99 PAPERS ON CEREAL AND FORAGE INSECTS. 
fig. 3). The attacked plants sucker profusely, affording young, 
tender growth for the beetles to feed upon, even for many days after 
the noninfested plants have become hard. The corn plants injured 
by S. maidis resemble somewhat corn plants injured by the lesser 
corn stalk-borer (Diatrewa saccharalis), and are easily distinguished 
from plants injured by the smaller species of Sphenophorus owing 
to the fact that the punctures of the smaller species are not always 
fatal to the plants, which, however, in unfolding their leaves, show a 
row or series of rows of round or oblong holes in them. 
The females issuing from hibernation feed on young corn for a 
few days before beginning to deposit their eggs. The egg punctures 
are made by the female in the side of the cornstalk (fig. 7, b) be- 
neath the outer sheath. These egg punctures are not injurious to 
the plants, being only small grooves. about 5 mm. long and 3 mm. 
deep, in which the eggs snugly fit. 
NUMBER OF GENERATIONS. 
There is only one generation a year. The eggs occur throughout 
June, larve from early June until September, pupz from the first 
part of August until the last part of September, and adults from 
the middle of August until the first part of August of the following 
year. 
2 RECORDS OF DEPREDATIONS. 
The depredations of this species have probably been confused with 
that of other species, the first and only known record of its attack 
on young corn being that made by Dr. Howard, at Columbia, S. C. 
During the season of 1910 both adults and larvee were numerous in 
cornfields in lowlands in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, 
doing serious damage in some instances. They were frequently 
found in uplands, but not in injurious numbers. 
REMEDIAL MEASURES. 
The knowledge of the hibernating habits of the insect suggests an 
effective remedy in the pulling up and burning of the stubble, which 
is also the most practical means of destroying the lesser corn stalk- 
borer (Diatrwa saccharalis). The beetles remain in the taproot of 
the corn plants until spring, allowing the farmer abundant time to 
destroy them. Care must be taken, however, in pulling up the 
infested stalks or else they will break off above the beetle, leaving 
the pest in the ground. The infested stalks, having a very poor 
root system, are easily pulled. Spraying the young corn plants with 
arsenical fluids at the time the beetles are making their attack is a 
very laborious procedure and not very effective. 
O 
