2 METHODS OF CONTROLLING TOBACCO INSECTS. 



it is thought that a description of remedies already in use, with 

 the addition of those discovered during the investigation, may be 

 of value to the growers. 



It should be stated that the remedies herein treated will apply not 

 only to Kentucky and Tennessee, but should apply equally as well to 

 all tobacco-growing States which do not border on the Gulf. 



CUTWORMS. 



Tobacco is frequently very seriously injured by various species of 

 cutworms, of which two common species are illustrated in figures 1 



and 2. It is the 

 common experi- 

 ence of all farm- 

 ers that c u t - 

 worms are the 

 most abundant 

 and injurious on 

 land that has 

 been left uncul- 

 tivated for some 

 time previous to 

 being planted to 

 a certain crop. 

 Where tobacco 

 follows clover 

 serious injury 

 from these pests 

 is likely to re- 

 sult. On the 

 other hand, if 

 winter grain pre- 



cede> tobacco very little injury is likely to occur. However, if tobacco 

 is to follow a (lover soil it is a simple matter to rid the soil of these 

 "worms." If it is possible to do so. the sod should be plowed under in 

 the fall orwinter and be kept free of vegetation by disking or harrowing. 

 Thus by keeping the field free of vegetation the cutworms will be 

 starved to death before the time for set ting the tobacco. When sod land 

 is plowed only a short time before setting the tobacco, a trap bait may 

 be used to rid the field of the worms. In Farmers' Bulletin No. 120" 

 Dr. L. O. Howard recommends thoroughly spraying a patch of weeds 

 or clover with Paris green, then cutting it and dropping it in little 

 bunches here and there throughout the field. Another trap bait that 

 meets with wide favor is also recommended by Doctor Howard. 6 It 



Fig. 2.— A tobacco cutworm (Paidroma margaritosa): u. Moth; b, normal 

 form of larva, side view; c same, in curved position; d, dark form of larva. 

 from above; e,egg, from side;/, egg mass on twig. All natural size except c, 

 which is greatly enlarged, i From Howard.) 



a Farmers' Bulletin No. 120, United States Department of Agriculture, p. 23, 1900. 

 6 Loc. cit. 



