October, '21] European corn borer conference 453 



EUROPEAN CORN BORER CONFERENCE 



Sandusky, Ohio and St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 15-17, 1921. 



A meeting of entomologists and others interested was held at Sandusky, Ohio, 

 Sept. 15, 1921, to consider the corn borer situation and to suggest a national policy. 

 Dr. E. D. Ball presided and was reHeved at some of the sessions by Dr. Herbert Os- 

 born. 



The sessions included comprehensive statements by the entomologists in charge of 

 the various divisions of the Corn Borer investigations in the United States and Canada. 

 W. R. Walton discussed the general situation and the object of the conference; D. J. 

 CafiFrey explained the experimental work being conducted by the U. S. Bureau of 

 EntomologA' and the essential results obtained; L. H. Worthley reviewed the quaran- 

 tine work and the value derived therefrom. Arthvu" Gibson discussed the situation 

 in Canada; H. G. Cra\vford reviewed the significant facts brought out in the investi- 

 gational work being conducted in Canada; L. S. McLaine reported on the scouting and 

 quarantine operations in the Dominion. There followed a general discussion of the 

 entire problem in which many of the conferees took part. 



A committee was appointed to suggest recommendations as to the policy to be 

 adopted in relation to national, state, local, and individual control. The committee 

 (E. P. Felt, Chairman, Arthur Gibson, E. C. Cotton, W. P. Flint, J. J. Davis, R. W. 

 Harned, and L. H. Worthley) submitted the following report which was adopted at 

 the final session at St. Thomas, Ontario, Sept. 17, 1921. 



Report of Committee on Policy 



Economic Status. This conference of official entomologists of the United States 

 and Canada views with grave concern the extensive spread of the European Corn 

 Borer in 1921 and recognizes this insect as a menace to the agriculture of North Amer- 

 ica. The invasion this season into northern Ohio constitutes an immediate danger to 

 the great corn belt of the country. 



The natural spread of the insect and its establishment over large areas makes ex- 

 termination impossible and we therefore advise the adoption of a policy designed to 

 check further spread so far as possible and to promote the speedy development of 

 practical control measures. 



It is also our opinion, considering the advance in technical entomological investi- 

 gations bearing on the development of control measures and the many agencies now 

 available for the distribution of this information and the assurance of intelligent and 

 energetic response, together with cooperation from the corn growers of the country, 

 that it will be possible to greatly mitigate the damages that would almost certainly 

 result from the unrestricted spread of the insect. 



National Policy. We unhesitatingly recommend the continuance of quarantine 

 measures as a most effective means of checking further spread. 



We respectfully recommend to the U. vS. Federal Horticultural Board the adoption 

 of a modified regional quarantine in New England on account of the complex condi- 

 tions due to the development of two generations in that area and the consequent in- 

 festation of numerous plants and would suggest establishing a qiiarantine line not 

 farther west than the Connecticut river. 



We respectfully suggest that quarantine restrictions in infested areas, where the 

 Com Borer normally produces but one generation annually, be limited to corn, all 

 sorghums, Sudan grass and broom corn. 



