Milford chronicle., 1928-07-27
MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE
State Is Taking PrecautiOn To
Check Its RaVages In Delaware

The State Board of Agriculture
under date of July goth, sent to the
Milford Chronicle" the following
letter and the article on the Mexi-
can Bean Beetle, which has appear
ed in the bean fields of Sussex
county. 1t will be wise to aid the
State in eradicating this enemy to
a profitable industry in Delaware.
"Gentlemen-We are herewith in
closing a press article on the 'MeXi-
can Bean Beetle and should ap-
preciate your giving this notice
publicity in your newspaper. This
was especially prepared to correct
the impression that an outbreak of
the Japanese Beetle had occurred
in Sussex county. We are planning
to carry on a thorough inspection of
the area concerned, and will be
pleased to inform you of any new
developments.
very truly yours,
RALPH c. WILSON, Secretary.
"Mr Ralph c. Wilson, secretary of
the Delaware State Board of Agri-
culture, wishes to correct the i'm
preston that has been reported of
the Japanese Beetle being establish
ed in Sussex County and affecting
the bean crop.
"The situation that does exist is
concerned with the first appearance
of the Bean Lady-Bird Beetle or
Mexican Bean Beetle This beetle
in no way resembles the Japanese
Beetle, and it's food plants consist
of string beans, lima beans, COW
peas, soy beans, vetch, alfalfa, clio
yer, and such leguminous plants.
"The presence of this pest in Del
aware was first discovered on July
IL in a field of string beans near
Coolspring, Sussex county. The
grub, or larvae, stage of the beetle
only was found, so that steps were
Immediately taken to eliminate the
plants upon which these insects
were working. In this way, one
could prevent the development of
the first brood of beetles. Inspec-
ton of all fields in the Bridgeville, |
Seaford, Georgetown, and Lewes |
sections has shown the presence of |
this pest. The Gamers are having |
every field inspected and are re-
plants which show the pres
ence of the pest. These are de-
and it is hoped that the
work will materially check the de-
for the rest of the season.
About, eight or ten plants per acre
have been found infested, which in
dictates the first evidence of infesta-
ton for these sections.
"This insect is closely related to
the Lady Bird Beetle that attacks
cantaloupes, squashes
and watermelons. 1t differs, in the
beetle stage by having 16 black
spots compared with II black spots
for the Squash Beetle. The grub,
Dr. larvae, feed on the under sur
face of the leaves, skeletonizing
hem, so that they can be easily
in the field. 1t is plan
ned to carry on a thorough inspec-
ion, in cooperation with the can
lers, so as to determine it's prob
lble spread on to lima beans, which
crop will be maturing in about 10
lays. 1t is hoped, through this
means, to materially check the de-
relopment and spread for this sea-
on.
Maryland and the more southern
ections have reported the beetle in
disturbing numbers and there
would appear to be some evidence
hat this pest is spreading north
ward. It is urged that all people
With home paintings of beans who
night discover this pest will take
Immediate steps to destroy all the
elbow grubs or beetles that they
md on the paintings"
TIL 1..n no., ram Il IA ,h. cE.nn;.I.