February, ’24] huber & neiswander: corn borer investigations 125 
far has clearly indicated several important considerations, especially the 
fact that until a more detailed knowledge is acquired concerning the 
actual workings of the physiology of the insect, definite and positive 
correlations cannot be made between the climate and the seasonal 
history when based upon the generalizations which are able to be ob¬ 
tained from the present type of what is termed practical experiment. 
Investigation of critical or easily impressed periods in the life of the 
insect must be more carefully analyzed, especially the determination of 
the physiological causes for the entrance into and emergence from the 
state of hibernation. The investigation of metabolic processes and the 
possibility of a symbiont, either yeast or protozoan assisting the physio¬ 
logical reactions during this period is practically an untouched field of 
research in connection with major problems of economic entomology. 
It would seem advisable that if a dependable hypothesis is to be 
obtained which would set forth the details of seasonal history and 
possibilities of damage of the insect in particular types of environment 
that there either must be technical research into the physiology, or if 
time and money will not permit this line of endeavor, reliable information 
sought concerning the natural field reaction of the insect to environment 
in its native home. 
EUROPEAN CORN BORER INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO 
By L. L. Huber and C. R. Neiswander, Agricultural Experiment Station, 
Wooster, Ohio 
Abstract 
This is a preliminary report of work done in 1923 by the Ohio Experiment Station. 
The life history of the insect, Pyrausta nubtlalis Hubn., as it occurs in northeastern 
Ohio, is briefly summarized. There is one generation per year. Careful observa¬ 
tions made in a definite area along the lake front showed an average infestation of 
more than one percent in Lake and Ashtabula counties in northeastern Ohio. The 
average for other lake counties is considerably less. The maximum infestation for 
the state is seventeen percent, found by Federal workers in a thirty acre field of 
dent corn near Toledo in Lucas County. No conclusive statement in regard to the 
efficiency of the clean up measures prosecuted in Ashtabula county in the spring of 
1923 can be made at this time. A study of infested stalks showed clearly that the 
stubble left in the field must be seriously considered in our future control measures. 
Native predators and parasites are almost negligible. Three weed hosts are recorded. 
Although the borer has increased greatly in numbers during the past season no com¬ 
mercial damage has been done. 
The Ohio Experiment Station began European Com Borer Investiga¬ 
tions in Ohio in 1923. This work was made possible thru a special 
