34 THE BEPOBT OF THE No. 36 



. i 



to insure effective control fanners .should realize that indiscriminate dates of 

 planting will not keep this pest in check, and a community should agree among 

 themselves to plant during a certain stipulated week, because an infested field 

 in the fall is a menace to late planted fields in the spring. 



INSECTS OF THE SEASON 1920. 



H. F. Hudson, 

 Dominion Entomological Laboratory, Strathroy 



The season of 1920 has been remarkable for the exceptionally heavy yields 

 of all crops, truck, orchard, and farm alike. The season has been somewhat 

 cool, but there has been ample moisture for all crops. In spite of the fact that 

 it has been frequently stated that the average yield of farm crops has been heavier 

 than the average for the last twenty -five years, insect pests have in some cases 

 materially reduced the yield. This is particularly noticeable in the wheat yield 

 due to the ravages of the Hessian Ely (Mayetiola destructor) . Fields in Essex 

 Co. were in some cases completely destroyed, necessitating the planting of other 

 crops; in Kent Co. the injury was not so noticeable although frequently the 

 yield has only been from nine to ten bushels per acre; in Middlesex Co. in the 

 vicinity of Ekfrid Twp. cattle were turned in to pasture the wheat crop, while 

 the average yield in Caradoc Twp. in infested fields varied from five to ten 

 bushels per acre. In Elgin and Lamhton Counties similar conditions prevailed. 

 The appearance of the European Coen Boeer (Pyrausta nuhilalis) in Western 

 Ontario has added another important insect to our already long list of field crop 

 insects. While considerable data have been gathered on the ravages of this pest, 

 the extent of injury and possible means of prevention, a sufficient study has 

 not been made to recommend suitable control measures. It would appear that 

 cutting the corn low, just at or a little below the (surface, feeding the stalks up 

 earlv, or better ensiline' them, combined with the destruction of such plants 

 as ragweed (Artemesia trifida), barn yard grass (Panicum crusgdlli), and other 

 thick-stemmed plants and weeds would materially reduce the ravages of this pest. 



The Wheat Wieewoem (Agriotes mancus) has been responsible for con- 

 considerable injury to the oat crop in the vicinity of St. Mary's, Ontario. Informa- 

 tion as to the prevalence of this pest was not received in time for us to make 

 an investigation as to the extent of the outbreak, but from reports received 

 from my colleasrue Mr. J. A. Flock, who was requested to look over the situation, 

 there can be little doubt that the crop yield was considerably reduced. The 

 potato beetle is still with no, and with an extremely heavy first brood indications 

 pointed to serious injury. However the weather kept cool, and with plenty of 

 rain, a larger yield of tubers was gathered this year than for several years 

 past. Strange as it may seem, in our experimental breeding work on this insect, 

 we were unable to obtain a second brood. The beetles fed for a few* days and 

 hibernated. A number of late planted fields were not even sprayed, a rather 

 unusual occurrence. 



Ctjcumbee Beetles (T)iabfotica villain) were more than usually abundant. 

 They seemed to be fairly easily controlled by dusting when the vines have 

 started to run. T dusted one and one-half acres this year for the beetle, using a 

 mixture of hydrated lime twenty pounds-, Paris green one pound. The plants 

 were thoroughly coated and one application seemed to be sufficient. 



