INSECTS INJURIOUS TO SWEET CORN I95 



as a rule the species passes the winter, according to Forbes, in 

 the eggs which are deposited in the earth. 



The developing larvae live entirely beneath the surface, min- 

 ing the fibrous roots, and seem capable of traveling from one 

 root to another; pupation also takes place underground. The 

 beetles of the new generation begin to issue during the latter 

 part of August. 



Prevention and Remedy. — This species is more readily con- 

 trolled than the Southern corn root-worm; injury can be pre- 

 vented by simply following crop rotation. Since the insect 

 feeds in its larval condition on corn alone, the planting of in- 

 fested land to other crops leads to its starvation. It is im- 

 prudent to plant corn in fields or meadows in which the beetle 

 has been observed in abundance in au- 

 tumn of the previous year. Another 

 measure is recommended, as a general 

 farm practice, the maintenance of the 

 fertility of the soil by the use of manures 

 and other fertilizers. Although this does 

 not diminish attack, it enables the plant 

 to withstand injury. 



THE CORN BILL-BUGS 



Bill-bugs, like wireworms and white- 

 grubs, follow the planting of corn in sod 

 and bottom land or in the immediate vi- 



Fig. 124.— The calloused 



cinity of streams in which sedges, rushes com bui-bug (Sphempho- 

 and similar wild vegetation grow rankly. '^^ callosus). (Author's 



^^ *' -' illustration.) 



They are an adjunct to the reclamation of 



swamp tracts and receive their name from the long "bills" 

 which they bear. They are snout-beetles and related to weevils 

 and curculios. Several species are troublesome in corn-growing 

 regions, and were it not that they are exceptionally periodical 

 they would take high rank with the important enemies of this 



