They are getting very destructive in places; some
times they wi tl only kill one branch of the vine.
Borne, and the most, of our melon-growers do not
know or think that it is the bug that injures the
Vines, but think that they suffer for the want of
tone plant food that is lacking in the soil; but I am
■atistied that it is the bug, as only parts ot the vines
are sometimes killed. They seem to stick their
bills in the vines near the bunch and suck it till it
dies, for I cannot find any worms inside of the vines,
but can find little holes—very small—through tho
skin, and sometimes you can see the sap ooze out.
J have always called and heard it called tho pump
kin I ug.
Wo ere quite familiar with this or a very
■imilar insect which destroys squash vines, but
never saw melons troubled by them. They
are quite difficult to destroy, because they suck
instead of gnaw, and poison on the outside of
plants is not swallowed by them. They push
their bills through the poison and through tho
■kin into tho interior oi the vine. We know
of no better plan than to watch in the early
spring and destroy by hand all that are seen.
Also watch closely for eggs and destroy them.
