TATE Pi-ANT BOi^i' E-501 May 1940 SUGGESTED CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TOBACCO INSECTS ON SUN-GROWN CIGAR-TYPE TOBACCO IN THE GEORGIA AND FLORIDA PRODUCING REGION By F. S. Chamberlin, Division of Truck Crop and Garden Insect Investigations These recommendations have been taken from the various publications of the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine and from those prepared by the Recommendations Committee of the Tobacco Insect Council, representing the agricultural experiment stations located in the principal tobacco- producing States and the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, United States Department of Agriculture. Residues from insecticidal treatments on tobacco are objectionable from several standpoints, therefore every precaution should be taken to keep at a minimum the deposits of chemicals following the use of insecticides. ^''^^'' le lead arsenate is recognized as a good remedy for combating some of the impoi+ant insect pests of the tobacco crop, its extensive use is not advo- cated bt-'^ause the use of this material may leave two objectionable residues on the tob(a,-co, namely, lead and arsenic. THE MOLE CRICKET ON PLANT BEDS Poisoned bait: Corn meal or cottonseed meal Wheat bran or shorts Paiis ereen or calcium arsenate Molasses Water 5 pounds 5 pounds ^ pound 2 quarts (approx. to moisten Mix well and apply within 48 hcurs, at the rate of 3 to 4 pounds per 100 square yards. Care should be exercised to prevent the bait from touching the young plants. The bait should be strewn around edges of the bed, in pathways, and where the stand is sparse or missing. This should be done as late in the afternoon as possible, preferably after the topsoil has been moistened by rain or by artificial means. Two or more applications may be required. - 2 - 'CUTWORMS On Plant Beds Poisoned bait: Wheat bran 50 pounds Paris green 1 pound Water to moisten Scatter the bait around the margins of the bed, in the walkways, and in any open spaces where the plants are missing. It will cause burning if it comes in contact with the plants. The rate of application should be about 4 pounds (dry weight) per 100 square yards. On Newly Set Plants Apply the bait broadcast, just before the plants are set, at the rate of 15 to 20 pounds (dry weight) per acre. Apply late in the afternoon for best results. If the application is made after plants are set, a small quantity of bait should be dropped close to each hill but so as not to hit the plant. Cultural control. — The practice of keeping the land free of green vegetation during the winter and spring months will reduce the numbers of cutworms in tobacco fields, but this recommendation should not be followed if it conflicts with the recommendations of agronomists. GRASSHOPPERS ON NEWLY SET PLANTS Poisoned bait: Wheat bran 50 pounds Paris green 2^ pounds Sirup (preferably blackstrap molasses) 3 quarts Water to moisten The bait should be scattered thinly ovox infested fields and around the borders of fields at the rate of 10 to 20 pounds (dry weight) per acre. If the tobacco is newly set, the bait may be broadcast without appreciable injury to the plants, if scattered evenly. For growing plants the bait should be applied in the sapce between revs. The bait will cause burning if applied to the foliage of growing plants. BUDWORMS ON GROWING PLANTS Poisoned bait: Lead arsenate 1 pound Corn meal. 75 pounds Apply a pinch of the mixture to the center of each bud at the rate of 8 to 12 pounds per acre. Cottonseed meal, lime, sand, and other sub- - 3 - stances are sometimes used in place of corn meal, but have been found to be much inferior. The extreme efficiency of the mixture of corn meal and lead arsenate is due to the attractiveness of the corn meal to the tobacco budworm. Sun-grown types of cigar filler tobacco will ordinarily be pro- tected sufficiently by one application of the mixture a week until the plants are topped, while binder types require two applications a week for heavy infestations . Small lots of this poisoned bait can be made as follows: Lead arsenate 2^ ounces or 6 heaping teaspoonfuls Corn meal 1 peck TOBACCO HORNWORMS ON GROWING PLANTS Dust containing parts .green, 1 .part, and hydrated lime 6 parts . — Ap- ply the dust with a rotary hand-operated duster. On sun-grown tobacco, apply at the rate of about 7 to 8 pounds per acre. When the plants are not over knee-high the dust may be directed against the foliage. When applications are made to older tobacco the dust-gun nozzle should be held in the center of the space between the tobacco rows to avoid serious burning of the leaves. The number of applications necessary to protect the crop will depend upon the severity and the duration of infestations and upon weather conditions. Cultural control. — Destroy tobacco stalks and stubble immediately ■^ifter harvest. Fall plowing will destroy many overwintering hornworm pupae '^^ the soil. To obtain the greatest benefit from this method the land shoula be broken to a depth of 7 inches. Note. — No entirely satisfactory hornworm insecticide is available at the present time. Efforts are being made to find a material which is safe and efficieixt, and v/hich will leave no harmful or disfiguring residue upon the cured tobacco. ML UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 09224 6890