13 



some insects which, owing to the fact that their place and 

 way of feeding does not admit of it, cannot be well controll- 

 ed by any of the methods outlined in the previous para- 

 graphs. In certain such cases a study of the life history 

 of the injurious insect indicates that by changes in our 

 time of planting and method of work we can bring on the 

 crop before or after, as the case may be, the pest is most 

 active and hurtful. By this means, though the insects are 

 not destroyed, we avoid the damage that might otherwise 

 be great. One of the insects causing damage to corn in 

 this state is commonly known as the "bud worm." This is 

 the larval form of a beetle known scientifically as Didbrot- 

 ica 1.2-punctata. This beetle is about one quarter inch in 

 length, is yellowish-green in color, with the wing covers 

 marked with twelve black spots. The head and the greater 

 part of the legs is black. It is very fond of cucurbits and 

 is frequently found in numbers on the blossoms of such 

 plants as cucumbers and squashes. The larva ("bud 

 worm") is white or yellowish in color, quite slender and 

 soft bodied. It usually feeds upon the corn roots, though* 

 as it grows older, it may eat directly into the stalk and de- 

 stroy the plant. It is from this last form of attack that it 

 has received the name, "bud worm." It has been noted 

 that early, planted corn is most likely to suffer from the 

 attack of this pest. The method of farm practice suggest- 

 ed bv this fact is obviously then plant as late as possible to 

 avoid this injury by the "bud worm." In this connection 

 it is as well to say that late planting will not entirely do 

 away with this pest. A system of rotation of crops is high- 

 ly desirable where this insect is present. This rotation 

 should not include beans or cucurbits as both of these are 

 acceptable food for the Diabrotica. Cotton may be used 

 in the rotation with safety. There are undoubtedly many 

 insect pests now present in our state whose damaging work 

 would be much lessened by some such simple change in 

 practice as that just noted. Where the method would .be 

 applicable, however, would be a matter to be determined by 

 the studv of individual cases. 



