New Britain herald., 1930-07-10
JAPANESE BEETLE
 HUNT IN PROGRESS
U. s. Scouts Examining Plants
 in New Britain Gardens


 Field scouts of the United States department of agriculture and State of Connecticut, plant quarantine and control administration, began scouting operations for the Japan ese beetle in New Britain this morn ing crew of a foreman and three scouts each have been assigned by the Department of Agriculture to cover the area in and about this locality.
 The Japanese beetle was discov- cred in this country in 1916 near eiverton, in the west-central section
 f New Jersey It is believed to lave gained entry to the United States in the grub stage in soil surrounding Jananese iris or azalea plants imported from Japan. In the intervening 14 years since it's discovery, the pest has spread until now isolated in festations exist as far north as Springfield, Massachusetts,: Provi- dence, Rhode Island; Hartford, Connecticut; Binghamton, New York; and Sayre. Pennsylvania; as far west as Williamsport, Lewis town, and Chambersburg, 'Pennsyl- vanja; and as far south as Norfork and Cape Charles, Virginia. The area regulated by the department of asricultu: on account of the insect comprise 43,SSS square miles.
 Must Visit Private Property
 In order to determine the extent of spread of the beetle, each sum- mer scouts are assigned to scout the areas of likely infestation. These men examine the preferred food plants of the beetle or other foliage on which the adult beetle are likely to be found if present To do this it is necessary to enter the yards of residences and other prem ises in which plants may be found. The scouts are in uniform and are furnished with identification cards which will be exhibited upon re- quest. The scouts will net molest any plants or property on the prem ises and will make their survey with as little inconvenience to the property owner as possible. The activities of the federal scouts were reported to the local police department before scouting activi- ties began, in order that the coop eration of the police could be se- cured in explaining any complaints or inquiries on the part of residents whose grounds have been entered by the scouts.
 The Federal scouts are engaged only in making observations to de- termine Japanese beetle infestation. The limited time assigned to the scouting activities in New Britain does not permit them to give de- tailed information about the Jap anese beetle work, nor to identify or suggest control measures for plant diseases or insect pests other than the Japanese beetle. Detailed information concerning any phase of the Japanese beetle work may be obtained by addressing the Japan- ese beetle quarantine headquarters of the United States department Of agriculture, 159O Pierce avenue, Camden, New Jersey. Inquiries con- corning other insect pests or plant diseases should be addressed to the State Agricultural Experiment sta ton at New Haven. The federal men have requested the cooperation of the residents of New Britain in facilitating their work as much as possible.
 What Japanese Beetle Is
 The Japanese beetle is a member of the same group of insects as the Colorado potato beetle, and re- sembles the latter somewhat in size. The adult Japanese beetle, however. is q beautiful and bright ly colored insect. It is bright metal lie green. except the greater part of the wing covers. which are cop pery brown. Five white spots on either side of the abdomen and two white spots near the tip of the ab- domen of the insect furnish dis tlnct characteristics for the Japan csc beetles identification. Any spec imens resembling this description observed by local residents should be collected and given to the scouts or mailed to the Japanese beetle headquarters office at Camden, N. J. The adult beetle is voracious feeder, causing great damage to foliaTe and fruit. Among it's prefer red host plants are apple, peach. elm linden. willow, grape. rose, holly hook, smartweed and sasSa fras. The grub, or overwintering stage of the beetle. causes considerable damage to lawns and sod land.
 Area Quarantfned
 In addition to trap control meas ures and chemical treatments ap- piled at points of isolated infesta- tion, a strick federal and state quarantine on the movement of nursery and ornamental stock, sand, soil earth, peat, compost and ma- nure from the infested areas is en- forced throughout the year Addi- tional restrictions are placed on the movement, during the period June l 5 to October IS, of farm products and cut flowers. Road inspection