The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-07-18


ment of Agriculture)
The farmers life sometimes seems
to be just one insect pest after an
other. Just about the time he has
learned how to combat all the insect
pests In the United States and leans
back to take things easy for a spell,
somebody manages to import a few
new varieties of crop trouble from for
eign shores. This time 1t is the Euro
pean corn borer that is going to cause
the farmer to lose sleep.
The European corn borer probably
Is the most injurious insect pest that
has yet been introduced into this coun-
try, according to entomologists OF the
United States department of agricul-
ture In Farmers Bulletin 1916. I'M
less immediate and effective measures
are taken to exterminate this pest it
seriously threatens the future of Amer
ica's greatest cereal crop. Already It
VI known to exist In an area of 500
square miles in Massachusetts and 400
square miles In New York. It's rapid
spread to the entire country Is pos
sible. It frequently destroys from one
fourth to one-half OF the corn crop in
infested fields In Massachusetts.
How Borer Injuries Corn.
All parts of the corn plant, except
the fibrous roots, are tunneled by the
larvae or borers. Their most damag-
ing work Is done In the stalks and
ears. which they partially or totally
destroy. They usually enter the upper
end of the stalk, near the base of the
| tassel. and tunnel upwards for short
| distance before tunneling down the
| stalk. The tassel Is so weakened by
this damage that 1t breaks over before
| maturing. Much pollen Is thus lost,
| and grains fail to form normally on
the ears. These broken tassels, with
outpourings of sawdust-like material
Mt the breaks. are sure signs that the
European corn borer is getting in Its
deadly work.
Many times the borers enter near
the junction of the leaf and stalk.
Any small hole with sawdust-llke ma
terial coming out of II indicates the
presence of borers. Several borers
frequently work In one stalk, reducing
V TO a mere shell. The nutrlment to
the developing ear is cut Off by this
injury. The stalk is weakened, and
eventually breaks.
Some of the borers leave the stalk
and enter the ears through the husk
aud also through the stem and cob.
Here they feed upon the immature
grain and tunnel the cob. The injury
to the ears and stalks is further In
creased by soft rot which often fol-
lows the work of the borers and re-
duces the Interior of infested plants to
decaying. putrId mass with an OBJ
noxious odor.
Two Generations Each Year.
There are two generations OF the
European corn borer each year. They
are continuously damaging the corr
In infested fields from before tasselinE
time until winter stops their actlvi
ties. They remain as nearly full
grown borers within their tunnels
throughout the winter and resume
feeding In the spring.
The chief danger TO the nations
corn crop lies in the possibility o
borer-infested plants being transported
into sections where the borer does no
already exist To prevent this al
plant quarantine laws must be strict!
enforced with regard 10 plants llkel,
to be Infested.
Quarantine measures must be SUP
plemented by careful cleanup opera
4 lions in infested areas. Destroy al
( plant material likely TO harbor boreri
!. Burning Most Effective.
II Ia slfested areas burning has prove
the most effective means Of destroyin
:. the borcrs. Burn ali OF the preyiou
vi yeas cornstalIss, corn stubble. Gro
ren4snfs. stalks Of garden plant