Florida Agricultural Experiment Station


 Probably the only practical measure the farmer can take to
aid these:natural enemies of the caterpillars is to see that they
are unmolested. Birds, wasps and
skunks, which are commonly per-
secuted, should be protected. They
are among the farmer's best allies.
It is true that skunks have an uri-
fortunate appetite for poultry, but
the poultry can be kept safeguard-
ed at night.
 Turkeys are fond of insects of
all kinds, and, because they are
prone to wander, are particularly
valuable on the farm. If possible
a farmer should keep a flock for
their insectiverous value, even if
they do not bring large returns at
marketing time.
 Dragonflies capture many of the Fig. 18. Say's Hunter (Calosoma
moths, sayi).
 CONTROL BY CHOLERA
 By far the most efficient check on the increase of this pest
is a disease called "Cholera" by farmers. This is caused by the
fungus (Botrytis rileyi) (Fig. 19). In October, 1914, and again
 in 1915, and also in previous
 years, this fungus almost ex-
 terminated the caterpillars in
 the fields around Gainesville.
 Less than one-tenth of one per
 cent escaped. On the Experi-
 ment Station grounds where
 they had been numerous
 enough to destroy much of
 the crop, the caterpillars be-
 came scarce in one week.
 Fig. 19. Caterpillar killed by "cholera."
 This is not unusual, but oc-
curs almost every year. Sooner or later the fungus appears and
nearly exterminates the caterpillars, tho it is often too late to
save the crop. After it becomes established in the field, the fungus
seems to control the insect for the remainder of the season. The
fungus to become epidemic seems to require a cool, prolonged,
rainy period, such as usually occurs in late September or October.