The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
PARASITE USED
 IN BEETLE FIGHT
Germs and Sprays Also Secured on Checking
 Spread in State

AS the notorious Japanese beetle continues to increase and spread in Connecticut, intensified warfare with parasites, germs and sprays is waged by the Agricultural Experi- ment Station at New Haven. Dust containing millions of bacteria of the milky disease has been distrib- uted over 16 experimental plots in the State; 75 colonies of wasp para sites have been released; nematodes. the almost invisible worm-like para sites discovered in New Jersey, have been washed into several heavily in- fested plots, and protective sprays that might substitute for lead ar- senate have been tried on vines and fruits.
 All of this work is experimental and cannot be recommended to the public at present, asserts Dr. Philip Garman who directs parasite re- search at the Station. In a few years the experiments should deter mine whether or not parasites and disease are a practical control here It will take much longer time be- fore they are effective in reducing the bettle population.
 Meanwhile the best advice of J. Peter Johnson, in charge of beetle control at the Station, is for turf owners to watch for infestations and to use lead arsenate according to directions given in Station Circular l32. Parasites are not available for public use.
 Parasite Experiments
 A number of years ago Japanese beetle grubs were found dying of a disease in a heavily infested section of New Jersey. A series of investiga- tions by the Federal Bureau of En- tomology showed that the bacteria causing the trouble may live in the soil for indefinite periods in the form of spores. When the beetle grub takes them into its system while feeding, the organism multi plies rapidly, producing millions of spores in a single body and turning the fluids milky white. In time, federal workers evolved a method of using this milky disease for their own purposes.
 Grubs taken into the laboratory were inoculated with the bacteria and allowed to rest for two weeks while the spore increased. They were then ground, mixed with tale and the spore-bearing dust was used to treat sections of heavily infested turf. Results in New Jersey have been so promising that experiments are being tried in Connecticut.
 A year ago two disease plots were started by the USDA. The Station laid out five more last spring: three in Hartford and one each in New Haven and Danbury. Dust was used at the rate of four pounds to the acre and a check-up after six months showed reduced population in two of the plots. Since climate and soil conditions here differ from those in New Jersey, it may take further ex- pertinent, more material and a longer trial period to get satisfac- tory returns, Dr. Garman believes With this in mind, the Station has laid out nine new plots this fall on some of which the dose of spore- laden dust will be doubled.
 In 1940 the State made its first test of nematode parasites. These are wormlike organisms that live in soil. They also reproduce rapidly so that enormous quantities can be reared on artificial media in the laboratory. However. their distribu- ton is more difficult than that of the milky disease because the in- tested material must be diluted in water and applied to the turf through a watering can. A second sprinkling is then required to wash the nematodes into the soil. A sin- gle nematode entering the body of a Japanese beetle grub may kill it. but many more than one emerge from the dead grub to infest the soil.
 This parasite is being tried for control of the Asiatic as well as the Japanese beetle. The Asiatic beetle Is serious pest in the vicinity of New Haven and other cities in the State. Tn two of the plots treated last spring. recent diggings showed that the grubs had decreased in number. Tn one. results were nega- tive. Dr. 0arman reports.
 The third experiment with para. sites has been going on for several years. More than 76 colonies Of the spring and fall tiphia wasps have been released in parts of the State wheer there Is q plague Of beetles These are imported parasites. col. leeted by the UsDA in Japan and Korea. and reared in the United States. They have become accliniat' ed in New Jersey and are nov ha'