Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-16
FROM THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.
THE JOINT WORM,


one, are badly hurt by it. In the area it has
traversed, and the completeness of its de-
vastatlon within it, it has no rival amongst
insects IN this country. The dreaded Hes
sian fly is nothing to it; and no atmospheric
calamity can pretend to a comparison. 1t
sweeps whole districts. Besides Albemarle
1t exists IN Orange, Green, Madison, parts
OF Louisa and Fluvanna, and in Augusta,
Rockingham and Page counties; and every
where, we hear, has done great damage,
and it is feared will do much more before it
is checked or destroyed.
An intelligent and observing friend has
gwen us the following account of its ap-
pearance and habits, as far as he has been
able to discover them:
at commences its work of destruction
the first warm spell in the spring, and, IN
like the locust or the mosquito hawk of the
South, does not make its appearance sud-
denly, or in few days, but continues to
come from the last of March 10 the latter
part of May. If you will examine the old
wheat stubble during this period you will
lind them In their cells about the Joint some
IN the form Of maggots, and others in the
more advanced stage of something like a
gnat, with small, slender, black body, a.
bout one-siXth of an inch long, supplied
with very delicate, transparent wings, and
having towards its hinder end two very frail
and slender ilaments or hairs, about one
third of an inch in length, and most fanci-
fully turned up when it is in full life and
vigor, and regularly in for it, It's lower
extremities are armed with sort of probos-
chs, or tube, with which it pierces the stalk
near joint where blade has put out and
through which, after this operation, it G.
Jects ITS egg. This cannot be seen for some
time with the naked eye, being Just the COL
or OF the plant wherein it is deposite d; but
after few weeks it is discernible in the
form at minute worm, about one-sixteenth
OF an inch long. The wounded plant in at
tempting to heal itself throws out lump or
knot which forms snug house for the little
devil, and here he remains in dormant
state, growing as the wheat grows, and qui-
city awaiting another crop and warm spring
weather, when he energies to commence his
work of devastation. In these knots there
are always several worms, frequently as
many as ten or more, each occupying dis
tinct chamber. | have been unable, after
diligent search, to find any trace of this
worm except in wheat and rye. l had
heard that it would attack cheat, but thin k
1t mistake. This spring the parent insects
passed from my last years stubble field
through, or over, fine lot of cheat without
leaving trace of tleir transit, and through
my rye, (Multicole variety,) touching that
very lightly should suppose not more
than one stalk in many thousands, Into
the wheat, which they have so completely
destroyed that it will not be worth cutting
This is all know about the Joint worm,
and | have no wish for more intimate &C
quaintance. shall most assuredly cult
vate no more wheat for his use and bene-
ft.'
"You say, what will do. I answer, SOW
more oats and rye; make large crops of to-
bacco, and wait until the worm is DESTROYED
or expelled"
The symptoms of joint worm are pecu-
liar. Every now and then it is deposited
in the joint next below the head, which
shortly thereafter bends, at an angle to the
balance of the stem, and lies across the gen.
eral perpendicular. Comparatively few are
thus affected but they are easily deserted,
and evidence the more serious, though at
first less palpable, damage done to the bal
ance OF the stalks. These retain their atti-
tude, but become very much "sedged,n as
we term it, looking much worse than any
fy-eaten wheat. The underling heads new
or rise, fill imperfectly, always too late for
the balance of the crop, and many of them
cannot escape from ''the boot"
1t is thought by some that this insect has
existed here for some time, and has become
conspicuous of late from accidental causes.
"A gentleman whose crop was among the
FIRST to suffer from it, about three years ago,
says that he has known and observed it for
ten years. Another has had it on his land
for five years. An old man in the county
of Louisa recollects to have seen or heard of
it in that county many years back and we
have understood that gentleman on the
lower James says that more or less of it ex-
lists in wheat every year; that he has often
seen il; but never in such force as it APP
pears in Albemarle and other places. 1t
takes about three years from its first gene
raj appearance to get into full blast, and its
rate of annual progress is estimated at twen-
y miles, radiating in all directions. 1t is
,aid to have extended as far down the coun-
~ already as Beaver Dam creek in the
county of Goochland If it be there now
the farmers in that region may calculate
with some certainty upon its temperance
and increase.
We do not partake of the belief entertain
ed by our community as to the continuance
of this worm, or the damage it is destined to
do. The first appearance of the chinch bug
excited similar apprehensions and eminent
men INDUCED in speculations of famine to
be produced by it. But the chinch bug now
does but little harm. Independent of at
acks from the general enemies of the insect
ribc, and of the influence of seasons, in di-
ninishing their numbers every such thing,
as far as naturaliSts have been able to as
certain, has also its specific enemy, or par
asite, as in the case Of the Hessian fly fol-
example, which keeps it within bounds
We confidently trust that this worm in like
manner as it becomes difFused will do less
harm, and, meeting with such impediments
to its increase, will ere long resume its in
significance. Meanwhile no precautions a
xainst it should be neglected by those who
may be able to take them; and the wheat
crop should not be relied upon exclusively
IN the infected districts. Among such pre-
cautions we would advise against sowing
wheat next fall alongside of field that has
Ii - g.