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COTTON-INSECT INVESTIGATIONS 
B. R. Coad, in Charge 
The latter part of October marked the completion of a research 
expedition to the Laguna District of Mexico which was started about 
the middle of August. It was undertaken primarily for the purpose of 
studying the flight habits and possible migration of the pink boll 
worm. The expedition included two airplanes equipped for insect col- 
lection and, as personnel, B. R. Coad, F. A. Fenton, P. A. Glick, G. 
C. Berrier, G. C. McGinley, R. L. Mitchell, and R. G. Long. )Con= 
trary to previous belief, it was found that there is a distinct mi- 
gratory period for these moths toward the end of the season. Indi- 
viduals were collected at various altitudes up to 3,000 feet, and 
were traced northward in the direction of the cotton areas along the 
Rio Grande. After the studies in Mexico were completed, air-—current 
surveys were made by plane throughout the territory between Marfa, 
Tex., and Tucson, Ariz. Trap-crop and similar records, made at the 
same time along the American side of the border, showed the arrival 
of a heavy migration of moths. 
On the whole, the expedition was very successful, but was 
marred by one unfortunate accident. It proved impossible to se- 
cure Suitable aviation gasoline in the portion of Mexico where the 
majority of the flying was done, and, rather than fail to secure the 
needed records, flying was continued with gasoline of very low 
grade, the flyers realizing fully that the venture was exceedingly 
hazardous. As a result, one plane was crashed in a forced landing 
near Tlahualilo, Durango, with serious injuries to Pilot G. C. 
McGinley and Entomologist P. A. Glick. Fortunately, both are now 
well on the road to complete recovery. 
D. A. Isler, Agent, with the Plant Quarantine and Control 
Administration, has been assigned to this division for cooperation 
in investigations of the pink bollworm in western Texas, in an 
attempt to improve methods of plowing as a measure for winter con-— 
trol. This work is being conducted in cooperation with the Division 
of Agricultural Engineering, Bureau of Public Roads. 
fF. M. Koler has been employed as Mechanical Engineer and 
assigned to the pink bollworm project, to study improved methods 
of disposal of gin waste. This work is also being done in coopera-— 
tion with the Division of Agricultural Engineering. 
Norman S. Pearse, Assistant Secretary, International Federa— 
tion of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations of 
Manchester, England, was a visitor at the field laboratory at Tal- 
julah on October 27. Mr. Pearse was especially interested in the 
problem of the pink bollworn. 
