INSECTS ATTACKING CORN. 



19 



Q333> 



SOUTHERN OORN-ROOT WORM. 



{Diabrotica 12-punctata Oliv. ; Order, Coleoptera.) 



Diagnosis. — Same as for Western Corn-root Worm, 

 Description and Life-history. — The larva, or "worm," cannot 

 ■easily, if at all, be distinguished from the Western Corn-root 

 Worm. The adult is a small, yellow beetle, with 12 black spots 



on[its back (wing covers), and 

 with a black head. This in- 

 sect is closely allied to the 

 Western Corn-root Worm, 

 but differs from it in feeding 

 upon a great variety of vege- 

 tation, garden crops as well 

 as corn being attacked. It 

 has a more southern habitat 

 than the western form. It is 

 also two-brooded, "eggs for 

 the first brood being 'depos- 

 ited in spring, about the roots 

 of young corn; the second 

 brood usually developing 

 upon the roots of certain wild plants, especially those of the 

 Compositse family." 



Remedies. — As this insect is not restricted to one food-plant, it 

 cannot be starved out. So far, no practicable remedy has been 

 found for this pest in its corn-infesting stage. As recommended 

 for the Western Corn-root Worm, high cultivation will aid the 

 corn in resisting the attacks of the pest. 



Kansas Notes. — -In 1891 a correspondent in Bourbon county 

 sent in specimens of the adult beetle. The correspondent be- 

 lieved that his corn was being injured by this pest. Mr. S. J. 

 Hunter found a few specimens of 12-punctata in Anderson county 

 fields infested with longicornis. ( See AVestern Corn-root Worm.) 



I have this year seen many specimens in a Lyon county corn- 

 field. 



Fig. 9. Southern Corn-root Worm; 

 a, larva: b, pupa; c, adult. 



