KEEN EL-SPOT OF THE PECAN AND ITS CAUSE. 
L.) were in these cases either 
directly or indirectly the cause 
of kernel spots, with the evi- 
dence strongly favoring a direct 
caudal relation. The southern 
stinkbug is a rather omniv- 
orous feeder. Furthermore, 
it will feed upon any part of 
the plant, but shows a decided 
preference for fruit and seeds. 
Jones (3), Morrill (4). Watson 
(7), and Drake (2) have cited 
the insect as feeding on the 
following plants: Tomatoes, 
okra. mesquite, cowpeas. beans, 
most Crucifera?. cotton, citrus, 
peach, grape, rattlebox. etc. 
Turner reports that the south- 
ern stinkbug appears to attack 
cowpeas when these are pres- 
ent in preference to all other 
plants, either cultivated or 
wild. The writer and many 
growers have observed that the 
greatest prevalence of kernel - 
spot over large areas is found 
in or near orchards where cow- 
peas are growing. 
It is a common practice of 
the pecan growers throughout 
the southern United States to 
plant cowpeas between the tree 
rows to be used either as hay 
or plowed under as a cover crop. 
"When the ha}* is harvested or 
the pea vines die down natu- 
rally the bugs, if present, will 
migrate to the pecan nuts, often 
in great numbers. 
Frequently kernel-spot will 
be found in great abundance 
on nuts that have grown in 
clo.-e proximity to gardens 
where tomatoes, okra. or other host plants are present. This is 
especially noticeable in orchards where some crop other than cow- 
peas has been planted. 
Fig. 4. 
-Type of cage used for confining 
insects with nuts. 
