114 



probably the most effective metliod of controlling these insects, al- 

 though the expense of this operation make it impossible under most 

 conditions. If the soil around the infested tree can be cultivated 

 during the late summer, many of the insects can be killed. This also 

 is not usually possible in locations where the hickory or pecan is being 

 grown. Where these insects are on the increase, it would probably pay 

 to pick up and destroy the infested nuts every second or third year 

 if the practice is found too expensive to follow each season. Fortu- 

 nately there are several insect enemies of these insects that tend to 

 keep them in check. Mice and shrews eat large numbers of the 

 weevil and curculio larvae in the ground. 



DISCUSSION IN REGARD TO HICKORY GIRDLER 



Pres. Weber : One end of the twig looks as if someone had tried 

 to twist it off.^ 



Mr. Flint: Very often. The insect makes this girdle about 

 half way and the twig will hang in the wind andi twist. 



Pres. Weber: Would it not be advisable to take your knife and 

 cut it off and finish it up at once.^ 

 ]Mr. Flint: Yes, it would. 



A Member: Do the bugs select any particular place with ref- 

 erence to the leaf stem.'' 



Mr. Flint: Not so far as I have ever observed. They may be 

 on a twig that is up to at least half an inch in diameter; sometimes 

 they will cut a larger twig than that. There is another borer that 

 cuts branches up to three inches but it does not work up here. 



A Member: That particular insect down in Texas always selects 

 the base of the leaf stem to deposit the egg. 



Mr. P'lint: Yes, but not for the girdle. It always deposits its 

 eggs at the leaf scars along the twig. This is what they call the 

 hickory twig girdler or pecan girdler or persimmon girdler. 



A Members Does it attack oak? 



Mr. Flint: Yes, sir, and the elm, especially the Wahoo elm. 



