entire order, and in other instances the pic- tures represent the family also. Remember that there may be a thou- sand or more insects that are very closely related to the insect shown in the picture, and in many cases closely resemble it. Textbooks and bulletins may be used to help further in identification. Since a means of measuring is not always available, the rule sketched above should be useful. The upper portion is divided into inches, and the lower portion into millimeters. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 13 ORTHOPTERA (GRASSHOPPERS AND OTHERS) Grasshoppers.—A large group of the order Orthoptera is repre- sented by the grasshoppers. They vary greatly in size. Most grass- hoppers are greenish and yellowish gray in color. Their rather long hind legs, thickened at the base, equip them for jumping. The mouth parts are of the chewing type, and these insects destroy many kinds of field crops, vegetables, and weeds; at times they also eat the leaves and bark off trees. Most of the grasshoppers overwinter in the ground in the egg stage. These insects have changes in form during the life cycle. When first hatched, they are very small. They shed their skins several times during life, each time coming out in a larger skin and a little more closely resembling the adult form which has four wings. The hind wings are folded fanlike under the rather long, narrow fore- wings. Since these insects destroy crops, they most certainly are pests. Grasshoppers may be controlled by cultural practices, but when they become abundant, it is necessary to apply poisoned bait. The scientific name of the grasshopper shown here is d/elanoplus femur-rubrum. (The length of this species is approximately 1 inch.) Crickets.—Nearly every boy and girl has heard the chirping of the cricket although they may never have seen the little insect, about ____ five-eighths of an inch long, that does the chirp- | ing. Crickets vary widely in shape and struc- ture. Most of them are black in color. The one shown here 1s the large, black field cricket (Gryi- lus assimilis). The four wings fold over the back but are seldom, if ever, used. Like other Orthoptera, the crickets have incomplete life changes and overwinter mainly in the egg stage in the ground, or in the nymphal stage in pro- tected places. They have chewing mouth parts and feed on a wide variety of substances. ‘Chis species sometimes causes damage by eating the twine from bundles of grain. Katydids.—No doubt many boys and girls in the Northern States have heard the remark “It will be only 6 weeks until frost,” because some member of the family has heard the fa- miliar katydid. ‘The sound of this insect is much easier to de- tect than the insect itself, because its green color makes it difficult to see amidst green foliage. Like the grasshopper and the cricket, the katydid belongs to the order Orthoptera and has incomplete life changes. It winters in the ego stage. The eggs are often ~ = = se mistaken for some kind of scale Duan DTA, insect because of their peculiar shinglelike arrangement along the margins of leaves or along twigs. The large angular-winged katydid (Microcentrum retinerve) 1s about 2 inches long. It has chewing mouth parts and feeds mainly on the FIGURE 25.—Grasshopper. Lo Eee PE as FIGURE 26.—Cricket. ecccacmccorn 14 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE leaves of trees. It has four rather large wings folded over its back. This insect, like the grasshopper, can crawl, jump, or fly. The katy- did is seldom of economic importance. Tree crickets.—In the order Orthoptera are a number of small, pale-green insects, about three-fourths of an inch long, known as tree crickets (Oecanthus spp). They have chewing mouth parts and feed on a wide range of materials, including the leaves, blossoms, and sometimes the ripening fruit of plants, or on weakened members of their own kind. Like most other Orthoptera, tree crickets have four wings. The eggs of tree crickets are deposited in the twigs or canes of plants, where they remain over winter, and the egg punctures made in the stems cause this insect to be considered a pest of raspberry and similar small fruits. Stomach poisons will kill the nymphs, and burning the canes containing the eggs will destroy them. _ Mantids.—Not all Orthoptera are injurious. The mantids are beneficial because they feed on other insects, many of which are pests. Mantids can be easily distinguished from other Orthoptera by the much elongated thorax or waist part of the body, and by the large front legs, which are fitted for grasping their prey. The four wings usually are folded back over the hind part of the body. The total length of the body of the species here illustrated is approximately 21% inches. These in- sects have incomplete hfe changes. The eggs are laid in clusters, usually covered with dried froth, on branches and twigs of trees or shrubs and re- main there through the winter. The next spring the eggs hatch, and the young mantids start their beneficial work of destroying other insects. Since the mantids are friends of man, we need not worry about control measures. The one shown here is Stagmomantis carolina. FIGURE 28.—Tree cricket. FIGURE 29.—Mantid. Roaches.—The cockroaches make up another family of the Orthoptera. Two kinds are rather common over the United States, the small German roach and the larger American roach. These insects prefer to remain in dark places, although at times they do venture into the light. Their very flat bodies permit them to get into extremely narrow cracks. ‘These in- sects have four wings, but they are seldom used. They feed primarily on human foods and waste food products. Cock- roaches have incomplete life changes. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs shed : 7 their skins several times and finally reach Co ...._— the adult stage. Some roaches live in the RiGURETG OM ROnCH woods in the loose bark of trees or logs, 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 15 but those most commonly seen are around the home. In our modern houses, heated the year round, all stages of the roach may be found at any time during the year. These insects are pests, not so much be- cause of the food they destroy as of the filth associated with them. Roaches have a habit of passing their feet and antennae through their mouths in cleaning themselves, so if stomach poisons are distributed in places frequented by roaches, they are taken in during the cleaning process. The roach shown here is Periplaneta americana. It is about 11% inches long. Walking sticks.—Another insect that belongs in the order Orthop- tera very much resembles a small slender twig. Members of this group are called ee ee walking sticks, and —r—‘OOC—CFC _ our common species is Diapheromera femorata. They range in length from 25 to 4 inches, are often grayish in color, and frequent- ly feed on the foli- : age of trees and shrubs, but seldom become abundant enough to war- rant control measures. The eggs are simply dropped to the ground from where the insect is feeding. In some cases the eggs remain on the ground and do not hatch until the following spring. The young walk- ing sticks crawl to their food plants and complete their development. FIGURE 31.—Walking stick. HEMIPTERA (TRUE BUGS) The order Hemiptera comprises a large group of insects that vary considerably in general appearance. Many have a rather unpleasant odor, and one smaller group of this order is referred to in many localities as the stinkbugs. Stinkbugs.—True stinkbugs vary considerably in size and color, but all present the five-sided appearance with the small triangular area in the center of the back. The adults have four wings; the fore pair is half leathery and half clear wing, hence the name of the order Hemiptera, meaning half wings. The adults fly, but the nymphs are limited to crawling. The suggestion in the word “nymph” indicates that this insect, and all insects of the order Hemiptera, have incomplete life changes. The mouth parts are fitted for suck- ing. The stinkbug group feeds on a wide variety of plants. Some, that feed on insect pests, are beneficial. The insect pictured here, known as the southern green stinkbug (Wezara viridula) 1s about five-eighths of an inch long; it feeds on cotton and many vegetable crops. It hibernates as an adult in rubbish. It is often a serious pest and is very difficult to control, as it does not readily succumb to the usual contact insecticides. Harlequin bug.—In the Southern States cabbage and related crops are often severely damaged by a member of the order Hemiptera— a Figurp 32.—Stinkbug. 16 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE the harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica). This in- sect is about three-eighths of an inch long and is black with large orange, red, and yellow markings. It is a sucking insect, and has four wings. The adults fly, and both adults and young crawl readily. The adults and the full-grown nymphs are active throughout the winter when the days are warm. On cold days, or in the northern limits of their distribution, the harlequin bug hides in and among old cabbage plants, weeds, and Eicure 33 other debris. It is rather a severe pest, but can be arlequin bug. : 5 E partially controlled by field sanitation, trap crops, cul- tural practices, and sprays such as strong nicotine-soap solution or rotenone extracts. Water bug.—Occasionally around electric lights one finds a grayish-brown bug about 2 inches long. This insect is often called the giant water bug or electric-light bug. The specific name is Lethocerus americanus. It has four wings; flies; overwinters as a nymph or adult in trash, mud, or pools of water; has incomplete life changes, and may be considered a pest when it at- tacks fish, snails, etc., in ponds and aquariums. The larvae of this insect are water loving and feed on va- rious forms of water life. This insect belongs to the order Hemiptera. Masked Hunter.—Another of the true bugs is the masked hunter (Reduvius personatus). It is from one-half to three-fourths of an inch long and is black, has sucking mouth parts, | » four wings, and can fly. This insect is bene- : ficial because it feeds on various household and ———eE—EE = cereal insects. It overwinters as amymphior HiguER 36-—Masked hunter: “adult under trash and the like. @he site changes are incomplete. This insect belongs to the order Hemiptera. Squash bugs.—Practically every grower of squash has seen a rather large, elongated, dark- eray insect, and oftentimes clusters of small lighter gray spiderlike pests feeding on his squash. These insects, like all other insects of the order Hemiptera, have incomplete life changes and sucking mouth parts. The adult insect is about one-half an inch long. The adults of this group have four wings and fly readily when dis- turbed. Both the adults and the nymphs feed on the leaves, fruits, and vines of squash and related plants. The adult insects overwinter beneath rubbish and loose bark of logs. Because of their injury to squash, they are considered pests. They may be partially controlled by use of contact sprays and cultural practices. The common squash bug shown here is Anasa tristis, FIGURE 36.—Squash bug. FIGURE 34.—Water bug. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 17 Plant bugs.—Certain other members of the order Hemiptera that rather closely resemble the true stinkbug, except that they usually are smaller and a little more elon- gated, are the plant bugs. These insects have incomplete life changes. They have sucking mouth parts and four wings. ‘The adult can fly readily, and both the adults and nymphs crawl. This group feeds on the leaves and small stems of weeds and on many crops. Plant bugs spend the winter as adults beneath rubbish. Most of them are pests and are controlled by cultural practices. However, some can be killed by contact sprays. The common tarnished plant bug (Lygus pratensis) shown here is brownish yellow in color, marked with black, and is about three-sixteenths of an inch long. Chinch bug.—In the grain belt, when the chinch bug is mentioned, farmers’ thoughts at once go to the bug that destroys their grain crops. There are several species of chinch bug, but the most destructive one is Blissus leucopterus. This hemipteron has incomplete life changes. It is about three-sixteenths of an inch long. The adults have four white wings and are black with silvery-gray hairs. The nymphs are reddish in color. They suck the juices from stems of grain, and, although small, quite often build up such enormous numbers that they cause complete destruction of large por- tions of grainfields. They overwinter prefer- ably in bunch grass and other grasses, but will survive under leaves on the ground in wood- ae land, under loose bark of trees, and in similar Ficurn 38.—Chinch bug. protected places. Control measures are me- chanical barriers, cultural practices, and the planting of less favored hosts. Bedbug.—A nother one of the Hemiptera which is a notorious pest is the bedbug (Cimewx lectularius). This insect has incomplete life changes. In the adult stage it is about three-sixteenths of an inch long. It is reddish brown, has sucking mouth parts, and is wingless. This means that its only mode of travel is to crawl or be carried by man or moy- ing objects. The bedbug feeds on man, chickens, and many other warm-blooded animals. In the South or in well-heated homes in the North these bugs continue to feed throughout the winter. All stages of the insect may be found the year round. These insects are pests and can be controlled by applying sanitary measures. Under certain conditions fumigation would be preferred. FIGURE 37.—Plant bug. FIGURE 39.—Bed- bug ug. HOMOPTERA (BUGS) The order Homoptera consists of a group of insects closely related to the Hemiptera. In fact some entomologists consider them a sub- order of the Hemiptera. 76088°—39-—3 18 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE Cicadas or “locusts.”—A]most every autumn one hears shrill noises in the trees. The maker of these shrill noises is called the dog-day cicada or harvest fly. There are other similar insects, however, that appear earlier in the season. Dog-day harvest flies have piercing mouth parts and can suck the juices from plants. The adults are about 114 inches in length and have four clear wings that fold shedlike over the back. They have incom- plete changes in the life cycle. Some of these species require 4 years to round out their life cycle; others require a longer period. In -*.. fact, one species of cicada requires 17 years. Ficure 40.—Cicada. The name “locust” 1s often applied to these Homoptera, but incorrectly. The principal injury is caused by the adult, which punctures the twigs of trees in order to deposit its eggs inside. This injury is especially noticeable when great swarms of the 17-year cicadas appear. The insect shown here is the periodic cicada (Magicicada septendecim). Leafhoppers.—Quite often annual plants begin to show signs of stunted growth from no apparent cause, but when disturbed, tiny insects can be seen flying from the plants. These insects, often in- correctly called white flies, are really leafhoppers. The tiny beak through which they suck plant juices causes a mot- © tled or stippled effect on the leaves of grapes and many hardy plants. Some kinds of leafhoppers also carry plant diseases from one plant to another. Leathoppers vary considerably in size and color, but all are long and narrow with four wings, also rather long and narrow, folded over the back when at rest. Leafhoppers have incomplete life changes. The nymphs are difficult to see because they are very ac- tive and usually, when the plant on which they are feeding is disturbed, scurry to the opposite side of the leaf, away from the observer. The observer, when fortunate enough to see a nymph crawling, will — _ note that it usually does not run straight forward Ficurr 41.—Leaf- but somewhat sidewise. Leafhoppers feed on a wide hopper: variety of plants. In the South they are active throughout the season. In the Northern States some overwinter as adults and some as eggs. The insect pictured here, the potato leafhopper (E’mpoasca fabae), is approximately one-eighth of an inch long. It may be controlled by spraying with bordeaux mixture or pyrethrum, or by dusting with sulphur. Mealybugs.—Anyone who has attempted to grow house plants, especially coleus, has become familiar with a downy growth which occurs along the main stem, but too few people realize that this down covers an insect, the mealybug. Mealybugs vary considerably in size and structure and feed on a FIGURE 42.—Mealy- hae wide variety of host plants. Although very tiny, the insects are able to insert their sucking beaks into the tender parts of the leaves and stems of plants. They are practically all wingless, and both adults and young are obliged to 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 19 crawl. They prefer warm weather and spend the winter in all stages on the host plant. The life changes are incomplete. Mealybugs often become serious pests, but can be controlled by washing the host with water under pressure, or by contact spray or fumigation, de- pending on the plant on which they are feeding. The common mealybug (Pseudococcus adonidum) is the one shown here. It is about three-sixteenths of an inch in length. Scale insects.—Practically every person longs for a house in which he can eat and sleep and possibly rest, but certain tiny insects build a house in which they spend their entire life. Scale insects are the ones referred to. Many people have seen the little houses, about one-eighth of an inch wide, under which the insects live, but few have ever seen the insects themselves because they are so tiny. The shape or style of the house often assists in distin- guishing the name of its inhabitant. For instance, there is an in- sect which builds a house somewhat resembling a tiny oystershell, and for this reason it is called the oystershell scale. The scale insect pictured here, which always presents the appearance of a small nipple, is called the San José scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus) because it was accidentally introduced at San Jose, Calif. Scale insects in feeding suck the juices from many kinds of plants. The San José scale spends the winter on its host plant and attempts to live over in all stages, but most of the survivors are second-stage nymphs. During Flcure 43. Scale in- the first few hours of its hfe, the young scale insect crawls about on the plant, but soon settles down and starts to secrete a scalelike covering. Once established, the female never leaves the scale. The male insects, however, have wings and come out at certain seasons of the year, depending on the locality. Scale insects become very destructive at times. Some are controlled by contact sprays and others by fumigation. COLEOPTERA (BEETLES) One of the largest orders of insects is the Coleoptera to which belong the beetles, all of which have complete life changes. They usually have leathery forewings, and the hind wings when present and not in use are folded up under these leathery wings. Many of the beetles are severe pests. Ladybeetles.—Very common representatives of this order are the ladybeetles. However, most ladybeetles are beneficial because they feed on other insects. The species vary widely in color, are usually spotted, and have a somewhat oval body about one-fourth of an inch long. Lady- beetle larvae are somewhat lizardlike and usually have short tufts of spines over the body. These insects abound in colonies of plant lice. They over- winter in the adult stage; their four life stages are spent above ground. The little friend shown here is the convergent ladybeetle (Hippodamia conver- gens). FIGURD 44. — Lady- beetle. 2() MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE Mexican bean beetle.—In certain parts of the country bean grow- ing is difficult because of a little black-spotted beetle, approximately one-fourth of an inch in length, that chews the leaves of bean plants. Like the other beetles, or Coleoptera, it has two pairs of wings, the fore pair leathery and the hind pair clear. The adults are hemispherical in shape, and coppery brown in color with black spots; the larvae are bright yellow with many forked spines on their backs. The adults overwinter in protected places. Ficurs 45.— Mexican Most of the ladybeetles are beneficial, but this beamibecue. one, the Mexican bean beetle (Z'pilachna varives- tis), is a pest. It can be controlled with derris or cube dusts or sprays. : Colorado potato beetle-——What boy or girl in most parts of the United States, when visiting a potato patch, has not, at some time or other, seen a yellow and black striped beetle and a small, soft-shelled, brick-colored grub with black spots along its sides, feeding on the potato leaves? This is the Colorado potato beetle. The adult is about three-eighths of an inch loag. It has five black lines on each wing cover and black spots on the other part of the body. Of its four wings, the fore or outer are leathery, and the under wings are veinous and fold beneath the leathery wings when the insect is not in flight. The potato beetle overwinters in the adult stage in the ground, and in the spring flies to potatoes or certain closely related plants and starts chew- 7 ing the leaves. Soon after the adults appear, Ficurn 46. — Colorado clusters of orange-colored eggs may be found on Poca aers the under side of the leaves. The grubs which hatch from these eggs also feed on potato foliage, and, when growth is completed, burrow into the ground and go into the pupal stage, later to emerge as adults. There may be two generations a year in some sections. Paris green or lead arsenate is dusted or sprayed on the potatoes to control this beetle. The scientific name of this insect, which belongs to the order Coleoptera, is Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Spotted cucumber beetle.—Rather early in the spring in the most northern parts of this country there appears on beans, cucumbers, and various other plants, an elon- gated, greenish-yellow beetle about one-fourth of an inch in length. The head and legs are black. Because | of 12 black spots on its back, 6 on each wing cover, and §\\, because it chews holes in the leaves of very small cucum- A ber plants, the adult of this insect is called the 12-spotted cucumber beetle. The larva feeds to a large extent on | ; corn roots, and in this stage it is known as the corn Figure 47—Spot- rootworm. This insect overwinters in the adult stage. ted cucumber ‘lhe eggs are laid just beneath the surface of the soil in the early summer. Because the larvae feed on a great number of the roots of plants belonging to the grass family, and the adults on a wide variety of plants and flowers, the damage to any 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL Dil one plant usually is not serious. Control of the spotted cucumber beetle on most crops is difficult, but on such plants as melons damage can be prevented by means of treatment with arsenicals. This insect: belongs to the order Coleoptera; its scientific name is Diabrotica — duodecempuncta. Ground beetles.—Among the beetles is another family that is mostly beneficial. These are the ground beetles, so named because many of them have the habit of running around over the ground . in search of food. Most species are shiny black with long © legs, but there are a few species that are blue, green, or brown in color. Both the adults and larvae of the ground-living species hide under stones and debris dur- ing the day and come out at night in search of food, which for the most part consists of other insects. The ¢ species shown here, however, is an active tree climber; it is Calosoma scrutator, known as the caterpillar hunter. - It is about 114 inches long. The wing covers are green - with rosy metallic margins. Like the other beetles, both Veta a the adults and larvae have chewing mouth parts. The ue adults have four wings, the front pair leathery and completely cover- ing the abdomen, and the hind pair clear. When at rest, the hind wings are folded up under the forewings. Although it more com- monly moves about on foot, this beetle can fly. It overwinters as adult or pupa underground. Tiger beetles.—Along streams and sandy shores one often finds insects about half an inch long that run very rapidly, and fly to escape capture. They are called tiger beetles. These beetles vary greatly in color, some having brilliant metallic hues. The tiger beetle shown here, Cincindela tranquebarica, is about half an inch long, brownish with whitish bands, and has chewing mouth parts and four wings. It feeds on various small insects and other small animals. It has complete life changes. Both the adult and larva hibernate in holes in the ground. Since this beetle feeds on other in- sects, it may be considered beneficial. June beetles.—During the early part of the summer there is an insect that flies clumsily about, knocking itself against screens, lights, and the walls of houses. Close examination reveals that it is a rather stout, dark-brown to light-reddish colored beetle, ranging from 5 to 1 inch long, with four wings, the fore pair leathery and the hind paid clear. This insect feeds on the leaves of various trees and shrubs. The larvae of the June beetle is the white grub that abounds in the soil, where it feeds on the roots of plants. It hibernates in the ground, usually lives over two full winters, and pupates late in the | summer. The adults emerge and lay eggs late in ® | the spring or early in the summer of the following Ficurn 50.—June i year. Cultural practices assist in the control of the ae r grubs. The June beetle shown here belongs to the order Coleoptera, ‘i and is Phyllophaga drakii. ii | FIGURE 49.—Tiger beetle. 29 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE Click beetles.—Click beetles are familiar to almost any person who has had anything to do with insects. This little elongated beetle has a body apparently divided into two parts only, the head being rather indistinct. When the insect is placed on its back it has the ability to flip itself into the air, and, after several attempts, alight on its feet. Click beetles vary considerably in size, from 14 of an inch to 2 inches. The larvae are called wireworms. They feed on the roots and in the stems of various plants. Some of these insects complete their life cycle in 1 year, but other kinds may require several years. Control is rather difficult. The insect pictured here belongs to the Ficure51.—Click order Coleoptera; its scientific name is Melanotus eu communis, Broad-necked root borer.—Among the beetles one often finds some with very long antennae, hence the name longhorn beetles. Most members of this group have elongated bodies ranging in length from 1 to 2 inches. The adults are rather strong fliers and swift runners. The larvae are borers and live within the solid parts of trees and shrubs or beneath the bark. The species shown here is the broad-necked root borer (Prionus laticollis), a broad, robust, shiny insect of pitchy black, with chewing mouth parts, and four black wings. The adults are found crawling over trees during the daytime or flying during the evening. They do little feeding, if any; the larvae live inside the roots of various hardwood trees. These insects have complete life changes and over- _* “ winter in the larval stage in the roots of trees. Ficture 52.—Broad- They sometimes cause serious damage to trees, but peers a eS there is no practical control for this species. It belongs to the order Coleoptera. Flatheaded borer.—There is another group of insects that are fairly robust. They have a rather uniform width of body except for the hind third, which tapers somewhat abruptly. Most of these dark-bronze-, brassy-, or coppery- colored beetles are commonly called buprestids. Like all the other Coleoptera, they have chewing mouth parts in both the adult and larval stage. The larvae are wood-boring insects and feed on many kinds of trees. They are decidedly seg- mented, and their broad, flat heads are about twice as wide as the rest of the body. There is usually —% . only one brood each season. Insects of this type = aa have difficulty in establishing themselves in healthy FIGURE 53—Flat- OF vigorous growing trees, Dut following drought eee 2 COr weakening of the trees from other causes these borers do become established, and control measures are necessary. Clean up and burn all infested trees and branches during April and May. Younger trees may be protected by wrapping with burlap or building paper. The insect shown here is the adult 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 23 of the flatheaded apple-tree borer (Chrysobothris femorata). It is about one-half an inch long. Granary weevil.—There is a weevil, rather elongated—about one- eighth of an inch in length—with a long nose, and chestnut brown in color. The size of this insect may be compared to the grain of wheat upon which it rests. This weevil lives indoors and attacks va- rious kinds of stored grains, often doing considerable damage. The chewing jaws of the adults are located at the end of the long, snoutlike head. Hind wings or the ones used in flight are absent, so that the insect can move about only by crawling. Like all other Coleoptera, the weevils have four stages in their hfe cycle—egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This msect may have several generations a year, depend- ing on the temperature. Fumigation with carbon ~ bisulphide is the most effective control measure. The pyourn54—Gran- scientific name of this insect is Sitophilus granarius. ary weevil. Bean weevil.—Entomologists are often asked during winter or early in the spring for information about infestations of a rather small insect about one-eighth of an inch long discovered flying about the house and windows, or perhaps by some housewife when pre- paring dry beans for cooking. This insect has a body that tapers sharply to the head, found wings, and a few white markings on its back. The adults fly rather readily to the green beans in the field and lay their eggs in the pods. Soon after hatching the larvae burrow inside the bean and continue to develop with it. Small circular holes often seen in dry beans indicate that the beans have been infested and i | the weevils have left the bean through these holes. | When the dry beans are placed in storage, if the weather Ai A is warm the insects continue to breed all the year i Ficure 55.— through, but when the weather is cold the larvae remain i! } : | Bean weevil. inactive. The bean weevil belongs to the order Cole- | optera, and is called Acanthoscelides obtectus. It may be controlled ie by fumigation or heating. il LEPIDOPTERA (BUTTERFLIES AND OTHERS) Hi Where is the boy or girl who never chased a butterfly? But did al this boy or girl ever consider that the butterfly came from a small A worm, or larva as the entomologists call it? Butterflies, moths, and it skippers have a great deal in common. Their hfe cycles are the all same in that they consist of four distinct stages, the egg, the cater- iv pillar (or feeding stage), the pupa (or resting stage), and the adult | butterfly or moth (the reproducing stage). The butterfly, pupa, : and larva are quite unlike one another in appearance. This group of insects carries the name “Lepidoptera,” which means “scale wings,” i and everyone who has handled a butterfly or moth knows that the MW four wings are covered with a fine scaly powder which, when brushed ei off, leaves a clear wing. The butterflies and moths have sucking- | type mouth parts, but the young, or caterpillars, have chewing mouth arts. : Cabbage butterfly.—Possibly one of the most common of these i butterflies is the little white cabbage butterfly, which has a wing \ 24 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE expanse of about 114 inches. The tips of the forewings are black. The female ee has two black spots and the male, one black spot on each forewing. The hind wing of each sex has a single black spot on the outer front margin. The eggs are very small and easily overlooked. The larva is a velvety-green cater- pillar found on cabbage and related plants. When the larva finishes feeding it forms a pupa, Ey ~ or chrysalis, on the leaves where the caterpillars FIGURE 06g bbage but- have fed. Cabbage butterflies have three or more generations each year, depending on the locality. They overwinter in the pupal stage. The caterpillars cause consid- erable damage to cultivated cabbage and related crops, and derris and cube powders are used to control these pests. The technical name of the cabbage butterfly is Pieris rapae. Swallowtail butterflies.—Butterflies of another group, and of much larger size than the cabbage butterflies, have long tails on the tips of the hind wings and are therefore called swallowtail butter- flies. The different kinds of these butterflies feed on various plants. The large black butterfly pictured here is the one whose larva feeds on celery and related plants. It has a wingspread of about 3 inches. The spots along the margins of the wings are yellow instead of white as indicated in the picture. Like all other butterflies, this one has four wings. In the adult stage it has sucking mouth parts, but the caterpillars have chew- ing mouth parts and sometimes cause damage to cultivated celery, parsley, and related crops. Hand picking these caterpillars would give control, although under some conditions poison application may be necessary. There | are two or three generations each year, and Ficurs 57.—Swallowtail but- the winter is passed in the pupal stage. Most ae of the swallowtail butterflies carry the name “Papilio,” and this one is called Papilio polyxenes. Monarch butterfly.—Throughout much of the summer one sees large reddish-brown butterflies. Their wings have black veins and bor ‘ders, and in the borders are many small ‘white spots. The wing- spread is from about 314 to 4 inches. The butterflies have sucking mouth parts and sap the juices from flowers. The larvae feed on the leaves. Until fairly recent years it was not known that these butterflies moved north in the summer and south in the winter, but now large droves have been located moving southward in much the same fashion as do wild birds. They remain throughout the winter in the hedges or other sheltered places in the South. They have complete life changes. Butterflies are of questionable importance, but if the larvae should build up FIGURE 58.—Monarch butterfly. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 25 to destructive numbers stomach poisons will kill them. The scien- tific name of the butterfly shown here is Danaus menippe. This insect belongs to the order Lepidoptera. Cecropia moth.—An insect frequently observed is the Cecropia moth. This moth is also very large, with a wing expanse of 5 to 6 inches. It is brown in vary- ing shades, and each of the four wings bears, near the cen- ter, a crescent- shaped white spot bordered with red. This moth has sucking mouth parts. The larva is covered with knoblike spines and is of a delicate, dull bluish-green color. The moth overwinters in a rather large grayish cocoon attached to the branches of trees and shrubs where the larva has fed. A cocoon is often taken into a building and the Cecropia moth allowed to emerge in captivity. The life changes of this insect are complete. It is of questionable importance. This moth belongs to the order Lepidoptera. The scientific name of the insect shown here is Samia cecropia. Regal moth. s atten- tion is often called to some ugly, rather large, spiny caterpillar, the larva of the royal walnut moth, or regal moth (C%th- eronia regalis). It 1s one of the largest of its group and has a wingspread of 4 to 5 inches. It is reddish brown with yellow spots. Like other Lepidoptera, this insect has four wings. The larva feeds on the leaves of shrubs and trees and in some regions is known as the hickory horned devil. This insect over- winters as a pupa in the soil and has complete life changes. It is of questionable importance. Imperial moth .—Another closely related species is the imperial moth (acles im- perialis). This moth rivals the regal moth in size with a wing expanse of 4 to 5 inches. It is pale yellow, banded and speckled with purplish brown, and the wings have lilac- colored bases. The larva of this insect bears rather short, spiny horns on the head end of the body, and feeds on the leaves of shrubs and trees. The moth has four wings and sucking mouth parts. This insect overwinters as a pupa in the soil. It is of questionable importance. Hawk moths.—Certain insects resemble the hummingbird in that they hover around flowers and suck the nectar from deep bell-shaped 76088°—39-—-4 FIGURE 59.—Ceeropia moth. FIGURE 60.—Regal moth. FIGURE 61.—Imperial moth. 26 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE flowers. The adults of this group of Lepidoptera are called hawk moths. These insects have rather heavy bodies and four wings, the hind pair being much shorter than the fore pair. The larvae of this group of moths are rather large and have a taillike horn at the end of the body. When disturbed these larvae throw their heads back almost at a right angle and remain in that majestic position. Both the adult and larva of the different species of hawk moths vary considerably. ‘The Figure 62.—Hawk moth. larvae feed on the foliage of a large variety of plants. The species shown here is Protoparce quinquemaculata, and is the parent of the large, green tobacco or tomato worm. It is possibly the most common and most destructive form. This moth is ash gray in color with darker markings, and its wing expanse is from 4 to 5 inches. This species overwinters in the earth in the pupal stage. The worms can be hand-picked and killed, or killed by applying a poison dust or spray to the food plant. Tomatoes in fruit should not be sprayed with poisons. This species feeds on tobacco, tomatoes, or potatoes. Carpenter worm.—Orchardists often find rather large holes in the branches or trunks of their trees, and when the holes are opened the larvae, or young, of the carpenter _ 7 7 moth are found. This moth has a wing — expanse of from 2 to 314 inches; the wings are mottled gray, the hind wings of the male being yellow to orange lined with black. The mouth parts are absent or vestigial. The life changes are complete. In many sections this Insect is a pest. Suggestions for control are to cage the tree trunks to prevent infestation, and the injection of carbon di- sulphide into the occupied burrows. The scientific name of the carpenter worm is Prionowystus robiniae. This insect belongs to the order Lepidoptera. Banded woolly bear.—In the fall and early spring there is a black and brown banded woolly bear caterpillar that appears to be wander- ing around aimlessly. Quite often it is noticed crossing highways or sidewalks. In the fall it attempts to find protected places where it can spend the winter. This caterpillar is the larva of the Isabella tiger moth. The moth, or adult insect, has a wing expanse of from 2 to 21% inches. It is dull orange yellow with dusky spots. The adult has sucking mouth parts; the larva has chewing mouth parts and feeds on grass and leaves of various low-growing plants. Although it is of questionable importance, this insect can be controlled with stomach poisons. It belongs to the order Lepidoptera; the scientific name of the species shown here is /s7a isabella. Bollworm or corn earworm.—Some insects have several common names, depending on the food plant on which they feed. This is one FIGURE 63.—Carpenter worm. FIGURE 64.—Banded woolly bear. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 7) reason why scientists assign a technical name to an insect. For in- stance, Heliothis obsoleta refers to the corn earworm or the cotton bollworm, known to tomato growers as the tomato fruitworm. No doubt. many persons have seen this worm feeding on the end of a roasting ear or chewing holes in tomatoes; others have seen it feeding in cotton bolls, but probably few have realized that this worm is the young stage of a fawn-colored moth which has a wingspread of about 1144 inches. These moths have sucking mouth parts but cause no damage ex- cept in laying eggs that hatch into little larvae. The insects have complete changes in form during the life cycle, and there are several generations each year. They overwinter in the pupal stage in the fFicurn 65.—Boll- earth. This pest is possibly public enemy No. 1 eis among the insects attacking the food crops of man. It is distributed through temperate and tropical regions and attacks various kinds of lants. ; Cutworms.—Practically everyone who has set out young plants has noticed that within a day or so after planting some are cut off just at the surface of the ground. Under such circumstances, a well- informed person usually scratches a little soil away from the remaining stump of the plant and there finds a gray worm or larva coiled and waiting for darkness so that it can attack another plant. These larvae are called cutworms. The parent is a night- flying moth. There are a great many dif- ferent kinds of cutworms. The markings on the adults and larvae differ greatly. The moths have four wings, the hind pair usually being paler in color than the forewings. The wing expanse is about 114 inches. Cutworms feed on many kinds of plants, and sometimes climb fruit trees and injure them. They have a complete life cycle and there is one generation a year. Eggs are usually laid in midsummer, and the insects overwinter as partially grown larvae. Cutworms are rather severe pests. The most common control measure is the appli- cation of poisoned bait; however, stomach poisons sprayed on the plants they are injuring will kill the climbing forms. The species shown here is the moth of the spotted cutworm (Agrotis c-nigrum). Eastern tent caterpillar.—Practically every spring, about the time the apple and cherry trees, especially wild cherries, begin to leaf, there appears in the crotches of the _ branches a small webb which harbors a | young army of caterpillars. These little © fellows appear as if by magic and start chewing the leaves off the trees. Some- times they become abundant enough to strip all the leaves off these trees. This insect is called the eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americana). Its parent is a moth that flies around at night late in the — Ficur 67.—Hastern tent cater- summer and deposits eggs in the branches eee of certain fruit trees. The eggs do not hatch until the follow- ing spring. The moths are reddish brown with whitish lines on FIGURE 66.—Cutworm. a8 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE each forewing, as shown in the picture, and have a wing expanse of from 1 to 14% inches. They have sucking mouth parts but do not feed. The caterpillars feed during the sunny part of the day. In commercial orchards, the usual poison sprays control these insects, but where they are found elsewhere they may be controlled by carefully burning or otherwise destroying the nests or webs as soon as discovery is made. Some relief may be had by destroying the eggs during the winter, Grape leaf folder.—Around the grape arbor one often finds a very dark-brown moth with a wing expanse of nearly an inch. Two oval white spots appear on each forewing. This insect is called the grape leaf folder (Desmia funeralis). The larva is an ac- tive pale-green caterpillar that rolls and ties the leaves of wild and cultivated grapes and chews the leaves within the tie. There are two or three generations each year, de- pending on the locality. The insect over- winters in the pupal stage. It is necessary to spray grape leaves with poison to con- FIGURE 68.—Grape leaf folder. trol this pest. Codling moth.—How many times have you opened an apple and found a worm, half a worm, or a brown tunnel where the worm has been feeding? Even though many persons have seen the apple worm, few have seen the parent, which is called the codling moth. This moth is from about one-half to three-fourths of an inch in length. The four wings of the codling moth are folded leaflike over the back, and have numerous light- and dark-gray mark- ings. The moths lay their eggs on the leaves and fruit of several kinds of trees such as apple. pear, and quince. This insect has complete life changes, and there are from one to three gen- erations a year, depending on the locality and climatic conditions. The full-grown larvae overwinter in silken co- coons hidden in crevices in the bark of trees or in similarly protected places. This insect is the chief pest of apples. Spraying is used in its control, although sanitary measures will help to reduce the number of overwintering larvae. Scientists speak of the codling moth as Carpocapsa pomonella. Indian-meal moth.—Many housewives have be- come alarmed at the sight of a rather small moth, with 84-inch wingspread, around the house, not realizing that this little creature originated in the pantry or the granary and is the Indian-meal moth, the larvae of which feed on all manner of dried vegetable products, seeds, nuts, fruits, ete. In the household it frequently is found in corn meal or oatmeal. This moth can be distinguished from the *, clothes moth by the wings, the outer or hind part Figure 70.—Indian- being much darker in color than the fore part. The meal moth. larva i an y . bes . arva 1s a rather small white caterpillar, and almost all of the four life stages may be found any time of the year. This insect, which is called Plodia interpunctella, belongs to the order FIGURE 69.—Codling moth. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 29 Lepidoptera. It can be controlled by cleaning out all the old corn meal in the cracks and crevices of the pantry, or by poison gas. Clothes moths.—There are other small moths not quite so large as the one just described and found more frequently around clothes closets where woolens and furs are stored. These insects are of a uniform fawn color and the wingspread is only about one-half an inch. Each of the four wings is much narrower than those of most of the butterflies and moths. These insects are the clothes moths. Clothes moths have complete life changes. The young of the moths—the small white larvae—chew holes in woolen clothes and the mohair fabric on furniture. These moths do not feed on any vegetable product such as rayon or cotton. The *== aE lanvdempupateu wheremthey whiavel been! tecding. « ) U60== 12. Clomes There are three or more generations, and breed- ing is continuous throughout the year if buildings are heated. The best control is prevention by frequent airing, sunning of clothes, and storing in mothproof containers. The clothes moth shown here is the kind known as the webbing clothes moth (TVineola biselliella). It, like other moths, belongs to the order Lepidoptera. Webworms.—During the summer and fall there appear in the grasses a number of small moths that fold their wings closely about their bodies when at rest. They usually rest with their bodies almost parallel with the stalks of grass on which they alight, their bodies forming an angle with the stalk, the front part of their bodies being farthest from the stalk. The palpi (mouth parts) are much elongated and extend beyond the head. The moths of this group belong to the genus Crambus. Owing to their peculiar resting position and ex- tension of the palpi, they are readily distinguished from other small moths. The larvae of the Crambus are called sod webworms because they usually feed in a web on the roots of grass plants, where they overwinter. The wings of these moths are buff to light brown in color with a spread of from 34 to 114 inches. The life changes are complete. The insects quite often cause considerable damage to corn and: other members of the grass family, and cultural practices are suggested for control. The species shown here is quite commonly called the larger sod webworm; the specific or scien- tific name is Crambus trisectus. Clearwing moths.—Any boy or girl who has found an insect like the one illustrated here perhaps has had a hard time de- ciding whether it belonged to the order including the butter- flies and moths (order Lepi- doptera), or to some other group of insects having clear wings. These moths do not have scales covering the entire wings as clo cS FIGURE 72.—Webworm. 30 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE most of the others, but careful examination will show that scales are present on the body and at least on the veins and margins of the wings. Insects of this group also have a pronounced tuft of hair on the tip of the abdomen. ‘They are known as the clearwing moths. The larvae or caterpillars of most of these moths chew their way into the woody portion of plants and often cause serious damage. These moths have complete life changes, and usually there is one generation each year. The moth shown here is the parent of the peach borer (Conopia exitiosa). It has a wingspread of 114 inches. Skippers.—Among the butterflies and moths may be found insects that resemble butterflies when flying around in the daytime, but on close inspection they resemble moths because of their heavier bodies. If the antennae are hooked, as shown in the accompanying pic- ture, these insects belong to the group calied skippers. They get this name from their rapid, darting flight. The one pictured here is the locust skipper (Z’pargyreus tityrus). It has a wing expanse of from 18/4 to 2 inches. The forewings are dark brown with yellow bands and silver spots beneath; the hind wings are uniform in color. The mouth parts of these moths are made for sucking, and the larvae feed on various leguminous plants such as clovers. The skippers overwinter as pupae on the ground in dead leaves. The life changes are complete. These insects occa- sionally become pests. Stomach poisons will kill the larvae. FIGURE 74.—Skipper. DIPTERA (FLIES) In this big insect world there is one group that is particularly annoying to picnic parties, either while they are attempting to eat or when they are fishing along streams. The group of insects re- ferred to belongs to the order Diptera, which means that members of this family have two wings and only stubs where the hind wings ought to be. Members of this order vary considerably in size and shape, as the description of the following kinds, representing different families, will indicate. Houseflies.—Possibly the most common of this group is the housefly (Musca domestica), which is about one-fourth of an inch long, gray with black stripes, eyes dark red, and abdomen yellowish at the base. Contrary to the ideas of many persons, the house- fly cannot bite, as it has specialized or lapping- type mouth parts. The stablefly, which closely resembles the housefly and is quite often mistaken for it, has piercing mouth parts and can most cer- tainly register its presence. Houseflies feed on all sorts of filth and possibly are one of man’s worst enemies, since they carry disease organisms. They have complete life changes, overwinter as larvae, and have several generations each season. The most effective control is sanitation, which in effect is destroying the breeding places. Barnyard FIGURE 75.—Housefly. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 31 manure seems to be the preferred breeding ground, although the larvae may be found in other decaying vegetation. Fly sprays will kill the adults but they afford only temporary relief. Syrphid flies ——Another family of flies that are quite often found hovering around flowers, or places where there is an abundance of plant lice, is the syrphid flies, of which there are a great many kinds. Although there is a wide variation in these insects, many have de- cided markings on the abdomen. The adults of this group have two wings and sucking mouth parts. These flies have complete life changes. Some larvae feed on aphids. One would need to examine but few colonies of plant lice before finding a very small, leg- less, sluglike creature feeding on the lice. This is the larva of the syrphus fly. These weurm 76—syrphus fy. flies remain over winter in the pupal stage among leaves on the ground or on stems of plants. Since they are beneficial, no control measures are necessary. The syrphus fly shown here is Syrphus ribesit, which varies from three-eighths to one-half inch in length. Flesh fly —During the summertime any meat or dead animal will draw a number of flies. Among the number will be found some that are rather large, with black stripes on their backs and their abdomens covered with hairs. Many have red eyes. Like the other Diptera, the blowflies have two wings. The adults feed upon carrion and flow- ers, and the maggots upon meat. Some may be con- sidered beneficial because the maggots help to de- stroy dead animals; others are pests because they feed on living tissue at open wounds and cause much suffering, loss of flesh, and sometimes death of animals. The pests can be controlled by good animal-husbandry practices, but in some cases medi- ~~ =4 cation 1s necessary. These insects overwinter in the Migune (7—Hlesh puparium in the soil. The flesh fly here shown is Sarcophaga plinthopyga. ‘This species is from one- fourth to one-half of an inch in length. Greenbottle fiies—Around meat or dead animals may also be found a number of metallic, shiny, green or blue flies, slightly larger than the housefly, the greenbottle or bluebottle flies. These insects have lapping mouth parts and two wings. They feed on carrion and flowers, and overwinter in the puparium in the soil. They have complete life changes. The larvae or mag- gots feed on decaying meat and may be consid- ered beneficial. In case the adults become pests, they may be controlled by sprays and by burn- ing or burying decaying meat or dead animals 7% #.». so that breeding will not take place. The green- ricurn 78—Green- bottle fly pictured here is Lucilia sericata; this oun Aye species is from one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch long. 32 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE Horseflies.—In the horse-and-buggy days many runaways were caused by large black flies highting on the horse. The group of flies _.__. to which this species belongs are called horseflies. They vary considerably in size and can be dis- tinguished by the peculiar shape of the head, which is nearly all eyes and fits over the front part of the body cap fashion. The adults have two wings and piercing mouth parts. They feed on a number of animals. Horseflies have complete life changes and spend the winter as larvae in mud. Although these insects are pests, there is no effec- tive control except drainage of the marshy areas in which many kinds breed. The black horsefly pictured here is Z’abanus atratus. This species is from 8/4 to 114 inches long. FIGURE 79.—Horsefly. Robber flies.—Can it be possible that when man desired more speed - in the air he looked to the robber flies? Most robber flies are rather large. Even though they have but two wings they are capable of flying very fast. They feed almost entirely on other insects. The head of the robber fly somewhat re- sembles that of the horsefly, but its neck is much longer. The adult has piercing mouth parts. These insects usually winter as larvae or pupae in the ground, where the larvae feed on worms and larvae of other insects. Like all other A Diptera, the robber fly has complete life Fegan 80 = Ronee. changes. The one shown here is Prom- achus rufipes, which attains a length of from 1 to 1% inches. Mosquitoes.—What person has not heard the buzzing of a mos- quito or felt the mouth parts pierce an exposed part of the body? This group of Diptera possibly causes as much annoyance to people, especially picnickers, as any other insect. It is only the female mosquito that can bite, and not all kinds of mosquitoes feed on man or animals. In addition to causing annoyance from feeding, some mosquitoes are responsible for carrying dis- eases such as malaria and yellow fever. Malaria is a major health problem in this country. All mosquitoes have a long, narrow body with com- paratively long legs and two wings. The hfe changes are complete. The larvae, or “wigglers,” are found in stagnant water. Mosquitoes breed commonly in rain barrels, cisterns, ponds, and other places where water stands for a few days. Such accumulations of water should be tightly covered, or the surface treated with a light film of kerosene or oil every week. If possible, stagnant pools should be drained. Mos- quitoes are usually much smaller than crane flies, and can be dis- tinguished from crane flies by the tiny hairs on the margins of the wings. The one shown here is the yellow-fever mosquito (Aedes aegyptz), which is about three-sixteenths of an inch long. FIGURE 81.—Mosquito. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 33 Crane flies.—Quite often one sees long-legged, awkward insects which look like overgrown mosquitoes flying over the fields. They are commonly called crane flies. These flies vary from one-eighth of an inch to 2 inches in length and are brownish in color with mottled wings. The adults have lapping mouth parts and probably lap nectar from open blossoms. ‘These insects have complete life changes and spend the winter as eggs, or larvae, in the soil. The larvae are some- times called leatherjackets because of their leathery skin. Occasionally they warrant a control measure. Poisoned bait is effective. ji \ The male of the range crane fly pictured a va here, Zipula simplex, has wings but the Me — female is wingless. This species is from / \ three-eighths to one-half of an inch in length. © weurn s2—crane fy. HYMENOPTERA (WASPS AND OTHERS) There is another group of insects that in many respects resemble flies, partly because of their clear wings. ‘This group is the Hymenoptera. They may be distinguished from the flies by the number of wings. The winged Hymenoptera have four wings, but they are often so close together that it is difficult to tell whether there are two or four unless they are examined at the point of attachment to the body. Insects in the group vary considerably in appear- ance. Among them are the wasps, ants, bees, etc. For the most part, a basal portion of the abdomen is re- duced to a very slender, threadlike structure, which varies in length, de- pending on the species. Wasps.—In the wasp, this slender structure is very long. The mud- dauber wasp (Sceliphron caementa- = rtwm) shown here is almost an inch long, black with orange-yellow mark- ings. It has modified mouth parts for chewing and lapping. The © adult feeds on flowers, and the larva feeds on paralyzed spiders which the parent wasps store in cells. The wasp has complete life changes and overwinters as a full-grown larva in the cell of the mud nest. The eco- nomic importance of this insect is questionable. Golden digger wasp.—Another insect of the order Hymenoptera, closely related to the mud-dauber wasp, 1s the golden digger wasp. It also is about an inch long, black or FIGURE 85.—Wasp. Ae FIGURB 84.—Golden digger wasp. 34 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE reddish yellow with golden hair, and has four wings. This insect has complete life changes. The mouth parts are fitted for chewing and lapping. This wasp, Ammobia ichneumonea, in the adult form feeds on flowers, and the larva feeds on paralyzed grasshoppers. It hiber- nates in a cell in the ground, probably as a full-grown larva or pupa. Because it destroys grasshoppers it can be considered beneficial. Bald-faced hornet.—Another of the wasps, and one having a short, thick body, is the bald-faced hornet. The queen of this species is about seven-eighths of an inch long; the workers are somewhat smaller. This wasp is black with creamy- white markings and has four wings which enable it to fly rapidly. The mouth parts are fitted for chewing and lapping. The bald-faced hor- net also is able to inflict a painful sting. The adult feeds on flowers, fruit juices, and honeydew; the larva feeds on softened insects. This insect has complete life changes; the adult queens hibernate in. sheltered ANCE BORER EENC a omnes places such as under bark or in crevices. When the days begin to warm in the spring, the queen starts the construction of her paper- like nest, and as soon as sufficient. comb is built, begins to rear her brood. As the season advances and the first workers emerge, the nest is increased in size by tearing out the inner lining, widening the layers of comb, and adding more layers of comb below. Additional layers of the paperlike covering of the nest are then built on the out- side. This material consists of wood fibers mixed with a salivary secre- tion, is waterproof and very tough, and affords protection for the nest. The nest sometimes attains the size of a foot or more in diameter. The economic importance of this insect is questionable, although it does kill some destructive insects. ‘The bald-faced hornet shown here is Vespula maculata, and belongs to the order Hymenoptera. Parasitic wasps.—No doubt many persons have encountered wasp- like insects with long appendages like the one shown here, but have not realized that these threadlike structures are for egg laying. The insect illustrated here, Megarhyssa lunator, is an inch or more long. The egg-laying structure, or ovipositor, may be 3 inches long. The body is very slender, light : = brown, with lighter chev- FIGURE 86.—Parasitic wasp. rons along the sides of the abdomen. Although the adult has chew- ing mouth parts, it is doubtful if it does very much feeding, but the larva feeds by sucking the blood from the larva of the pigeon horn- tail. The long egg-laying appendages permit this wasp to drill 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 35 rather deeply into the wood to parasitize the larva of the pigeon horntail. There are many more insects in this group, but they have much shorter egg-laying appendages. This insect has complete life changes, as do all other Hymenoptera. Parasitic wasps.—Another of the group Hymenoptera or wasplike insects is E'phialtes pedalis. It is a parasite of other insects and therefore may be con- sidered beneficial. This insect is about one-half inch long, black, with four clear wings. The legs are brownish _ ese red except for the hind tibiae and |. tarsi, which are black. The tibiae and tarsi are the joints of the legs far- thest removed from the body. The mouth parts are fitted for chewing. This insect overwinters as a larva in the pupa of the moths, upon which the larva feeds. As with all other wasps, the life changes are complete. , Ants.—Many interesting hours have been spent by people in watch- ing and studying the activities of the ants, and many books have been written about them. Ants are social insects and live in colonies as do the bees, which belong also to the order Hymenoptera. They vary con- siderably in size, but all have three distinct body regions. They are wingless except at swarming time. The swarming forms have four clear wings which they lose soon after they establish their new quarters. Ants have chewing mouth parts. They have complete life changes. The partic- ular species shown here is the black carpenter ant (Camponotus herculeanus pennsylvanicus). It is about three-eighths of an inch long. It builds its nest in decaying wood of various kinds, and sometimes in sound wood. ‘The adults hiber- nate in the nest. This ant is sometimes injurious to timbers in buildings, and is also annoying in the household, getting into sweet-flavored material, on which it feeds. It can be controlled by locating the nest and fumigating or by using poisoned sweets. Honeybees.—It is doubtful that man has probed into the private life of any other insect as much as he has into the life of the honeybee. Perhaps one reason for this is that the honeybee has been known for centuries and has been the only insect to provide a natural sweet. Beeswax has been used for a long time in the preparation of various house- hold articles. In more recent years honeybees have been found to be important factors in the pollination of blossoms, which is essential to seed and fruit pro- duction. Honeybees are social insects and live in col- onies. There are several races. The workers are about. PyguRE 89.— : ‘3 ybee. five-eighths of an inch long and usually dark brown In color. Like other Hymenoptera, they have four wings, and the adults fly readily. The mouth parts of the adults are modified for sucking FIGURE 87.—Parasitic wasp. FIGURE 88.—Ant. 36 MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE liquid foods such as the nectar of flowers. The honeybee (Apis melli- jera) spends the winter in the adult stage in the hive. The life changes are complete. Bumblebees.—What farm or small-town boy or girl has not had the experience of fighting a nest of bumblebees? It is doubtful if any of these boys or girls realized that bumblebees are beneficial insects and necessary to the pollination of certain flowers, especially the clovers. Bumblebees are so well known that little description is necessary. How- ever, it should be stated that they are about five-eighths of an inch long, have four wings, belong to the order Hymenoptera, and have mouth parts modified for chewing and sucking. The adults feed on flowers. It is at the time of feeding as well as of gathering nectar and pollen, upon which they rear their young, that they pollinate the flowers. Bumble- bees have complete life changes and overwinter as adult queens in sheltered crevices or cavities. The one shown here, Bombus ameri- canorum, 1s sometimes called the black- tailed, yellow-banded bumblebee. Pigeon tremex.—The pigeon horn- tail (Tremex columba) is one of our largest Hymenoptera. It may grow to be 114 inches in length, exclusive of its egg-laying appendages. It is black, with ocher-yellow markings, the pro- portionate amounts of yellow varying. The mouth parts are modified for chew- ing and lapping. The larva of this insect bores into the dying branches or trunks of trees such as maple, elm, apple, pear, beech, oak, and sycamore, and apparently spends the winter as a full-grown larva or pupa in the trunks of these trees. This insect, like all other Hymenoptera, has complete life changes. Infestations may be prevented by keeping trees in a vigorous grow- ing condition. In case of heavy infestation, trees may be cut and burned during the fall and winter, thereby destroying the larva. Chalcid flies —If it were not for our friends in the insect world, certain pests would make our existence difficult. Some of these friends of ours are very tiny and frequently unnoticed; for example, the chalcid flies. Some species are parasitic and live inside various other insects. All chalcid flies belong to the order Hymenoptera. They have four wings, chewing mouth parts, and complete life changes. The species FIGURE 90.—Bumblebee. FIGURE 91.—Pigeon tremex. FIGURE 92.—Chalcid fly. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL oF, shown here is Brachymeria ovata, which lives as a parasite inside the pupae of various moths. It is about three-sixteenths of an inch long. It overwinters possibly as an adult, or perhaps within its host as a full-grown larva. Some species of. chalcids, however, live in seeds. These may be controlled by cultural practices. Sawflies.—In the order Hymenoptera is another group of insects, the sawflies, whose larvae very much resemble cater- pillars. Adult sawflies rest with their wings folded flatwise over their backs. The adult shown here is about three- elghths of an inch long. The wings have been spread to show the structure. This is the imported currant worm (Pteronidea ribesii). The larva chews holes in the leaves of currants and gooseberries. It has complete life changes and overwinters as either a full-grown larva or a pupa in a silken case in trash on the ground near where the larva feeds. It can be controlled with any good stomach poison. FIGURE 93.—Sawfly. MISCELLANEOUS GROUPS Lacewings.—Very few clusters of aphids or plant lice appear without the presence of small cream-colored lizardlike insects. These active little insects, which are the larvae of lacewing flies, have long, sickle- shaped jaws in addition to antennae, or feelers. The parent as pictured here is pale green in color; some species have black and red markings ‘about the head. This insect is approximately half an inch long. It has chewing mouth parts, four lacelike wings, and can either crawl or fly. The larvae have a combination of chewing and sucking mouth parts; that is, the sickle- like projections referred to earlier are hollow, and after the larvae have pierced the bodies of weaker insects they suck the body fluids of their prey through the hollow, hooked mouth parts. Lacewing flies have a complete metamorphosis. They belong to the order Neuroptera. The full-grown larvae or adults over- @ winter under bark, in fallen leaves, _ ete. These insects are beneficial in helping to control pests. The species shown here is Chrysopa oculata. Dragonflies—Every boy or girl who has wandered along a stream has seen the insect which in some sections is called a snake feeder, or snake Figure 95.—Dragonfiy. doctor, but as a matter of "fact it is a dragonfly and has no connection with snakes. The adults have four thin glossy wings, some with smaller or larger darker patches and numer- ous veins. The adults have chewing mouth parts and catch insects while in flight. The nymphs are carnivorous and live in water, where they feed on insects and other small aquatic animals. Dragonflies FIGURE 94.—Lacewing. 38 MISC, PUBLICATION 318, U. 8. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE winter as nymphs in water, particularly in ponds and lakes, and may be considered of some value as enemies of flies and mosquitoes and as fish food. The life changes are incomplete. The species shown here is the 10-spotted dragonfly (Lzbellula pulchella). Its body is about 2 inches long and its wing expanse about 314 inches. This insect belong to the order Odonata. Damsel flies.—There is another group of the Odonata called damsel flies. They have long, narrow bodies with shiny wings that _ taper rather sharply to the point where they are attached to the body. When at _ rest these wings are folded rather close to the body. These insects have chewing ~ mouth parts, and the adults catch small in- sects from the air during flight. The nymphs feed on small insects and other aquatic animals, and winter usually in small streams. The life changes of the damsel fly are incomplete, These insects are of some importance, as are the dragon- flies, and for the same reasons. The species _ shown here is the black-winged damsel fly (Agrion maculatum). It has a body about 134 inches long and a wing expanse of 21% inches. In this species the wings are shiny black and the body metallic green with black on the thorax. Termites.—In recent years we have been hearing more and more about a little insect pest that has caused destruction to frame build- ings. Many people call this insect the white ant. It is really not an ant but a termite, which belongs to the order Isoptera. Termites differ from ants in that the body is of fairly uniform width throughout its entire length, whereas the body of the ant appears pinched in the middle to almost a thread. Termite wings are about twice as long as the body, whereas the wings of the ant are about as long as the body. The members of this family are social and live in colonies as honeybees do. Each species has a number of different forms or castes within the colony. Most people make the acquaintance of termites during swarming season, at which time they come out in great droves from around the floor or foundation of "ik 7° an infested house. Termites during the swarming: season have four rather large wings, loosely attached to the body. The workers of this group of insects are the ones that cause damage by chewing the wooden parts of houses, but they also work on a great many plant or animal products. Most species of termites work under cover and must have contact with soil moisture. In nature, termites can be found feeding almost any place where there is dead wood on or in the ground. The species shown here is Reticulitermes flavipes, and the worker shown here is about one-fourth of an inch long. Earwigs.—Collectors often come across insects with hooklike ap- pendages on the hind portion of the body. These, no doubt, are earwigs, which belong to the order Dermaptera. They have chewing FIGURE 96.—Damsel fly. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 39 mouth parts and feed primarily on plant material, but also may eat organic substances including meats or dead or weakened insects. The true wings are folded in a complicated man- ner beneath the wing covers or nonfunctional front wings. These insects dig in the soil, hide under old boards and other suitable shelter, and may re- - main over the winter either in the egg stage or as adult earwigs. The life changes are incomplete. Earwigs are sometimes pests and should be con- trolled by poisoned baits and sanitation. The ac- companying picture is that of the male European earwig (Porficula auricularia). Adult insects of this species are from one-half to three-fourths of an inch long. Fleas.—Whenever cats and dogs are kept around the house, there is likelihood of introducing small insects that cause much annoyance to members of the household by attacking their legs and sucking the blood. Certain species carry bubonic plague. These insects are fleas, of efit i FIGurRE 98.—Earwig. which there are many kinds, but all types belong to the order Siphonaptera. They usually are dark reddish brown, very much flattened, and give the appearance of standing on edge. Fleas do not have wings. They have sucking mouth parts; the legs are fitted for jumping and are their only means of locomotion. The changes in the life cycle are complete. The larvae usually . ® >A are found wherever cats, dogs, hogs, and LCM OOS a9 8s some other animals bed down. The human flea (Pulea writans) is shown here. It is about one-eighth of an inch long. Removal of hogs from the vicinity of dwellings, treating cats and dogs with derris powder to destroy the fleas infesting them, and cleaning up the bedding of these animals will help in the control of this pest. Silverfish, silver moth, or bristletail—There is another small silvery-colored insect usually found on the floor, around books, or __ in other dark places. Occasionally it ventures out “into the light. It has several common names such as silverfish, silver moth, or bristletail. It is wing- less, and the body tapers rather gradually to the hind end, which branches out into three very definite spikes. These spikes give it the name bristletail. The silverfish belongs to the order Thysanura. Since the adult has the same form as the larva, it cannot be considered as having a metamorphosis; that is, there are no changes in a _ form during the life cycle. It has chewing mouth parts and feeds especially on starchy materials ot such as bookbindings, wallpaper, and starched Bicurp 190-—Silver- clothing. In the house this insect is active through- out the year and has no definite hibernation period. The species shown here is from one-half to five-eighths of an inch long and is Lepisma saccharina. Use of poisoned bait made of a mixture AQ) MISC. PUBLICATION 318, U. 8. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE of oatmeal, white arsenic, sugar, salt, and water is the best method of control. Caddisflies.—Along streams where the water flows rather swiftly, one finds small mothlike insects of pale-brown color with wings folded rooflike over their backs. These are the caddisflies. Unlike those of the moths, the two pairs of wings are scaleless and usually more or less clothed with long, silky hairs. The adults take very little food, but many accept sweet fluids to a certain extent. They fly readily. The larvae crawl or swim in water and feed on water forms of either plant or animal life. They winter as larvae, usually in streams. - Their life changes are complete. The caddisfly shown here is about three-fourths of an inch long with a wing expanse of about 144 inches. A sketch of the caddisfly, ap- pearing in the section on collections and identification, order Tri- choptera, part IIT of this manual, gives an idea of the position of the wings when at rest. The scientific name of this insect 1s Platyphylax subfasciatus. Stone flies——There is another group of insects that lives around rapid streams and wave-washed, rocky shores. This is the stone fly group, which belongs to the order Plecoptera. These insects range from 34 to 114 inches in length, are pale brown, and the wings are folded flat over the back. They have chewing mouth parts, but the adults feed very little: the nymphs feed mainly on insects in the fast- flowing streams. The adults fly readily, but = = oN the nymphs crawl and swim in the water. ricure 102—Stone fiy. The stone fly winters as a nymph in water leading to large rivers. The life changes are incomplete. The nymphs may serve as fish food. The species shown here is Acro- neuria abnormis. FicurE 101.—Caddisfly. II. . On what does insect feed: Vil Vie . Description: 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL INSECT RECORD SHEET CommonemamevormseCt so -2 = ence oe ok ee ee er a 1. Size (indicate by mark) 74s (QONG ieee aE, ARES Us Ras aero ene a 8 ORE eR Ne A he 3. Mouth parts: Chewing APN GIMDeIEOl wihtshe sem a Oe eee RPS) le PS Ae Se 2 Where does insect live: Air______ : ae ; ~| Main Item Leaves | Blossoms} Fruits | Branches Sine Rocts Orchard trees Other treés=s ese Se ees! Vegetable crops-------.-------- Othericrops= 222 ee Tiny plants or animals in water ; wood products ; food materials woolens ; stored products___ other insects . Habits: 1. How does it spend the winter: Egg plaRVae os ee een Fees : 3. Kind of life cycle: Gacomplete: four stages): 4232 5.0 gle BS oe b. Incomplete (less than four) Economic importance: IGN Le cis| (eeapee ss Eee Ae eee See Dy VEXESONSSSICIIEN Nea 8 SM Syed RE Te nies eg eR ere 3. Questionable Control for pest: PS COUIA Chap Ols Ombre Or ene ee cman ee yes We ZContactispray= 6. 222 2 aac SOAMCA OMe ae ew see 2 3 Ei ad Spe ONE ot abs ME ener cat Asm Cul GuTs le RACtlCCs:s 5 ate tse Rae ee See Men eehl an, i sem Se Part I1.—LIFE STUDIES AND CONTROL OF INSECTS (Introduction to second-year work) LIFE STUDIES (How insects grow) Once the insect becomes an adult it never grows any larger. G4\22 i a Cattle grub_____-__|---_ aa--- Cattle AQ 470 GON 6s: eee 73. | 73 |86, 89, 91 109 A Atal | eA |e ee eae a Gd een. Lees 75 | 88,90 | 106, 108 Clothes moth !___- Tae 11, 25 Dulin 50) |) LEGON | Nan 62) | NiGT. 731 73| 96,98| 116,118 epee en Ge ees eerste sh E Nal orgs ree aah fk oa | ee Gi od Bea be WEEE ESS erie 12 35 50 60 62 67 | 73,75 | 73,75} 96,97 | 109, 124 GAS Cla Cate [2 Sa | Se | ema eee ya eel eee emorngn Mert 78°80 sl eae Codling moth?.----/\T arya __ 3 EVE Zen tell GP. Gy 73 | 73 | 83,97 112 Colorado> potato |2=-=22"--- 19 32 49 57 62 67 | 73, 75 |73, 75 86,97 | 112,119 beetle. nae aA WGescslecseec de |e eee Selecta ce eo ced oul: SOO™( S463 Se2te eS Sa | eS ee | a Corn earworm... -. pees 18 | 32,34] 48 57 62 | 67 73 73 | 92,86 105 Ean | Manna D820 [ane es eae [ee Cotton flea hopper. (eee 8,18 | 30,31| 46] 52] 64| 67|73,75| 76} 80,861 119,120 Adultess (3° 10s16"| S86o4n| seen eee Yt Motels pepe Pree Sari ti eee] Bo ot Cotton leaf worm... {Cae 8 On |e Bee eae 621 67 73 | 73.1 86,97 | 105, 112, 119 De alee os Toa ip (Sead cc cee ea ASS she 1 Re | eke ell. pe Sa Ris eet ee. Bde ee Cricket (field) - ---- { ak eae 15, 18 | 32,36 |46,47 |57,56 | 62 | 71 | 73,75 |73, 75 77 | 105, 119, 123 1 Numbers in columns I and J apply to both adult and larval stages uf the clothes moth. 3 Numbers in columns I and J apply only to the larva of the codling moth. 4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 50 TABLE 1.—List of common insects with a key to information on their life history, habits, and control—Continued 15. Other insects. 31. Buds or squares. Question Common name of z insect Stage Pie 3 A B Guy ep E F G H I J INCU t ee |e rere nel OLs al Gr ef GO| enc. Nh eee ee etches, Peete | Rartee te Cutworm.--------- (Larva 18 | 26,28| 47| 57) 621 67 73| 73 77 | 119, 123 Adult__- Gree Somes octet | (Oa RN 4 eee eam (ee aloe pte a “Dragonfly --------- Neon 155 ei ee ATS OG 4 ODN EVES, | Geel talk ng at abel a ERR NN Wirefly eee Seaton lay re Se TE LOGE ie ANTE Sie eal| DOG Tae Ale wee clan mire he eee ese Mle Rome Seiies (ae Ronee rc oes irene I tel. oe Moe) Coven ee Gso0es 21S Granary weevil. _._/{ diel Tee B4ns5n |i 501|) 2 GON) 6201) 67 kB) 75 76 96 | 106, 108 eA od eae SMe Se sete ee PA aI eee Melee | Bas See a Grasshopper------- { aaa nS TE || SB Se5 I GS Ra GE Gye IR Gu MGA os) fee eiy MeN Ce a. eee Cyl eB NF aa 3 i a (eae kee 7: CAs Nae. Harlequin bug----- { Pie hay 6| 321 49) 601 64| 67173751 73| 83,89 109 IVeSSiametlivye soe ee eee 21 28 47 60 65 67 73 76 SONS2h esos ee Honeybee s2--2 | ae ae ees 10 33 50 | Hive}_---_- (cfs Meare ae |RSS ees) Eee tea Lanse eas Hlorseibottliyaienas een a 13 AD 29 | Os Ga Ge 73 |73, 72 91 106 Or sell y meee | eerie 1 SOP lara we 7 GO) le 67; TB Wt 2 Aeneas le ime OETA ree er Nane eer (els EL eT Wt eee House ant. ------- oe) Be ee 50 [54,67 | 62 | 67 | 75 | 76) 88,96 | 106, 138 Giallo i SD as One 1 o4lee sa 67a |e 5 | 97 121, 126 Housefly--_------- Waccauialestoie S6h een oe 6566 |e 75| 73 4ognl nuit poi Imported cabbage- ae Seal | ae ened (ies Baad | trae oe ee ae OO esis Se NS say ae el |e ee worm. arva___ 6 32 48,50) 55 | 62) 67 73 | 73 | 86,97 | 109,121 Japanese beetle...\{Tarva | 21 | 26 | av ar] o2| or) | 13| 8078 ead yheetle sees aan penne FES AGL NSN) CVal argh bien soja | a(t lec ied ema Rend eb Mantisn See Aar mae ns OMI ANAS eE AG ele 58 |r G2) s GSpijenaai saeco NG UG Nat ieinn, ST : sree meer ue 8,9 Sie (menue eames pase me ea ay emer Gora ee cane ie spa ot aug cree 18 | 32,33 |46, 50 | 52] 64 | G7 | 73,75 (73,75 | 86, 97 115 Mexican beam): ||(m.n aun en |S ae B33 eee eed Weeden eal eR Uncen Lx ni! cone seeethe [PECs hc See hee abe ad eeu, ce yneetie. { Haeeris 4 34] 49| 56| 621 67 | 73,75 |73,75 | 86,97 | 107, 109 4viltes: Animal ie apices) aeaeiye WiC © 1 ; 4 50 [51,54 | 64] 67 | 73,75 173,75 |84, 91, 97 128 FAN ones ee Sg [es gD eat I cena TPR een had Ml ener | av Laer (pave. lM area ieee el a neg Vegetable_-___|__.-_.._. 3,18 | 32,34 [46,50] 60] 64] 67| 73,75] 76) 87,97 {1% 1s fyi ft et | TUR a pes a BAA ayo et ne ec ey a gL areca Shrubses. cnet aesiets Dies 3a NA Gale ec alin 164 NIG TAI 73075n 76 O7a| Misia Sy oa ee CI Nfeeceea peal. ss