\ I ..! . i ABLE CHOI'S. 



691 



shaken suddenly over it; most of the bugs will drop on to the sheet and 

 can be collected and destroyed. In the early stages of development, the 

 little buys have not yet fully developed wings, and an oil spray, or tobacco 

 and 9oap wash, can be used effectively. 



Pseudo-Looper or Silvery Plusia Moth. 



The green caterpillar of this species (Plusia argentifera) commonly feeds 

 on the foliage of beans, creepers, and potatoes. They pupate in loose, silken 

 cocoons, which they spin on the foliage or stalks and sometimes on the- 

 ground. 



Controls. — Brushing into a tray of oil and water as is described above in 

 connection with Green bug is recommended. Spraying with arsenate of 

 lead in the proportion of ~l\ lb. arsenate of lead to 50 gallons of water, is- 

 also advantageous where the foliage is not too dense. 



Cutworms. 



These insects attack peas as well as other vegetable and field crops. They 

 are described in connection with maize on page 437. 



Bean and Pea Weevils. 



The grubs and adult beetles of several species of the genus B melius 

 commonly attack various peas and bean seeds. The cowpea weevil 

 (Bruchus chmensis), the common bean weevil (B. obtectus), and another 

 species (probably B. quadrima- 

 culafiis), are recorded doing 

 damage in New South Wales. 

 Though these beetles will lay 

 their eggs in the field, their 

 ravages are not generally suffi- 

 cient to be noted until after the 

 crop has been gathered and 

 stored. Then the grubs become 

 full grown, pupate, and change 

 to the adult form within the 

 beans or peas, as the case may be. 

 This brood will again lay eggs on 

 the seeds around them in the 

 store, and the infestation is thus 

 increased and with it the damage. 



Fumigation with carbon bi- 

 sulphide is generally the most 

 satisfactory method of treatment. 

 The seed should be placed in an 

 airtight space such as a box, 

 tank, barrel, or room and treated 

 with the liquid at the rate of 

 4 lb. to 1,C00 cubic feet for a 

 period of twenty-four hours. For 

 smaller containers 1 fluid ounce 

 (two tablespoons) could be used 

 to 200 lb. of seed. The liquid may 

 be poured directly over the seed or placed in a saucer or pot on the top. To» 

 get the best results the temperature during treatment should be about 70deg. 

 Fah. As the fumes are highly inflammable no light of any kind should be- 

 allowed near where the fumigation is being carried out. 



Bean Weevil (Bruchus obtectus). 



