The evening leader., 1916-11-20
MANY CROP PESTS
EXTERh|NATEO BY
46O KINDS BIRDS

Washington, D. c., Nov. 20.-At
least Sc species of birds found in the
Southeastern states are of service in
destroying the cotton boil weevil, ac-
cording to ornithologists of the U. S.
department of agriculture. A much
larger number of the 460 different
species found in the southeast also
render important service to agricul-
ture by feeding on various insects
which attack field crops, garden truck,
forage plants and fruit throughout
the region. These facts have been
determined by extensive field and lab
oratory studies made by the biological
survey, the results of which have Just
been published by the department of
agriculture as Farmers Bulletin 755,
Common Birds of Southeastern Unit
ed States in Relation to Agriculture"
The most active Of the 66 feathered
enemies of the boil weevil, it was
found, are the orioles, which are
among the few birds actually taking
the insects from the squares of the
cotton plant, and the swallow, which
feed on the weevil while the latter are
in flight seeking to extend their range.
In winter the most efficient enemies of
the boil weevil are blackbirds, meadow
larks, titlarks and Carolina wrens.
The cotton worm is eaten by Al spe-
cies of birds, of which the cuckoos are
the most effective. These birds fire.
quently consume from 100 to $50 of
the worms at meal. Twelve south
ern birds attack the boil worm and 7
feed on the cotton cutworm.
White grubs, which are a serious
pest not only to corn but to strawber-
ries, garden crops and grasses, are
eaten by 81 species of southeastern
birds. Wire worms and their adult
forms, click beetles, another pest of
corn, are consumed by 1913 kinds of
birds, while SIS species feed on bill
bugs, which also attack corn. Cut
worms, which often occur in the south
east in summer and fall and attack
practically all vegetation, are eaten
by 88 species of birds.
Chinch bugs, which are extremely
destructive to corn and wheat and
which are supposed to have but few
enemies, the biological survey
found, are eaten by "a species of birds.
Of the other insects attacking corn,
the Southern corn root-worm, or spot
ted cucumber beetle, is eaten by 26
birds, and the brown root chafer by
p. The southern fig eater, which feeds
rs we'll ON other fruit, is destroyed by
Ia species of birds, the crow leading
IN efficiency.
Of the insect pests feeding on for
age crops, practically all kinds are
eaten by some group of southeastern
birds. One of the most important of
these pests-leafhoppers-are con-
sumed by 100 different kinds of feath
cred enemies in the southeastern
states and a score or more species of
birds feed on the various kinds of clo
YER weevils.
There are many bird enemies of
sruck crop pests also in the southeast.
From 1S to SO species of birds were
found to eat each of the following:
Flea beeteles, sweet potato flea bee
Ties, grapevine leaf beetles, grape flea
beetles, bean leaf beetles, rice weevils,
Colorado potato beetles, and the IT.
year locusts. The survey disclosed
hat 40 species of southeastern birds
feed on horse flies, which, while they
10 not attack plants, are exceedingly
to both humans and animals
and even transmit some forms of dis
ease.
The biological specialists who made
he survey of insect-eating birds in the
southeast draw the conclusion that
he birds of this region are much more
to agriculture than is gen
orally supposed and that farmers
should recognize the fact and do all
n their power to protect their feath-
cred friends. The bulletin may be Sc
cured free of charge on application to
he u. S. department of agriculture
as long as the departments supply
asts.
luired of the fish commissioner Of
Florida and Mr.. Hodges is sue q
,,a,, Tho nlacipU of q woolr + -, -,-