THE SAND WIREWORM ., 



practices that will build up soi] fertility, especially those practices 



that will add organic matter to the soil. 



Resting the Land 



Land resting is one of the oldest and most effective methods of reduc- 

 ing damage by the sand wireworm. The female beetles are attracted to 

 fields of corn, cotton, cowpeas, or other crops to lay their eggs. When 

 the adult beetles emerge in uncultivated land, many fly to adjacent 

 planted fields. As a result, in the following year the infestation is 

 lighter in the untitled or rested field. Resting land for 1 year is usuallv 



Figure 4. — Two corn plants of the same age: The one on the left was injured b 

 the sand wireworm; the one on the right is healthy and normal. 



