Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-20
able to us, make it also more attractive to

doie 10 US, makS IL also more atIractlSe co
insects.
Fifteen years ago-and since then our
knowledge has advanced with rapid strides
Dr.. Packard stated: 81 could enumer-
ate upwards of fifty species of insects
VIII ich prey upon our cereals and grasses.
and as many that infest field crops. Some
| thirty well known kinds ravage our gar
den vegetables. Nearly fifty species at
tack the grapevine, and their number is
lncre asing. About seventy-fiye species
make their annual onset upon the apple
tree, and nearly as many may be found
upon the plum. peach, pear and cherry.
Among our shade trees, over fifty lnfeSt
the oak, twenty-five the elm. seventy five
the walnut and over 100 species the pine.
An enumeration made with the knowl-
edge of today would show that most if not
all the above numbers may safely be
doubled and still the fact be understated.
recent catalogue of insects attacking the
apple names over It's species. Fifty-two
species of the tineide alone, family of
small moths, mostly leaf miners, are re-
corded as feeding upon the oak. Eight
different insects feed wholly or in part
upon clover, and much greater number
upon the various grasses.
Could approximate estimates be had OF
the pecuniary losses resulting from these
depredatlons on our crops, no further or
more forcible argument would be needed
to show the Importance of practical IN
vestigations in economic entomology.
There is probably not single crop culti-
waited which the infesting insects do not
diminish by at least one-tenth-an amount
of in jury hardly noticeable in an ordinary
year. Ard when, as often occurs, the tax
so levied equals one-fOurth, one-half or
even three-fourths the crop it should prove
stimulus enough to systematic rebellion
against such an Imposition. In the ag-
Al ,v,1 In
figures of the following conservative es-
Inmates, made from carefully collected
data, surprise even the kansan, grass
hoppered and chinchbugged as he has
been.
Loss to the wheat crop by the nudge in
New York in 1854, over $4,000. In Ohio
the same year the loss was even greater.
In 1864 the chinch bug destroyed wheat
and corn in the state of Illinois alone 10
the cash value of $4,000, 900 dollars. In
1874 the damage done to Missouri farmers
by this illscented pest was estimated at
$4,000, 0C0, The loss TO the citizens OF Ne
braska, Kansas. Iowa and Missouri by the
destruction of field crops by the Rocky
mountain locust in 1874 is estimated at
$50, 100000, by some much higher In
single counties in 1875 the loss actually
amounted to 81. 000,000 In the years of its
prevalence the cotton worm destroys in the
southern states cotton to the value OF up
wards of $50, O00, 900. In 1886, 1887 and 1888
in Kansas the chinch bug, according 10
the very moderate estimate OF Prof. Snow.
caused loss of at least $l50OO.OOO. But l
shall not multiply these instances. One
need only turn his attention for an hour
to statistics in this direction to be fully
persuaded that insects are no insignificant
factors in the farmers unSucceSs.
There is need of an understanding OF the
habits of insects if we would direct
profitable warefare against them.
In our attempts toward the subjugation
of our insect foes, it is of prime necessity
that we understand especially their life
histories, as to their methods of work,
when most destructive, when most vulner-
able, what natural checks they have, and
how these may be encouraged. A lack or
upon these points leads to the
expenditure of time and money In futile
efforts to meet these tiny foes to an
amount that would often more than suf-
fee, with a practical knowledge of the
case, to accomplish fully our ends. As
instances of such Improbable warfare
against insects let us note some practices
still current against prominent orchard
pests. The coolin moth, the parent of the
apple-worm, is nocturnal IN
sect, very shy, rarely seen by any save the
except where stray lndlvld-
rals may be noticed on the windows of
probably then its appearance is not re-
garded as having any relation to the
worms in the apples Among the methods
often advised for the purpose OF reducing
the numbers of this little moth we lind
these: Burning fires in the orchard, or
near it. after nightfall, which is supposed
to lure and destroy the winged insects;
jars of sweetened water to at
tract and drown the moths; wrapping
the tree trunk with paper bands upon
which is smeared tar or other adhesive
substances to capture and hold the moth
as she climbs the tree to deposit eggs IN
the apple. Now what of the value OF these
methodist In my fifteen years collecting
[ have never succeeded in attracting
directly singly moth to a light, though
that method of collecting other nightfiiers
is common and profitable one with all
This experience with the
coolin moth is that of others.
In the examination of sweetened traps
it is rare indeed, if at all, that the coohn
moth is found among the unfortunate in
sects that have been lured TO their death.
So far then are these from being service
able methods they are of no use in this
direction Indeed, the first described is
often the reverse, being destructive of
many of our insect friends. Many of the
cannibal ground beetles and the tiger
beetles as we'll as ichneumon flies by the
hundred, all of these beneficial species, are
by bright light, and would
meet death in the flames. The
futility of bands covered with sticky sub
stance is at once evident to those who
know the fact that the moth is amply
winged and capable of flight to a consider
able distance. AS well expect to protect
cherries from robins by the same appli-
ance
Further: To kill borers, we have it re-
Cd 70 nnisnn like paric
green in the white-wash with which some
ambellish their trees;-or to fill an augur
hole with sulpher; either of which, or a
slight knowledge of the subject will appear
totally Intellectual. The eggs OF borers are
aid under scale of bark, or In crevice, |
Or in case of the round headed borer, in |
assure or cavity made for the purpose by |
,he insect herself. In either case the |
Young bores would be out of reach of the !
poison. For the reason that sulphur is in |
soluble in the sap of the tree, the second /
method will be seen to be equally unpro- |
luctive of benefit.
No excuse can exist for such unscientiflc |
PRACTICES when good text book on |
may be bought Tor e. The
work at present nearest to wade mecum
orth fruit grower who desires to know
us insect enemies is Saunders insects
INJURIOUS to Fruits" published by Lippin-
oft of New York, and for sale
n book stores at the price named.
y here other works are desired. in addition
o the above ! may recommend Harris in
ects injurious to vegetation. Packsrd's
for Beginners, the reports of
he United States entomologist depart
nent OF agriculture, Washington, D. c.
3iley's Missouri reports, the Illinois re-
,orts. the Canadian reports. Lintner's
Iew York reports, and OF special value to
Kansas fruit growers, the reports on en-
omology in the transactions OF our state
society. Furthermore, our
he prral Nav NArE !