CONTROL OF THE JAPANESE BEETLE ON FRUIT AND SHADE TREES 9 



cially well protected. An application of 25 pounds of dry mix, 10 

 l^ounds of hydrated lime, 3 pounds of lead arsenate, and 100 gallons 

 of water should be given not later than July 4 in a season of normal 

 weather conditons. It is much easier to protect trees when the foli- 

 age is dense and vigorous than when the trees are weak and under- 

 nourished. 



EARLY VARIETIES 



No sprays have been found to be effective against Japanese beetles 

 on early varieties of peach trees (those varieties maturing before 

 Elberta). The bee- 

 tles are abundant in 

 the orchards at the 

 time early peaches 

 are harvested and 

 are especially at- 

 tracted to the rip- 

 ening fruit. (Fig. 

 T.) It has been im- 

 possible to elimi- 

 nate this attractive- 

 ness by the use of 

 chemicals ; and in- 

 soluble spray mate- 

 rials, when applied 

 at this time, leave a 

 residue that can not 

 be removed without 

 injury to the fruit. 



Members of the 

 research staff of the 

 Japanese beetle lab- 

 oratory have been 

 making an extensive 

 search for a non- 

 toxic repellent which 

 leaves no objection- 

 able residue on the 

 peach, but without 

 success. The great 

 attraction that the 

 ripening peach has 

 for the beetle has 

 not been overcome. 



Where the infestation is not too heavy, a spray consisting of milk 

 of lime from 12 pounds of unslaked lime or 16 pounds of hydrated 

 lime made up to 100 gallons with water has a definite repellent effect 

 on the beetle, and may give complete protection over a period of 

 several days. The application should not be repeated, however, as 

 it leaves an objectionable visible residue, and unless removed by 

 rains it reduces the market value of the fruit. 



Figure 7. — Japanese beetles clustered on peach fruit. All 

 the fleshy part of the fruit is destroyed, leaving only the 

 pit. Early Rose is the variety of peach shown 



