147 



GuYTON (T. L.). stalk Borers. Farm Practices that aid in destroying 

 tlie Pests. — Mthly. Bull. Ohio Agric. Expt. Sta., Wooster, no. 32, 

 August 1918, pp. 244-246. [Received 1st February 1919.] 



The Lepidopterous borers dealt with in this paper include the 

 Noctuid, Papaipema nehris {nifela), which has one generation a year. 

 The eggs are deposited in masses of from 50 to 60, near the ground 

 on grass and weeds. These hatch during May, the larvae first mining 

 the leaves and then migrating to the stalk and tunnelling it out, 

 resulting in withering and death of the top. When mature the larva 

 cuts a hole through the side of the stalk and then pupates in the lower 

 part of its tunnel. Pupation occurs in July, the moths emerging 

 late in August. The adults fly at night from August to October, and 

 oviposition occurs at this time. The early spring food-plants of the 

 larvae are grasses and weeds, but later cultivated crops such as maize 

 and wheat and in fact almost any plant may be attacked. The moth 

 occurs throughout the United States and Canada east of the Rocky 

 Mountains. When badly infested grassland adjoins a cultivated field 

 the grass should be cut down before the larvae migrate to the cultivated 

 crop. Weeds should be destroyed wherever possible, and in small 

 plots any infested plants should be collected and destroyed. The 

 caterpillars of species of Hadena are similar in appearance and method 

 of boring and are controlled in the same way. 



Melittia satyriniformis (squash borer) oviposits on the stems of 

 squashes, pumpkins and melons in the early growing season, and the 

 caterpillars live through the winter. Ploughing and cultivation in 

 the autumn will kill many of the hibernating larvae. Plants should 

 be collected and burnt as soon as the crop is mature. Infested stalks 

 may be slit and, after removal of the larvae, ^\Tapped round with waxed 

 yarn, or the larvae can be killed by injectioiTLS of carbon bisulphide. By 

 covering the joints of the vine at intervals with soil, root systems will 

 be developed to nourish tlie plant in case of injury at any point. 



Elasinopalpus lignosellv.s (lesser corn-stalk borer) occurs in the 

 southern part of Ohio. The larvae are active throughout the growing 

 season, causing much loss to cultivated crops. The moth has four 

 generations in a year and has a wide range of food-plants, apparently 

 preferring grasse-^. Hibernation probably occurs in the larval and pupal 

 stages. Infested fields should be ploughed in late autumn after all 

 remnants of the preceding crop have been burnt. Harrowing oi the field 

 breaks up the winter quarters of the larvae and destroys many of them. 



Diatraea saccharalis (larger corn-stalk borer) is occasionally found 

 in the southern part of Ohio. The larvae attack the budding centre 

 of young maize plants and later in the season descend the stalk and 

 burrow in the pith, hibernating in maize stubble below the ground 

 surface. Rotation of crops is one of the best preventive measures. 

 Ploughing and cultivation in autumn break up the winter quarters 

 of the larvae and expose them to the attacks of natural enemies, 



Stear (J. R.). Flea-Beetles as Pests of the Garden. — Mthly. Bull. 

 Ohio Agric. Expt. Sta., Wooster, no. 32, August 1918, pp. 251- 

 253. [Received 1st February 1919.] 



The flea-beetles here dealt with include i—Systena blanda, which 

 attacks many crops, particularly maize and tomatoes ; S. taeniata, 

 attacking a variety of crops ; Epitrix cucumeris, feedmg upon potatoes, 



