Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-06
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THE "FALL ARMY WORM"

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THE "FALL ARMY WORM"
How to Control Pest Now Ravasins
| Many Fields.
i A description Of the Fall Army
Worm," which is now ravaging the
fields Of many South Carolina farmers
and methods checking, the inroads OF
this pest Is given in the article, print
ed below, prepared by Mr.. E. A. Nc
Gregor, of the United States bureau OF
entomology, with headquarters al
Batesburg. The article follows:
At the present time there is abroad
In our fields a pest which Is causing
much alarm and wonder among plant
ers. It parades under several names
but its true common name Is the fall
army worm" and its scientific name il
Laphygma frugiperda. In appearance
1t is easily confused with the cotton
leaf worm," which visited the cotton
belt last fall, and which so completely
defoliated the cotton fields at that time.
The present pest Is likewise thought by
many laymen to be the genuine army
worm" which Is also not true. 1t is a
curious fact that though these three
caterpillar pests resemble one another
a great deal, they are very different in
their diet habits, as follows: The cot
ton leaf worm" eats only cotton leaves;
the genuine army worm" eats any
thing that grows; the fall army worm"
the pest which abounds at present
prefers wild grass, corn, sorghum and
millet, but apparently cares little at all
for cotton! These facts should help to
clear the readers mind in reference to
these much confused pests and enable
him to distinguish between them.
In this vicinity the fall army worm"
first became noticeable this season
about the middle Of July. A severe oc-
currence was reported from Anderson
county, which was Immediately inves-
tigated. A visit to fields about Ander..
son revealed It's presence in consider
able abundance in corn fields on low
bottom lands. The worms had first at
tackled the crab-grass, and when this
was devoured they began their attack
upon the young corn. The feeding
takes place near the bud, where the
blades are tenderest, and as the leaves
unfold they are badly ragged and
shredded. II the pest is given time 1t
will devour the young corn almost to
the ground. Apparently the reason that
infestation occurs mainly in bottom
lands is, viz, that in such fields plant
ing was necessarily late so that at the
time Of the arrival Of the caterpillars
such corn was young and very tempt
ing.
AS the stalks become taller and
tougher the worms desert them in
search of greener food, but by that
time the stalk has suffered so severely
that in most cases it will die. No Sc
we're damage has yet been reported In
corn shoulder-high, while mature corn
seems absolutely immune to the pest.
| This is the first season that the fall
army worm" has been known to be
really threatening to a field crop. Nat
urally, therefore, neither the planter or
the entomologist has before been up
against" the precise situation which
confronts the farmer at the present
time On the other hand, the planter
need not be too greatly alarmed since
he has 1t entirely within his power to
control-if not completely eradicate
this pest upon his lands. Every mans
problem becomes his own, and now Is
the time to act.
In order to check or to control the
ravages of the fall army worm" the
use of arsenical poisons must be re-
sorted to. This poison may be employ
ed in several forms and applied in va
rious manners. Arsenate Of lead Is
preferable since 1t does not injure the
foliage and adheres better to the sur
face. It may be applied either as
dry powder or as a liquid spray. Paris
green is just as effective but must be
applied with greater care lest 1t burn
the leaves. If Paris green Is to be used
wet it must be mixed with an equal
amount of lime and diluted at the rate
of pound of poison to $50 gallons OF
water. Furthermore, this solution must
constantly be stirred and aggitated to
keep it from settling or otherwise the
liquid taken from the top Of the recep-
tacle will be too weak and that from
the bottom much too strong.
If possible to obtain it, arsenate Of
lead should be used since 1t will adhere
longer and Is not injurious to the
plants. In using arsenate Of lead 1t
should be mixed at the rate Of five
pounds to 100 gallons and may be ap-
piled by means Of spray pump, or,
If pump Is not at hand. the solution
may be sprinkled on by means Of
flower sprinkler or shaken on by a
whisk broom.
Probably the easiest and quickest
method of poisoning the fall army
worm" Is the so-called pole method.
This method is used commonly against
the cotton leaf worm" with perfect
success, and will be just as effective
against the present pest. The follow
ing description of the pole-and-bag
method will enable anyone to treat his
field with little trouble and small ex-
pense. A pole is taken long enough to
reach from one crop row to the next.
At each end is fastened a bag of porus
cloth with a bottom one foot wide and
holding about one-half peck. These are
filled either with dry Paris green, dry
London purple or powdered arsenate of
lead and the apparatus Is carried on
horse back. through the fields, dusting
two rows at once. The shakingcaused
by the motion Of the animal going at a
brisk walk or at trot Is sufficient to
dust the plants thoroughly. The appli-
cation, should if possible be made in