The Delta independent., 1922-06-30
WEB WORMS AND GRASS
HoPPERS IN EVIDENCE

1t is well to look out for webworms
and grasshoppers which it is reported
have been doing considerable damage
to beets. Spraying has been resorted
to by many of our beet growers. A.
c. Maxson in charge of the expert
mental department of the Great Wes-
tern Sugar Company at Denver has
this to say regarding webworms, q
few extracts which we are publishing
for the benefit OF beet growers in this
section. "The sugar beet webworm IL
one of the most destructive leaf-eat
ing insects attacking the sugar beet
1t was first introduced into this coun-
try from the Eastern Hemisphere ap-
pearing first on the Pacific coast AS
early as 1869 it damaged beets in
Utah. Since that time it has spread
over the entire sugar beet growing
areas of the country. The worst out
breaks which have occurred in Colo
RADIO was in the years 191S-1919.
An accurate statement of the acres
damaged in 1918 and the degree OF
damage was reported by the fieldmen
of the Great Western Sugar Company.
These reports show that 1000 acres
were injured. The first brood injur-
ed $500 acres and the second 25.6OO
acres. Over 1000 acres were damag-
ed to the extent of two tons per acre.
over 1000 acres to the extent Of one
ton per acre and nearly $1,000 acres
to the extent of u ton per acre. The
total loss to the growers and the in
dustry was not less than 26, ,450 tons
of beets. These at $1,000 per ton,
the price in 1918, represents a money
loss of 1854 500. Over 10000 acres
were sprayed with Paris green at the
average rate of pounds per acre, and
much loss thus prevented. This re-
quired $4,000 pounds of Paris green
Losses could have been greatly re-
duced had the growers realized in
time that there was danger and had
been properly prepared. Too late
spraying is responsible for much loss.
The nature of the injury appears to be
almost destruction of the sugar beet
leaf This retards growth, reduces
yield and sugar content. Small beets
may be killed outright IL the leaf sur
! face is so small that the worms at
tack the crowns. Larger beets suffer
In proportion to the foliage. The
moths are active and easily disturbed
during the day. When present they
will be noticed to be flying ahead of
the cultivator or OF one walking thru
the field. Their flights are short and
/ jerky and they usually alight on the
underside of the leaf or on the ground.
, The eggs will be found on the under
side of the beet leaves or on lambs
quarters or on Russian thistle II these
weeds are growing in the field. They
are of a pearly white color and the
size OF small pin head and not cas-
| lily seen unless careful search is made
| for them. One or two worms or eggs
on one-half to three-fourths of the
/ leaves indicate the presence of enough
worms to seriously injure the crop,
It is hard for person who has not
seen a severe outbreak OF webworms
to realize that few small worms are
capable of causing the loss OF several
dollars worth OF beets. II eggs or
young worms are found It is time to
get your spray machine out. Careful
watch should be kept OF the beets dur
ing the last half Of June. the latter
part OF July and early August. ES-
anime the underside OF the beet every
day or so.''