In 1902, at Raleigh, adults were observed for the first time in the terminal blades of corn on May 15th. On the 18th eggs were abundant on new silk (it was early corn) and thereafter larvæ were abundant in the ears. In 1905, on May 18th, Mr. S. O. Lazenby, R. F. D. No 4, Statesville, sent in a specimen of the adult moth. These notes show that the adults are abroad early in the spring and also late in the summer, into the fall. The finding of larvæ mature, or nearly so, at Maxton on May 31st, is an evidence that they reach maturity quickly. There must, therefore, be quite a number of different broods. REMEDIES. When this insect attacks other plants, especially cotton, it is ordinarily recommended to plant an occasional row of corn with the cotton for the purpose of inducing the insects to attack the corn so that the other crop will be spared. This is an evidence that the insect prefers corn to all other food. This paves the way for a frank statement of the fact that no satisfactory remedy for the pest on corn is known. It is one of those enemies of the corn against which we are well-nigh helpless. Such methods as may be employed with reasonable hope of some return are mentioned below. As the insect evidently hibernates in the pupa state, fall plowing will expose and (presumably) kill many of the pupae that happen to be in the land, thus reducing the number of adult moths for the next season. But it should be remembered that the last brood to mature in the fall are those which lived in the bolls of cotton or the seed-pods of tobacco, hence it is these lands that should be fall-plowed, and not necessarily the land that was, or is to be, in corn. As the eggs are laid principally on the silk, and as these eggs of course are laid only by the adult moths, there is the possibility of dodging much of the damage by planting the corn at such a time that it shall be in silk betreen two broods of the adult moth, and thus escape. But the exact time for planting to escape injury will of course vary according as the locality is east or west, north or south, low or elevated, and according as the season is hot or cold, wet or dry, for all these things have an influence on the time of emergence of the adult moths. If a farmer should make a succession of plantings every four days to a week apart and covering a period of six weeks or more, and if the season were an average one in all respects, he could then notice to see which planting was least and which most affected and thus could draw a conclusion as to the average date to plant to escape injury on his own farm. But of course every season will have its hot and cold, wet and dry spells, etc., so that the date that was best in one season might be the worst the next, and the real benefit after all would be problematical, uncertain and largely accidental. Where practicable it is entirely possible to kill the larvæ by pinching the tips of the ears by hand or, where it can be done without damage, by cutting off the ends of the infested ears and feeding them to stock. If the handpinching method be used the work should be done several times to kill as many as possible, for young ones will likely escape each time. WEEVILS (Various Species). Orders Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Description.-Small insects which in the adult or larval state, or both, injure grain by eating into the kernels when stored or by eating the meal or other products. Adults are small moths or beetles. Injury in North Carolina.-There are some half-dozen or more different species of insects which are commonly called "Grain Weevils." In the case of those in which the adult insect is a moth the damage is all done by the larvæ, but the beetle weevils are often destructive in both adult and larval state. Most of the complaints which have come to this office regarding weevils in grain have had reference to wheat; but it is well known that corn is likewise injured, and we have personally observed such damage in several instances. General Discussion of Life-history of Grain Weevils.-This must necessarily be a general discussion, as there are a number of different species, the lifehistory of no two being exactly alike in all particulars. The adult insects are moths or beetles, and are of small size. These lay their eggs on or in the grain or husk and the larvæ at once eat into the kernels. Usually a larva reaches full growth in the same kernel in which it first started, and pupates there also, emerging a few days later as an adult. In the case of weevils infesting meal, bran and other ground products, the larvæ burrow around in the material, frequently spinning a sort of web, which ties little masses of the grain together. Meal and other products thus infested are apt to become mouldy and unhealthy as food for both man and beast. Where the whole grain is infested the vital germ is often eaten out, thus spoiling the grain for seeding purposes. In our Southern States some species of weevils fly in the fields in summer and lay eggs on the grain before it is gathered. Adult weevils have also been found passing the winter in the remnants of fodder, where this had been "pulled." REMEDIES. In the case of corn, much injury may be prevented by storing the grain in the husk where this can be done conveniently; but even this is a disadvantage. since if it be so stored it is not so easy to see when weevil damage is being done. If the grain be so stored an occasional examination should be made. In storing shelled corn it may be placed in bins which should be absolutely tight, and the top of each bin should then be covered with a complete layer of lime or ashes to a depth of an inch. The insects will be slow to go through it to the corn. Of course, this is only practicable for those bins that are not being continually disturbed. But for the grain that has actually become infested there is one good remedy. Carbon bisulphide, a foul-smelling chemical costing about twenty-five cents per pint, is an entirely satisfactory remedy when properly used. The grain must be in a tight bin so that the fumes of the liquid will not escape. The bisulphide should be used at the rate of one and a half tablespoonsful to each one hundred pounds of grain to be treated. The weight of the grain may be estimated, as absolute exactness is not essential. (Ear corn weighs about seventy pounds per bushel, shell corn fifty-six pounds.) The liquid may be thrown directly on the grain and the bin should then be covered with oilcloth or heavy blanket to prevent escape of the fumes. The whole dose of bisulphide should not be thrown into the same spot, but in several places, so that the fumes shall penetrate all parts of the bin. Leave covered for a day. Another method of applying the bisulphide is to place it in saucers or shallow pans, place them in the bin and cover as before mentioned. The rapid evaporation soon fills the bin with the poisonous fumes, which, being heavier than air, sink down through the grain and kill the insects in it. This treatment will kill all adult weevils and their larvæ, but it is not always fatal to the eggs; hence a second treatment may be necessary. An examination of the grain should therefore be made from time to time to ascertain its condition, and the remedy applied whenever needed. This treatment is cheap, effective, easy to apply and does not hurt the grain in the least, either for planting or food purposes. It is the standard remedy for insects in stored grain, flour, meal, groceries, etc. Failure in its use is almost invariably due to a poor quality of bisulphide, faulty bins, or mistakes in the manner of using. Caution. The bisulphide is like benzine in its nature, being very inflammable, and no light or fire of any description can be brought near while the fumigation is going on, not even a lamp, cigar or pipe. After the fumigation If these cautions are is finished, open the bin and air it out thoroughly. heeded the material is safe to use. See also, Disposition of Remnants (p. 492), and The Ideal System (p. 492). OTHER CORN INSECTS OF LESSER IMPORTANCE. In the foregoing pages we have discussed those insects which are really destructive corn pests in this State. There are, however, a large number of other insects which are to be found frequenting the corn plant, some more or less destructive and others there for pollen, nectar, or in search of other insects. We will here consider briefly several of those that are most likely to attract the attention of the observing farmer. Grasshoppers (Order Orthoptera).—There are a number of different species of grasshoppers which attack corn, sometimes proving quite destructive. Some of these appear full-winged when the corn first gets well started in spring, while others appear first in the young wingless state and acquire wings later. When serious the grasshoppers may be combated more or less successfully by the use of poisoned baits as described for Cutworms (p. 498). Root-lice (Order Hemiptera).-Frequently on pulling up a stalk of corn small gray lice will be found clustered on the roots. While we have never had complaint of this and have therefore never had the insect identified, we take it to be the same species as the ordinary Corn Root-louse which is so destructive in some of the Central States. These lice are often accompanied by ants which go there to get the honey-dew, a sweetish substance which the lice secrete. The ants have nothing directly to do with the reproduction of the lice. When abundant enough to be serious the root-lice may be combated by rotation of corn with other crops. Plowing up of infested lands immediately after removal of the crop will also tend to reduce their numbers. Flea-beetles (Order Coleoptera).—There are certain small, dark-colored jumping beetles which sometimes appear on corn in considerable numbers, eating small holes in the blades. Beetles of this type are frequently called "Flea-beetles" from their power of jumping quickly and for a considerable distance when disturbed. Ordinarily these insects will not do sufficient damage to warrant remedial measures, but if so we presume that relief could be gained by sowing lime or sifted ashes and Paris green broadcast through the field. These should be mixed at the rate of one ounce of the poison to one pound of the lime or ashes, and the application should preferably be made in early morning while the dew is on the plant. White Grubs (Order Coleoptera).—These are sometimes destructive to the young roots of corn, especially in land just from sod. The adult insects deposit the eggs principally in sod lands and the grubs feed on the roots of the grasses. If the grass lands be plowed up and put in corn the grubs have no choice but to eat the corn. The remedy consists in avoiding lands just from sod for the first year or two, as it takes two years for some of the species of White Grubs to reach maturity. Lady-beetles (Order Coleoptera).-One of our most common Lady-beetles is frequently seen on corn, where it feeds to some extent on the pollen, blades and the soft kernels. This is the Thirteen-spotted Lady-beetle (Megilla maculata). The species also feeds to some extent on other insects and its FIG. 19.-Lady-beetle (Megilla maculata) larva is entirely insectivorous in its diet, feeding on plant-lice, slugs, etc. Frequently specimens of this beetle may be found on blades of corn standing over a small silken cocoon of yellowish or brownish color. Such a cocoon contains a parasite, the larva of which has issued from the beetle. In a few days the adult parasite emerges from the cocoon as a small winged wasp-like creature, which goes off to seek a Lady-beetle victim. The beetle invariably dies soon after the parasite emerges. Stinging Caterpillars (Order Lepidoptera).-There are two kinds of caterpillars frequently found on corn which if brushed against carelessly may produce painful stings. One of these is known as the Saddle-back Caterpillar |