The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-08
REMEDY FOR
CANE-BORER
The Department Of
Agriculture
Speaks.
HEROIC TREATMENT
IS NECESSARY
Director Smith Receives lnforma-
ton from Washington Bureau
Of Entomology.

Director Jared Smith of the Agricul-
stural Experiment Station has received
from the Department at Washington
some timely information relative to the
cane borer, In response TO a request
forwarded some time ago. with speci-
mems, showing depredations of the in
sect.
The letter comes from the Depart
ment of Entomology and is written by
the chief of that bureau, who is L. o.
Howard.
The letter says:
at am in receipt Of your letters of
February 18th and 25th, with accompa-
nying specimens. The insect which
| you send might be termed the Sand
witch Island or Hawaiian Sugar-cane
borer. 1t is scientifically known as
| Sphenophorous obscurus. AS pre-
sumo you have no full set of our pub
| locations, / send you a copy of Insect
Life, vol 1, No. 6, in which you will
| find this species treated.
THE remedy which we suggested in
| 1883 appears to be the best one, as the
account that you have given of the
species bears out our prophecy. What
you write in regard to the distribution
of this species and its food habits adds
considerable to our knowledge of the
insect, and we will take occasion as
soon as possible, which means soon
after the first Of July, to make your
notes public.
There are many species of injurious
billbugs of the same genus (Spheno-
phorus) in the United States, and al
though considerable time has been de-
voted to studying their habits, we as
yet have found no perfectly satisfac-
tory remedy for them after they have
invaded fields Of growing corn, cereals
and cane. We can, however, prevent
injury to a large extent by avoiding
the planting of the crops mentioned,
including grasses, In places where
these bill bugs are likely to occur, such
as river bottoms, in swamp land, or in
soil in which rank grasses, sedges, etc,
are growing or have recently grown.
AS a rule these insects naturally
breed in wild plants, and it is only re-
Gently that they have taken on the
habit Of feeding upon crop plants. In
addition to clean culture. as advised,
rotation of crops. should be practiced.
In this country we have usually ad-
vised the planting of cotton, tobacco,
buckwheat and potatoes or other gar
den vegetables. as they appear to be
immune to biilbug injury.
Your very truly,
Il. o. HOWARD"
The publication referred to in the
letter deals very little with a remedy
for the cane borer, though a complete
description OF its growth is given. The
article in question says:
I'm the absence OF any more definite
information 1t is difficult to suggest
any preventives or remedies for this
pest. Since the larva apparently works
in the lower part of the canes and
probably also in the roots, many lar
vac will no doubt remain in those
81 -
the cane has been cut and carried OF
to the sugar houses. The remaining
stubble should be carefully examined
and all infested stumps destroyed. The
same should be done with all diseased
or dying banana plants"
The publication of Mr.. Smiths bull
letin on the cane borer which is an
nounced by the Department will be
awaited with much interest.