294 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



CONTROL. 



Many species of parasitic and predatory insects assist in controlling the weevil. 



The most satisfactory external parasites are Hicrobracon meUitor Say, Catolaccus 

 incertus Ashmead, Catolaccus hunteri Crawford, Eurytoma tylodermatis Ashmead, 

 Cerambycobius cyaniceps Ashmead, Microdontomerus anthonomi Crawford, and Tri- 

 aspis curculionis Fitch. The Dipterous Euloewia globosa Townsend is a good 

 internal parasite of the larvae in moist sections, but would be of no value in dry 

 regions. 



Small biting ants of the genera Solenopsis, Pheidole and Monomorium are excel- 

 lent weevil enemies, as they will eat into the squares and attack the larvae. Many 

 predatory insects are known to feed on the adults, but they are not of any particular 

 value. 



Many birds are of considerable value as weevil destroyers. 



The repression measures used against the weevil comprise a series of methods 

 known as the cultural system of weevil control. Briefly this system consists of seed 

 selection, selection of varieties which yield best under weevil conditions, early plant- 

 ing, intensive cultivation, square picking only when labor is cheap and not needed 

 for other important farm operations, early harvesting, fall destruction, fall plowing, 



Fig. 93. — Relation of cotton boll cells to seed, 

 inhabited by the pupa of the cotton boll weevil, 

 seeds of the cotton plant. (Original.) 



The four cells on the left are 

 On the right are four normal 



rotation of crops. Everything in this system is aimed at the rapid maturing of 

 crops ahead of weevil damage and obtaining the greatest mortality by heat control 

 in summer and starvation in the fall. 



The varieties chosen for weevil territory depend largely upon the local conditions. 

 Each section must decide for itself what varieties give best results. The best 

 results in various parts of the South have been made with King, Simpkins, Triumph, 

 Cleveland Big Boll, Toole, and Cook's Improved. Several wilt resistant types 

 developed in Georgia appear to show favorable results. 



In selection it is necessary to choose rapid maturing varieties, preferably wilt 

 resistant, with large bolls, or a tendency to produce many bolls, short internodes, 

 light foliage, and determinate growth. 



Early planting and intensive cultivation are aimed at rushing the crop to maturity 

 ahead of the weevil multiplication. The cultivation should be of such a sort as to 

 obtain a pulverized, easily heated soil. 



Square picking usually comes at a time when the labor is urgently needed for 

 other farm operations and is therefore inexpedient except when there is an abundance 

 of cheap labor. 



In the fall the crop should be picked as soon as possible. The growth of the 

 cotton should be stopped as soon as the crop is made and the plants destroyed by 



