Evening star., 1932-11-27

There are now more than 1900
species of insect pests in the United
States
During the last year 2,79o new ones
have been added to the records, accord
ing to DR.. c. L. Marlatt, chief of the
Bureau of Entomology. This was made
known through the work of the insect
pest survey, which makes surveys in
the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti
and Brazil. Altogether the records OF
the survey show 26,450 species of in
sects which are more or less injurious,
Although considerable success has at
tended the introduction of new para
sites, DR.. Marlatt reported, there is no
prospect of stopping the spread of the
Japanese beetle throughout the United
States. One ray of hope, however, is
seen in the effect of the prolonged Sum-
mer droughts of recent years on the
beetles. They are shown to be depend
ent to q considerable degree on soil
moisture. This indicates that the pest
can hardly become very damaging in
the more arid regions of the country.
Japan Secured for Insects.
Another hopeful sign, DR.. Marlatt
said, in the decrease in numbers and
damage in the sections OF the country
where the beetle has been longest es-
tablished, especially in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, is through the introduc-
ton Of parasites. japan, believed to be
the native habitat of the pest, has been
secured for insects which prey upon 1t
and a large number have been found
Five have been definitely established in
the United States--three varieties of fly
and two varieties of wasp. 1t has been
possible to establish one variety OF them
over an area of 179 square miles and 1t
is hoped that the range eventually Will
extend over much of the infested area.
Among the problems attacked by the
bureau, DIR. Marlatt reported, is the
control of mosquitoes on the Delaware,
Maryland and Virginia Peninsula and
on the west side of Chesapeake Bay,
where, he declared, the infestation Is
so serious as to interfere with the
proper development of the country:
During the last Summer a survey OF
mosquito conditions was undertaken In
this area. The plan Is to determine
by means of traps what mosquitoes are
most abundant in the different districts
and their seasonal occurrence. At least
25 different varieties Of this pest have
been captured and much has been
learned of their relative importance.
A tremendous outbreak Of Hessian
flies, one of the most dreaded wheat
pests, Is warned against during the
coming year, extending from Eastern
Kansas to Western Maryland. Prepar-
ations are being made to inform wheat
growers by radio broadcast Of the steps
necessary throughout the threatened
area to reduce the anticipated crop
damage.
Big Grasshopper Year Seen.
There is also a strong possibility, 1t
Is reported, of big grasshopper year,
such as was predicted for last year but
which failed to materialize because OF
the long, cold Spring. A survey now
is in progress to determine the range
of egg dispositions. Extensive egg lay
ing, it is reported, began early in July
Further damage, especially in this
section of the country, is expected from
the Asiatic garden beetle whose distri-
button now extends from Connecticut
| to Virginia and which is especially
hard to keep within bounds because
| it is an active flyer. 1t has increased
greatly in numbers during the past two
seasons and injury from its grubs was
more extensive during the past season
than in any previous year. These