CORN AND COTTON WIREWORM AND ITS CONTROL. yf 
same field, but also permit the soil to remain undisturbed during 
the period when the female beetles are laying their eggs. As stated 
elsewhere in this bulletin, the females prefer loose soil for egg deposi- 
tion, especially soil which has been recently cultivated or plowed. 
A system of handling the ground and crops so that the soil will 
not be disturbed from the middle of June until the middle of August 
is one of great importance, and it may prove to be the most beneficial 
step in eradicating the wireworms from an infested area. This may 
be brought about by omitting from the rotation such crops as would 
normally require summer cultivation. 
The supposition that an infestation of the corn and cotton wire- 
worm is worse following cowpeas seems to be unfounded. 
MANURING. 
The manuring of infested areas has long been recommended as 
the best control measure. The theory was advanced, especially by 
some farmers, that the manure turned under is actually distasteful to 
the larvee and kills them outright. Although this is not the case, never- 
theless the turning under of manure and cover crops has the effect 
of adding humus to the top soil; and, as it is known that the larve 
can not long survive except in sandy soils, it is well to spread as 
much manure as possible on infested areas and to turn it under. 
LAND RESTING. 
If it were practicable to allow the infested fields to lie idle, or “lay 
out,” as it is termed, for a period of three years, this would no doubt 
prove the most effective means of getting rid of the pest, since by 
leaving the ground undisturbed a crust would be formed on the 
surface through which the majority of adult wireworms could not 
emerge. It would also serve to prevent the few emerging adults, as 
well as those flying in from other fields, from entering the soil for 
egg deposition. However, this practice naturally will not often 
appeal to the farmer. 
SUMMARY OF CONTROL MEASURES. 
(1) Plant infested fields to such crops as do not require summer 
cultivation, such as clover, cowpeas, soy beans, or grasses. 
(2) Add humus to the light sandy spots by turning under manure 
and cover crops. 
(3) If grain crops be planted, allow stubble to remain until the 
middle of August. 
(4) If corn must be grown, plant early and do everything possible 
to hasten rapid growth. Do not plant corn two years in succession. 
