UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 918 
J^ Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology *\Ur 
L. O. HOWARD, Chief, in collaboration with the Federal *jM 
Horticultural Board, C. L. MARLATT, Chairman ^JSsMSj^ 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
April 19, 1921 
REPORT ON INVESTIGATIONS OF THE PINK BOLL- 
WORM 1 OF COTTON IN MEXICO. 
By U. C Loftin, Entomological Assistant, K. B. McKinney, Scientific Assistant, 
and W. K. Hanson, 2 Plant Quarantine Inspector. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
The Laguna district „ 1 
Distribution of the pink bollworm 4 
Life history 5 
Seasonal history 19 
Feeding habits of larvae 21 
Damage caused by the pink bollworm 24 
Food plants 32 
Dispersal 34 
Natural control 38 
Repression 47 
Summary 56 
Literature cited 57 
Appendix 58 
THE LAGUNA DISTRICT. 
In 1918 the Federal Horticultural Board deemed it advisable to 
establish a research station in a locality where there was a sufficient 
infestation of the pink bollworm to make possible the gathering of 
detailed information regarding this serious cotton pest. This research 
station was established in February, 1918, in Ciudad Lerdo, Durango, 
Mexico, near Torreon. Approximately 95 per cent of the upland 
cotton produced in the Republic of Mexico is grown in this vicinity, 
the so-called Laguna district. 
1 Pectinophora gossypiclla Saunders: Order Lepidoptera, family Gelechiidae. 
2 This report is based on two years' work in the Laguna, conducted by the Federal Horticultural Board 
under authority given, in the appropriation for the eradication of the pink bollworm, to investigate in Mexico 
orelsewiiere the pink bollworm as a basis for control measures. The experts conducting this investiga- 
tion were transferred to the Board for this purpose from the Bureau of Entomology and this paper is there- 
fore offered for publication as a joint contribution from these two offices. Provision for the establishment 
of the laboratory in Mexico and authority for the work was obtained through the courtesy of Senor Pastor 
Rouix, Secretary of Agriculture of Mexico. The work was made possible also by the active cooperation 
and assistance of the cotton planters of the Laguna. Special thanks are extended to the Tlahualilo Com- 
pany, the Testamentaria de Carlos Gonzales, and to Mr. Lloyd Rone for the use of their plantations for 
experimental purposes and many other courtesies. This station was established during 1918 under the 
general field direction of Mr. August Busck and was continued by the authors of this paper under the 
general direction of the chairman of the Board and Dr. W. D. Hunter. 
11696°— 21— Bull. 918 1 
