MKXICAX CONCHFELA IX WESTERN TEXAS IN 190;",, 7 



fallina- to the around. It Avas approheiuled that the pests would 

 transfer their attention to the hite peaches when these began to 

 ripen, and a few were observed to do so, but apparently when the 

 supply of early peaches was exhausted or rendered unfit for further 

 feeding-, the late peaches Avere not mature enough to be attractive, 

 and consequently suifered practically no injury from this source. 



GRAPES. 



In 100.') at r>arst()w the fruit in the vineyards was in general 

 only slightly atfected by Pentatoma ligata. The principal damage 

 was in the small gardens in town, Avhere in certain instances the 

 destruction Avas j^ractically complete. Probably OAving to the large 

 area occupied by the vineyards and to the fifct that the fruit of the 

 dilferent varieties ripens at about the same time, no especial con- 

 centration of the insects in the large vineyards Avas noticed, and there 

 Avas no indication that any such concentration occurred. The ripe 

 fruit is preferred, although Avhen the food supply is short it may be 

 attacked Avhen innnature. The injured berry shriA^els and under the 

 influence of the hot sun soon becomes raisin-like. 



At Tlahualilo, Durango, Mexico, on July 17, 1905, a vineyard of 

 about 10 acres with vines heavily loaded Avith fruit became thor- 

 oughly infested by direct migration from an adjacent alfalfa field 

 of adults and of nymphs in the last tAvo instars. Each cluster of 

 grapes Avas attacked by seA^eral bugs, the maximum noted on a single 

 cluster being 25. Without consultation with the Avriter the grapes 

 Avere i)icked immediately upon discoA^ery of the infestation, the pre- 

 sumption being that the removal of their food Avould serA^e as a 

 i-heclc to the insects, to the benefit of the cotton fields. This step 

 Avas, hoAvever, inadvisable, since the fruit, Avhich Avas of compara- 

 tiA^ely small value. Avould have serA^ed as a trap at Avhich the bugs 

 could have been easily destroyed Avhen so thickly congregated. As 

 it Avas. the bugs gathered in groups of hundreds on the trellis posts 

 and on the vines, principally at the forks, Avhere they Avere destroyed, 

 partly by spraying and partly by use of a gasoline-blast torch. The 

 last-mentioned method, Avhile effectiA'e in its destruction of the pest, 

 injured the vines to a certain extent in nearly all cases. 



OARDEX VEGETABI-ES. 



BetAveen the middle of July and the middle of August garden 

 crops at liarstow Avere aii'ected to a considerable extent by this 

 destructive pest. OAving to the comparatiA'ely small amount of land 

 deA'oted to such crops,, the actual money equiA-alent of the loss Avas 

 not great. The crops Avhich suffered most Avere peas, beans, and 

 tomatoes. In each case tlie attack Avas restricted almost entirely to 



