22 PAPERS OX CEREAL AND EORAGE IXSECTS. 



fig. 3). The attacked plants sucker profusely, affording young. 

 tender growth for the beetles to feed upon, even for many days after 

 the noninfested plants have become hard. The corn plants injured 

 by S. maid is resemble somewhat corn plants injured by the lesser 

 corn stalk-borer (Diatrcea saccharalis) . and are easily distinguished 

 from plants injured by the smaller species of Sphenophorus owing 

 to the fact that the punctures of the smaller species are not always 

 fatal to the plants, which, however, in unfolding their leaves, show a 

 row or series of rows of round or oblong holes in them. 



The females issuing from hibernation feed on vouno- corn for a 

 few days before beginning to deposit their eggs. The egg punctures 

 are made by the female in the side of the cornstalk (fig. 7. b) be- 

 neath the outer sheath. These egg punctures are not injurious to 

 the plants, being only small grooves, about 5 mm. long and 3 mm. 

 deep, in which the eggs snugly fit. 



NUMBER OF GENERATIONS. 



There is only one generation a year. The eggs occur throughout 

 June, larva? from early June until September, pupae from the first 

 part of August until the last- part of September, and adults from 

 the middle of August until the first part of August of the following 

 year. 



RECORDS OE DEPREDATIONS. 



The depredations of this species have probably been confused with 

 that of other species, the first and only known record of its attack 

 on young corn being that made by Dr. Howard, at Columbia, S. C. 

 During the season of 1910 both adults and larva? were numerous in 

 cornfields in lowlands in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, 

 doing serious damage in some instances. They were frequently 



found in uplands, but not in injurious numbers. 



■ 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



The knowledge of the hibernating habits of the insect suggests an 

 effective remedy in the pulling up and burning of the stubble, which 

 is also the most practical means of destroying the lesser corn stalk- 

 borer (Diatrcea saccharalis) . The beetles remain in the taproot of 

 the corn plants until spring, allowing the farmer abundant time to 

 destroy them. Care must be taken, however, in pulling up the 

 infested stalks or else they will break off above the beetle, leaving- 

 the pest in the ground. The infested stalks, having a very poor 

 root system, are easily pulled. Spraying the young corn plants with 

 arsenical fluids at the time the beetles are making their attack is a 

 very laborious procedure and not very effective. 



o 



