The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-04-08

,,rrsspondence of The Progressive Farmer.
As there has been more or less dis,
cussion of this device for trapping
insect pests, few words regarding
Nmay not be out of place.
The trap lantern is not new, nor
. il original with Mr.. Haseltine.
Years ago, when the government
oHicials we're conducting special in
vsstigations of the cotton insects,
tran lanterns we're used TO catch the
admit insects, but the results proved
to be so indefinite that they went out
of use, and have never since been
used extensively in general practice.
Ihave never operated the Hasel-
tine Moth Catcher, but have received
specimens from a party who was en-
ploying it, and have examined the
victims of a lantern on another farm.
Further than this, is has been my
custom, as it is of every entomolo
gist, 81 collect insects that are at
Eacted TO brilliant lights both in the
country and in the city.
This moth catcher has no more
sgio attraction for insects than
aaer bright lights. Many of the
most serious insect pests fly only in
the day or at dusk, and are not at
Eacted in this way. In the case of
moths, and often among other in
sects, it is not the flying insect that
does the damage, but it is the cater
pillar or grub that may hatch from
the eggs. After the eggs are laid,
therefore, is does no good 80 catch
the moth. 1t is also of no, avail 60
oatch the male moths, and l think ]
am safe in saying that male moths
are more often attracted to lights
than the females. Thereis one good
feature about the Haseltine Catcher
above ordinary lights, and this is the
refectors, which increase the light
ing power and, when the insects fly
against them, they fall into the pan
which is prepared with liquid to
kill them. The older trap-lanterns
cid not have the refleotors, so far as
am aware, but had the light in an
ordinary globe and insects flying
against the globe, fell into the pan.
Mr.. Haseltine has several testi-
monials for his lantern from this
State One of the parties is a man
Known to me, is decidedly intelli.
gent, and not likely TO make hasty
mistakes Yet I know that there
are those who have been much mis-
led by the same catcher, and am OF
the opinion that is gives an appear
snOe of much better work than it
performs.
Many insects of various kinds are
attracted to lights and if some pests
happen to be less numerous while a
farmer is testing the catcher, is is
easy for him TO come TO the oonclu-
sion that 1.-The catcher does it." Ex-
perierce is a good teacher, but cOn-
tnuous experience is more apt to
lad to sound conclusions.
A lot of insects caught by one of
these lanterns was sent me. Careful
Examination showed that the balance |
.Of Injurious over beneficial insectsl
was in favor of the catcher, but so |
'lightl7 so that would not recon-
mend Is use. This was in the heart |
Of one of our best fruit-gTo owing re-
gons At another place a farmer |
Was telling me in glowing terms Of
the merits of the catcher. l Ioounted
over the remains of the insects in she
pan, at d did not find a single serious
pest that 1 could recognize, while
nere we're several whose habits
feodered them unimportant.
There are certain cases, however,
NWh.ch there Can be no question as
Nthe use of the trap lantern. Leaf
'eeding caterpillars in green houses
come mostly from small moths and
many of them are attracted TO lights
AS Z remeOy for the moth that causes
'le corn ear-worm, it is of such
uou5tful utility that l should not
Recommend it.
CONCLUSION.
Ihe catcher will do some good, but
Is my Judgment that it will not
O0 found to noticeably lessen the
lumber of pests in any field or
Otonard. For small gardens and
'0en houses it mag be found profit !