ENEMIES OF RICE 37 I 



The rice stalk borer {Chilo plejadelhts Treuck) is a crambid moth, the larva of 

 which bores into the upper part of the stems, and in part, at least, is believed to 

 cause what is kno^\•n as " white blast." If it becomes serious, which is seldom, 

 burning of stubble is recommended. The chinch bug (151) is sometimes injurious 

 to lice fields, and the fall army worm i^Laphygma frugiperda Sm. and Abb.), when 

 numerous, may become injurious. 



521. Birds. — In some sections, the rice bird, reed bird or bobolink {DolicJto»yx 

 oryzivorus L.) is one of the mos*- s .r u"^ obstacles to the culture of rice. It attacks 

 the rice fields during the ripening period, being especially injurious when rice is in 

 the milk. The rice bird is particularly injurious in the Soutr Atlantic States, 

 where it is common to hire men and boys, called " bird minders," to scare away the 

 birds, the common method being that of shooting off guns loaded with powder, but 

 usually not with shot, since the latter injures the rice. 



The English sparrow (Passer dotnesticus L.) has become a serious pest in parts of 

 Louisiana, both to the ripening grain and while it is in the shock. The best pre- 

 vention for the latter is prompt threshing, and, where this is not practicable, 

 stacking. 



Many species of other birds occur in large numbers in the rice districts, drawn 

 there by the abundance of palatable food, the most numerous of which are the 

 various species of blackbirds. While these birds eat some rice, they gain most of 

 their sustenance from the grain that has fallen to the stubble and from weed seeds ; 

 and are, therefore, believed to be beneficial rather than injurious. 



