The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-20
JAPANESE BEETLE
 SEASON IN SWING
Small Number of Traps Place in Cheshire and
 WOOdbury

Early arrival of Japanese beetles this season was reported from Branford, Greenwich, New Haven and Ridgefield. Since that time, June 9, the beetles have also been found in all of the communities previously infested, and calls have come to the Agricultural Experi- ment Static at New Haven asking for control measures.
 !. Peter Johnson, in charge of beetle work at the station, has out lined methods of control. He sug- geSted that householders learn to recognize the green-gold beetles and their white grubs that are found in the turf between August and May. He said that one female killed be- fore laying eggs this season might mean 40 fewer beetles next year. Japanese beetles feed on foliage and flowers of roses, hollyhocks, dahlias, Virginia creeper and var ious other ornamental vines and shrubs. A large infestation may completely defoliate the bushes and ruin the flowers. The peak of the season usually comes between bid- July and mid-August.
 Lead arsenate treatment for lawns Is directed against the grubs and is usually applied in early spring, MT. Johnson said. A description of the method Is given in Station Cir cular 1l3, free on request.
 The beetles may be caught in the morning before TOO o'clock by jar- ring the foliage of infested plants, Sheets should be placed on the ground under the plants so that the beetles may be colelcted and dropped into a solution of kerosene and water.
 Japanese beetles may be destroy ed by various kinds of contact sprays, Mir. Johnson suggests. One is made up of sodium oleate and an alcoholic extract of pyrethrum flowers diluted in water. Several pyrethrum sprays are on the mark ct and when used according to di- rections are satisfactory.
 Another contact spray Is made of common soap at the rate of one pound in three to four gallons of water. If the water is hard, or the soap contains much moisture, a larger amount should be used. AL though it is possible to make two or three applications to harder plants without injury, the continued use of soap is likely to cause some injury to the foliage.
 Contact sprays must cover the beetles to kill them. A coarse, drenching spray is used for this purpose and best results come when the application is made between 1O:00 a. m! and 400 p. m. while the the sun is shining. When properly used, contact sprays will kill large number of beetles on the fol- iage but will not prevent the plants from becoming infested.
 The foliage of plants may be pro- tected by spraying with hydrated lime at the rate of one pound to three gallons of water. If the spray residue is washed off by rain it may be necessary to make several additional applications. New growth must also be sprayed as it develops This spray largely repels the in- sects, prevents extensive feeding and makes the plants non-attractive Sometimes it is difficult to prevent injury if the spraying is delayed until large numbers of beetles ap- year.
 Lastly. traps baited with a mix ;ure containing geraniol and eugon- Cl are attractive to the Japanese beetle and are an easy and inex- l.onsiYe method of capturing large rarlhers of insects Such traps .lould be used by a community 1ley may De purchased locally.
 Afr Johnson said that 20 men are eonting establishments classified under the Japanese beetle regula- 1 ems. Crews of four are located al
 -deeport New Haven, Middletown, {. rtford and Storrs. In an effort 10 determine whether Japanese ! atles are present, a small num- : of traps have been placed in ffe following towns; Lakeville, { 1rfolk. Stafford Springs. Thomp- : avllle. Southington. Cheshire. l. Linton, Guiiford and Woodbury.
 
 SOPHIE RIDES BIKE!
 Bophie Tucker. since she arrived