4 FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON SUGAR-CANE INSECTS. 



THE SUGAR-CANE MEALYBUG. 



(Pseudococcus calceolaria Mask.) 



The examinations to determine the infestation of the mealybug 

 were made chiefly m connection \\dth the work on the moth borer. 

 The mealybug appeared in small numbers at the experiment station 

 at Audubon Park durmg the summer of 1912, and by November 28 

 it was difficult to find a suigle stalk of the cane then on the fields 

 which was entirely free of the insect. Near Poydras, St. Bernard 

 Parish, La., a few mealybugs were found on one stalk of cane on 

 September 10. On September 12 a small infestation was found in 

 Jefferson Parish, near New Orleans (on St. Martin plantation). The 

 mealybug in fairly large numbers was found by Mr. E. R. Barber 

 at English Turn, Plaquemines Parish, La., on September 24. Near 

 Franklm, La., the writer found a slight infestation on October 31. 

 The green fungus which attacks the mealybug was observed at two 

 places in Orleans Parish, La. 



The mealybug, was discovered by the writer at Brownsville, Tex., 

 for the first time on October 8. A rather heavy infestation occurred 

 on a limited number of canes of various new varieties at the experi- 

 ment station. The insect had evidently been brought in with the 

 cane from Louisiana or the Tropics. The infested cane was soon after 

 destroyed by those m charge in an effort to eradicate the mealybug 

 from the experiment station grounds. 



It is evident that the mealybug has infested only a lunited territory 

 in the United States. Precautions should be taken to prevent its 

 spread to uninfested regions. The problem of the mealybug is com- 

 plicated m certain parts of Louisiana, where the Argentine ant (Irido- 

 myrmex humilis Mayr) also occurs, as the two species are of benefit to 

 each other, and the ant aids in the spread of the mealybug. 



THE SUGAR-CANE WEEVIL BORER. 



Concerning the weevil borer we quote our remarks in another 

 circular,^ which are as follows: 



A note in the possession of the writer records a weevil as having been reared from 

 young shoots of sugar cane which were collected at Fairview Plantation, Berwick, 

 La., on April 28, 1910, by Mr. D. L. Van Dine. Mr. Van Dine found the larvae just 

 above the surface of the ground. Mr. E. R. Barber of this office states that he found 

 pupse of weevils in the sugar cane at Audubon Park, New Orleans, in 1911. During 

 the early summer in 1912 the writer found weevil borers in the young sugar-cane 

 plants at Audubon Park and at the experiment station at Brownsville, Tex. The 



1 Insects Liable to Dissemination in Shipments of Sugar Cane. By T. E. Holloway. Cir. 165, Bur. 

 Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr., 1912. 

 [Cir. 171] 



