
et, 
- MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMCLOGY 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Sates etebeteht igen chdle cep ceroaeseetaion etna satebseneVirwesine-coepsesessc-onen 
arene ae esstanncnns seat tns SSS ST mSSS SSS nar Geanenasedt me Tutenremasrerartimsstertipeeetereeee eee TTT 
Sechamaenanecaprerecomeane oop eerena nae Cne ee aS SASS 
Number 83 March, 1921 
Malogremsasemmad 


cease nt eannnannnonom mre. pdatbasusicantanmsenpaaiannons sean 
ten Ne eh i Saw AA carn anepaaaneny—pereanaen eaenaneonennennee 
TRUCK- CROP INSECT INVESTIGATIONS 
F, H. Chittenden, Entomologist in Charge 
B, L. Boyden recently reported ths investigation of a small infesta- 
tion of the sweet-potato weevil in the interior of Florida at Lily, Polk 
County. He states that only eight infested farms exist in the Lily dis- 
trict, and that these are practically isolated from those of other growers 
in the same county. Sweet potatoes are grown the year around and dug as 
needed, therefore the eradication system will be somewhat complicated. 
The growers are of a different type and the cultural practices ara somewhat 
different, so that to undertake this project will bring some new ideas 
into practice. No natural host plants occur in that vicinity. In Baker 
County, Fla., and in the southern Mississippi draw delivery will soon be 
under way and will occupy a large part of the coming two months. About 
2,500,000 draws will be delivered in both localities. 
The organization for prevention of spread of the Mexican bean beetle 
in Alabama is rapidly taking form. J. E. Graf, who has been in charge of 
sweet-potato weevil eradication field work, has been placed in charge of 
the field work of the new project. 
Neale F. Howard, working under Mr. Graf, will be in charge of the re- 
search branch of the bean beetle work. 
Luther Brown, formerly of the State Plant Boards of Florida and Mississ- 
ippi, has accepted an appointment to take charge of quarantine and regula- 
tory work relating to the Mexican bean beetle. 
L. L. English of the Alabame, Experiment Station has accepted an appoint. 
ment as assistant to Mr. Howard in field experiments and will cooperate 
with Dr. W. A. Thomas of that station. 
Dr. W. BE. Hinds of the Alabama Experiment Station has been appointed 
collaborator and will assist the campaign for the prevention of the spread 
of the Mexican bean beetle in an advisory and consulting capacity. 
Neale F. Howard reported March 17 that the Mexican bean beetle was 
appearing in such numbers at Birmingham, Ala., as to indicate that 20 to 
25 per cent had successfully passed hibernation. This shows a remarkably 
high over-wintering percentage and indicates that the beetle is likely to 
spread widely during the coming summer and to cause great damage in the 
present infested area. One cluster of 50 eggs has already been found. It 
will be interesting to ascertain whether the cold weather of March 28-51 
has produced any unexpected effect on the recently emerged beetles. In 
Colorado adults usually appear not sooner than the middle of May to June l. 
