Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-04-29
STRAWBERRY INSECTS,

STRAWBERRY INSECTS.
Instructions for tho determination of vari.
Gus Enemies Of the Strawberry.
We have had several inquiries recent
~ about remedies for insects that work
upon the strawberry. For some OF
these insects Prof. Forbes says no cheap
er or more satisfactory method can be
used than that of capture and destruc-
ton by hand. Sweeping back and forth
along the row with an ordinary insect
net is a ready means of capture avail
able for such exposed insects as do not
cling closely to the plants. 1t may be
used to advantage for those attacking
the flower and fruit at a time when less
1abOrlOuS measures are not allowable
For species of feeble locomotive power,
which infest the leaves in summer, after
the fruit has been gathered, it is COM
mon and very usefu lpractice to NOV the
field ia dry weather, burning it over in
brisk wind after it is thoroughly dry.
Some of the worst insects which in
fest the strawberry appear in the adult
stage IN swarms during comparatively
short period, and may then be entrapped
by attracting them by lights exposed in
the fields and SO arranged that the in
sects approaching the lights shall be
caught in vessels of water. A glass
lantern SO suspended over tub of wat
cr that beetles flying against the glass
will drop into the water beneath, is
simple and effective device which may
be depended upon to capture the May
beetles and other adults of the various
white grubs. If the water be covered
with film of kerosene. the insects fall
ling into it will be speedily killed. The
especial object of this method of war
fare is to destroy the adults as they
emerge, or as they resort to the field to
lay their eggs. As general measure
OF protection, it is sometimes eXpedient
to rake and burn the mulch and rub
resQrted to their winter quarters. For
thddsand-legs in the strawberry field,
the plan of scattering slices of potatoes
or other vegetables between the rows,
and killing by hand late at night and
early in the morning the myriapods at
tracted to them, has been recommended
by good authority. Thick stemmed
weeds in and about the field should be
destroyed if the stalk-borer is likely to
be injurious.
For all leaf-eating species occurring
in summer after the fruit is picked, ex-
cept possibly those which feed concealed
within the rolled and curled leaves,
sprinkling or spraying with Paris green
or London purple in powder or suspend
ed in water, is feasible remedy. 1t
must be remembered, however, that
this method is of no avail against in
sects which do not gnaw or bite the It's
sues of the plant. 1t is recommended
to destroy the leaf-eating beetles whose
young are the strawberry root-worms.
For this purpose the poison should be
applied during July and August. 1t is,
of course, important that it should be
used no more freely than is absolutely
necessary to accomplish the end de-
sired. Powdered helebore is used. like
the arsenical poisons mentioned in
strawberry false-worm, Enlphytus
7naculatus. For those species APP
pearing exposed while the fruit is upon
the plants, as well as for those which
are not provided with biting mouths,
powdered, pyrethrum is one of the most
useful applications. This may be either
busted upon the plants, due care being
taken that it shall reach both the under
and the upper surfaces of the leaves. or
it may be thrown in spray of water
from hand force pump. The kerosene
emulsion may be applied for the same
purpose as the pyrethrum mentioned
above, except that it IS not available
during the fruiting season. Applica-
tons of sulphur to the leaves, as well as
spray of strong soapsuds are useful
for some purposes.
For subterranean larva appearing
locally. bi-sulphide of carbon or carbolic
acid may be poured into small holes
made in the ground, as recommended
under the discussion of remedies for the
strawberry root-worms. - Western Rural.