37 



against it than against pennsylvanica, for the former is less easily dis- 

 turbed wImmi feeding, besides being more regular in its habits than the 

 latter. Like that species it is exceedingly gregarious in its nature, 



and always occurs in immense numbers when found at all. 



Some indications were found at West Point of the possible injury 

 thai can be inflicted upon the beet crop by White Grubs. Here on 

 one small field it was found that fully 15 per cent of the beets had been 

 killed or injured by some insect working under ground. An investiga- 

 tion soon showed the criminal to be the grubs of some one or more spe- 

 cies of Lachn08terna. These grubs had eaten away the tap root and 

 all the fine fibrous roots at a distance varying from 6 to 8 or l .) inches 

 below the surface, but averaging about 7 inches. A dry spell coming 

 on the tops began wilting, and finally died, after which the roots rotted 

 in the ground. In this case the ground had been idle a year or more. 

 This would suggest to us the advisability of not using grass land for 

 beets: but to plant in ground that has been thoroughly cultivated for 

 two or more years prior to its use for beets. 



The Beet ^Yeb■^corm. — Preeminent among the insects that attacked the 

 beet crop here in Nebraska during the season which is just coming to a 

 close, were two or more species of web worms belonging to the genus Loxo- 

 stege as at present restricted. Of these the one known as Loxostege stic- 

 t IcaJls has beeu the chief depredator. Its history as an injurious species 

 can be given briefly, as follows: By investigations instituted here at the 

 experiment station only after the injuryhad mostly occurred it was ascer- 

 tained that last year it was noticed that beets growing in the vicinity 

 of Grand Island, Xorfolk, and some of the adjoining towns, which sup- 

 plied the beets for the two factories in the state, were infested by a 

 few of the worms. These, however, did not appear in sufficient num- 

 bers to cause alarm at the time, or even to suggest to the interested 

 parties the advisability of learning something of their nature, life his- 

 tory, and possible remedies. This year the caterpillars again made 

 their appearance in these same localities and also at the Government 

 station located at Schuyler. Considerable injury was done at this last - 

 named locality on the experimental plats of sugar beets by a brood of 

 the worms that matured late in July. Whether or not this was the 

 first brood that appeared during the season is not positively known; 

 but that it was the first brood that did visible injury is quite evident. 

 Had this been otherwise the notice of Mr, Maxwell would have been 

 called to them earlier in the season. As soon as the insect was ob- 

 served by him to threaten the beets in his charge, as I am informed. 

 specimens were at once sent to you in Washington. He also told me 

 that experiments were at once started with a view to controlling the 

 pest, dust what was accomplished in that direction 1 was unable Co 

 learn at the time of my visit to Schuyler on the last of August when the 

 next brood was at its worst, but 1 presume he has reported to the 

 Department just what was accomplished in this direction. 



