34 



appear in cotton fields in injurious numbers in such irrigated dis- 

 tricts as the Laguna of Mexico, where, when their chief food supply 

 in the desert becomes unfit for them, they are driven to the cotton 

 plants from necessity, there being almost nothing else available for 

 food. In other localities the insects might become widely distributed 

 among various crops and only small injury be done to any one of 

 them. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR CONTROL, 



As these insects in the cotton field almost invariably occupy a 

 conspicuous position on the cotton plant, usually on a l)oll, there is 

 little trouble for even an inexperienced person to find them when 

 present. Their habit of segregation is of much importance in this con- 

 nection. Whenever they become abundant enough to deserve atten- 

 tion from the cotton grower, hand picking, or knocking into collect- 

 ing pans containing oil, will probably be preferable to spraying with 

 contact insecticides, the value of the former depending in a measure 

 upon the availability of cheap labor. Clearing up the fields in the 

 fall, destroying both the cotton stalks and the weeds surrounding the 

 fields by burning, would prevent, in a large measure, the hibernation 

 of this, as well as many other cotton pests, and constitutes a practice 

 the adoption of which by all cotton growers is strongly urged by eco- 

 nomic entomologists. It may be advisable under some circumstances 

 to provide for the treatment of the conchuelas on mesquite trees when 

 it is found that they are developing thereon in threatening numbers, 

 and when experience shows that these trees growing close to cotton 

 fields are an element of danger, it might even be good policy to remove 

 them entirely. 



THE SUGAR-BEET CROWN-BORER. 



(Hulstea uudulatella Clemens.) 

 By E. S. G. Titus. 



While investigating the general insect enemies of the sugar beet 

 the past season (11>04), the writer found at Waverly, Wash., Echo, 

 Oreg., and Spreckles and Oxnard, Cal., evidences of an injury to sugar 

 beets that could not be traced to any insect at that time occurring 

 in the fields. The injury at these places was quite local, usually 

 occurring in small patches over some of the fields, and was most 

 noticeable on the richer soils. The beets had been injured earlier 

 in the year and their growth practically stopped. Some of the tops 

 had lived on for some time, but had eventually dried down. When 

 these were lifted only a small portion of the beet usually came with 

 them, and this a rather ragged portion of the crown. Digging into 

 the soil, the remainder of the root could usually be found, shriveled 

 and dried up, but rarely showing marks of injury. 



