32 MISC. PUBLICATION 657, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Locust seedlings are often damaged by the twig borer (/cdytolopha 
sp.). Close inspection and pruning, together with control of young 
sprouts on adjacent areas that serve as breeding grounds are about 
the only remedies. 
DDT sprays may prevent oviposition of these species. 
INSECTS GIRDLING THE STEMS AND TWIGS 
Cutworms, the lesser cornstalk borer, and grasshoppers often girdle 
the stems although they are not always true stem girdlers and may 
feed also on the buds and fohage. 
Cutworms 
The worst damage by cutworms is likely to occur when the plants 
are coming up. During a single warm night a great many seedlings 
may be cut off. Early discovery of the larvae will prevent much 
damage. Cutworms can be controlled by scattering poisoned-bran 
mash over the nursery in the evening. The bait should be made up 
as follows 
Materials: Large quantities Small quantities 
Coarse wheat branes] sees sees: 100 pounds 5 nouns (1 peck). 
SodiumMiluosilicatesas2= sss. seas 4 pounds 344 ounces. 
Wie tne asta see ee rer be enotenrny a. 10 to 12 gallons 2 to 3 quarts. 
All fluorine compounds are poisonous and should be handled 
with care and kept away from food. If the bait is prepared and 
applied properly, its use will not endanger domestic animals or 
wildlife. 
The poison and most of the water should be combined and then 
poured evenly into the bran, with constant stirring to prevent the 
poison from settling out. Enough water should then be added to 
make a crumbly mixture that will just stick together when tightly 
squeezed in the hand. 
The bait should be thinly scattered over the nursery at the rate of 
20 to 40 pounds (wet weight) per acre. Since the cutworms feed at 
night, and the bait is not attractive after it has dried out, it is necessary 
to “spread it during a warm evening or late in the afternoon. Fre- 
quently serious losses occur before the injury is noticed and before 
treatment can be applied; therefore, where damage was serious the 
previous spring and cutworms have again been found in the soil, it 
is advisable to make a scattering of the bait some warm evening just 
before the seedlings are due to come up, to prevent heavy damage later. 
Several species ‘of army cutworms, which occur in the Plains States, 
may become very abundant, and large numbers of the larvae will 
travel together over the ground, destroying vegetation as they advance. 
Different species occur at different times in the season. Poisoned 
baits, sprays, or dusts can be used to stop their progress. To protect 
the nursery, a deep furrow with vertical sides can be plowed at a 
right angle to the line of march. The larvae that fall into this 
furrow can be killed by dragging a log through it, or shallow holes 
can be dug at intervals in the furrows and the worms that collect in 
them crushed or destroyed with kerosene. Stanley (396) published 
on the control of cutworms in Tennessee in 1936. 
