146 The Sweet Potato 



000. Fortunately, this insect is confined to the six 

 southern states just named; in Texas about seventy 

 counties in the southeastern section are infested; in 

 Louisiana most of the parishes south of Vernon Parish ; 

 in Mississippi, Hancock County, Harrison County, 

 Jackson County and part of Pearl Kiver County; in 

 Georgia, Charlton County; and in Florida a great 

 number of counties down both the east and west coast. 

 In all of these sections the weevil is found breeding the 

 year round on potatoes in the field, the tubers in storage 

 and also on certain species of sea-side morning-glories 

 and some species of bindweed. Infestation in the 

 spring usually takes place through the over-wintered 

 weevil. Weevils may pass the winter in three ways: 

 First, in storage; second, in roots left in the ground 

 from volunteers; third, in those left through poor har- 

 vesting. Weevils in all stages may be found in buried 

 sweet potatoes along the Coast during the winter. In 

 nearly all instances, infestation can be traced to me- 

 chanical means of transportation. By this is meant 

 the selling and giving away of seed potatoes, plants, 

 draws or vines, or in carelessly shipping potatoes for 

 commercial purposes. All sweet potato growers or 

 dealers and the transportation companies should be 

 warned against this danger. Sweet potatoes or plants 

 for propagation purposes should be carefully examined 

 before being shipped, and no such material should be 

 accepted from a weevil-infested area. To meet such 

 conditions, state quarantine regulations should be placed 

 in eifect that will compel the small grower either to 

 take care of his own crop or to permit it to be destroyed 

 in case of severe infestation of weevil. 



