224 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ing the insect so as to permit the growth of a second crop without 

 extra work. 



The secondary colonies of European parasites, transplanted from 

 the site of the original importation of 1912, have survived, spread 

 continuously, and have killed as high as 25 per cent of the weevil 

 larvse present, and all under normal conditions without artificial 

 protection. Much study has been expended upon certain habits of 

 the weevil, which as yet are not perfectly understood. 



Grasshoppers. — Extensive investigations looking toward the adap- 

 tation to climatic conditions of poisoned baits in grasshopper control 

 were conducted during the year in New England, California, Ari- 

 zona, New Mexico, and Florida. The summary of the work appears 

 in the Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture, 1915, and indi- 

 cates complete success. Recent reports from the Connecticut and 

 Merrimac Valleys in New England show that the areas treated for 

 grasshoppers last year are practically free from infestation, whereas 

 untreated areas of the same region are again badly infested. It may 

 now be stated with confidence that the poisoned baits, properly modi- 

 fied in relation to local conditions, afford a safe, cheap, and effective 

 means of controlling these pests throughout the country. The in- 

 creasing price of most arsenicals has rendered the use of these baits 

 considerably more expensive this summer than before. Consider- 

 able difficulty was met during June in the Salt River Valley of 

 Arizona in keeping the bait in condition to be effective. 



The " green bug." — A severe outbreak of the " green bug " oc- 

 curred during the year. In the late summer and fall of 1915 the 

 insect multiplied rapidly on volunteer grain, afterwards attacking 

 fall-sown wheat in Texas, Oklahoma, and southern Kansas. As the 

 winter progressed an outbreak of unusual violence was indicated, 

 and warnings to farmers in certain areas were issued through the 

 public press and a circular dealing with the situation was distributed 

 largely throughout the threatened areas. During March and April 

 last the insect increased enormously, chiefly upon oats, and almost 

 totally destroyed this crop in portions of Oklahoma and Kansas. 

 It is estimated that the loss of this crop will total 700,000 acres. 

 Wheat was also damaged to some extent in several States. Investiga- 

 tion showed that the controlling parasites were present, but that they 

 were apparently unable to multiply rapidly enough to be of much 

 help. 



The Hessian fly. — A continuation of the general injury by the 

 Hessian fly reported last year has occurred throughout Missouri, 

 Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Indiana. A remarkable phe- 

 nomenon was the development of a partial third generation in 

 Indiana during the autumn of 1915, which damaged wheat sown at 

 a time which would ordinarily have insured escape from the pest. 

 During the summer of 1915 a circular dealing specifically with the 

 situation was issued and distributed widely throughout the infested 

 region. In spite of the advice given in this circular, wheat was 

 planted largely at such a time that it became heavily infested. This 

 resulted inevitably in very considerable losses to the crop of 191G. 

 Examinations of the stubble indicate a high percentage of infestation 

 at the present time, and unless concerted action of the farmers can 



