
MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
—— 
Number 107 March, 1923. 
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TRUCK-CROP INSECT INVESTIGATIONS ~ ADD) 1092 > | 
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F, H. Chittenden, Entomologist in Charge 

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Neale F. Howard reports that a study of the Mexican bean beetle in 
the Birmingham, Ala., district shows that only about 14 per cent as many 
beetles were found in hibernation this winter as were found a year ago, 
indicating that a lighter infestation in the field is certain to occur, 
at least early in the season. About Chattanooga, Tenn., however, from 
six to eight times as many beetles were found per unit of area as were 
found in Birmingham, indicating that a much heavier infestation in that 
district is to be expected. These results were anticipated by field 
observations during the late summer and fall. The infestation at 
Birmingham decreased greatly during this period, while at Chattanooga the 
infestation was very severe, and beans were generally destroyed, with 
the result that the price of snap beans and lima beans reached unusual 
levels on local markets. 
A progress report on the research investigations of the Mexican 
bean beetle for the years 1921 and 1922 is under preparation at the 
Birmingham laboratory, and will soon be available for publication. 
A map has been prepared showing the distribution of the Mexican 
bean beetle in the United States. With the cooperation of State 
entomologists and entomological agencies in the infested States, in 
addition to the scouting done by the bureau, it has been possible to make 
this map quite complete. A rapid spread to the north is shown and if the 
beetle continues to spread as it has in the past two years, it will 
reach Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia this year. 
The Thomasville, Ga., substation has been discontinued on account 
of the light infestation of the bean beetle during the past season, and 
the fact that available funds no longer permit the maintenance of this 
station. 
Cooperative work with growers in Tennessee, who suffered severe 
losses from the Mexican bean beetle last season, is planned. Methods 
of control which have given best results for the past two seasons will 
be tested. 
John E. Dudley, Jr., in charge of the bureau’s field station at 
Madison, Wis., attended the regional conference of entomologists at 
Urbana, I1l1., March 2 and 3. Twenty-five entomologists were in attendance, 
representing the six States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, 
and Wisconsin. Interesting and instructive discussions were held relating 
