484 



BiSHOPP (F. C). The Bollworm or Corn Earworm.^ — U.S. Dept. Agric., 

 Washington, D.C., Farmers' Bull. no. 872, October 1917, 16 pp., 

 7 figs. [Received 9th September 1918.] 



Helioihis ohsoleta, F. , is one of the most important insect pests of 

 the United States, occurring practically everywhere. The amiual 

 loss to the farmer caused by it has been estimated at nearly £6,000,000, 

 owing to the fact that it is a general feeder attacking cotton, maize, 

 tomato, tobacco, garden vegetables, lucerne and cowpeas, as well 

 as many wild plants. This bulletin deals with the hfe-history of 

 the pest and the nature of the damage caused by it to cotton, maize, 

 tomato and tobacco crops. Cultural methods are advocated as the 

 best means of combating it. 



Phillips (W. J.) & Fox (H.). The Rough-headed Corn-stalk Beetle 

 in the Southern States and its Control. — U. S. Dept. Agric, 

 Washington, D.C., Favmers' Bull, no.^ 875, July 1918, 12 pp., 8 figs. 



The Dynastid, Ligyrus rugiceps, Lee. (rough-headed corn-stalk 

 beetle) is an insect confined entirely to the southern United States, 

 where it is becoming an increasingly injurious pest, a serious outbreak 

 having occurred in the tidewater section of Virginia in the early 

 summer of 1914. It appears to be limited to poorly-drained lands. 

 Maize is attacked by the adult only, which bores into the very young 

 stalk just below the surface of the ground, eating away the growing- 

 point or bud. Plants about 3 feet in height are not so severely 

 damaged, as the growing-point is then out of reach of the beetles, 

 and full-grov^Ti plants are practically immune. 



Oviposition occurs in early summer, the eggs being deposited 

 smgly, or in groups of 3 or 4 in the ground. They hatch in about 

 two weeks, the rapidly grooving larvae reaching their full growth in 

 about two months. The adults emerge in September after a pupal 

 period of about a fortnight, and soon go into hibernation, there being 

 only one generation a year. 



The most important remedial measure is the elimination of all old 

 waste and pasture lands, since the favourite, and indeed the only 

 possible breeding place is low, poorly-drained land. This should be 

 thoroughly drained and cultivated with a regular rotation of crops. 

 Maize should not be planted on such land the first year, but since 

 no other crop is injured by this insect, anything else may be substituted. 

 Other accessory measures are early planting, the use of fertihsers, the 

 pasturing of pigs, hand-picking, and autumn ploughing to destroy the 

 pupae. 



Van Zwaluwenburg (R. H.) & Thomas (H. E.). Some Means of 

 controlling Insects, Fungi, and other Pests in Porto Rico. — Porto 

 Rico Agric. Expt. Sta., Mayaguez. Circ no. 17, 27th June 1918, 

 30 pp. [Received 4th September 1918.] 



This paper gives an account of the most generally used insecticides, 

 with formulae for their preparation, describes methods of fumigation 

 and the emplojTnent of heat as a means of killing insects, and discusses 

 the compatibility of various insecticides and fimgicides. 



