252 



MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



of at least six inches and harrowing it thoroughly, that this disturbance 

 of the insect, due to the rupturing and destroying of its earthen cells, is 

 sufficient to kill it at this time. This explains the well known fact that 

 plowing is the best remedy. 



Infested corn, wheat and other grain fields, or sod land intended 

 later for such crops, should be plowed deeply during August and har- 

 rowed several times, and if necessary, plowed and harrowed again be- 

 fore September, with a view to destroying the insects in the stages men- 

 tioned. It must be borne in mind, however, that since these insects re- 

 quire three years in order to reach their full grown larval condition, that 

 only one-third of the insects in the field may be destroyed ; but it must 

 be borne in mind that unless this one-third is destroyed they will hibernate, 

 and the next spring will deposit eggs for a greatly increased number of 

 wireworms to follow. 



If this simple method just described above is carried out each year, 

 one will soon cease to be troubled with wareworms. Fields that arc 

 plowed during August of each year, or that are plowed even during 

 September of each year, are rarely infested with wireworms in suf- 

 ficient numbers to cause any mischief.. 



THE CORN-ROOT-APHIS. 

 Aphis maidiradicis, Forbes. 



The corn- root-aphis is the most interesting insect infesting the corn 

 plant, and yet, in the long run, it is probably next in importance to the 

 chinch-bug as regards the injury which it accomplishes. The corn-root- 

 aphis is very generally distributed through- 

 out the corn growing belt and is found every 

 year in some localities in damaging quan- 

 tities, although in some regions the insect 

 may be at certain times scarcely noticeable 

 and at others unduly so. The fact that it is 

 so generally distributed and so common in 

 practically all corn fields, at least sooner or 

 later, makes, in the aggregate, an injury 

 which is perhaps next to the injury by the 

 chinch-bug, which has more decided spas- 

 modic occurrences. During the past two 

 years I have received more letters from 

 farmers in regard to this insect than I have 



Fig. 11. — Corn-Root-Aphls, 4p/us . ^i • i. • r t- ..t 



maidiradicis, wingless viviparous Concerning any Other insect iniestmg tne 



female ; greatly enlarged; a, apex 



of abdomen still more enlarged- corn plant. 



