Sodium Fluosilicate as a Control for Blister Beetles on Soybeans in Southwestern Louisiana

Abstract

In experiments conducted in Southwestern Louisiana for the control of blister beetles on soybeans, calcium arsenate and Paris green were tried both as dusts and sprays with and without lime. These acted as repellents, giving no control. Dusting with sodium cyanide gave a very small percentage of control. Various contact insecticides were tried without success. Attraction to artificial light was small. In June 1925 applications of sodium fluosilicate (analyzed as sodium fluosilicate 97.90 to 98.10 by Bureau of Chemistry, U. S. D. A.) applied at the rate of 15 pounds per acre gave practically 100 per cent control. A mixture of equal parts by volume of sodium fluosilicate and hydrated lime gave practically the same results but did not kill so quickly as undiluted sodium fluosilicate.