The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13


Mention was made in our last of new
enemy to growing corn that has appeared
in the corn belt of this state, and letter
of Prof Forbes, the state entomoligist is
published, in which he says:
1t is far more important than had sup
posed. | have lately examined a field of
100 acres of corn completely destroyed by
it., so that it is now being replanted. Col.
Mills states that the farmers throughout
the Illinois corn belt have experienced
much trouble this year in obtaining a
growth of the seed, and that many have
been obliged to replant their whole area,
Ia sumo INSTANCES twice, ana even three
times. This has been attributed to the
back ward season and the lack of growing
weather, but he fears that this worm has
been more extensively the cause, and sees
great reason for apprehension on the part
of corn growers of serious danger TO their
crops. Professor Forbes says in his circu-
lar concerning this new insect: much
additional information Is still to be desired,
and report here the facts already made
out, In the hope that other observers may
be induced to assist In the completion of
the ie-history OF the species, and may
help to fuller knowledge of its origin
and its injury to vegetation. Although
working somewhat like the cutwOrms, it
belongs to another family of moths, and
may easily be distinguished from these
pests By its habits, and the character of its
injuries. If a hill Of corn damaged by this
insect be carefully examined, mass of
dirt, loosely webbed together, will lnvaria-
bly, be found just beneath the surface Of
the ground, close beside the young stalk or
among the larger roots If the nest, which
Is irregular in shape, and commonly about
as large AS hickory.n nut, be opened, red
dish, bristly, active worm, half an inch CT
a little more in length, If full grown, will
be found hidden within the matted earth,
evidently serving as retreat from danger.
The stock of the affected plant will be
found gnawed irregularly beneath tie
cut worm, but more commonly scarified or
bored lengthwise, either specifically or
through the center of the stalk. From one
to eight or ten larve may be found in a
single hill. The species was seen by us
last year from various localities in Hen.
ry, Mclean, Macon and Livingston coun-
ties, and doubtless occurs everywhere
throughout Illinois There was no evil
dence that the previous history of the land
had anything to do with the prevalence of
the insect. Whether second brood occurs
or not is wholly uncertain, and to this point
special attention Is asked OF those that work
In the corn.field throughout the summer
Information tending to show that the larva
seeds on any other plant than corn will also
be especially useful and welcome. The
injuries inflicted occur so early AS to per.
nit replanting In most seasons, in case they
should be of serious import, and this spe-
cies Is consequently to be classed with cut
worms, 30 far as the effect of Its injuries to
corn are concerned. Minute mites, which
attacked the pup1 In our breeding cages,
and were apparently responsible for the
loss of nearly all the Larvae We attempted to
rear probably also attacks the worm In the
field. Beside this, l determined by disco.
ton that certain predaceous beetles, espe-
cially abundant In fields infected by the
web worms, had also been feeding upon
them. Further than this, we have no
knowledge of natural checks on the In.
crease Of the species"
Professor Forbes gives also a scientific
description of the pest In the various stages
Of development, and gives It the technical
name C,umbus Zeelus Jemald. The worm
is pronounced new to corn farmers of ILL
nois, who uniformly acknowledge lack Of
previous information concerning It and are
as eager for more knowledge Of Its habits
rs they are fearful Of the result Of its dep
relations.
d. Hess keeps one Of the best stocks Of
Ia ve1rv In thu CITY