April, '19] JAPANESE BEETLE: DISCUSSION 145 



unduly complicating their profitable cultivation. We are quite uncer- 

 tain as to the amount of damage to expect from the larvae attacking the 

 live roots of plants. This type of injury, if important, would probably 

 prove difficult of correction. 



I think entomologists are warranted in assuming that a newly intro- 

 duced insect will become a troublesome pest and arrange their work on 

 that basis. A change of policy, of course, can be adopted as soon as it 

 is clear that the insect in question will not be especiallj^ troublesome. 

 Acting on this plan the Bureau of Entomology, cooperating with Dr. 

 T. J. Headlee, New Jersey State Entomologist, has undertaken work 

 looking toward the eradication and control of the insect. Mr. Good- 

 win doubtless fully explained to you this morning the character of field 

 work now under way. If its eradication cannot be accomplished, our 

 efforts, it is hoped, will result in restricting its spread until its economic 

 status will have been better determined. 



Our inspection records for 1917 of the distribution of the Japanese 

 beetle were not very extensive, and while we have been able to make 

 fairly thorough inspecting during 1918, we are unable to decide on 

 account of the uncertainty of the thoroughness of previous inspection 

 work, whether the insect is spreading rapidly, moderately or not at all. 

 Personally, I am of the opinion that it spread during 1918 to a consider- 

 able extent. 



Several state entomologists have made inquiry concerning what 

 quarantine measures, if any, should be undertaken to prevent the 

 introduction of the insect into their states. I think it would be danger- 

 ous to permit the shipment from the infested area of plants with soil 

 around the roots. I understand that Dr. Headlee has in effect regula- 

 tions to prevent the movement of such plants. There is danger also of 

 the distribution of the beetles in green, sugar or field corn, since the 

 beetles freelj^ penetrate the tips of the ears of green corn to feed upon 

 the milky kernels. The danger of the spread of the insect in this way 

 seemed so important that a quarantine of green sweet corn was estab- 

 lished by the Federal Horticultural Board, effective June 1, 1919. and 

 adequate machinery will be provided for the inspection, certification 

 and movement of this crop. 



Several things interfered with the vigorous prosecution of the field 

 work planned for 1918, as insufficient funds, difficulty in obtaining in 

 time machinery and insecticides, and difficulty in obtaining labor. We 

 hope to surmovuit all of these difficulties next year and feel that 1919 

 and 1920 will i)e our big years in the work, and which will prove con- 

 clusively what can be hoped for towanls the eradication of the Japanese 

 beetle. 



The establishment in the Tnited States of the oriental fruit niotli has 



