PREFACE. 5 
cotton fields throughout the South the seed pods of which are infested 
by a weevil (Anthonomus albopilosus) closely allied to the boll weevil. 
This weevil has three different parasites, which also attack the boll 
weevil. The croton weevil does not feed upon cotton or any other 
cultivated plants. By merely mowing down or otherwise removing 
the croton plants at the proper time there could be no danger from 
the croton weevil, while its parasites would be forced to turn their 
attention to the boll weevil. It is conceivable that the encourage- 
ment of the croton plants or the actual planting and later removal 
might be undertaken in order to obtain the best possible results. 
Other results of practical application are recorded in this bulletin. 
Among them may be mentioned the fact that fallen forms exposed 
to the sun show higher parasitism than those shaded, due undoubt- 
edly to the light-loving character of the parasites. This gives another 
reason for the wide spacing of the plants and the use of varieties of 
cotton with the minimum tendency to form leafage and the greatest 
tendency to shed their leaves in the fall. 
W. D. Hunter, 
In Charge of Cotton Boll Weevil Investigations. 
