February, '16] HAYES: MAIZE BILL-BUG 127 



Natural Enemies 



Unfortunately, this insect apparently has few natural enemies since, 

 to date, none have been recorded. This scarcity may, in part, be 

 attributed to the protection which is afforded by its habit of living, 

 the greater part of the year, in the corn plant. 



Near the close of the 1915 egg-laying season, four dipterous larvae 

 were found living in a single egg, the only instance of apparent parasit- 

 ism to come under observation. The Dipterawere not bred out but it is 

 the intention to further investigate this parasite during the coming 

 season. 



Predaceous enemies often gain entrance to the larval burrows, 

 especially when the tap-root rots in the soil. Chief among these are 

 carabids, elaterids, and ants. The following is a hst of enemies found 

 attacking the different stages: 



Attacking egg — • 

 Parasitic 



Unknown Diptera 

 Attacking larva — 

 Predaceous 



Carabidse— adults and larvae 

 House ant {Monomoriimi pharaonis Linn.) 

 Little thief ant (Solenopsis molesta Say) 

 Attacking pupa — 

 Predaceous 



Elateridae — larvae 



Corn field ant {Lasius niger americana Emery) 

 House ant (Monomorium pharaonis Linn.) 

 Little thief ant (Solenopsis molesta Say) 

 Attacking adult — ■ 

 Predaceous 



Carabidse— adults 



Little thief ant (Solenopsis molesta Say) 



Control Measures 



The cheapest, most satisfactory, and practical method of control is 

 the use of a cropping system in which corn does not follow corn. It 

 should be succeeded by some crop that is not subject to injury by this 

 pest. In southern Kansas the best general practice has been found to 

 keep the infested fields in alfalfa for a few years after which corn may 

 be safely planted. 



The pulhng up and burning of stubble has hitherto been recommended 

 as an efficient remedy in controlling this species. This is a very la- 

 borious and impractical task on a 60- or 80-acre field and is not very 



