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Hop-vine Gortyna

Plate XXVI — Hop-vine Gortyna is Fig. 4
Plate XXVI — Hop-vine Gortyna is Fig. 4

The insect is not often found south of New York and New England to any great extent, though its occurrence as far south as Maryland as a rarity has been noted. From western New York it ranges across the continent to the Pacific. As it particularly infests the hop it will not be abundant in places where that plant is not grown. In the centre of the hop-growing region of New York and Ontario it is very abundant at times, and its depredations have been complained about by those interested in this industry. The eggs are laid on the young shoots and the little larvae immediately bore into the stem near the tip. Here they remain until they are half an inch long, when they descend and attack the plant at the level of the ground. It has been recommended to pinch the tips which are seen to be affected and thus to kill the young worms. Various applications to be put about the roots have been advocated, for which the reader may consult "Bulletin No. 7 (New Series) of the United States Department of Agriculture." The hop-vines should at all events not be hilled up until the end of July or the beginning of August. This prevents the larvae from having easy access to the stems at the level of the ground.