LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Entomology, 

 Washington, D. C, Fehruary 21^, 1913. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of a 

 paper entitled "The Sugar-Beet Wireworm (Limonius californicus 

 Mannh.)," by John E. Graf, an entomological assistant of this 

 bureau. 



This very active enemy to the sugar beet in the Pacific region has 

 been the subject of study in the Bureau of Entomology since 1909. 

 The present paper is somewhat preliminary in character, but so many 

 facts have been learned that it is believed advisable to submit them 

 for publication at the present time. While this wireworm has been 

 known m America for many years, no good report of its injuries was 

 available untU very recently. The paper sets forth the manner of 

 injury, the history of the species, the insects associated with it in 

 the destruction of the beet roots in different stages of growth, the 

 number of its food plants, its life history and habits, suggestions as 

 to the methods for its control, and other useful data, and is well 

 illustrated. 



I recommend the publication of this manuscript as Bulletin No. 

 123 of this bureau and would urge that it be issued at an early date, 

 as there is great demand for information on the part of the sugar- 

 beet growers of the country, all of whom are more or less troubled 

 by the ravages of wire worms. 



Respectfully, C. L. Marlatt, 



Entomologist and Acting Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



