MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Number 103 


TRUCK CROP INSECT INVESTIGATIONS 
F, H. Chittenden, Entomologist in Charge 
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C. H. Popenoe, J. HE. Dudley, jr., R. EB. Campbell, and J. &. 
Graf attended the pea aphis conference in Chicago at the Sherman 
Hotel, November 9 and 10, for the purpose of arranging cooperative 
work on the insect in the interest of State entomologists. The con- 
ference was largely attended by State entomologists and representa- 
tives of canners. As a result of the meeting, recommendations gov- 
erning future work on this insect were drawn up and endorsed by both 
entomologists and canners. Present plans contemplate establishing 
a large laboratory in one of the central States and cooperative tests 
with various State entomologists in all important pea-growing sec- 
tions. 

C. H. Popenoe returned from an inspection trip in the Estancia 
Valley in New Mexico where he conducted observations and made prelin- 
inary plans for work on the Mexican bean beetle. Arrangements were 
made for overwintering the beetles in outdoor cages under varying 
mountain conditions and for securing data the coming season on winter 
mortality and dispersal of marked beetles from hibernation cages. 
Mr. Popenoe found that because of the extreme drought in that region 
‘the insect had not gone into hibernation as early as in previous years, 
and had become concentrated in localities not previously seriously in- 
fested. Because of the ravages of the beetles and of the improba- 
bility of securing a crop, the bean growers have been instructed to 
pasture off all bean lands containing growing plants, thereby reducing 
the number of the beetles successfully hibernating and, Sone ee 
the next year's infestation. 
R. E. Campbell visited Washington for conference with Bureau of- 
ficials before attending the pea aphis conference at Chicago. 
E. G. Smyth, who has spent the summer in Mexico collecting para- 
sites of the Mexican bean beetle, has recently returned to this country, 
and is now in Birmingham, Ala., discussing his season's work with N. F. 
Howard. 
N. F. Howard reports that he has quite a number of the Mexican 
parasites of the Mexican bean beetle in hibernation cages and hopes to 
be able to carry these successfully through the winter. 
A conference will be held at Agricultural College, Miss., November 
27, 28, and 29, to consider additional steps to be taken in the eradication 
of the sweet-potato weevil in southern Mississippi. This conference will 
be attended by K. L. Cockerham, F. A. Wright, Troy Thompson, and F. R. 
White, of this Bureau, and State officials. 
