92 



GuYTON (T. L.). Controlling Asparagus Beetles. — Ohio Agric. Expt. 

 Sta., Mthly. Bull, Wooster, iv, no. 6, June 1919, pp. 197-199, 

 2 figs. [Received 30th December 1919.] 



The asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi, emerges from hibernation 

 under rubbish, etc., at the time that the first asparagus buds come 

 through the ground. The eggs are deposited on the young shoots 

 and hatch in from 3 to 8 days. The larvae are full-grown in from 

 10 to 14 days and feed on the developing shoots. When mature 

 they enter the ground to a depth of about 1 inch for pupation which 

 lasts about 8 days, the total hfe-cycle from egg to adult lasting about 

 30 days. There are three generations a year, the second appearing 

 in July and the third in August ; the adults of the latter hibernate. 

 Their natural enemies include predaceous insects and birds. The 

 remedial measures suggested include hand-picking for small areas and 

 the application of fresh air-slaked lime as a dust early in the morning 

 before the dew is off the plants. Plants should be allowed to grow at 

 intervals as traps and dusted once a week with arsenicals, but such 

 plants must not be used for food. In very hot weather brushing the 

 larvae on to the hot ground will kill them. 



A dust consisting of a mixture of 4 lb. of powdered lead arsenate 

 and 1 barrel of air-slaked hme or a spray of 2 lb. of powdered lead 

 arsenate, 50 U.S. gals, of water or Bordeaux mixture and 2 lb. of soap, 

 are effective in destroying both the larvae and adult beetles. 



Crioceris duodecimpunctata, which is less common in Ohio, may be 

 controlled in the same manner. 



Cotton (E. C). Wheat Insect Survey for 1919.— Mthly. Bull. Ohio 

 Agric. Expt. Sta., Wooster, iv, no. 8, August 1919, pp. 241-245, 

 1 map, [Received 30th December 1919.] 



The wheat survey of 1919 in Ohio followed the fines of that of the 

 previous year [R.A.E., A, vu, p. 80]. A number of fields under 

 about average conditions were examined in each of the 39 counties. 

 The joint- worm [Harmolita] was again the most important insect 

 damaging wheat, the injury reaching an average of 31*4 per cent., 

 and rising to a maximum of 89 per cent. The greatest losses occurred 

 in the western half of the State. No cultural or other method of 

 control has been devised ; early and late planting do not yield consistent 

 results either in neighbouring fields in the same year or in consecutive 

 years in the same field. The eggs are usually laid from late April 

 to early June in the highest joint of the wheat stems. Owing to 

 favourable growing conditions the young wheat in 1919 made such 

 vigorous growth that most of the galls formed by the larvae were 

 high up on the stalk and therefore most of the insects were removed 

 in the straw instead of being left in the stubble as is usually the case. 

 The infestation in 1920 should therefore be materially reduced. 

 Any fallen wheat is liable to be infested either with Harmolita or Hessian 

 fly [Mayetiola destructor] ; this should all be raked up thoroughly, 

 preferably when wet with dew or light rain, when the straws are 

 tough and have a tendency to wrap round the teeth of the rake and 

 be pulled up by the roots. These rakings should be run through a 

 separator if possible, as many of the larvae are killed by this process. 



