INSECT ENEMIES OF TOBACCO IN FLOKIDA. 109 



near-by leaves. Care when priming or the previous use of an arsen- 

 ical application will, however, prevent such injury. 



Much is gained in preventing the moths from entering by keeping 

 the sides of the shade field patched and the gates closed. 



THE TOBACCO FLEA-BEETLE. 



(Epitrix parvula Melsh.) 



The tobacco flea-beetle is a small but important enemy of Florida 

 tobacco. It was observed during the summer of 1905 working espe- 

 cially on tobacco in the immediate vicinity and bordering the seed 

 bed, from which it spreads through the field. Applications of Paris 

 green with a blowgun are depended upon for control, and are as 

 satisfactory as any remedy that can be recommended. 



GRASSHOPPERS. 



Grasshoppers were very numerous in the shade field, and with the 

 flea-beetles cause much injury to the shade tobacco. They are a very 

 hard and unsatisfactory pest to combat. Aside from the general 

 application of Paris green with the blowgun, on one plantation 

 many were killed by hand; this was done by going along the road 

 through the field and crushing them while on the ground by use of a 

 slat or narrow board used as a paddle. This, to be sure, is a slow and 

 crude method of extermination, but much injury can be prevented 

 in this way at small expense. 



It is the practice of many planters to keep a flock of guinea hens 

 in the shade field, as they catch and devour large numbers of the 

 grasshoppers. Others, however, feel that the benefit is offset by 

 injury done in tearing the leaves. Clean cultivation between crops 

 will assist by causing the adults to look elsewhere for food and a 

 place for egg deposition. Fall plowing will help in destroying the 

 eggs. 



THE SALT-MARSH CATERPILLAR. 



(Estigniciic acraa Dm.) 



The salt-marsh caterpillar, commonly known at Quincv. Fla.. as 

 the " woolworm," was observed as the source of considerable injury 

 on one plantation. In a field examined May L5 one section had been 

 largely destroyed, only the midribs and stems remaining. From 

 one plant the caterpillars pass to the next, injuring the young- 

 plants only. They can be controlled by hand picking or the use of 

 arsenicals. 



BEETLES WHICH INJURE NEWLY TRANSPLANTED PLANTS. 



Several beetles were found to do more or less injury to the young 

 newly transplanted tobacco plants, and the nature of their work was 



