The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-06-24
FARMER AND PLANTER.
THE CORN ROOT WORMS.
D Few Facts About the Southern
Corn Root Worm by an Au-
thOrity On the Subject.

Among the many enemies of Indian
corn two forms of slender, soft-bodied,
whitish larvae known as root-worms
are prominent Through their injuries.
When the plants are found to be with
ering, or when, the ears fail to fully
de, eiop, forming "nubbins," without
any visible cause, the earth about the
roots should be searched. 1t then fire.
quently happens that root-worms are
found at work. They operate some
what in the manner of wireworms.
The species known as the southern
corn root-worm occurs generally
throughout nearly the whole of the
United States, but fortunately its in
furious range is somewhat closely re-
stricted to the southern states, though
in recent years it is showing DISPOSE
ton to extend depredations into more
northern regions.
The worm, at least in the maturing
stage, eats directly into the stalk at
point near the upper whorl of roots.
If injury is not extensive, the ears, as
previously stated, do not entirely de-
velOp.
This species is also known in the
south as the ''bud-worm" and less
commonly as the drill worm" In
some regions it is recognized only by
the former name, while the latter is OF
more recent use. The beetle is IA
miliar to most persons in its occur
renee on cucumber, squash and other
cucurbits. They are, in fact, to be
found in practilly all fields of corn and
IN gardens everywhere, but it is seldom
that the larvae are associated with the
beetles except by those well versed In
emu .omology.
Tue twelve-spotted cucumber beetle
occurs commonly throughout that por-
tior of the United States lying between
the Atlantic seacoast and the base OF
the Rocky mountains, and from New
England to Florida. 1t also inhabits
Canada in the north and extends in a
southwesterly direction through Texas
into Mexico. Throughout practically
all this region. which includes por-
tions of 30 states, it is really abundant,
though not nearly SO destructive in
the northern as in the southern states,
where year by year more or less in
jury is accomplished by the larvae or
root-worms as far northward as Mary
land. Virginia and southern Ohio.
The presence of this root-worm in
field of corn gives origin to the loss
of the roots, injury varying according
to the age of the corn and the severity
of attack. and somewhat also upon the
condition of the weather and of the soil
infested. Injury is manifested in va
rious ways, from the death of plant
to slight retardation in its growth, or
what is sometimes termed" spending"
or a yellowish and unhealthy look. In
plants six inches or less in height the
perforations of the stalk are character
Isle. and usually show just below the
surface of the ground. This Is accom-
panied by whitening of the plant. which
Is frequently killed outright. 1t is this
appearance which has given the in
sect the name of "bud-worm." Quite
frequently plants are destroyed almost
as soon as sproused. AS plants grow,
the signs of injury vary according to
the degree of development. If plants
suspected of harboring this species are
pulled up and shaken over sheet OF
cloth or paper. the root-worms can be
disIodged. and it is not difficult to dis
tinguish them from any forms of in
sects to be found in the same locations,
with the exception of the western corn
root-worm. which, however, seldom oc-
ours in the same regions.
For the root-worm the use OF insecti-
cides on growing corn is impracticable.
In fact, we can not reach the root
worm stage to any extent with poisons.
Therefore we must have recourse to
farming methods. Injury in corn fields
is most abundant when the seed has
been planted in bottom lands, and II
planting is necessary in such locations,
it should be done late, in Georgia by
the first of May, according to Quaint
ance; or attack may be so distributed
that damage will be inconsequential by
dropping eight or ten grains of seed
corn in each hill. OF, still more i'm
portance, however, is judicious crop
rotation. Numbers of crops are not in
3urcd to any extent by the southern
corn root-woIm, and of these are cot
ton. buckwheat. the smaller grains,
and various garden vegetables other
than beans and cucurbits. Experience
will teach which of these can best be
employed as alternatives. 1t is mad
visable to plant squash and pumpkin to
any extent in rows between the hills
of corn, more particularly in regions
where injury by this species has been
previously cbserved.-B. F. Chittenden,
- A nrfc ri