Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-06-28
The Colorado Potato Beetle

From the Scientific American.
In the last annual report Of the
State Entomologist of Missouri, Mr..
Charles N. Riley, we are given
some interesting additional facts
regarding the Colorado potato
beetle, its ravagcs, parasites and
enemies, and the means take to coun-
teract it's work.
The insect showed numerously in
the spring and summer of 1871, and
there was consequent falling of,
of the potato crop i'll several States,
of from 20 to IS per cent, while new
territory was being steadily invad-
ed. Parts of the borders of New
York and Pennsylvania and the
interior Of Canada were reached,
and its continued march eastward is
confidently predicted. The south
ern columns Of the invader extend
far more slowly than the northern,
which is, no doubt, because the
insect cannot thrive when the ther-
mometer ranges near 1000 +. 1t
never entirely quits any district
where it has once obtained foot
hold, but in two or three years gen
orally proves less injurious, because
its natural enemies have multiplied
sufficiently to keep it in check.
These natural enemies arc Oil the
increase and twenty-one cannibal
or parasitic insects are now known
to attack it, in one State or another,
while toads, cows, ducks, and chick
ems are learning to devour it also.
1t is believed the skunk likewise
prcys upon it. The Colorado pota-
to beetle has in the past been found
to flourish only on plants of the
nightshade genus proper (Sola",n,)
other members Of the same family
being but little to its liking, and it
therefore is an interesting fact that
last summer it was found feeding
upon the cabbage, which is, botani-
cally, SO very distinct. Whether it
will continue so to do seems mat
ter of considerable doubt.
Various have been the cxpcdicnts
tried to rid the potato Of this pest,
both chemical and mechanical. or
the former, Paris green has been
found to be the most efficacious;
but good zeal of objection has
been made tc the too general use of
this poison on the ground Of its
dangerous nature, and it has been
stated that the bugs could be sub
dued by determined Manipulating.
1t has been thought that potatoes
grown on land where Paris green
has been used are often watery,
rank, and OF bad flavor, and that
peas planted in soil mixed with the
green rotted Immediately, and that
some, flourishing finely in unadultcr-
atcd soil, died when transplanted
into the mixed soil. Each cultiva-
tor must judge for himself how far
these statements are to be relied on.
1t is certainly advisable to avoid rs
much as possible the use Of tie
poison. Properly mixed, it has
been used without the slightest in
jury to leaves or tubcrs, and what is
wanted in the matter is series of
accurate and reliable experiments.
The green may be shaken over
the vines in various ways, and some
make use Of an old sack attached to
the end of a stick; it is most safely
applied, however, by aid Of a per-
forated tin box attached to the end
of a stick three or four feet long.
The least possible busting suffices,
and by taking the handle in one
hand and then tapping the box with
stick held in the other, the amount
sifted can be regulated as the rows
are rapidly walked along. The
green is most effective when mixed
with flour, though plaster has the
merit of chcapness. If the green
be pure, it may be mixed with 25
to 80 times its weight of flour,
though - to IA parts arc usually
recommended; and deep, bright
green color should be chosen, as
the palcr colors are weaker. 1t
does not appear to seriously cndan-
ger the animals around, except
where left exposed in quantity suf-
ficient to be eaten by them; but
nothing can excuse the careless use
of the poison, which must be cs-
pecially guarded against during
the heat Of the day; it should always
be busted in the cool Of the morn
ing, while the dew is on the plants.
The antidote for Paris green poi
son is hydrated sesquioxide of iron.
Where it cannot be purchased, it
may be prepared thus:-Dissolvc
copperas in hot water, keep warm,
and add nitric acid until the solu-
ton becomes yellow; then pour in
ammonia watcr-common hartshorn
or solution of carbonate Of am
monia, until brown precipitatc
falls. Keep this prccipitate moist
and in tightly corked bottle, and
administer a few spoontuls when
case Vi poisoning ny aTiS green or
arsenic occurs. 1t might be sup
posed that as arsenic is one Of the
principal ingredients Of Paris green,
it could be used as an economical
substitute. 1t has been tried, how
ever, with no satisfactory result. 1t
does not kill the bug with anything
like the certainty Of Paris green,
and causes injury to the leaf of the
plant.
Various mechanical contrivances
for knocking the bugs off the vines
are in use. One is a simple box six
inches high, with wheels to which
brooms are attached so as to sweep
the bugs into the box. Another
consists of a trap held under the
vine to catch the bugs which are