LEAFHOPPERS OF THE SUGAR BEET. 47 



was then called "blight" that it was not harvested. Many of the 

 l)eets had died and the rest were small and stunted, while the leaf- 

 hoppers could be swept up in numbers. 



In California " curly-leaf " conditions were seen by Professor Titus 

 at Oxnard and Spreckels and reported to be quite serious on the higher 

 lands back of Salinas. Whether this was the true " curly-leaf " or the 

 type found there this year was not determined. 



In August, 1907, another trip was made by him through the same 

 territory and a few specimens of Eutettix tenella taken at Payette, 

 Idaho. Little damage was being done that season, but field men re- 

 ported considerable loss in 1905 in both Payette and Blackfoot, Idaho. 

 A few E. tenella were taken at Union, Oreg., and Echo, Oreg., in 

 August, 1907, onh'' slight damage showing in either place. Large 

 nj'mphs were taken with the adults. 



In California a number of places were visited by Professor Titus in 

 August, 1907. but no specimens of Eutettix taken. In September 

 another trip through the California districts was made, and a few 

 specimens of E. tenella were taken at Chino on the 13th. No very 

 definite cases of " curly-leaf " were noticed. 



ECONOMIC SUMMARY AND PROPOSED REMEDIES. 



The " curly-leaf " condition or " blight " of the sugar beet, as it 

 occurs in Utah and the surrounding region, appears soon after an 

 attack of the beet leafhopper {Eutettix tenella Baker). Its severity 

 is conditional upon the number of insects present, upon the time of 

 their appearance, upon the size of the beets, and upon the temperature 

 of the surface soil, together with the temperature and moisture of 

 the surrounding air. 



More should be known about the places of hibernation and early 

 spring history of this insect. It could not be found in the rubbish 

 around the fields in early spring, and only a few specimens were found 

 in waste places up to the time they appeared on the beets. "When once 

 the place where the greater number of them pass the winter is discov- 

 ered, it may be possible to destroy them there or on their spring food 

 plants before they migrate to the beets. After they have appeared 

 on the beets it will be necessary to be very prompt in the matter of 

 remedies if the injury is to be prevented. A thorough spraying with 

 kerosene emulsion at a strength of 1 part of the stock solution " to 5 

 parts of water would destroy most of the insects that it hit, and by 

 using a drag in front of the nozzles to turn the leaves over and cause 

 the insects to jump, most of them could be reached. A\nierethe insects 



" For directions regarding the preparation and nse of Iverosene emulsion see 

 Farmers' Bulletin 127, U. S. Dept of Agriculture, pi>. 20-21, and Circular 80, 

 P.ureau of Entomology. 

 G6— IV 



