The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05
TOBACCO SPRAY WILL DESTROY
GRAPE INSECT.

The insert known as the leafhopper.
that has seriously menaced the Vine
yards OF Ohio and Michigan. may be
controlled by the use OF tobacco spray,
according TO the scientists OF the De-
psrtment OF Agriculture. The time for
the application OF this spray is during
the last few days OF June or very early
in July
Succe ssful control OF the insect de-
Ponds on thoroughly wet;lng oil parts
OF tho under side OF the infested leaves
with the spray liquid. The following
two formulas have been used with ex.
cellent results:
!. Tobacco extract containing 270
per cent. nicotine suiphate. diluted at
the ratio OF ! part 70 ITO parts Of
water.
.. Tobacco extract containing 40 per
cent. nicotine sulphats. diluted a. the
ratio OF l part to LOO parts Of water
The killing quality OF the tobacco ex-
tract is apparently just ~ effective
when added ~ the same dilutIon to the
Bordeaux mixture and arseuate OF lead
spray liquids. which are used to control
fungous diseases and chewing insect
enemies or the grapevine. a. when used
with clear water No injury results
from combining these spray mixtures,
namely. tobacco extract. bordeaux mix
ture and arIenate Of lead However,
the tobacco extract should not be mixed
with spray mixtures containing arsen-
icais in the form Of Paris green or ar
~ ., H..F
the foliage Is likely 10 occur as "A re-
suit Of the combination.
The spray application II made AZ 'he
time Indicated will destroy the !mma-
ture Insects when they are present on
the vines IN the largest number At
ter this period Gowurd the end Of
Ju!y) a large percentage will have
grown their wings and can no longer
be successfully led with the diluted
tobacco spray
In vineyards whrI, n!a * rot mild,.yy.
the grape root worm and the grape
berry moth occur II is suggested that
arsenate OF lead and bordeaux mix
ture be used with the tobacco extract
10 take the place OF the second spray
application In the schedule Of treat.
ment recommended against these dis
eases and insect pests.
When 1t Is deemed eXp,lirnt 20 use
sticky shields 10 capture the winged
adults tho best sticky substance for
this purpose ls this mixture.
Melted resin ............... ....l quart
Cs,tsor oil. ..... Observation-Disclosures. Dlut
Smear nb-rIly over the face Of the
shield
In experiments undertaken BY the De
n "A y OF Aur
ough spray application made al the
right time 30 reduced the number OF
insects that injury to the crop and
the vines for the remainder OF the sen
son by those escaping the spray was
very slight
The leaf hopper's record for destruc-
ton has been great and II has occupied
an increasingly prominent place in the
rosues gallery OF grape pests since
Il was first noticed IN 1925. Since that
time II has caused damage in New
York Illinois. Michigan, California.
Ohio. New Mexico. Colorado. North
Carolina and Minnesota. Destructive
local outbreaks have also occurred In
other States
The grape leaf hopper Injuries the
vine by attacking the foliage. IT IL
a sucking insect and Injuries tho plant
by extracting is Juices from the under
side OF the leaf, The result OF It's pune
lures and OF the removal OF the juices
Is first made evident by yellow and
white patches on the upper surface Of
the leaf. which later turns brown. FL
nAlly the leaf falls from the vino pre-
maturely. AS an ultimate result the
size OF the grape crop IN generally re-
duced and the quality rendered inferior
by reduction OF It's content Of sugar
During very dry seasons the fruit on
heavily infested vines is badly spotted
by the insects.
The adult insect In about one-eighth
Of an inch long. II IL a pnlc yellowish
color The eggs are sometimes de
posted slngly over the surfaces OF the
leaf near the ribs and veins, but
usually in tho spaces between them. In
vestigators Of the Department have
noticed that tho adults feed during the
spring on the following trees and
plants:
Beech, maple. wild cherry, Wild apple,
hawthorn, doRwood, wild plum. horn.
beam, blackberry, honeysucklc, wild
grape. virginia oreeper, raspberry. Thin
bleberry. blackberry, strawberry. gol-
denrod, ncttles, wild columbine and n
great variety OF weeds and grasses.
Observations, however. have not
shown that tho Insect reproduces on
tho foliage of any other growing thing
besides the grape.
The Grape Leaf Hopper in the Lake
Erie Valley" is the title of bulletin
which the United states Department Of
Agriculture has issued describing this
insect and the methods for its control