418 



Watson (J. R.). Sweet-Potato Caterpillars. — Florida Univ. Agric. 

 Expt. Sta., Gainesville, Press Bull. no. 304, 22nd February 1919. 

 2 pp. [Received 6tli August 1919.] 



Many caterpillars, including the semi-tropical army worm [Xylo- 

 myges eridania], are injurious to sweet potato plants in Florida in 

 July, August and September. The remedial measures advocated, 

 including poison-baits, spraying and dusting, are practically the same 

 as those for Laphygmn friigiperda (fall army worm) [see preceding 

 paper]. 



Watson (J. R.). Florida Truck and Garden Insects. — Florida Univ. 

 Agric. Expt. Sta., Gainesville, Bull. 151, February 1919, 211 pp., 

 57 figs. [Received 6th August 1919.] 



The bulk of the matter contained in this bulletin, which is a revision 

 of an earlier one, has previously been noticed [see this Review, Ser. A, 

 v, p. 305]. Further experiments made with regard to remedial 

 measures for root knot disease show that complete fallowing during 

 one summer will exterminate the Nematode [Heterodera radicicola]. 

 Other measures advocated are sprinkling with sodium cyanide, 

 dissolved in water, at the rate of 600 lb. per acre, after which the 

 soil should be well saturated with water to a depth of at least 18 

 inches ; this is followed by a sprinkling of ammonium sulphate at 

 the rate of 900 lb. per acre and applied in the same manner. Carbon 

 bisulphide has proved efl&cacious when applied at the rate of one 

 oimce poured into holes 12 to 18 inches deep near the base of the plants 

 and immediately covered to prevent the escape of gas. One side 

 of the plant should be treated first, and the other side a week or two 

 later. 



The insect pests dealt with include : — Stictocephala festina (three- 

 cornered alfalfa hopper), which infests beans, tomatoes, watermelons, 

 cowpeas and many other plants ; Peregrinus maidis (corn leaf-hopper), 

 which becomes very abundant in the latter part of August, causing 

 the death of young maize and may be controlled by sprays of tobacco 

 extracts and early planting ; Leptocorisa tipuloides (crane-fly bug) 

 which attacks egg-plants and may be killed by a solution of 5 lb. 

 of soap, I pt. of Blackleaf 40 to 50 U.S. gals, of water ; Geocoris 

 punctipes, a bug that attacks lettuce in the winter, the spray advocated 

 for it being 2 lb. of lead arsenate and f of a pint of Blackleaf 40 

 in 50 U.S. gals, of Bordeaux mixture ; Pseudococcus citri attacking 

 potatoes stored in dry places ; and Termes flavipes infesting sweet 

 potatoes. 



Sunflowers have been used successfully as a trap-crop round potatoes 

 for the bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus. Strawberries have been attacked 

 by the strawberry flea-beetle {Haltica ignita), and planting crape 

 myrtle [Lagerotroemia indica] as a trap -crop is suggested, this being its 

 favourite food-plant. 



Watson (J. R.). Report of Entomologist.^ — Rept. for the Fiscal Year 

 ending 30th June, 1918 Florida Univ. Agric. Expt. Sta., Gaines- 

 ville, May 1919, pp. 56R.— 61R. [Received 6th August 1919.] 



The insects pests reared include a bug, Adelphocoris rapidns, 

 puncturing squares and young bolls of cotton in July, causing them 



