Milford chronicle., 1929-08-16
HOW TO FIGHT The
MEXICAN BEETLE
rc.stiusld from Srst S4gel

[Csstissrd from 6rH 4ASe]
the adults of the last one hibernate
or pass the winter in the woods un-
der rubbish, dead leaves, and CID
nine needles or under suitable places
along fence rows.
"The Mexican bean beetle passes
through four distinct stages in its
development. 1t is important that the
grower become familiar with these.
Egg-Eliptical in shape, about
one-sixteenth of an inch long, light
yellow in color. Laid in groups OF 4O
to go ON the undersides of the leaves.
The average number per female DUR
ing a season is about 300.
Larva-Greenish when young, he-
coming dark yellow when tully ma
ture. The full grown larva is almost
a third of an inch in length, the BODY
covered with rows of prominent SUN
spines. o,on
Puma - Light yellow in COLOR
about a quarter of an lnch long;
Tbey are attached to the rear emo
to the undersides of the leaves anu
in this stage the insect is lnactlVe:
Adult-The freshly changed beetle
is a distinct yellow in color, marheu
with eight small spots on eacn WING
cover This color soon darkens TO a
light brown. They are very stouI,
convex. and are about a quarter OIL
an inch long. The adults are strong
fiiers and spread the m1eSta'ion
from field to teld. ill, +bo
They are often confused VIII :ns
very closely related Squash !aoyDlru
heetle (Epiachna borealis Fapr') put
con be easily separated by its smail
size and arrangement OF the uarA
Snots or markings. These spots are
1ass numerous and distinctly larger
in the Squash lady beet!e anu M Cne
insect is more hemispherlcal' me
Latter insect attacks the squash ana
other curcubits while the Mexican
Roam Reetle confines its feedlnS u
nlants of the bean family.
soThese recommendations are pas
od unon results reported by lnvestl-
gators of the U. S. Bureau Ol ctn4eS E4e
mology and of the various Htaees'
which have studied this insect lh'eH
sively. ,ds unon
+borough and timely treatments ap-
Lid . fo the under surface OF t1e
foliage. Applications OF arsenioa1S nc 80
abomId start with the appearance Oh
s1nO sn erst admits in the field anu
should be repeated at Intervals ,nefr neE
essary to keep the foliage propeh.S
covered. On string beans spI@S1Ee
oDd dusting should stop atter Cne
~ods start to form. Spraying Is usu
aIIv more effective than dusting anu
;s nreferred where local conulcioliS
make If practical. On account OIL tne
nrtrone ll-J susceptibility of the Dean
DIant TO burning, conslderaDIe ca
must be exercised in the seleceloI u
nroner materials. Arsenate OF leau -
9ot recommended for use on Dean
fo1iage because of the serious Durn-
inc which often results from lts use
on this crop. Magnesium arsenaCe
has nroven to be the most enectlVe
of the arsenicals and when useu 'n0
addition of lime is necessary.
"Use only calcium arsenate rev
ommended specifically for beans as
had burning may result with some
brands There is a great deal OF Oil.
ference in the various Dranus vi
colcium arsenate now on the mar
ket- Under certain adverse weatner
conditions such as following heaVy
rains or excessive moisture sellOuS
burning may be experienced
"a safer but more expensive mix *
+ure is a dust prepared with ~
nounds of calcium arsenate' ~
hounds of monohydrated copper SUI
nhate. and 60 pounds OF lime. me
copper sulphate VIII
haIn insure protection from bacter-
ial blights, anthracnose, mlloe"' anu
other diseases. a Nth
"Magnesium arsenate mixed Win
hvdrated lime in the proportlon ol
I tn 3 by weight can be used as d
dust hut is rather heavy and IS not
so satisfactory as the other recon-
mended.
"After the crop is picked, ploW
down fields, using drag chain TO IN
sure proper covering OF vines. !urh /
under six to eight inches deep where
nossible in order to destroy any
stages of the beetles left on plants.
This aids in preventing a heavy car
ry over for the next season. In small
gardens, as soon as the beans stop
producing, the vines should be pull
ad up and Immediately burned. Any
control measures practiced early IN
the season to keep the infestation
down will aid materially in prevent
ing serious injury to late-planted
and slow-growing varieties OF BEANS
"While arsenical poisOns are dan
gerous to man, snap beans whlch
have been sprayed or busted after
The pods have formed can be safely
used after being thoroughly washed
two or three times before cooking.
The addition of a little vinegar %
rinse water will aid in quickly re-
any spray residue that may
be present.
"Pyrethum soap sprays are very
effective against certain stages OF
the beetle but this material is very
expensive. There are several brands
on the market and the home gard
ener may prefer to use this material
on account of it's complete non-tox-
ity to humans.
The acreage of beans grown will
determine the kind of busting or
spraying equipment necessary. Hand
operated busters and sprayers will
prove satisfactory for backyard