GRAPEVINE ROOT WORM 11 



• 



A number of other growers were interviewed in 1902, and some 

 disparity of opinion naturally prevailed. It will be seen, how- 

 ever, that there are a number of well informed men in that sec- 

 tion who attribute very serious injuries to this insect; and, 

 while the estimates of some may be excessive, there can be no 

 doubt that the pest has caused very serious losses. The season 

 of 1902 was unfavorable for observing the work of this pest 

 because the repeated rains enabled the vines to sustain much 

 greater injury than they would in times when there was less 

 moisture. These conditions prevented the making of personal 

 observations on the destructiveness of the insect, and most of 

 our data relating to this had to be obtained from the evidence 

 of others. 



Considerable attention was also given to the various remedial 

 measures employed by different growers, and some diversity of 

 opinion existed. A number had sprayed their vines with arsenate 

 of lead and also with bordeaux mixture. A few were of the 

 opinion that spraying with arsenate of lead is a very efficient 

 check on the increase of the insect, while others believed that it 

 was of comparatively little value. Mr T. S. Clymonts stated that 

 spraying with the bordeaux mixture alone affords some pro* 

 tection, as the beetles migrate to untreated vines. This subject 

 will be discussed more at length under " Remedial measures." 

 Most of the growers agree that thorough cultivation assists the 

 vines greatly in resisting the depredations of the grubs. Those 

 on whose premises carbon bisulfid was used were not favorably 

 impressed with the substance. They state that in any event the 

 cost of application is excessive considering the prevailing low 

 prices for grapes. Considerable injury was caused in certain 

 vineyards by carbon bisulfid, and it is very doubtful if this meas- 

 ure can be used to advantage. 



Early history. This insect was first brought to notice in 1866 

 when specimens were sent from Kentucky to Mr B. D. Walsh, 

 afterward state entomologist of Illinois. This gentleman stated 

 at the time that he had taken the beetle in small numbers in 

 both north and south Illinois, and later in the same year described 

 the species. He also received the insect the following year from 

 St Louis and Bluffton Mo., where the adults were said to be 

 eating both foliage and fruit. Prof. C. V. Riley, in his first 



