32 PROTECTION OF PLANTS, 1916-17 



worm, Euxoa ochrogaster Gn., the Dark-sided Cutworm, Euxoa messoria 

 Harris, and the Greasy Cutworm, Agrotis ypsilon Rott. Of recent years 

 years the Striped Cutworm, Euxoa tessellata Harris, has been an important 

 garden pest. (See fig. 1, page 34). 



Cutworms are general feeders, attacking all kinds of vegetable plants; 

 cabbages, cauliflowers, beets, carrots, beans, etc., particularly when young 

 and succulent. 



Remedies. — The poisoned bran mixture described on page 40 is the re- 

 medy which is now used most extensively. In gardens containing rows of 

 vegetables the mixture should be scattered thinly along the rows on either 

 side, as soon as cutworm injury is noticed. It is important that the poisoned 

 bran be scattered after sundown so that it will be in the very best condition 

 to attract the cutworms when they come out to feed at night. 



In small gardens as soon as cutworm injury is noticed the culprits can 

 as a rule be easily located in the soil, about an inch or so beneath the sur- 

 face, and within a radius of a few inches of the plant, and destroyed by hand. 



Flea Beetles 



The small dark coloured "flea beetles" so called from their habit of 

 leaping or jumping, eat holes into the leaves of cabbages, turnips, radishes, 

 potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetables. In size they range from about 

 one- twentieth to one-quarter of an inch in length. They are most injurious 

 in spring, at which time serious injury is often effected. 



The Turnip Flea Beetle, Phyllotreta vittata Fab., is a very common spec- 

 ies. It is of a shining black colour and in length about one-sixth of an inch. 

 On each wing cover there is a wavy band of yellow. (See fig. 2, page 33). 

 The Potato Flea-beetle, Epitrix cucumeris Harris, is another abundant 

 species which is often found feeding on the leaves of cabbages. It measures 

 from about one- sixteenth of an inch to one-twelfth of an inch in length and 

 in colour is black with pale reddish legs. 



Remedies. — Spray the infested plants with an arsenical mixture contain- 

 ing either Paris green or arsenate of lead (page 39) or with the Bordeaux 

 mixture alone (page 39), which acts as a deterrent. Paris green may be 

 used dry with a powder (page 39). 



