The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-28
By w. e. KINDS, EntomoIogist.


The cotton worm is also known by a
army worm and cotton leaf cater
pillar" and the caterpillar" 1t is the
only species that accomplishes the COM
plete defoliation of the cotton plant
throughout large areas There have been
seven serious outbreaks of this species
since its first occurrence in Georgia and
South Carolina in 1888
In the outbreak of 1911 the first strip
ping in Alabama occurred during the last
week in July, and before the end of that
season the cotton in IS counties had been
practically stripped. Careful field studies
iE 1911 showed that the cotton worms
prevented the opening of approximately
10 per cent of the bolls throughout the
state. Nevertheless, the yield in 1911
was next TO the largest ever produced in
Alabama in spite of the work of the cot
ton worms. 1t happened that in 1911 from
80 to IS per cent of the entire crop was
set and the bolls were well on toward
maturity by August l. The present con-
dition is very different therefrom, and
unless cotton can be kept in fruiting dur
ing August. 1919, the yield this season Is
bound to be very short.
PROSPECTS FOR 1919
There are two important insect factors
in the 1919 cotton crop. The first of these
is the boil weevil. Every indication dur
ing the present season has been for
heavy weevil damage, and conditions at
the present time indicate that il may
prove to be heavier than for any preced-
ing year. except possibly 1916. in this
state. On top of this condition of boil
weeYu infestation lis the prospect that
the cotton worm may destroy the foliage
over large areas before the end of Au-
gust SO that squares will cease to form
ON AL IN1l.. L. =
happens, as seems likely at the present
time, the insect damage to the present
crop will far exceed that sustained in
1911. The boil weevil damage alone to
the 1918 crop was not less than $1,000
600 and weevil work was exceptionally
light in 1918.
Watch cotton closek every year to de-
tect the first signs of cotton worm at
lacks Report Immediately to the De-
partment of Entomology, Auburn, when
ever cotton worms appear as it is of the
utmost importance that the extent of
distribution of this species and it's album
dance in every section of the state should
be known as soon as possible. This is
necessary if proper stock of poisons are
to be arranged for and placed where they
can be easily and economically secured
when needed by the cotton planters Mer-
chants should not be expected to carry
the entire burden for placing this stock
of poison. Cotton planters should divide
this responsibility with the merchants
by ordering enough poison to meet their
immediate needs for protecting their
rankest cotton, where the worms are
most likely to appear first
The amount needed for cotton worms
for each application will be from three
to five pounds per acre, and if proper
materials are used, such as calcium Ar
senate and arsenate of lead it is likely
that one application will be enough to
control each generation total amount
of from six to 10 pounds per acre will
therefore provide fairly satisfactory in
surance for the cotton crop against the
cotton worm. This amount will not be
enough to provide for treatment of the
boil weevil, which requires approximate
ly 20 pounds per acre for adequate treat
ment Whenever there is a prospect Of
cotton worm occurrence, as under pres
ent conditions. it becomes increasingly
advisable to treat for boil weevil wher-
ever the fertility of the field is such
that there is a possibility of the plant
continuing to grow squares and boIls I'M
til the early part of September.
WHAT pnTCnN To vrcE