BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 319 



weevil-free draws were distributed in 'this territory. The indications 

 are that a material reduction, both in the number of farms infested 

 and in the seriousness of infestation, may be expected. 



In Louisiana, owino- to the extent of infestation and the absence of 

 satisfactory le^^islation, eradication has not been attempted. A test 

 is, however, being made of the application of approved cultural 

 methods by interested growers in one of the more seriously infested 

 localities. A high grade of neighborhood cooperation having been 

 •secured, it is expected that a material saving will result from the 

 adoption of the processes recommended. Even though strict eradica- 

 tion measures have not been applied in the selected locality, work has 

 been continued on the experimental eradication of wild food plants. 



In Texas large-scale control projects and life-history work have 

 been begun. More than 8,000 specimens have been carried separately 

 through all stages possible. 



In general, it may be mentioned that a weevil-free zone 30 miles in 

 length is being maintained on the eastern coast of Florida through 

 the destruction of the seaside morning glory, and that the only 

 infested plot of this wild food plant on the mainland of Mississippi 

 has likewise been destroyed. Preliminary or progress reports on the 

 habits, life history, control, and eradication of this pest are in prepa- 

 ration and will soon be available for publication. 



Insects affecting potato, tomato, and allied crops. — The Colo- 

 rado potato beetle has been the subject of investigation with espe- 

 cial reference to its scarcity in recent years in Maryland and Vir- 

 ginia. Late spraying, parasitism, and severe winter weather are 

 powerful elements in holding this pest in check. Continued in- 

 vestigations of this problem are dcvsirable. The potato leaf hopper, 

 which causes a condition known as " leaf burn " or " hopper burn " 

 to potatoes in the potato-growing sections of the Northern States, is 

 being carefully studied, especially in Wisconsin. Bordeaux mixture 

 has proved a satisfactory repellent, while nicotine sulphate and 

 kerosene emulsion, standard remedies for sucking insects, have been 

 found ineffective. The tarnishei plant-bug has been investigated to 

 determine especially all of its wild food plants and breeding plants, 

 a project of economic value requiring careful study in its extensive 

 range. It has been the cause of severe injur}^ to potatoes in some sec- 

 tions and has undoubtedly caused other damage without the source 

 being known. Study of the spinach aphis and the potato aphis, im- 

 portant enemies of these crops, has continued. 



Insects affecting beans and peas. — Injury by the bean ladybird 

 in Colorado and New Mexico has continued with the exception of 

 points where its control by spraying through the use of methods 

 developed by this bureau has been adopted. A practically complete 

 account of this insect in its western occui'rence, in addition to an 

 emergency Farmer.s' Bulletin (No. 1074). has been published. A 

 threatening outbreak of this insect, the first of record east of the 

 Rocky Mountain States, has just been reported from Jefferson and 

 Bibb Counties, in Alabama, indicating tliat it is likely to become 

 permanently and extensively established east of the Mississippi 

 Kiver. Since it will probablj^ become as costly a pest on beans and 

 cowpeas as is the Colorado potato beetle to potatoes, immediate action 

 should be taken to effect its eradication. 



