The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1946-01-28

One Of the principal detectives
of white-fringed beetle control &C.
tivities is to prevent the artificial
and natural spread of beetles from
infested areas. Widespread dis
persal of the beetle has been pre-
vented by the timely application of
control measures coupled with en-
forcement of Federal and State
guarantees. Control measures ap.
piled at and around important ar
tificial dissemination points have
very drastically reduced infesta-
tons at those locations.
The insects reproduction abili-
ties, its lack of natural enemies
and the fact that it spends large
part OF the year underground make
control efforts difficult. In addi-
ton, the soil inhabiting form Of
this insect is not killed with numer-
Gus chemicals used in controlling
the larvae or grubs of other insect
poets. The intensity Of control
measures and the duration Of ap-
plications are dependent upon the
size of infestations, hazards Of
spread Involved and other peril
nent factors associated with each
individual infested. area. Control
programs designed to meet the re-
quirements at each i.lfestation are
conducted annually by the U. S.
Department of Agriculture in CO.
operation with the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture. Suit
able control measures are applied
during the period when the great
est number of adult beetles are ac-
tive which is usually between June
and October.
Measures employed to effect
large-scale control Of White-fringed
beetles include the application Of
insecticides and herbicides. In
secticidal sprays and dusts are
used effectively for reducing beetle
populations in vacant lots, gardens,
parks, commercial sites, + m
lands and along roadsides. Cryo-
lite, an insecticide which is rela-
lively nontoxic to man or other
Warm-blooded mammals, is used
for the treatment of such areas.
DOT has been used in limited
quantities and may be the'principal
insecticide in use for this purpose
in the near future. Calcium arse
nate is effective against the white
fringed beetle but its use is limited
to cotton fields, woodlands, or
fenced industrial sites that are not
accessible to livestock. Stickers
which afford ahesive qualities have
been developed for insecticidal
sprays thereby prclonging their
period of effectiveness. Railroad
yards and adjacent industrial
trackage from which white-fringed
beetles might be spread are treat
ed with an oil-base herbicide. This
material will kill beetles by contact
and is very effective in destroying
host plants and other vegetation.
The removal of such vegetation
makes the treated areas unattract-
i've to the beetle and reduces the
possibility of dissemination from
such locations.
The White-Fringed Beetle Control
Project utilizes mechanical equip
ment for the application Of insec-
ticides. Various units have been
developed and adapted to these
operations and during the past
year the project successfully oper-
ated concentrated sprayer-duster
machines. This two-ia-one machine
mounted on a standard tractor is
capable of treating large areas
with surprisingly small amount
OF concentrated insecticidal spray
and can dispense dust as well as
liquid. In open areas suitable fo1
busting, insecticides are also ap