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ny STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Washington, D. C. August, 1924 
STUDIES OF THE MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE’ IN THE SOUTHEAST.’ 
By Neate F. Howarp, Entomologist, and L. L. Eneiisu, Junior Entomologist, 
Truck Crop Insect Investigations, Bureau of Entomology. 
CONTENTS. 
Page Page 
MN ROCUIC ETO MER ere Sh UN eMthen Wane La IAPR OOMED ara CSs certs eee wre eee ate eens 14 
DESCRIP TLO Me sae says ae te elie eura se spe ae yen tis HH OCey Rial yao) alreyurruaeret, Maes URN Pek is iy A hee ae 17 
ID ISITE OURO NTS A A a oso any eee ae ie ere eee ASA Na buna lCOMmbrOl see ee eee sei ea 25 
INBGUTANS Preads so. aye ese ects ease 5 | Generalmethods of control.................. 29 
ite historyand habits. =. 2255... 2225 22. -. || A\eubololenl Comino osc bososaaddacoososuseooos 30 
Deasonma lites tonyec cess se noses ene 11 | Summary of control recommendations....... 48 
LOH OOH ONNCN Aree me He ee oo i ee ee boca 49 
INTRODUCTION. 
Wherever it occurs the Mexican bean beetle is by far the most 
serious enemy of beans. It has been known for about 75 years 
in the Southwest, where it has undoubtedly been established for a 
longer period. It was long ago reported that in Colorado its possi- 
bilities as a pest were greater than those of the Colorado potato 
beetle. In many sections in the Southeast it is often the determining 
factor in the growing of beans. 
The original home of this beetle is southern North America. It 
occurs in many parts of Mexico and in Guatemala. 
The species was first discovered in the Southeast in_ 1920, when 
specimens were received at the Alabama Experiment Station from 
Blocton and Birmingham, Ala. Authentic reports by various 
growers indicate that the insect was not at all uncommon about 
Birmingham in 1919, and it is presumed that it reached Alabama at 
least as early as 1918. 
It has been pointed out by Dr. W. E. Hinds that during the recent 
Kuropean war large shipments of alfalfa hay from the West were 
received in northern Alabama, and it is possible that the insect 
was introduced with these shipments, the infestation originating 
from the Southwest rather than from Mexico. In 1921 the insect 
was reported from Thomasville, Ga., by S. E. McClendon, the infes- 
tation indicating the presence ‘of the Hestle there for at least one 
year before that time. 
1 Epilachna corrupta Muls.; order Coleoptera, family Coccinellidae. 
2 Report on research investigations on the Mexican bean beetle conducted Gane the years 1921 and 1922, 
During 1921 the project was carried on cooperatively with the Alabama Experiment Station. 
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