April, '19j McCOLLOCH: ELEODES OPACA 193 



growth, is practiced to a limited extent in western Kansas. Where 

 this method is followed there has been little or no injury from false 

 wireworms. Summer fallowing deprives the beetles and larvae of 

 food, and destroys many eggs. The beetles are also deprived of shelter 

 during the day. This method of handling the wheat land is somewhat 

 more expensive than the usual methods, but the yields are generally 

 ample to encourage its use. 



Weeds and Volunteer Crops. — During the summer months, large 

 numbers of adults are to be found hiding under Russian thistles and in 

 clumps of volunteer wheat and oats in the fields. The keeping down 

 of these plants will deprive the beetles of shelter, and cause them to 

 seek protection elsewhere, and will also serve to deprive the larvae and 

 adults of food. Heavy growths of weeds and grasses along the road- 

 sides and fence rows should also be kept down during the summer. 



Time of Planting. — Some injury can be avoided by delaying the 

 planting of wheat in the fall, although as a rule late planting does not 

 yield as well as early sowing. The larvae usually ceased their activities 

 during the latter part of October, and wheat planted after the middle of 

 this month will be less subject to injury. With regard to the time of 

 planting, it might be stated that with favorable conditions, such as a 

 well-prepared seedbed, good seed, and plenty of moisture, seeding may 

 be made moderately early. On the other hand, if the season is dry and 

 the seed may lie for some time in the ground before germinating, it is 

 advisable to delay the planting. The larvae are most Active in a dry, 

 loose soil, and the greatest injury has occurred in those years when the 

 summer and fall have been dry. 



In the case of spring crops, planting should be delayed until ^bout 

 the first of May, at which time most of the larvae have reached maturity 

 and are transforming to pupae. This is especially to be recommended 

 when the crop is to be planted on land where the wheat has been de- 

 stroyed by the worms. 



Spring Plowing. — The practice of plowing or listing infested fields 

 early in May will destroy large numbers of pupae by breaking up the 

 pupal cells, and crushing the pupae or by exposing them to natural 

 enemies and climatic conditions. The writer has been in many fields 

 where this has been done, and in every case from 80 to 95 per cent of 

 the pupa? were destroyed. This method can be followed where the 

 larvae have destroyed the wheat and it is planned to plant sorghums or 

 corn. 



Stacking vs. Shocking. — Examinations uuule in fields where the 

 previous wheat crop was shocked often show more injury than where 

 the crop was stacked. In other words, the sliocks provide siielter for 

 the beetles in all parts of the field, and instead of the ()uti)rcak being 



