The Delta independent., 1899-09-01
Tn. Sugar. Beet Caterpillar.


The horde OF caterpillars that have
been devastating the beet fields during
the past two weeks. between Palisade
and Grand Junction. and that have
occurred in small numbers from Grand
Junction west toward Fruita, require
the prompt attertioa OF all interested in
the success OF the sugar beet culture in
Grand valley. that the loss to this years
crop may be quickly checked and that
s-yere losses for the coming year may
be averted.
During the early part OF the week
august lith to l6Ih) the writer visited
many beet fields in company With Mr..
Mitchell and others. for the purpose
Of determining the nature and extent OF
the injuries. length OF time the attack
y likely to continue. what remedies it
will be best to apply. and other points OF
Importance concerning the caterpillar.
The insect was found in the fields in
sil stages OF development except the egg.
TIE ca,erpillars varied in size from
eAo<e that did not exceed sixteenth Of
IN irch to the fully grown individuals
obat measured from an inch TO an inch
ehd fourth in length. A large propro-
1Dn vers half grown or more, and many
tr>ook a|EsdS e ies saf42elis g
tho ground.
The fact that there are still many
.-.n ,<,~r,. ~, ,l.s - carf.in that the
attsck will continue TO some extent to
near the end OF the present month
tAsgustl A quantity OF the chrysalids
were placed in suitable receptacles. and
from them several moths. which are the
adult insect. have appeared at this
writing. The females are found to be
heavily laden with immature eggs. and
it is highly probable that within a few
days these eggs will he deposited on or
about ihe bee;s Tor succeeding brood
OF worms 1t is greatly to be hoped
that The moths now Matching are only
belated individuals Of the second brood
and that another full brood may not
appear this summer. However this may
be. not day should be lost in beginning
the work OF destroying the carerpiilars
now upoa the beeis. II the present
brocd is allowed to mature. that means
a greatly increased number Of caterpil-
lars to contend with another year. 1t
is with insects as with pants. The
greater the number allowed TO mature
this year. the greater will be tire guam
tity OF seed sovn. and the larger will be
next years crop. The old adage "A
stitch in time saves nine" is more than
doubly true when dealing with the
destruction OF insect life.
The closest watch should be kept
during the next two or three weeks for
the appearance Of small worms. IL none
-cea to be present. look carefully among
the small and tenber leaves at the base
Of the large ones. where they may be
found.
xrNEpIrs-
A moderate number of friendly insects
were found about the 6,c,s. Taese we're
lady beetles. Aphis lions. and ground
bcetle-. all % which were probably
preying to some extent upon the small
caserpiliars. Birds were very scarce in
the beet fields; the crow seemed to be
doing more than any others cf the
f-athercd tribe 20 destroy the caterpil-
iars. II is plainly evident that the
natural enemies are too few TO be of
much e~rvice at present in keeping this
insect within the proper bounds. Artiti-
cisl measures must be adopted to save
a god partial crop Of sugar beets over
the eastern portion oe the plantations
sbous Grand junction this year. end
without these measures the crop over
the whole valley may be largely s'ailurr
aasahsr yesr.
1Ae caterpillars con be destroyed
The writer used both Paris green and
keesssos emulsion. With satisfactory
r~un1aD While ~ Grand Junction. The
eao1lapa = more expressive and needs
te - sVplisd very thoroughly to give
- ssssltaA The catsspillars shousd
- N0s1gAly vss dc~n v.th t. nb
rs1s1y wosh b. specially useeul on
49, 1s,ds vhsss sAs cstsrpillsss sr'