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UT TUTTO A TEE yer I TY FL “7 : we \w/ ees ; ff VAY WO iret ts bec Giron “pk i Grerees j MAb Ie OT we &, ee PAL TS oy : AAAS oO le te WY we Fras | vy | ASRS a =i ae Aw Nas O Me svuve Jv CAAA, Www wav VewWy es ; Ade | ee s of x aM Y fed . we ant Yoke BLwe lesa \ ans mye” y ew wywe* c Oe v ee PAL Hidago a se “mit nl oe as “teat ve “ vd bale: bee 1 eu eet wee ott vN A ¥ ‘ Aaphes Seve e Tey id he “RA A ee ee weveuey ; v ay iw with og ee AS od oo 5 Ss 2 be ee ie tet Se wget atte Me vere Ny nteiincetl eer ns revvewee- TALS AA A ~vUr a! Wwly yey SEE Ae cma avs vverrer eye See Bee ae Wide eee eee ee Ma Vyas wer <= cep mPBE S07 See mate Nn ncaa vw eee Manwaleer’ et eos j ww Fo eckereaveecee cc wol ce J Mh Bacon iy vv is | we eh we Sc ee vw! ay "oY yi hye net Wincott Nd Be : : “a Le | Cpe agua NYU Wein yihll vg coitivracv ~ j Wy { vu ti to i 7 y 7” py vv" i vy Teel Sew veviyyy ee Lee Vey PA A) bh bade dad cf OS f et | yer edt aoe ns oo J J Ne ht | : ’ wy \ | oS pie ATV Lad vain Leet \ vip wily Hy, -) a pe 2/6 yw ~| ~ re vievv yy — —— Ss a » Sec THE DIV.IN NT OF AGRICULTURE, SECTS, FALL ARMY WORM AND VARIEGATED CUT ORM PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST 4 BY F. H. CHITTENDEN, ASSISTANT ENTOMOLOGIST, WASHINGTON: : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1901. ~ os : $- Lh J VG | 1 Soa Ae oe an BULLETIN No. 29—New SERIES. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. ed ed @) PALL ARMY WORM AND VARIEGATED CUPWORML PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST, BY Foe “CHITTENDEN: ASSISTANT ENTOMOLOGIST. 7 a CAn ZyXy TANNUFACTURS KH WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. LOL { .) a = jie) & ’ Te . i 13% 7 i TLE c A il e © 4 ’ . - * - : * . F a - 7< ¥ - na Pay - LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Drviston oF ENTOMOLOGY, Washington, D. C., July 18, 1901. Str: [have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of a paper entitled *‘The fall army worm and variegated cutworm,” prepared with his customary thoroughness by Mr. F. H. Chittenden, of this Division. The insects are both important crop pests and of wide distri- bution, the former ranging from the West Indies to the Great Lakes, the latter cosmopolitan, but while known to entomologists, general farmers, and truck growers for many years, their life histories have never before been made out. This complete account of these species will be of great interest to the economic entomologists of the country, and it contains ideas and suggestions of much practical value. I rec- ommend the publication of this paper as Bulletin 29, new series, of this Division. Respectfully, L. O. Howarp, Entomologist. Hon. JAMES Wrison, Secretary of Agriculture. *s Perr A Ie. The season of 1899 was marked by extensive outbreaks of the fall army worm (Laphygma frugiperda 8. & A). During that season it was as injurious perhaps as any other insect, as it was destructive to a much longer list of crop plants and over a vast area of territory; in short, this attack was unprecedented in the insect’s history. The species 1s common in most seasons and familiar to practical workers in ento- mology and to observing persons interested in agriculture, but, although it has been known as injurious for many years, its full his- tory has never been investigated in all its details in any single locality, nor have any very complete accounts been published concerning it. It was hoped during the season of 1900 to ascertain certain points as to the insect’s life habits and economy that might have a bearing upon the practical treatment of the species as it occurs in the field and garden. For this reason many facts in relation to its biology learned during the season of 1899 were withheld from publication to await further observations. The season of 1900 was a disappointment as regards opportunity for the study of this insect, it seemingly having disappeared, at least as a pest, throughout the country. This experi- ence is confirmatory of an opinion, held by the writer for some time in regard to this and several other species of similar distribution and of probable southern origin, that certain atmospheric and other condi- tions destroy them in such great numbers in their more northern range during the late fall and in the winter that few of the insects are left to propagate the species the following season, and that, when these more northern localities become restocked with large numbers of the insects, such reproduction has been due mainly to the flight of moths from southern localities where these conditions have not prevailed, and where they multiply in more nearly normal numbers in swamp land and similar locations. It is to be regretted that the missing data can not be supplied, as it seems unwise to delay the publication of the ascertained facts await- ing more favorable conditions for observations which may not again offer for a year or two, or perhaps longer. The present account is as complete as can well be furnished at this time, and it is presented herewith in connection with a report of a similar outbreak of a cut- worm which occurred during the season of 1900. That season was ~ o 6 remarkable for cutworm outbreaks in various portions of the country. Most prominent of the species concerned in injury was the variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia Huebn.), this species in fact replacing the fall army worm as the injurious army worm of that year. Injury was to a still longer list of crop and other useful plants, but was somewhat more restricted than in the case of the fall army worm, although more or less damage was inflicted over a considerable portion of the United States and Canada, indicating that infestation was more general than reported. The principal losses were sustained on the Pacific slope from northern California to British Columbia. The life history of the variegated cutworm is somewhat better known than that of the fall army worm, but something remains to be learned of both species. The fall army worm and variegated cutworm differ considerably in habits, as also in distribution, for, whereas, the former feeds normally upon grasses, grains, and other Graminew, and less seldom injures garden vegetables and other plants except when driven to attack them by hunger, the latter is a regular inhabitant of the garden. Both are of growing importance as pests, and, as such outbreaks are apt to recur in the near future, it is desirable to place on record all known facts in regard to them. fe lee CONTENTS. Page Lis DEPP ass oe pe es Sp Ege ee Bee a ee 9 THE Fart Army Worm (Laphygma frugiperda S.'& A.) .......-.------------ 13 Pie acnpnonneim LNG MOU: . 2<-ssecued soceccemOcerscadecetecee 31 FEI ern aut OMe see Aeterna LF Se ie Noe oe cease 31 TECHN NAYS Ly Bas 9 aR eS Seana 8 SRE ana Ee REO 32 I PEveGnCCNerAWONs ot. nese ee ese ek es ee 33 REEbarary Ol Mens bOnYy- gear Oe eae A a a ee eee aC 40 TEEN DUVET LA PEO TBD GTS 2 TE NS fea eae mee ea 40 THE VARIEGATED Cutworm (Peridroma saucia Huebn.) ---....-------------- 46 VCE SET EL aan) Se eS ia Chie: BNE ok Poe a See 9 ie ol hone 47 Sin Ut One eer sas ee cee wee eee ee 2 ee ee Seca eS 49 2 EVE PINTS QUE ICONS pel op ea 49 Reports ol correspond entsin 1900). 227 1221s andi can oe neve ea sees 49 Newspaper notices of injurious Western occurrences -..------------- 3 Inpiesmiihes) omimon of Canadasas sos asccneccecs cee] assess] 54 lin Glieiee iO Ste RES Swe Bets Ee ee Saree ee ees te aes 59 PRG yel EN OL EOMMUNSCS Oe. his) Sete eee eet ine hae 2d Soe ee 56 Miscellaneous ODSERVATLONS 9s enamel Reson a eee Jee Sak aes 56 pee een CMa ire ns Ao Ae SR eee on Be ee ek Bio eins aye we 57 DS CE SCLIN Ee CS Spa ee 58 MISC ERRRENIre ers a Be It Ab OS ees Sue aet aoc ee es sks 59 isilloermenmorn einGl Sestah ole oye Se ee eee Se eee ena 59 Plus EMmeGMlife: MIREOLY oo. 2 Suet eee ene aS ue abe Soe Sl ease 60 ai talc Pen eran Ce emer eee oe bo eas oh ee Soe Sub es 61 MCRAE Shas heTasi aad = 2, Se Ns 2 ee ee ee ee ge ee 63 ~ TLLUSTRATIONS, . Laphygma frugiperda: Moth, larva, and pupa. ....------ ee ht . Laphygma frugiperda: Egg and newly hatched larva...-...--------- ~ Eeucania unipuncta: ‘Larva:-=.2.2+.:.2-2.-+-¢-<---2ecce cen beeeneee . Laphygma frugiperda and Leucania unipuncta: Heads of larvee ------- Winthemia 4-pustulata: Different stages.......-------------=----+--- . Polistes bellicosus: - Wasp- 22> 2225222222255 5360 ees e eee Calosoma calidum: Larva and beetle Euplecirus comstockii: Adult: .2< 222s. 522 224 42t ee. Cee eee eee Peridroma saucia: Moth, eggs, and larva . Peridroma saucia: Egg and egg mass . Peridroma saucia: Pale form of larva 8 Fia. ae ee ve ee oe HH THE FALL ARMY WORM AND THE VARIE- GATED CUTWORM. INTRODUCTION. The history of economic entomology shows that. nearly every year there are outbreaks of one or more species of caterpillars, which, from their habit of migrating in great numbers, have come to be famil- iarly termed ‘*‘army worms.” The normal habit of these caterpillars is the same as that of others of their kind, which includes cutworms. In ordinary seasons they feed chiefly on the grasses or weeds on which the parent moth has laid her eggs, or they may be present and feed- ing in our gardens, fields, and pasture land in small numbers, doing so little damage that their presence is not. noticed. No class of insects however, are more subject to fluctuation in numbers in different sea- sons. When, therefore, for any reason their numbers become unduly increased, they first devour every form of vegetation that is palatable to them growing in their immediate neighborhood, and when this food has become exhausted they march in armies in search of other means of sustenance. In recent years several army-worm outbreaks haye been observed and recorded. The year 1896 was marked by an unprecedented out- break of the true army worm; the year 1899 by a similar incursion of the fall army worm, and in 1900 the variegated cutworm became the most destructive of these species. In 1899 the fall army worm ravaged a considerable portion of the United States east of the Rocky Mountain region. This species feeds by preference on grasses and related plants, and so frequently assumes the migratory habit that it has come to be classified as one of our prin- cipal army worms, second only to the army worm proper (Leucan/a unipuncta Haw). The unusual and widespread abundance of the fall army worm during the season mentioned, and in many States where it had not previously been known as the cause of serious trouble, was the more remarkable since not a single specimen of this insect was received the previous year from any of our many correspondents, although a few individuals were noticed by the writer and others in the vicinity of the District of Columbia, and because so few outbreaks have been reported since that year, one of these also in the District of Columbia. Although the species is to be found ordinarily everywhere in the 9 10 astern half of the United States, and it is tolerably well known, par- ticularly in the South, as distinct from the true army worm, even to those not well versed in entomology its life history has not been thor- oughly investigated in any single locality to the writer’s knowledge. A search through available literature fails to show that the larva has been described in its various stages. A third species of caterpillar, the spotted cutworm (Voctua c-nigrum Linn.), was also at work during the season of 1900, doing, however, less injury than the other species mentioned. Reports show that this insect was unusually destructive in Indiana and Connecticut and along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, where it seemed to take the place of the variegated cutworm which was so injurious in the western part of Canada. The species was also rather more abundant than usual in Maryland and Virginia. As with the two preceding species, it was destructive to all sorts of garden and root crops, and in one instance, observed in Connecticut, assumed the army-worm habit. A preliminary notice of the injurious occurrences of the fall army worm was given in Bulletin No. 23 (n. s.), and similar articles on the variegated and spotted cutworms were published in Bulletin No. 27. The two species which form the basis of the present publication have not the same origin, and are therefore of quite different distri- bution. It follows as a matter of course that a corresponding dissimi- larity exists in their life economy. The fall army worm is undoubtedly of Southern origin, and proof will be furnished to show that in its constant endeavors to obtain a per- manent footing farther north than its natural range it is thwarted every few years by meteorologic conditions, the extreme cold of our more Northern States causing its death in great numbers in its hibernating quarters. On this hypothesis it would seem that the reappearance of the species in years after its destruction is to be accounted for by migrations of the moths from the South northward. The variegated cutworm, there is little doubt, is a foreign introduction, and was probably brought from the Old World at an early date, as the species has been known to naturalists for a considerable period. Outbreaks of these and other species which travel in armies are frequently the cause of extreme alarm among farmers, fruit growers, and others whose crops are infested, and there is usually considerable apprehension of the reappearance of these insects in future seasons. As a consequence, it happens in army-worm seasons that the Division of Entomology of this Department and the entomologists of the various experiment stations are besieged as to the probabilities of further attack and the means to be employed in the destruction of the insects, so that a repetition of injury the next season can be averted. It should be stated for the benefit of the general reader that the term army worm has been applied to several insects which have the habit 11 of congregating and migrating in great numbers. The common army worm and the wheat-head army worm are common forms. 2 : : attached below—somewhat en- grass fields overrun with army worms without j,yeea (from Comstock. finding a single specimen of the ‘* worm” which did not bear upon its back the eggs of Winthemia 4-pustulata, but that a very large proportion of these eggs failed to hatch through the molting of the caterpillars attacked. He cites observations made by Professor Fernald and his assistants in their work upon the gypsy moth in Massachusetts. In the case of 235 caterpillars of this moth, which bore from 1 to 33 eggs on each individual, 226 produced moths, and only 4 of the dipterous parasites were obtained from the entire number. The caterpillar which had 33 eggs upon it molted before any of them hatched, and eventually emerged as a moth in good condition. 1This Tachinid is the same as described by Dr. Williston under the name Evorista infesta in Professor Forbes’s report on the fall army worm (25, p. 65), and is also _ known to attack the common army worm and the larve of various cutworms and other injurious Noctuidee and Bombycidee. The list included up to 1896 fourteen hosts. This list is given in full in Bulletin No. 7, technical series, of this Division (pp. 21, 22), where also its distribution, characters, and synonymy are discussed. 2 Tech. Series, No. 5, Div. Ent., p. 51. 36 OTHER PARASITIC AND PREDACEOUS ENEMIES. The value of ants in interposing checks to the excessive increase of the fall army worm in the South was known in Glover’s time, and especial mention is made of them in his report for 1855 (3). Ants are also mentioned by our correspondents as being efficacious in destroy- ing this pest. Of the operations of ants as destroyers of the ‘* grass-worm” Glover says that on a plantation in the vicinity of Columbus, .Ga., num- erous colonies had formed their holes or nests in the road passing through the center of an infested field and here lay in wait for any unfortunate caterpillar which should be tempted to cross this dan- gerous path for a fresh supply of food. First, one ant more vigilant than the rest would rush to the attack; then another, and another, until the poor caterpillar, entirely covered by its pigmy foes, and com- pletely exhausted in strength by its unavailing efforts to escape, was finally obliged to succumb to superior numbers and die as quietly as possible, when the carcass was immediately carried off by the captors to their nests, or, when too heavy to be dragged away at once, they fed upon it as it lay in the road. This warfare was carried on every day as long as the grass-worms prevailed, and no doubt their numbers were diminished in this way to a considerable extent. Among other material obtained by Dr. Howard during 1881 were three para- sites of this species, one of which has been identified by Mr. Coquillett as Fic. 6.—Polistes bellicosus—somewhat Hrontina frenchit Will. The fly issued enlarged (Marx del). é ¥ - September 9 from Laphygma larve bear- ing Tachina fly eggs collected at Columbia, 5. C. Apanteles laphygme Ashm. MS. was reared August 29 and 30, {881, from material received from Savannah, Ga. Mr. Quaintance (40, p. 511) states that there are several species of wasps (Polistes bellicosus 4 and others) that attack these larvee, as also a species of Bombyliid, or bee fly, which was reared by him from the larve. Polistes bellicosus is shown in figure 6. Limneria dubitata Cyr. is mentioned as a doubtful parasite of the fall army worm (Insect Life, Vol. ILI, p. 158). The larvee of a Calosoma, specimens of which were received with a letter dated March 19, 1900, from China Spring, Tex., were observed by Mr. G. G. Hood feeding on the fall army worm. The species is perhaps the fiery ground-beetle (Calosoma calidium Fab.), which has been recorded by Professor Morgan to attack this caterpillar (38). The larva of C. cal/dum is shown in figure 7. Euplectrus comstockii How., a common chaleidid enemy of Aletea aylina, or cotton worm, is recorded as a parasite of Laphygma frug?- perda. From the latter host 25 individuals were reared from a single 37 larva (4th Report U.S. Ent. Comm., p. 107). This chaleidid is shown in figure 8. Only one bird other than the English sparrow appears to have been observed attacking this insect. on this head Lyman (6) said: ‘* There appears to be no toed but the blue jay that will eat it.’ The foregoing is a short list of known natural enemies of so common an insect. Future observa- tions will doubtless show that there are many others such as we know attack the common army worm, among which are various predaceous ground beetles and mites. Years of experience with the common army worm show the great efficiency of natural enemies in keeping down its num- bers, serious outbreaks seldom occurring 4,,.,— cutosomacalidum. alarva: two years in succession.’ The season of — bbeetle. Natural size (irom Ri- 1899, as previously noted, has shown that =" we can as yet place very little dependence on insect enemies against the fall army worm. REMEDIAL MEASURES. The fall army worm in its manner of life so nearly resembles, in many respects, the common army worm that, when it assumes the habit of traveling in armies, its ravages may be counteracted by a similar line of treatment. The remedies in vogue against the latter were discussed in the Annual Report of this Department for 1879 (pp. 189, 190), and in Circular No. 4, second series, of this Division (pp. 3, 4). As with the common army worm also, unfortunately, injury by this species is seldom detected until too late for the successful applica- tion of remedial or preventive measures. THE USE OF INSECTICIDES. Fic. 8.—£uplectrus comstockii, much enlarged (reengrayed after Com- In the vase of large armies in extensive stock). fields, plantations, or gardens, poisons are of little value at the time when outbreaks are at their height. When the armies are first noticed the larve or ‘‘ worms” are as a rule approaching maturity, they have effected much damage, and it is difficult at this stage to check them or prevent them from passing from one oo : eprden, or ORE tract to another. ' A few instances of such recurrence of attack are on’ rec a of the present species, e. g., that of the years 1896 and 1897 in Florida. 38 As a natural sequence it follows that, although poisons are of value in many cases, we must place more reliance in preventives such as are to be found in cultural and mechanical methods. The arsenicals.—The insects can be destroyed by different poisons, but too often such a course is apt to involve further injury or destrue- tion of the crop infested. Wherever the arsenicals, such as Paris green or London purple, can be used in the form of a spray without injury to the crop as food for cattle or for market, these are indicated. Certain persons have reported that Paris green and other insecticides employed were effectual in destroying the insects but also killed the plants affected. From experience with infested grasses which were under observation in the vicinity of Washington, we know that it is an easy matter to pass by the insect unrecognized and that the extent of the injury may also be unrecognized at the time when the insect’s presence is quite obvious. It is quite probable, therefore, that the cases of reported injury attributed to insecticides were in reality due to the work of the insects themselves.’ Kerosene.—Lawns can be freed from the insects, at least in great measure, by the application of kerosene emulsion, followed with as copious a drenching as possible with water from a hose. It is per- haps needless to say that this remedy should not be employed in bright sunlight or on a hot day, but preferably toward sundown. The value of remedial applications was testified to by some of our correspondents, among whom was Mr. Charles Deering, of Chicago, who wrote, August 25, that kerosene, soap and water, and Paris green, were each effective in killing larvee near the surface, but when a water sprinkler was turned on, hundreds of active worms came up from the roots of the grass within an area of but a few feet. ce MECHANICAL METHODS OF DESTROYING THE WORMS.”’ Various mechanical and other measures have proved of value against the common army worm, and would prove effective against the fall army worm. In fields of young grain and on lawns many **worms” or larve may be killed by rolling with a heavy roll, pref- erably when the insects are at work early in the morning or late in the afternoon, toward dusk. In pasture lands and in fields that are injured beyond recovery, sheep or other cattle could be turned in in numbers with benefit, as they will crush the larve by trampling upon them. Other methods of this nature that are in use against the army worm proper, and that will be found of value, include trenching or ‘In one case in particular there was no doubt whatever that the insects killed a plat of grass, although several of those who noticed the injury claimed that it was due to other causes. Had insecticides been applied these same persons, who, by the way, were not entomologists, would probably haye claimed that the insecticides had caused the death of the grass. 39 ditching, or the plowing of deep furrows in advance of the traveling hosts to entrap the larvee which will fall into them, and here they may be crushed by dragging logs or pieces of brush through the furrows. If feasible to fill the trenches with water, or if they become partially filled by rains, the addition of a very small quantity of kerosene, so as to form a thin scum over the surface of the water, will prove fatal to the caterpillars. Sometimes barriers of fence boards are erected, and the tops smeared with tar or other sticky substances, to entrap the larvee as they attempt to crawl over. Clean cultural methods and rotation of crops.—Rotation of crops should always be practiced, as well as the burning over of fields in the fall, when they are too badly infested to recover from injury. Above ‘all other precautions which it is necessary to take to secure immunity from attack is that of keeping the fields free from volunteer grain and wild grasses, since experience shows that these are the favor- ite breeding grounds of the insect; in other words, they attract the female moths for the deposition of their eggs, and when the larvee hatching from these eggs have devoured the grain and grasses which grow in patches they are driven to cultivated fields for food. A perusal of the preceding pages will convince anyone that one of the most impor- tant sources of injury is the rotation of one cereal crop with another, or with grasses, and the planting of crops in fields that have been allowed to run waste to wild grasses and weeds. As grasses and cereals are the crops most affected by the fall army worm, the soil should always be very thoroughly plowed before plant- ing to any crop, particularly a similar one, and it is inadvisable (not alone on account of the fall army worm but on account of the numer- ous other common cutworms, wire-worms, and white grubs) to plant wheat, corn, or any other cereal in pasture land unless a crop which 1s not so subject to infestation by this insect intervenes. Fall plowing.—F rom the observed fact that hibernation takes place in the pupal condition in the infested fields, it follows that fall plowing is the most valuable of all preventives of injury, and is therefore always to be practiced where suitable to the crop, soil, and other con- ditions. In the case of perennial crops fall plowing is not applicable. For alfalfa Mr. Hunter has recommended that the field should be thoroughly *‘ disked,” or cultivated with a disk harrow, when practi- cally the same results will be obtained as would follow from plowing of other fields. For lawns a thorough going over with a long-toothed steel rake is the treatment recommended. Treatment of the soil by these methods serves to break up the cells in which the chrysalides are resting, as well as to destroy the insects in other stages in which they may be present in the fields. 40) Overflowing rice fields; late planting of wheat and rye.—Injury to lowland rice, as pointed out by Dr. Riley, is not apt to be severe, owing to the ability of rice growers to overflow their fields almost at will, while, if necessary, the negro hands employed in these fields can be sent through the fields to brush the ‘‘ worms” from the plants into the water. During the outbreak of 1884 in Kansas it was learned that the rav- ages of this insect could be prevented by postponing the planting of wheat and rye until between September 20 and October 20. This limit for planting, however, will be different in other climates, and will vary slightly with the weather encountered at this time of year. OTHER MEASURES, Preventive measures. —W hile the fall army worm has usually been observed to do its greatest injury in the autumn, the season of 1899 was quite an exception, as many instances of injury were noted in midsummer, and some even as early as June. This is one of the spe- cies of which ‘*to be forewarned is to be forearmed;” hence, if care- ful watch is kept for the earliest appearing generations and remedial and preventive measures are at once employed, the injury which fol- lows from later generations can be very largely diminished. The presence of many forms of cutworms on lawns can be detected by lay- ing down sheets of cloth or boards at night and examining them in the morning, when these larvee, if present, will -be found adhering to the sheets or boards. This method of detection should be tried with the species under discussion. . Poisoned baits.—Where the caterpillars are found to be breeding in the ordinary numbers of cutworms in vegetable gardens, they may be destroyed by the use of poisoned baits and by other methods used in combating cutworms. A consideration of these baits and other cutworm remedies is given in the concluding paragraphs of this bulletin. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL LIST. In the list which follows the writer has endeavored to present mainly references to such publications as have bearing upon the his- tory, habits, and injuries of Laphygma frugiperda. Daily newspaper accounts and other publications cited in other lists, and which add nothing of apparent value to a knowledge of the species, are omitted. The list is chronological: 1. Surrn, J. E., and Apsor, Joun.—Natural History of the Lepidop- terous Insects of Georgia, Vol. II, pp. 191, 192, Pl. 96. 1797. Original description as Phalena frugiperda, with brief mention of habit of feeding on Guinea corn, and suggestions as to remedies. Colored plate of larva, pupa, and two forms of moth. 4, 5. oP) 0.) . 10; dk 12. 41 GUENEE, ACHILLE.—Noctuélites, Vol. I, p. 159, Paris. 1852. Description of larva and imago and distribution. ~ F GLovER, TowNEND.--Report of Commissioner of Patents for 1855 (1856); pp. 7-79, Pl. VI, ‘fis: 6. General article under the heading ‘‘The grass caterpillar.’? Account of injuries to crops in Georgia in 1854, description of larva, pupa, and moth, with note of injurious occurrence in 1845, Original figure of larva, pupa, and moth. Lanpon, M. D.—Report of Commissioner of Agriculture for 1864 (1865), pp. 89, 90. A short account under the name of ‘‘ grass caterpillar,”’ in connection with injury to cotton. GiLovER, TowNEND.—Monthly Report U. 8. Depart. Agriculture, October, 1866, pp. 377, 378, figure. A two-page general account, consisting in large part of a repetition of No. 3. Specific mention as Laphygma machra, with observation that it may prove to be L. frugiperda 8. and A. Lyman, Joseru B.—Cotton Culture, pp. 92-94, fig. 17. New York, 1868. A three-page popular account under the heading ‘‘ The army worm.’’ The larva and moth figured are Laphygma frugiperda. ) time since at the stable of the Department of Agriculture and it was found that by a little careful, inexpensive work of this kind the num- bers of house flies of the whole neighborhood were rapidly and enor- mously lessened. THE GREEN CLOVER WORM. (Plathypena scabra Fab.) By F. H. Carrrenpen. One of the commonest insects about the District of Columbia is the Deltoid moth, Plathypena scabra, the larva of which, called the green clover worm, feeds on various leguminous plants, particularly clover. During the season of 1897, and again in 1899, this larva was frequently observed in connection with observations on insects attacking beans and peas in this vicinity. RECENT OCCURRENCE. Early in June, 1897, larvee, mostly half grown, were observed on beans in the District of Columbia; also on soy beans August 18, and later nearly or quite mature on peas September 4. During autumn they were also observed on a species of tickweed (M/echomia sp.). June 14, 1899, Mr. T. A. Keleher, of this office, brought specimens of the larve found on beans growing in the city of Washington. About the same time the writer observed this species of larva on vetch, a forage plant growing on experimental plats at this Depart- ment. Larve were still being found on vetch and bean until June 24. August 1 larve were found on Lima bean at Marshall Hall, Md., and August 10 on the same plant at Cabin John, Md., and during Septem- ber larve were again obtained in great numbers on a species of Mei- bomia in the former locality. Although it appears probable that this species feeds to all practical purposes exclusively upon the Leguminose, it is evidently capable of subsisting upon other plants, as was proved by the finding at different times by the writer of larve that agree with Plathypena scabra in every discernible particular on both strawberry and blackberry. July 31 a moth of this species was reared from a larva obtained on strawberry in the District of Columbia. August 2 a second speci- men was reared from a larva from the same strawberry patch. The 46 pupal condition in this case was passed in eight days, and the chrysalis was concealed in a rolled-up leaf of strawberry. Taking into consid- eration a previous observation on the larva’s occurrence on straw- berry in 1899, it would seem that this is a true larval food plant. The moth is typical of the Deltoid group of Noctuids, a group of genera which derives its English name from the triangular outline of the moths when at rest, which is suggestive of the Greek letter Delta (4). DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES. The moth, like many others of this group, is remarkable by reason of its palpi, which are long and prominent, projecting in front like a snout, hence the name snout-moth. The hind wings are unusually broad. The color is variable, dull, sometimes very dark brown, form- FIG. 26.—Plathypena scabra; a, moth in natural position with wings folded; b, same with wings expanded; c, egg from above; d, egg from side; ¢, penultimate stage of larva from above; /, same from side; g, head of larva—all enlarged; c, d, g, greatly enlarged (original). ing the ground color varied with black and gray, arranged in the aver- age specimen ina pattern similar to that figured in the illustration at d. A rather unusually light-colored individual was selected as the type for illustration in order to show the markings in full, since in dark ' specimens the pattern is often very obscure. A moth at rest is shown at a. The moth is also variable as regards size, the average expanse being about an inch and a quarter, although a series of specimens before the writer shows a still greater expanse, and one individual measures but five-eighths of an inch. A technical diagnosis of the genus, detailed specific description, and bibliography is given by Dr. John B. Smith in his revision of the Deltoid moths (Bul. U. S. Nat. Museum, No. 48, 1895, pp. 110-112). 47 The distribution there accorded is ‘* Nova Scotia to Texas, east of the Rocky Mountains.” In the national collection is a series showing a distribution from Maine to Texas. The localities here represented and recorded include the following: Maine; Williamstown, Mass. (Grote); Syracuse and New York, N. Y.; Boonton, N. J., ‘‘“common everywhere’? (Smith); Marshall Hall, Cabin John, Md.; Wash- ington, D. C.; Virginia; St. Louis, Kirkwood, Mo.; Dayton, Ohio (Pilate); Hearne, Dallas, and elsewhere in Texas; Canton, Kirkwood, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Alabama; Woodstock, Ill.; Volga, 8. Dak., and St. Anthony Park, Minn. (Lugger). Also recorded from Winnipeg, Manitoba (Hanham). About the city of Washington this moth is one of our latest as well as earliest species, individuals occurring commonly in the writer’s experience about the Department buildings throughout the month of November, as late as the first week of December, and as early as March 10. An individual was observed flying on the last-mentioned date in a temperature of 51° F., which is about the lowest temperature in which any save exceptional species of insects are active. This insect is a near relative of the hop-vine snout moth, //ypena humuli Harr., with which species it was, in fact, confused at an earlier date. The green clover worm has not attracted much attention on account of its injuries, but good accounts of it have been given by Prof. J. H. Comstock in the Annual Report of this Department for 1879 (p. 252), and in the Canadian Entomologist for July, 1881 (Vol. XIII, pp. 137-188), the latter paper by Mr. Coquillett, of this Division. THE EARLIER STAGES OF THE INSECT, The egg.—Owing to an oversight, the eggs obtained hatched before a detailed description could be made. Dorsal and side views of the egg, however, were drawn, and are illustrated herewith (fig. 26, c, d), and from these a general idea of the egg as it looks under the micro- scope may be had. From memory the writer believes that the eggs were light gray in color and at least tinged with iridescence. Follow- ing are Mr. Coquillett’s descriptions of the egg and of the first stage of the larva: Globular, slightly flattened above, more decidedly so below; lower half smooth; upper half deeply grooved, the interspaces rounded and marked with fine transverse impressed lines; whitish, the upper half sometimes dotted with dark brown; trans- verse diameter, nearly 0.5™™. Measurements showed an average diameter of 0.5™™" and a height of O235\"™. THE LARVA. First stage.—** Body green; a dark-colored dorsal line, edged each side with a whitish line; a white subdorsal and stigmatal line; pilifer- ous spots green, each bearing a short black hair; venter green; head polished green; body provided with only 14 legs.” 48 In coloration this larva is somewhat suggestive of the common cab- bage looper, Plusia brassicw, but the form is entirely different, being much more slender, and although the species is a semi-looper, like Plusia, it is not at all likely to be mistaken for it. The colors are somewhat more constant in the several stages. The penultimate stage.—The larva is green and white striped and is in its most characteristic colors when in the penultimate stage, as it loses its striation to a great extent when fully matured. The general color is clear, translucent green, a shade or two lighter than the bean or other leguminous leaves upon which it feeds. It is about ten times as long as wide and segmentation is well marked. The body is widest about the middle, tapering gradually toward each end, the last seg- ments being narrowest. The head is of nearly the same color as the remainder of the body, a trifle lighter and less translucent. The entire surface of the body is sparsely covered with long, slender, and dark brown hairs. The piliferous warts project above the surface, but otherwise are not noticeable, being only a very little lighter in color than the body. The thoracic legs are nearly the same color as the head. There are only three abdominal prolegs. The anal prolegs are long and project well beyond the last segment. There are six white stripes on the body which alternate with the general green. ‘The green dorsal line is a little darker than the general color of the body. There isa rather wide white stripe each side, a latero-dorsal narrow white stripe, and a broader irregular lateral stripe. The prothoracic folds are strongly pronounced, particularly in the region of the legs; abdom- inal folds also pronounced. Length in this stage, 20-24"™; width, 2.4—-2.6™™. Last larval stage.—After the final molt the larva usually loses to a ereat extent its striated appearance and becomes nearly uniform paler green in color as well as stouter. The head is sometimes somewhat yellowish, as is also the first thoracic segment. The ocelli are twelve in number, arranged at the sides of the head in three pairs, as shown in the figure at ¢. In alcohol the larva loses its color, being apt to be turned black unless first boiled in water, when the color becomes milk white. Length at maturity, 25-29""; width, 2.8-3.0". The penultimate stage is figured because, as previously remarked, more characteristic of the species than the final stage before pupation. THE PUPA AND COCOON. The pupa.—The pupa is dark brown and presents rather good char- acters for description, but as this stage has previously been very fully characterized by Professor Comstock, in the report of this Depart- ment for 1879, his description is transcribed: Rather stout, dark mahogany-brown. Wing sheaths and crural sheaths closely soldered; the former obtuse}y rounded and extending to the end of the fifth abdom- 49 inal segment. Stigmatal tubercles quite prominent. Dorsum of thorax and wing sheaths coarsely shagreened. Dorsum of abdominal segments rather sparsely punc- tulate, the posterior border of each segment being smooth and shining. The anal segment at its end is furnished with several (a variable number) minute recurved hook-like spines. From the apex of the head to the end of the fourth abdominal segment the dorsum is elevated into a slight ridge, more marked upon the abdominal segments than upon the thorax. The cocoon.—Pupation takes place in a somewhat loosely built but not fragile cocoon, those in our rearing jars having been formed just upon the surface of the earth. They were constructed of particles of sand joined together with silken web and sometimes attached to leaves or other vegetation. They are of elliptical form and somewhat depressed, and measure on the outside about 16-18"™" in length and 6-S™™" in width. ON THE HABITS OF THE SPECIES. In the report of this Department for 1879 (doc. cect.) attention was ealled to the abundance of the moth in the District of Columbia dur- ing the winter of 1878-79, when it was seen flying on warm, sunshiny days, while in the summer months larve were found so commonly upon clover ‘**that in many places one could hardly make a swing of the beating net through the grass without capturing one or more of them.” The larve are quite active, and when disturbed either let them- selves down to the ground by means of their webs or quickly throw themselves from their food plant after the manner of many Pyralids. The moth is a rapid flyer, and although normally keeping in conceal- ment, is often found exposed on the walls of buildings and on windows in conspicuous places. In Bulletin No. 3 of the United States Entomological Commission the late Professor Riley hada short note on this species, in which he stated that the larva fed also on locust (Robinia), and gives some notes on the hibernation of the species. He says that this insect hibernates in the imago state all over the country and that in Missouri the chrys- alis may also be found under bark in winter, but the habit of hiber- nating in the pupa state is doubtless exceptional. The late and early appearance of the moth would alone indicate that hibernation takes place in the mature condition. Mr. Coquillett traced the insect through its various stages at Wood- stock, Ill. The periods were as follows: From the deposition of the eggs to hatching, four to six days; larval stage, twenty-five days, and from the spinning of the cocoon to the issuance of the imago, twelve to fourteen days. Only two larval molts were observed, the time from hatching to the first molt being seventeen days, from the first to 4670—No. 80—01——-4 50 the second molt, three days, and from the seeond molt to the time of spinning the cocoon, five days. Several individuals which were kept under observation at this office transformed from larva to pupa June 23, and the moths issued July 4, having passed eleven days as pupe. Of the number of generations of this insect Mr. Coquillett observed that there appeared to be only two broods in a season in the latitude of Woodstock, Il., and Professor Comstock says there are certainly two and perhaps three broods in a season. The writer’s observations tend to show at least three well-marked generations for the latitude of the District of Columbia, the first generation usually developing toward the middle of June, the second early in August, and the third some- time late in September or early in October. There is no indication, however, of any great regularity in the issuance of the moths, since they have been reared at this office at various other times than on the dates mentioned. The exact dates of issuance as recorded in our notes are: June 12, 15, 23, 28, 30; July 4, 8, 16; August 1; Septem- ber 2, 5, 6, 25, 27. Moths, however, as has previously been observed, have been found much earlier than in June and as late as the first week of December, at the latter time on several occasions, once when the thermometer registered 54° F. NATURAL ENEMIES. A single parasite was reared from the pupa of this moth September 7, 1899, and on being referred to Mr. Coquillett was identified as the the Tachinid fly, Hvorista blanda O.-S. This is the second natural enemy that has been observed for the green clover worm to the writer’s knowledge, the other being a chalcis fly, Huplectrus platyhy- penw How. The latter was reared at this office July 11, 1882, from material from the District of Columbia. (Bul. 5,0. s., Div. Ent., p. 27.) REMEDIAL TREATMENT. Ordinarily the injuries effected by this clover worm are so inconsid- erable as not to necessitate any special line of treatment. It is one of several common insects that live habitually on clover and which by their combined effort devour a certain proportion of the clover crop over considerable territory. Poisons are, of course, out of the ques- tion in pasture land and in clover fields, and on lawns there can be little doubt that frequent mowing with a lawn mower is all that is necessary, since the insects live freely exposed upon their food plants during the day and do not resort to the plans of concealment resorted to by cutworms. 51 REPORT UPON AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CODLING MOTH IN IDAHO IN 1900. By C. B. Srapson, Special Agent. The following report upon an investigation of the codling moth in the State of Idaho is made in accordance with the authorization of the Secretary of Agriculture and instructions of the Chief of the Division of Entomology: Upon reaching Boise I commenced a rigid inspection of orchards in that vicinity and observed the methods used against the codling moth and the results of the same. Numerous cages were started for the study of the life history of the insect. Many articles upon the insect were published in the leading papers. These articles were copied by many of the other papers. [I also had a long conference with Professor Aldrich, of the University of Idaho, in regard to the codling moth. IXTENT OF INJURY. Indications of damage caused by the codling moth were seen in every section of the State which I visited where apples are grown. By report the moth is present all over the State, except in a few limited loealities in the mountains. From my observation I can say without hesitation that 50 per cent of the apple crop of Idaho was destroyed by the codling moth in 1900. According to Mr. McPherson the loss in South Idaho and about Lewiston for the districts was 75 per cent. In untreated orchards I found a great difference in the percentage of apples infested. The injury ranged from 40 per cent to practically 100 per cent. In the small orchards and isolated trees in and about Boise I have been unable to find sound apples. In the larger untreated orchards which were more or less isolated I found in some cases the injury to be about 40 per cent. In orchards well cared for I estimated the injuries to vary from 50 to 0.05 per cent. In an orchard near Boise that was sprayed and banded 44+ per cent of the crop was lost. In an orchard in the city of Boise that was sprayed with arsenites and banded the loss was enly about 20 per cent. In more or less isolated orchards that were well cared for the loss was found to be 10 per cent or less. In another orchard near Boise which had been sprayed three times and not banded the injury was from 90 to 98 per cent. In an orchard that was only banded the injury was about 60 per cent. About Lewiston the damage is somewhat less than in the southern part. Professor Aldrich tells me that in 1899 the damage about Mos- cow was 21 per cent, while in 1900 it was only about 10 per cent. I have been informed that in small valleys in the mountains the codling moth does no damage. The apple is the fruit most infested. The injury to pears never exceeds 0.05 to 10 per cent. 52 INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD. Previous to 1887 the codling moth was practically unknown in Idaho. It was probably present before that time, but did so little damage as not to be noticed. The moth, without doubt, came into the northern part by way of the Snake River valley. Its spread was rapid, although checked to some extent by the long distance between orchards. The sections which are shipping apples are now all infested. The newer orchards are more or less free, but can not remain so very long. RESISTANCE OF VARIETIES OF APPLES. Only scattered observations were made upon this point, and these . do not harmonize. Some of the varieties in order of damage sustained are: 5. Wealthy (very variable). . Ben Davis (very variable). 1. Pewaukee (always badly infested). 2. Spitzenberg. bo f 3. Bell-flower. 8. Rome Beauty (very variable). 4, King. 9. Winesap (but little infested). 5. Gravenstein. This question is believed to be one of the most important to be worked out, as in general the apples given as least infested are the best varieties for Idaho. LIFE HISTORY OF THE CODLING MOTH. The life history, as usually given, applies to the insect in a climate far different from that of Idaho. On this account I spent much time in studying the variations in the life history. THE EGG. The eggs can be found at any time during the summer, either upon the fruit or upon the upper surface of the leaves. In certain orchards the eggs were almost entirely upon the fruits; in orchards near by they were nearly all upon the leaves. Where apples were in abun- dance there were but few eggs upon the leaves, and where apples were scarce but few eggs were upon them. Apparently the moth prefers to lay its eggs upon the fruits. The eggs have been described as whitish, milk-like spots. They adhere closely to the fruit or leaf, and even after hatching the shells remain for a long time. When the egg is a few days old a brown horseshoe-shaped band appears indicating the embryonic larva. THE LARVA. In from about six to eight days the larva is fully formed and breaks its way out of the shell. Most of them come out through the top 58 covers, but a few were observed in which the larve had evidently emerged through the lower surface of the egg next to the apple or leaf. The young caterpillar is about one-fifteenth of an inch in length and is of a semitransparent color. Later dark spots appear around the hairs. The young larva, after piercing the apple, makes a shallow mine just under the skin. Those mines can be easily recognized by the lighter color and by the excrement which is cast out. The larvee which enter by the calyx also take their first few meals at the surface inside the calyx. By counting infested apples on unsprayed trees I found that about 60 per cent of the larvee of the first brood enter at the calyx end. In the later broods but few enter the calyx end. Many enter the apple at the stem end. The greater proportion, probably from 60 to 90 per cent, enter at any part of the apple. A favorite place of entrance is at the point where two apples touch. At the end of four or five days the larva commences to tunnel toward the central portion of the fruit. Arriving at the center, if commences irregular excavations, which are filled with excrement, the pellets of which are bound together by silken threads. Surrounded by abun- dance of food, the insect grows rapidly, casting its skin many times. I have found many burrows, sometimes as large in diameter as a full- grown larva, in which no larva could be found; therefore, I believe that sometimes a larva feeds upon more than one fruit. In all cases where fruits touch they are both injured. While one larva usually feeds upon but one apple, one apple may be eaten by many larve. A large apple was found with thirteen worm- holes in it, both entrance and exit, and three larvee, of various sizes, were feeding inside. It is a very common occurrence to find from four to seven holes in an apple. These different holes are usually made by insects of different broods. In a badly infested orchard the earlier apples rarely had but one insect in each, A larval stage of from ten to fourteen days, as given by Professor Card, is, I think, nearly correct for Idaho. On summer apples and most fall apples the effect of the insect is to cause the fruit to ripen prematurely. In the winter varieties, such as Winesap, there is no such ripening. In all cases the fruit is rendered unfit for use. When full grown the larva eats its way to the surface of theapple. The burrowis kept closed by frass, or sometimes an adjacent leaf is fastened over the hole with silk. Having eaten as much as it desires, the larva pushes out the plug or removes the leaf and leaves the fruit. In warm weather the worms, for the greater part, leave the apples in the early evening or night; but in colder weather, in the fall, they emerge during the heat of the day. Ii the fruit has fallen, 54 the larva crawls along the ground to a suitable place to spin its cocoon. The worms have two modes of leaving the fruit left on the tree. In some cases they drop by a silken thread to the ground. I have observed a larva hanging by this thread, and many threads were noted hanging from the trees. The other, and by far the most com- mon method, is for the larve to crawl from the apple to a branch and thence to the tree trunk. Upon leaving the apple the worm immediately seeks a place to spin the cocoon. The place usually selected is under rough, loose bark, in cracks or holes of the tree trunk and larger branches, under bands or cloths on the trees—in fact, in almost any dark and tight crack or crevice. Many cocoons are placed in cracks in the ground about the trees. This is especially true when the tree trunk is smooth and offers no suitable place. Mr. McPherson says he has found many cocoons among the clods of earth in his orchard. Where apples are stored the worms spin the cocoons in the boxes. I have found as many as 30 cocoons in and on one box. Having found a satisfactory place, the larva spins a tough silken case. In the earlier broods the laryee spin their cocoons quite thin and do not usually use other substances than silk in its construction. The last brood, however, build their cocoons thicker, and in nearly all cases hollow out a space for it and mix little pieces of wood, bark, or cloth with the silk. The larva is bent in a U shape in the cocoon. If the cocoon be destroyed the larva will set to work immediately to build another or to repair the old one if it be not completely destroyed. THE PUPA. In from three to five days in the summer the larva sheds its skin and becomes a pupa. In the last brood the larval stage lasts until the spring. The pupa is at first of a yellowish color, later becoming brown and then bronze in color. When the moth is ready to emerge, the pupa, aided by the spines on the abdominal segments, wriggles itself out of the cocoon. I have seen empty cases that had been thrust through heavy muslin which was used as a band. These empty pupal skins are familiar objects upon infested trees. I once counted 50 of them protruding from under pieces of bark in a space of about a square foot. During the warmer season the time spent in the cocoon is from seven to eleven days. Many stay in a longer, but very few a shorter time. The last brood stay in the cocoon about eight months. THE MOTH. The moth is a beautiful insect whose front wings have the color of brown watered silk, and are crossed by lines of brown and gray scales. Near the tip of the wing is a large bronze-colored spot. The 55 hind wings, which are concealed during repose, are of a grayish color. The moth varies in size, but never expands over an inch. The sexes may be distinguished readily by the fact that the male has a streak of black hairs upon the upper surface of each hind wing, and upon the under surface of each front wing there is a long blackish spot. The relative number of moths of each sex is about equal. The adult insect is rarely seen. In my summer’s experience I saw but five. These were either resting upon the upper surface of the leaves or were upon the trunk or larger branches. In warm evenings by aid of a light I saw a few flying about the trees. It has long been known that the moth is not attracted to lights. I examined the contents of an electric (arc) light globe that was near an orchard without finding a single codling moth. It has been observed that the moths feed upon apple juice, and I saw two moths feeding upon the juice of a crushed apple. Mr. Hitt tells me that it is common to find moths about cider mills. I have found that if a piece of ripe apple was placed in a cage of moths they would lay eggs in abundance, and if the apple was wanting no eggs or but few would be laid. After laying eggs, the moths in cages die in about a week. BROODS OF THE INSECT. In view of the fact of the differences of altitude and temperature in Idaho there must exist a corresponding difference in the number of broods. Upon arriving at Boise I immediately commenced work upon this question. I found the overlapping of broods to be something remark- able. From July 7 to about September 1, I could find in the field all stages of the insect except the adult, which I could breed in cages. From my band records I tind that while I kept records there were larvee going under bands every day. From the records of Mr. Ayers, of Boise (as given later), we find that in 1897 there were larve under the bands every week from June 25 to October 19. To sum up, we have every day throughout the season moths emerging and laying eggs, eggs hatching, larvee coming out of apples and spinning cocoons, and larvee changing to pupe. This fact, together with the number of broods, certainly explains why the codling moth is more injurious in the West than in the East. The overlapping can be accounted for by the difference in rate of development of different individual insects. Professor Aldrich says that in the section from Boise to Weiser and ahout Lewiston there are at least three broods, and part of a fourth was observed at Boise this year (1899). Mr. McPherson, Mr. Hitt, and others have arrived at the same conclusion. Without doubt the number of broods in Fremont and Bingham counties is less. 56 The following are the band records taken by Mr. Ayers, of Boise r > . - 9 on 140 trees: | | | Date. Larve. Date. | Larve. 1897 1898 WU; 2 see ae eee oes ses eee ere 862: | DULY Sas 352, e eee ee eee ete 1,118 UV eo os crue ese teen cease ne se 704} July 1S se coca Lome nee ae Se eee 2, 201 TUG). bo ae ae Gees Ae et eae eres 1268. ||) Duly 20. cS ee See ee eee 2,020 TNT sO aan been eaane meee Cee oie tee is FAO ULAR G.kte cect oes teen oe eee eee 1, 454 PATI ORISE Orava). Cee enn oOo eee Ae ea) A 6060) Aligust 845425755 See eee | 1, 335 AVIOUSGO ee once Sone ee eee ees en eee 290°) August’ shies ask cnet oe ee eee 963 PANTO al ot <= Se. A ee SS ol 580°) AMsustl?. cn6 522528 ee a eee 1, 095 PMUIPUSE DO a2 sche hssodecec ces Hee ctecees 684:)/"-Ausust: 24. coasts ce eee ee ee eereiners 1,125 September’2)= ss... cee see men aee eee 1526 || AUSUSE Slens. sSoe-ccteec ee Seater 1, 580 peplemperil0 Sse acc seers. acecses esses 1;.227° || September 7.22.2. -+2----02seee = sees 1,474 September Qian. so. -kem a see es aaa eee 1340. September 4 Sse eee eee eee 1,860 OY #6) 012) oz! RR ERS Ary ae a aS ee | 15642: September 22.222 ss2scc+-ees ss eeee eco 1, 965 OctanerilO sss eee SAR be. ees eS 778,40 etober ty-s - ea none ey eee a eee 1, 594 October 10.2 se eee ee ee eee 1,125 From the preceding record, from that of Professor Aldrich taken at Juliaetta for 1899, and my own I have compiled the following table: | 1897. | 1898. 1899. | 1900. First brood: WIGS CTT SVC eee a eS, ie Re ae Re aes See Pe ee ae ered A eo July 16} July 13] July 21 | July 15 Minimum Aug. 9! Aug. 10 | Aug. 12 | Aug. 4 Second brood: Maximum Minimum Third brood: Maximum Minimum Sept. 2} Aug. 31 | Aug. 18 E Sept. 10 | Sept. 7} Sept. 4 | Sept. 1 From these records, supplemented “by observation, I can say defi- nitely that there are three broods in the vicinity of Boise and the greater part of the Snake River Valley. As to the fourth brood I have no definite information at hand. Several growers have told me that such a brood exists in part. At certain periods it is impossible to say to what brood an insect belongs. For instance, in 1900, if a half-grown larva was found October 4 it would be impossible to know whether it was the last of the third or the first of the fourth. When cold weather comes, there are many interesting things apparent. If young larve are left in the fruit on the ground, they evidently perish. However, if taken inside with the apples they complete their development, and if not destroyed insure a crop of moths for the following spring. About September 5 it was noticed that the larve that had spun cocoons were not transforming, but were still in the larval state, while those that had reached the pupa state were developing slowly and the moths were emerging. It is evident that it takes a higher temperature for the insect to change from larva to pupa than from pupa to adult. MOISTURE AND HEAT. There is great mortality among the eggs of this insect, the direct rays of the hot sun causing many to die. 57 In the larval state, especially when young, there are many agencies of destruction. I have found tips of branches upon which there was but one apple. On the leaves near by there were half a dozen or so hatched eggs, while the apple contained but one larva. In one case the larva would have to crawl 20 feet before finding another. In many cases I have found from 2 to 5 per cent of the larvee dead before they had commenced their burrow to the center of the apple from the mine under the skin. There are very few deaths due to fungus and bacteria in the dry regions. In many orchards, in which the water used for irrigation is allowed to stand around the trees, the number of infested apples is markedly less than in those orchards where irrigation is by ditches. Also one does not, as a general rule, find as many worms under bands on trees which have moist soil around them. The only explanation is that the moisture either causes the insects to die by fungus or bacteria or to seek other places. This method, however, has grave disadvantages, since water allowed to stand in an orchard will sooner or later kill the trees. NATURAL ENEMIES. I did not succeed in finding any ege parasites, but within a pupa I found a pupa of a Hymenopter, but the parasite did not emerge. It was probably a Pimpla. In another pupa I found many pupe of a Hymenopterous parasite, which died before becoming adults. Under some neglected bands were many silk cocoons, probably of a Micro- gaster. Although they are not bred directly from the codling moth, there is little doubt but that they were from this insect. While the larvee are seeking a place to spin their cocoons in the day- time they are preyed upon by ants and birds. Chickens allowed in an orchard eat them readily. Often I have observed holes in the bark, and upon examination found empty cocoons. One evening several bats were noticed flying around apple trees and probably feeding upon the moths. PREVENTIVE MEASURES. One of the best preventive measures is following the best general horticultural practices, such as keeping the soil and trees in healthy and vigorous condition and keeping a close watch upon the orchard. If a fruit grower has no codling moths, what should he do to keep them out of his orchard? The answer to this question has many conditions, according to location, etc. To begin with, every grower should be familiar with this insect in all its stages and know how to fight it. An orchard may be at such an altitude that the insect will not be a very serious pest. In this case the small amount of damage should not be an excuse for letting it alone. It would be well for the grower to be 58 ‘areful in importing infested fruit and to exercise utmost vigilance in watching his orchard, and if the moth is found, even in small numbers, no expense should be spared to apply the proper remedies immediately. One source of trouble that can be easily prevented is that when apples are stored the larvee emerge from the fruit, spin their cocoons, and upon emerging as moths in the spring find easy access to the orchard. I studied two well-marked cases of this. At Mr. C. M. Kiggins’s place apples were stored in boxes in a cellar in which there were open ventilators. 1 found many old cocoons in and about these boxes. When I examined the orchard, July 9, 1 found that in trees nearest the cellar practically all of the apples were infested. In going from the cellar a noticeable decrease was observed, and in the farthest part of the orchard the injury varied from 5 to 30 per cent. In the well-kept orchard of Hon. Edgar Wilson a similar case was noted. These examples show the futility of remedial measures when the moth has such a start. Both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Kiggins are fully aware of the above conditions, and will take care that the mistake is not repeated. Either of three courses may be followed: To fumigate with hydroeyanic-acid gas while the larve are in the cocoon, to put screens over the holes and crush the moths which will collect there, or not to store apples on the premises. In some cases picking the apples early to escape a coming brood is practiced. If the stages of the insect are known, this method may be followed to much advantage. REMEDIAL MEASURES. In fighting this insect, the first question which presents itself is, In what stage can the insect be best attacked, and how 4 As a result of the work that has been done on this subject, it is evident that any mixture strong enough to kill the egg will injure the tree. Further work may throw more light upon this subject. At two periods in this stage the insect is vulnerable, and a larger portion of the remedies have been used at these periods. After the young larve hatch, and before they have started for the center of the apple, has long been recognized as the most vulnerable point in the life of the insect. At this point spraying is a most effect- ive remedial measure. I found that in Idaho the fruit growers were using many kinds of spraying solutions, with varying results. A patent mixture, composed largely of carbolic acid and coal tar, was used by some. This solution is supposed to have a smell about it that keeps the moth away from the tree: The best I have seen this solution do, with several excellent sprayings, in conjunction with 59 bands, was to save 66 per cent. I believe that what good effects are derived from its use are due to the killing of the larvee with which it comes in contact. Many of the fruit growers add an arsenite, usually paris green, to the carbolic compound. The results with this mixture are varying. Others have used kerosene in the arsenite, thereby combining both poisonous and contact insecticide. One grower used this combination, and writes me that ‘‘There are no wormy apples to be seen” (in his orchard), and that the apples injured by all sources amounted to only about 0.05 per cent. ; One difficulty is to get these different ingredients to mix well. Whale-oil soap is used in combination with other sprays, but I could find no facts in regard to the results of its use. By far the greater number of growers use the arsenites alone. Of these arsenites paris green is most used, in the proportion of | pound to 150 gallons of water, with from 1 to 2 pounds of freshly slacked lime. Some are using London purple, and others are using a combination of London purple and Paris green. Many are using the lime arsenite with excellent results. In fact, wherever any of these arsenites are used intelligently good results are obtained. Some growers are preju- diced against certain of these arsenites on account of past experiences. In two cases I found that they had omitted the lime, and in both cases the foliage was badly burned. My observations have led me to believe that it makes but little difference as to what arsenite is used if it is well applied. The pumps used were of all kinds and conditions. Many were using nozzles which threw a coarse spray that was valueless. The time for spraying is as essential as the spraying itself, and I wish that this fact could be impressed strongly upon the Idaho growers. One can readily see that a spray would do but little good when the maximum of a brood are going under bands, compared with a spray when the maxi- mum of a brood is hatching from the egg. To secure good results, there must be at least three sprayings, and in extremely bad cases it is advisable to spray six times. If the injury for the previous season was large, I would advise two sprayings while the calyx remained open—one immediately after the blossoms have fallen and the other in about a week. If, however, the injury of the previous season was not large, one spraying from five days to a week after the blossoms have fallen may answer. In all cases I would advise the two spraying, as it is well to be on the safe side. It has become one of the best known principles of spraying that these first sprayings are the most eflicient, and if it were not for the 60 number of broods in Idaho these, I believe, would be sufficient. In short, the poison is put in the calyx cup, the calyx closes, and when the young larva enters the calyx for its first few meals it gets some of the poison. As about 60 per cent enter the apple at this point, it is very plain that this is the golden opportunity in this combat. Pro- fessor Aldrich finds that 41 per cent of the larve entering the calyx end are destroyed by this spraying. An insect killed at this time not only saves the apple, but reduces the number of the insects of the fol- lowing broods. By a single spraying and by banding one prominent grower tells me that he can save 50 per cent of his apples.. Many peo- ple spray only once a season, and consequently the effect of it is lost later in the season. If rains wash off these sprays, they should be repeated immediately. The next spraying should be done when the second brood is enter- ing the fruit. Find the maximum of the preceding brood going under the bands and spray about two weeks later. It would probably be better to spray a few days earlier than two weeks. A few growers watch the increase of spots on the apples. The later sprayings should be determined in the same way. Other sprayings can be done with profit on account of the overlapping of the broods, but they should be made as near the maximum of egg-hatching as possible. In fact, late in the season, when the maximum is poorly defined, a spray is more or less effective at any time. Last year (1900) the dates, accord- ing to band records, for most effective spraying were June 10-15, July 27, and September 5. No inflexible rule can be given for these dates, as each grower has different conditions to meet and seasons vary. Each grower must determine these dates for himself. The greater number of the growers simply space off the season and spray at empirical times, without regard to the stage of the insect, and obtain, as a consequence, poor results. It has been clearly demonstrated that these few sprayings alone are not always sufficient to control the insect. If the sprayings were made every week, the insect could be controlled, but this is too expensive. The spray is effective only for a short time, and must be supplemented by something to take the insects which enter the fruit between the sprayings. Banding has been found to be the most efficient in this connection. Many people object to the use of arsenites for later sprayings on account of the liability of poisoning those who eat the fruit. 1 believe this objection is not well taken, since one would have to eat an enormous quantity of apples to be affected. If a large amount of poison remained in the bollow around the stem of an apple, there might be some danger. I have eaten many apples upon which the spray still remained and experienced no evil effects. During the growing period of the larve the infested apple may be 61 picked from the trees and either destroyed or fed to stock. How- ever, this method is so expensive in a large orchard that it is out of the question. If the people in the towns who have apple trees more for shade rather than for the fruit would destroy their apples, they would aid materially in reducing the number of the pest, and would also eradicate a constant source of infection. In the ‘‘ windfalls” there is another chance to attack this insect. In many orchards the fallen apples literally cover the ground. Care- ful experiments have shown that about 50 per cent of these fallen apples contain larve. Many methods may be used in the destruction of the windfalls. The best and easiest applied is to allow hogs or sheep to run in an orchard. ‘These animals soon become very efficient and keep the ground well cleared. In doing this, the grower not only gets rid of the apples, but gets his stock fed upon food that would otherwise be wasted. Many growers collect the windfalls at stated intervals and make cider from them. At best, destruction of the wind- falls is only partially effective, but is a useful ally to other methods. When the larve are full grown, and after leaving the apples are seeking places to spin their cocoons, another point of attack is opened. Banding is simply providing a suitable place for the insect larva to spin its cocoon. Temporary bands of hay or paper, which are after- wards burned with the larve, may be used. Many kinds of perma- ‘nent bands, which are not destroyed, have been devised, but a piece of cloth from + to 8 inches wide, folded lengthwise once, and placed around the trees is the most efficient and economical. These bands can be made of any thick dark-colored cloth, such as pieces of old clothing or burlap. Professor Aldrich recommends brown canton flannel. I have seen many bands that were but strips of white mus- lin, which did not offer an attractive place for the insect, and thus the purpose for which they were put on was defeated. It is highly essential that before a band is put on a tree all places where the larve could spin up be removed. The rough bark should be removed from the tree, and all holes should be filled with either mud or mortar. I have obtained twenty larvee from a hole in a tree. If a large cavity is present in the tree trunk, bands should be placed above and below. The bands should be placed around the trunk of the tree from about 14 feet above the ground. If the tree is large it is best to put a band on each of the branches. Two bands on a tree trunk are better than one, but if the tree is well scraped and the holes filled I think one wide band is sufficient. A convenient and time-saving device for fas- tening the bands on, is to drive a small nail into the trunk and cut off the head diagonally so as to leave a sharp point. This nail is allowed to remain in the tree and the ends of the band are pushed over it. ' Apparently banding is more efficient in Idaho than in any other 62 State where experiments have been made. The number of larve caught is sometimes very large. Professor Aldrich records that the highest number he found on one tree ina week was 110. Various per- sons have found from 50 to 190 on neglected trees. I once found 170 under a neglected band anda cloth in the crotch of a large tree. In 1898 Mr. Ayres obtained from 6 to 15 worms per tree throughout the season. In the maximum in September I have obtained on large trees as many as 20 to 30 daily for a few days, in a neglected orchard. Pro- fessor Aldrich records that in his banding experiments he obtained 215 worms per tree for the season of 1899. The worms which have been collected under bands should be killed every seven days. Six days is recommended by some. I think six days too short as but few moths emerge before seven or eight days. However, the person who is killing the larve can easily tell whether the time is too long or too short. If old pupal skins are found the time is too long, and if no larvee have changed to pup the time is too short. Many ways of killing the larvee have been used, such as burning temporary bands, plunging the permanent bands in hot water, or run- ning them through a clothes wringer. I find that the majority of fruit growers in Idaho simply crush the worms, or cut them with a knife. Hon. Edgar Wilson suggested to me that, as the larvee used parts of the band and bark with which to build its cocoon poisoning the band might be an easy way of getting rid of many. I tried soak- ing the cloth bands in strong solution of paris green, but the results do not warrant any definite statement. I believe that this may kill some of the last spinning up, but doubt its efficiency of the earliest broods. However, it is worthy of further investigation. In want of better knowledge many people apply bands and do not kili the worms that have collected. In this way the insect is positively aided. Pro- fessor Gillette records a fact that must be noted. He finds that in the spring the larve leave their old cocoons and migrate to other places and spin new ones. This, however, is not always the case, but it should be guarded against. Bands should be applied about two weeks after the blossoms have fallen and be kept on for a week or so after all the fruit has been picked in the orchard. Banding should always be practiced in connection with spraying, and by this combination the best results are obtained. By spraying with Paris green and London purple and by banding, Mr. Tiner, of Boise, saved about 80 per cent of his apples. This orchard is in the city of Boise and has neglected orchards all around it. Hon. Edgar Wilson used arsenites and banding. In the part of the orchard not infested by the moths from the apple house the loss is estimated from 5 to 10 per cent. In Mr. Fremont Wood’s orchard the results were about the same. . 63 Dr. Ustick, of Boise, used lime arsenite and banding. I estimated his loss to be about LO per cent. I visited these last three orchards September 24, and searching diligently under the bands for larvee, found but 3 under 30 or 40 bands. Mr. C. Hinze, of Payette, used Paris green with either kerosene or coal tar. He writes me that his total loss from all causes amounted to only 0.05 per cent. For contrast it might be mentioned that in Mr. Tiner’s orchard I found only 8 larve under bands at 18 trees, while in a neglected orchard on the same date (September 21) I found 94 larve on 10 trees. In all these cases cited the orchards were sprayed from four to six times. The pupe may be killed with the larvee under the bands by crush- ing. They are so well protected that this is the only practicable way to reach them. I have previously stated how the adults in a storehouse may be killed. A few fruit growers have told me that they caught numerous adult codling moths by trap lanterns. All accurate work upon this point has shown that the moth is not attracted to ight, the noctuids and sphingids caught being mistaken for codling moths. One grower savs he catches many of the moths in buckets in which there is some cider or vinegar. This fruit grower is a man well informed upon the subject and I tried to experiment with his remedy, but was stopped by cold weather and sickness. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. 1. The codling moth is more injurious in Idaho than in the East, on account of the number and the overlapping of broods. 2. There are three broods and probably a part of a fourth, which overlap. 3. The moth can not be controlled by natural means. 4. It has been allowed to get a firm foothold in the State. 5. By several sprayings with arsenites and by banding the injury may be reduced to from 5 to 20 per cent, depending upon locality. 6. I firmly believe that if the recommendations given here be followed by all fruit growers in a locality for one or two years that the moth would cease to be a serious pest in that locality. I recommend that this work be carried on in Idaho and possibly Oregon and Washington another year, as I believe this last summer’s work has simply outlined the problem and discovered the points to be worked upon. INSECTS AND THE WEATHER DURING THE SEASON OF 1900. By F. H. Carrrenpen. Investigations begun during the season of 1899 upon the effects of atmospheric and other conditions, in causing an increase or decrease of injurious insects during that year, were continued during the sea- son of 1900 with some interesting results. The studies of this subject that have been made have not been as complete as could be desired, but asa result of observations conducted 64 during the two seasons the writer feels justified in drawing some gen- eral conclusions. Some of these were given expression in an earlier article on pages 51-64 of Bulletin No. 22 of the present series. It may be remembered that the writer hazarded an opinion as to the probabilities that certain Northern forms would continue in similar or increasing numbers as a result of protracted cool winter weather, that would tend to facilitate perfect hibernation, while certain Southern species, which were apparently nearly exterminated in and near the District of Columbia as a consequence of the cold winter of 1899-1900, would continue absent from this neighborhood, or at least that the crops habitually attacked by them would not be materially affected during the season of 1900. This prediction has been partially veri- fied. Such Northern species as came under observation as a result of their injurious abundance in 1899 continued to be injurious, as it was judged they would, but certain of the Southern forms became quite numerous. ‘True, only one of these was abundant early in the season, but the remainder, although extremely rare during the early part of the year, became sufficiently numerous to attract rather general attention late in the season. Prominent among these were the cab- bage Pionea, the single species which occurred here in numbers from early in the year; the cabbage looper, which was universally trouble- some to late cabbage and other cruciferous crops, and the boll worm, also destructive to late crops, such as corn and tomatoes. As to the cause of the early reappearance of the first-nentioned pest after such extreme scarcity, the only conclusion that can be reached is that this was due mainly, if not entirely, to the flight of the parent moths from the South either late m the season of 1899 or early in 1900, or at both times. It is to be regretted, however, that the mature insects were not detected at lights or in the field either in autumn or spring. The cabbage looper and boll worm owe their increase proba- bly to the same cause as the Pionea. It is now a matter of almost annual occurrence—and the season of 1900 was no exception—for the cotton worm, Aletia argillacea, to fly from the cotton fields thousands of miles north of their natural habi- tat, a phenomenon well known to collectors, who frequently take this insect at electric lights in the Northern States, and even in Canada, although their larve have not been detected north of the cotton belt. This is only one of many species which have the same habit, and the writer believes that the invasion of the territory about the District of Columbia and northward by the three species above mentioned has been made in the same way, the moths having flown northward, at intervals perhaps, during the season with winds which favored this flight, from localities farther south not affected to the same extent by the atmospheric conditions of the winter of 1898-99. A circumstance which lends color to the above expressed hypothesis, 65 that the re-stocking of the District of Columbia and its vicinity with the apparently exhausted supply of Southern forms was due mainly to flights induced by favoring winds, consists in the observed fact that there was not a corresponding increase in the numbers of Southern insects of other orders, such as beetles and bugs, insects of feeble powers of flight as compared to moths. The harlequin cabbage bug is an example of the less active fliers, as this insect was only slightly more abundant than in the previous year, until very late in the season, when injury occurred in some few localities. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS DURING THE WINTER OF 1899 AND 1900 AND SUBSEQUENTLY. The condition of the weather at different periods of the year was noted whenever it was thought that these conditions might affect insect life. Some of the more important phenomena should be men- tioned as a preliminary to remarks that will be made upon the effects of these conditions in limiting the increase or decrease of the insects under observation. No change worthy of mention which it was thought might affect insects injuriously was noted during the winter months of 1899. December 24 the temperature reached a maximum of 53° F. dur- ing the afternoon, and at this time several species of insects were observed at work in addition to those which will later be mentioned as affecting crucifers. That night, however, there was a considerable fall in temperature, a little more than 10° lower than the average for the day before, the minimum reaching 24°. During the next eleven days there was a considerable drop in the temperature, snow falling and the ground remaining frozen until January 6 or 7. At one time during this period the temperature descended to 9°. On the 5th the days began to become warmer, but the night temperatures continued quite low, as low as 15° on the date mentioned. February 24, after a protracted rainy speil of several days’ duration, the storm cleared, the sun came out, and the thermometer reached a maximum in the afternoon of 58° F. Search among grasses showed several forms of insects in activity near the surface, and it is proba- ble that many other insects were brought to the surface from their hibernating quarters by these conditions. That night a severe wind- storm with rain and snow came on, the temperature dropping by 6 a. m. of the following day to 9° F., remaining below the freezing point for three days, but again attaining a maximum on March 1, of 59°, similar to that experienced after the storm just specified. For the next twelve days the temperature was scarcely below the freezing point for more than a degree or two at any time until March 11, when 4670—No. 30—OL 5 66 another storm set in, the temperature falling to 11° F. the following day, but warming the day after that. March 15 a storm set in about 6 a.m. with considerable snow fall, most of which remained upon the grass for five or six days, and in protected localities as late as the 24th. March 25 still another storm occurred, during the night, with a lighter fall of snow, followed by finer and clearer weather beginning on the 27th. After the first of April winter weather had ceased and spring begun. It would be a matter of some difficulty to define the exact signifi- cance to be attached to the terms Northern forms and Southern forms used in the present and also the earlier article of the writer on the sub- ject under discussion. This matter can be best explained, perhaps, by repeating what has been said in the first article mentioned (p. 53), that the District of Columbia occupies a place, zoologically speaking, in the Carolinian faunal area nearly midway between its two extremes as at present defined; and the Northern forms are those which develop more freely north of this line; while the Southern attain their greatest increase south of this line. To be more explicit, however, it should be said that the injurious species which will be particularly mentioned as Southern are believed to be truly Austro-riparian, while the North- ern species belong rightfully to the Alleghanian area of the Transition zone and the most northern portions of the Carolinian or upper Austral life zone. At least two species which it was found impossible to assign to either the Northern or Southern group, the writer believes, as a result of his study during the past season, have now been correctly placed. They are the fall army worm, which must be considered a Southern form, although it finds its way quite far northward, and the destructive green pea louse, which rightfully belongs in the Northern group. OCCURRENCE OF SOUTHERN FORMS OF INJURIOUS SPECIES IN 1900. Of the fifteen injurious forms of insects mentioned by the writer (loc. cit., pp. 55, 56) as unusually scarce in the neighborhood of Wash- ington in 1899 several species showed marked increase. To mention these all in the same category, the list includes four species which were not seen at all the previous year. These are the pickle worm, Jar- garonia nitidalis, and the melon caterpillar, JZ, hyalinata, each of which was abundant in one locality only; the cabbage pionea, Pionea rimosalis, which was everywhere numerous and quite destructive throughout the season, and the garden webworm, Lowostege similalis, which was several times observed during September. The Northern leaf-footed plant-bug, Leptoglossus oppositus, was gen- erally abundant and was very troublesome, something never before noticed in this vicinity. 67 The horned squash bug, Anasa a/*migera, was similarly abundant, and so numerous in individuals on many plants examined that they often outnumbered the common squash bug, A. //7st7/s, ten to one. The corn-ear worm, //eliothis armiger, was moderately destructive early in the season, and appeared later in great numbers, and in some places did considerable injury to late corn, tomatoes, and similar crops which it is known to affect. The cabbage looper, Plusia brassice, returned to this vicinity, and although rare early in the season, became quite troublesome to late cabbage. It seems probable that it is held in check, at least partially, in ordinary seasons by parasites and other natural agencies than weather. It was not expected that the harlequin cabbage bug, J/urgantia has- trionica, would increase to any observable extent, and this was borne out by the season’s observations, the species as a whole hardly ranking as an injurious one to crucifers other than horse-radish and very late cabbage. To horse-radish it was troublesome chiefly owing to the fact that drought also affected this plant, the crops suffering from the com- bined effects of the two factors. One genius of Noctuide ¢lassed with the cutworms and of omniy- orous tendencies, Prodenia, was noticeably rare in 1899, but the fact was not mentioned in the writer’s consideration of the Southern forms affected by the severely cold weather of the preceding winter. Two species were very abundant during 1897 and 1898, the moths being commonly found at lights, but in 1899 they were extremely rare. In 1900, however, one form, Prodenia ornithogalli (lineatella) was fre- quently observed in the larval state in the field and more abundant on tomatoes than other crops, while the moths were not rare at lights. The other species, P. commelina, could not be found. The Southern cabbage butterfly, Pieris protodice, which was scarcely seen at all, except in the mature condition in a few individuals during 1899, was found to have accumulated in great numbers at St. Elmo, Va., in the late fall. Mr. Pratt, who reported the occurrence, staced that next after the cabbage looper this was the most abundant enemy of crucifers in this region, occurring in about equal numbers on kale and turnips from the latter days of September throughout the month of October. The Southern tobacco worm, Protoparce carolina, also increased in great numbers, particularly during the latter part of the season, and was destructive to late growing tomato plants. The Northern tobacco worm, or tomato worm, 7. celeuws, it should be remarked, was rare as in the previous year. The parasites of both of these, as usual, were very abundant. The fall army worm, Laphygmna frugiperda, although it extends its distribution quite far north at times must be included in the category 68 of Southern species, as it is ef comparatively recent Southern origin and appears to die out from year to year in its more northern range. It was destructive in a single locality, the District of Columbia, late in the season, but was not reported by any of our numerous correspond- ents in spite of our inquiry. Of other Southern forms the green June beetle, Adlorhina nitida; imbricated-snout beetle, Epicerus imbricatus; squash-vine borer, Melittia satyriniformis, and American locust, Schistocerca americana, showed a perceptible increase in numbers, while the tobacco flea-beetle, Epitrix parvula was not so abundant. The larger corn stalk-borer, Diatrwa saccharalis, was not seen at all. The opportunity is taken to observe that the eggplant flea-beetle, Epitrix fuscula, a Southern form, was extremely abundant during the year, but flea-beetles, as the writer has had occasion to observe in his earlier article, seem to be little affected by changes in weather. In earlier mention of the weather in relation to the destructive green pea louse, Vectarophora destructor, and its abundance during 1899, the writer was unable to specify as to whether it belonged to the northern or southern group of injurious insects. It would now seem that it is a northern species, as it is recorded from several Transition localities, notably in Wisconsin and in Nova Scotia and other portions of Canada, where it is destructive, and, so far as reports go, it has not found its way farther south than a northern strip of the lower austral in south- eastern Virginia, near the seacoast, and a single known locality in North Carolina. It therefore falls naturally into the list of species that have multiplied in the neighborhood of the District of Columbia as a result of the cold winters experienced during two years. Nothing else can explain its great abundance, as none of its natural enemies, if we except the fungous disease to which it is subject and which has not yet been made the subject of special study by anyone, either in its relation to the multiplication of this insect or otherwise, have had any appreci- able effect in reducing the numbers of this pest. Taking into consideration the occurrence of this species throughout the country, it would appear that it was at least as numerous in 1900 as in 1899, as during the latter season it was destructive over the same and additional area, although not in all cases to the same extent as in 1899. Its increase westward was noticeable. ABUNDANT NORTHERN FORMS IN 1900. Of the northern forms of insects which were present in great num- bers in 1899 nearly all of the thirteen species mentioned (loc. cit., pp. 56, 57) occurred in the same numbers during 1900, There were severe outbreaks of the oblique-banded leaf-roller, Cacwcia rosaceana, not only about Washington, but in various other portions of the country 69 and as far south as Norfolk, Va., and the strawberry leaf-roller, Pho- wopter’s comptana, was extremely abundant here, in Maryland, and else- where. Three of the species previously mentioned, however—the rhubarb curculio, zebra caterpillar, and plum moth—were not con- spicuous by their numbers. The raspberry sawfly, Jlonophadnus rubi, was more abundant than in the previous year. The asparagus beetles, Créoceris asparagi and C. 12-punctata, were reported by Professor Johnson to have occasioned some injury in Maryland (Bul. 26, p. 81), but the hot spell of July and August prac- tically put a stop to injury, as neither beetles nor larve of either species were to be found in late August and early September, when the plants in several localities were examined. ON SPECIES COMMON TO NORTH AND SOUTH. It may be well to state briefly that of the seven species previously noticed (loc. cit., pp. 57,58) as having been particularly destructive about Washington in 1899, and which do not fall into either category of north or south as to origin, all were destructive during 1900, although in some instances in restricted localities. The bean leaf-beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata, did more harm in the East than was ever before known. ‘The same is true of the spinach flea- beetle, Disonycha xanthomelena. One of the most interesting of injurious occurrences of the year was that of the variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia, which was quite destructive over a wide extent of country, including the Pacific coast, where it was particularly troublesome in the State of Washing- ton. The infested territory comprised portions of Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Maryland, West Virginia, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, and northern California, and the crops infested included nearly everything that grows in gardens, as well as the foliage and fruit of various orchard trees. According to testimony of some of our correspondents, this insect assumed the habit of traveling in armies, but was not noticed on the march in the daytime. ON NATURAL ENEMIES AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON INSECT REPRO- C DUCTION. The question of the effects of the abundance of natural enemies upon injurious insects is closely related to the effects of weather upon them, but the subject is much involved, and we know so little about it that it is difficult to generalize with much certainty. This much is certain, however, that conditions which would affect injuriously a parasite may not necessarily affect a host; predaceous insects are not necessarily affected by conditions which would be injurious to either 70 parasitic or to injurious species, while fungous and bacterial diseases are probably affected by still different conditions. Predaceous insects, as a rule, are more resistant to extremes of tem- perature, dryness, or humidity than all of the other insects and organ- isms which produce diseased conditions of insects. Parasitic insects were more abundant during the season of 1900 than during 1899, but this does not apply to all of the common species. For example, our two common parasites of the imported cabbage but- terfly, though numerous early in the season, were extremely rare toward the close of the year. Some experiments were made to test the prevalence of parasitic insects and fungi and their effects upon the reproduction of some common pests. The imported cabbage butterfly, Pieris rapw, was one of the species with which experiments were made. Larve were obtained from all available sources from the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Mary- land, and kept under the best possible conditions during September, 1900, with the result that not a single parasite was reared, nor did this species appear to be affected by any disease at this time. Practically all of the larve used in experiments which were approaching maturity when placed in our rearing jars produced pup and eventually but- terflies. While on the subject of the parasites and other natural enemies of this cabbage pest it should be stated that Pteromalus puparum and Apanteles glomeratus made their appearance with the development of the first generation of butterflies, the Chalcidid appearing at the same time and the Braconid only a few days later. The wheel bug, Prioni- dus cristatus, does not appear to have been recorded as an enemy of this cabbage worm. It was many times.observed during the season of 1900 devouring the ‘* worms.” One was observed June 23 which had killed a larva twice its size. Specimens of diseased larvee referred to the Division of Vegetable Physiology and Pathology in the fall of 1899 were found to be affected by a fungus of the genus Sporotrichum, identified by Mrs. Flora W. Patterson as probably S. globuliferum Speg. The cabbage looper, Plusia brassice.— Diseased and dead larvee of this species taken in the fall of 1899 and referred to Mrs. Flora W. Patterson, Assistant Pathologist, were identified as suffering from a fungus of the genus Entomophthora, doubtfully referred to sphwro- sperma Fres., a species which occurs upon many insects of different orders. During September, 1900, it was estimated that a little less than 20 per cent of the larvee of this species present in the fields about the District of Columbia had yielded to the effects of disease usually just before attaining maturity. This disease was by no means general, and ‘di was found to be more prevalent in Maryland near the District line than on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture. In the latter place there was practically no infection worth mentioning. A very large proportion of cabbage loopers was affected by the minute parasite Copidosoma truncatella, perhaps 15 per cent during September, but none in earlier and less in later months. Observing that the larvee were most extensively affected by the Copidosoma parasite in a region badly infected with rot, a number of healthy larve were placed on potted cabbage affected with both the bacterial and brown rots, while others were kept as a check lot on fresh cabbage, this experiment being made to ascertain if the rots were in any way responsible for the diseased condition of larve. Somewhat to the writer’s surprise it could not be seen that the larvee placed with the diseased plants were affected in any manner more than those kept under the same conditions with perfectly healthy plants. The melon plant-louse, Aphis gossypii Gloy., affords a striking example of the combined effects of weather and natural enemies in the control of an insect. Of all common plant-lice this species appears to be most susceptible to climatic variations. During moist or humid weather, particularly in the early portion of the summer, this species is capable of propagating in the greatest numbers, but during pro- tracted heated and dry spells, such as happened in the season of 1900, its natural enemies, which are legion, are able to keep it almost com- pletely under control. During the year it was not reported at this office as doing any damage save in one locality in Nebraska, a State in which it does as much if not more damage than any other in our country. In the year 1899 this species was very destructive in the States of Florida, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia, and District of Columbia, while the previous year it did dam- age over much the same territory, as well as in Kansas and Arkansas, injury being particularly pronounced in Texas. SOME GENERALIZATIONS. Asa result of study of the subject of the effects of weather upon different species of injurious insects which occur in the neighborhood of the District of Columbia during the past year in connection with observations that were made the previous year the writer has deduced certain conclusions. One of these, not expressed in the earlier article on this subject, is that there is a tendency on the part of introduced forms to develop one or more generations in their adopted habitat than native northern species produce, a habit which conduces very largely to their destruction, resulting in a corresponding decrease in their numbers. 79 TENDENCY OF INTRODUCED FORMS TO PRODUCE EXTRA GENERATIONS IN ADOPTED NORTHERN HABITATS. European introductions in the United States frequently produce one or more generations in excess of the number that has been observed and recorded in the northern countries of Kurope where observations have been made, and even attempt generations late in the year, which are often apt to perish by being overtaken by frosts before trans- formation can be accomplished or suitable places sought out for hibernation. Southern forms that migrate northward in time appear to become perfectly at home in northern localities; in fact, thoroughly acclima- ted, but this is apparent only, as there is every reason to believe that many species attempt the production of one or more generations more than similar northern species have; or, in other words, essay the normal generations which they had in the south, which are apt to be cut short by intervening cold weather before their completion. Examples of both forms are apparently more frequent in leaf- feeding mandibulates, particularly the larve of Heterocera or moths and phytophagous Coleoptera, especially Chrysomelidee or leaf-bettles. Several injurious forms of plant-lice are in the same category, although these have not been given special study. Many genera are known to feed in cold weather long after frosts, and may even be taken on their host plants under the snow. An excellent illustration of polygneutism, or the production of sey- eral generations annually ina species recorded as normally monogneutic in its native home, is to be found in the imported elm leaf-beetle, Galerucella luteola. There can be little doubt that this species is monogneutic in Kurope, but observations conducted at New Bruns- wick, N. J., and Connecticut cities in the Upper Austral life area have shown that there is an incomplete second generation. In the more southern portions of the same life area there are invariably two generations annually, and in exceptional seasons a third generation is attempted; at Hee beetles of the second generation have been observed to lay eggs.’ An example of an extra generation being produced by a southern species is found in the squash-vine borer, Jelittia satyriniformis, which is single-brooded on Long Island and northward, apparently single and partially double- brooded i in New Jersey, while in the lati- tude of the District of Columbia the species is both single- and double- brooded, as shown by the writer in recent years (Bul. No. 19, n. s. Div. Ent., p. 39). This peculiarity in reproduction is evidently a survival of the time when this species lived in a tropical climate, where it was ‘Even some of our native species closely allied to the elm leaf-beetle, e. g., Gale- rucella americana Fab., have been observed by the writer to lay eggs for a second generation late in July (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., Vol. III, p. 275), but this is, with little doubt, exceptional. 73 possible for breeding to be more nearly continuous. The instinct of this and other insects of recent southern origin is still to remain late feeding in the open, provided appropriate plants are available for their subsistence, or, to put it otherwise, they have not learned to seek shelter at the same time as native or acclimated forms do. Recent observations on this and other species of similar habits and origin suggest that the ancestors of those individuals which produce only a single generation were introduced in early times and are thor- oughly established and acclimated, while those which produce a second generation are the offspring of ancestors which have spread from the south more recently and have not yet become accustomed to the differ- ences in the weather in the North and in the South. The development of two generations by Melittia and other southern introductions in the District of Columbia and places having a similar climate is a matter apparently not so much dependent on the weather as upon the inability of the insects to find the appropriate food for their larve; for example, were cucurbits to be planted earlier and later, there would be no trouble in the vine borer producing two well- marked generations in spite of the fact that the vines of cucurbits are readily killed by frosts, the insect being able to survive upon stems which are not of the freshest. Certain species recently observed, e. ¢., Plutella cruciferarum, the diamond-back cabbage moth, there are the best of reasons for believing are able to produce an additional generation during the latter days of November and the first week of December, as many larve captured at this time were full grown and accompanied by numerous pupze, most of the individuals captured changing to pup before the end of the first week of December, in which condition they would naturally be less exposed to frost and better able to survive the rigors of winter. Still another generation, however, was attempted, as one moth cap- tured deposited its eggs at this time. This generation was, of course, doomed to failure. The effort on the part of so many introduced Old World species of producing extra generations would naturally lead to the belief that these insects came originally and in comparatively recent times from southern Europe or southern Asia, became acclimated farther north in Europe in the same manner that native Southern forms become estab- lished by migration to our Northern States, whence they were intro- duced in the Upper Austral portions of the United States, for the most part about our principal seaports, Boston, New York, and in some cases Baltimore, and in other large cities, such as Philadelphia and perhaps Washington, and after becoming adapted, more or less imperfectly perhaps, to the environment of those cities, have made their way still farther south, where they have again resumed what was probably their original habit of producing two, three, or more annual generations. 74 RESIDENCE OF CERTAIN SOUTHERN FORMS IN LOCALITIES FAR NORTH OF THEIR NATURAL LIMITS. IS TRANSIENT. In the increase of the areas occupied by these insects they obey a natural impulse for migration, and are evidently largely influenced by the wind, and this is particularly the case with moths. There can be little doubt, also, that insects introduced into the North, and from there southward, are again brought northward by winds from the South; in fact, there is little stability in the localities occupied by many species, winds, frosts, prolonged heat and consequent drought, excessive rains inducing abnormal moisture of the insect’s food plants, diseases, and natural enemies being among the elements which produce changes caus- ing fluctuation in numbers in this or that locality, a decrease here this year and an increase there another year.’ SPECIES INTRODUCED IN THE NORTH FROM THE SOUTH AND FROM EUROPE REMAIN LATE IN THE FIELD. Southern or Lower Austral species, particularly those which are injurious, which have come up to this region from the South in com- paratively recent years, are rarely found early in the season, especially after severe winters, but increase toward the end of the season, and often, if not usually, occur in their larval stages, busily feeding through the months of October and November, even after frosts, as has been noticed for several years, and particularly during the two seasons just passed. The same is true, for some reason, of species which have widened their range in other directions, and particularly of insects which have been introduced from Europe. Most of the introduced plant-lice, and those which have come up from the South, live on their food plants after frosts, long after nearly all other insects have disappeared in the field. It is true that many native plant-lice also remain feeding late in the season. 1 The writer desires here to call attention to the absurdity of recording strong-flying species of insects, and especially moths, like those just mentioned, as residents of northern localities beyond their natural limits, where theres no proof whatever that the species could ever have bred there, particularly when we know that no food plant upon which the larva could have subsisted grows there. If such species are included in local lists at all, the circumstances attending capture should be added. A familiar example of an insect which lives normally in the South and is frequently found as far northward as Canada is the gigantic Noctuid, Mrebus odora. It is native to the West Indies, and not known to breed in the United States. In spite of recent remarks that have been made that would appear to indicate that this moth might breed within the territory of the United States proper, the writer can not believe that it is at pres- ent established here, or even will be within the near future, as only isolated specimens are found northward, and these in late summer or autumn, as in the case of the cotton- worm moth, which it has been, I think, definitely proved does not breed in the North- ern States. ; : . a Pid Of southern species both the cotton worm and the boll worm moths are to be found very late in the season, and the writer has seen the cot- ton-worm moths in November in great numbers at Ithaca, N. Y., at light, after most other insects had been absent from lights, at least in any numbers, for weeks. Immense numbers of the moths were attracted to the electric lights on the principal streets of the city.’ Larve of two important species, the imported cabbage butterfly, Pieris rape and the diamond-back moth, Plutella eruciferarum, both of comparatively recent introduction, were found during the winter of 1899-1900 in the last week of November freely feeding after several frosts. They were accompanied by the harlequin cabbage bug, J/ur- gantia histrionica, which we know to have recently spread northward from the Southern States, and by the cabbage looper, Plus/a brassice, which has also spread from the south northward, though not in very recent times. SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS. The result of recent studies may be summarized briefly as follows: (1) That there is a tendency on the part of forms introduced in the North from farther South to produce one or more generations in excess of the number developed by similar forms native to the region of this adopted habitat. (2) That as a result these forms remain later in the field than do species native to the North. (3) That, largely as a result of the above and other habits, in addi- tion to greater susceptibility to low temperatures, these southern intro- ductions are apt to be destroyed every year in large numbers, their residence in their northern homes being, therefore, not strictly per- manent. Cold snaps following warm spells during the winter are, ac- cording to observation, the most important factors in their destruction. ON THE HABITS OF ENTILIA SINUATA. By L. O. Howarp. This interesting little leaf-hopper, certain of the habits of which have been described by Mrs. M. E. Rice, of Coryville, Pa., in Volume V of Insect Life (pp. 248-245), is common throughout the eastern United States, and may be found upon many different plants, such as potato, ragweed (Ambrosia), spikenard (Aralia), Cnrveus altissimus, Lactuca spicata, Rudbeckia laciniata, cotton, sunflower, and other annual and herbaceous forms. Mrs. Rice studied the eggs, which were laid upon the midrib of a leaf of sunflower and began to hatch 'The exact date was not noted, but it is much colder in that locality than on the corresponding date in Washington, there being about a month’s difference in that climate in ordinary seasons, and although the event happened many years ago, it is remembered that a heavy overcoat worn at the time was very comfortable. 76 out on September 1. Sunflower leaves infested by the larvee die and the whole plant looks as if scorched. About two weeks after hatch- ing the larve molt for the first time. During their entire life, Mrs. Rice noticed, almost every colony was guarded by one or more ants. When she raised the leaf to examine closer the ants gave battle and bit her finger. When she removed the ants the little leaf-hoppers, both larve and imagoes, scattered with astonishing celerity all over the plant. The ants returned and rounded them up exactly as the collie dog does sheep, placing one ant on guard if the colony were small and more if the colony were large. She noticed when one of the little leaf-hoppers strayed away an ant went after it and, with infinite patience, drove it home again. She noticed further that when Fic. 27.—ntilia sinuata; Adult nymph; swelling of stem due to eggs; angle at which eggs are laid (original). the larvee were ready to molt and the skin began to split on the back the ants supervised the process, seeming to peel off the empty larval skin. When one considers the fact that the leaf-hoppers in perfect condition can both fly and jump, the control which the ants maintain over them is remarkable. The writer had an opportunity of studying this interesting little insect during the month of August near Tanners- ville, N. Y., also upon sunflower, and from the specimens collected at that time the accompanying illustrations have been drawn. The swelling of the midrib, caused by the insertion of the eggs, was very pronounced, as shown at figure 27, while the exact angle at which the eggs are inserted is also shown at figure 27. 77 The young, when first hatched, were almost immediately attended by two species of ants, specimens of which were collected, and which are determined by Mr. Theodore Pergande as Camponotus pictus Forel. and Formica subsericea Say. It was noticed, however, that both species of ants were not found upon the same leaf. Specimens of one species would guard a colony upon one leaf, while on the next leaf on the same plant a colony of the leaf-hoppers might be guarded by several speci- mens of the other species of ant. When so guarded the leaf-hoppers clustered at first near the midrib and in the vicinity of the eggs in the manner shown at fig. 27. The successive stages of development are shown at figs. 28 and 27. The second and third larval stages are very characteristic, and not until the fina] larval stage is reached does the young show any resemblance to the adult leaf-hopper. A curious and interesting observation was made upon the first egg Fig. 28.—Entilia sinuata: Successive larval stages—enlarged (original). mass seen, and which was verified again and again, and that is that the adult female seems to brood over her eggs until they are hatched. She assumes a position upon the swollen midrib parallel to the leaf surface, instead of perpendicular to it, and waits patiently and almost motionless for several days—in fact, until the young are hatched. The ants do not bother her while she is thus brooding. As soon as the young hatch out they put in an immediate appearance, and all of the observations made by Mrs. Rice mentioned above have been verified. Considerable honeydew is secreted by the larvee, and this is undoubtedly the cause of the care taken by the ants. When allowed to stray the leaf-hoppers will run around to the upper side of the leaf, but are soon driven back by the ants and kept massed into clusters. The work of the insects causes the ultimate yellowing and dropping of the leaves, in which case the leaf-hoppers are carefully removed by the ants and placed upon fresh leaves. The Entilia may thus be considered an 78 injurious species to cultivated sunflowers, and as the ants encourage them, take good care of them, and place them upon fresh leaves, the ants themselves become thus indirect enemies to the plant. A kerosene emulsion spray is of course a perfectly efficient remedy. FUMIGATION WITH CARBON BISULPHIDE. 3y W. E. HInps. U.S. DeparrMentr oF AGRICULTURE, Division oF EnromMoLoey, Washington, D. C., July 15, 1901. Str: I submit herewith a report upon the use of carbon bisulphide in the fumiga- tion of a large wholesale and retail tobacco establishment in Washington, D. C., together with some details of caution in its use and afew observations concerning the effects of this insecticide upon the user, which I have not found published hitherto. Respectfully, W. E. Hinps. Dr. L. O. Howarp, Chief of Division of Entomology. On the 13th of July, in accordance with your instructions, I visited this establishment and made a general investigation. ‘The business is confined to what is practically one large room, having about 3,000 square feet on the ground floor and a cubical content of about 75,000 feet. Ata height of about 12 feet a wide gallery runs around three sides of the room. This gallery, as well as the main floor, is filled with tobacco of various grades and styles of manufacture and in all kinds of packages. Altogether the stock consisted approximately of 800,000 cigars, 400,000 cigarettes, and 37,000 pounds of smoking and chewing tobacco. Only a very small portion of the stock showed any signs of infestation, and this was stored partly in the gallery and partly on the - main floor. Several kinds of high-grade smoking mixtures (obtained mostly, as the proprietor informed me, from the same factory) were being seriously damaged by the cigarette beetle, Lastoderma serricorne Fab. It was stated that the beetles seldom appeared till the stock was about two years old, and the proprietors believed that the eggs were in the tobacco when it was packed, but that they remained dormant for a year or so more, developing abundantly toward the end of the second year. This, of course, is not the case. However, it may be possible that some stock was infested at the factory and the beetles subse- quently passed through several generations in the package before their presence was discovered, and it seems very probable, since the beetles have been quite abundant in the store for at least the past two years, that stock originally clean may have become infested in the store dur- ing the two years in which it was more or less exposed to infestation. A large number of the beetles were noticed in the store last year, and a small portion of the stock was at that time treated with CS,; but the fact that some of the old stock is now badly infested makes it appear very probable either that the first treatment was not sufficiently . 79 extensive to include all the infested stock or that it was not thorough enough to destroy all the beetles in what was treated. This partial treatment was, however, sufficiently successful to satisfy the propri- etors that if used in a sufficiently large quantity and so as to include the entire stock, carbon bisulphide would eradicate the pest. They had, therefore, made preparations to thoroughly fumigate the whole establishment, applying more than double the quantity of the insecti- cide that is usually recommended in such work. They desired to clean out the beetles at any cost and preferred to use an excessive amount of bisulphide rather than be obliged to repeat the treatment. Accord- ingly, they had provided 200 pounds of CS, and about 35 shallow tin pans about 3 feet long by 1 foot wide and 1 inch deep. At the writer’s suggestion, an additional supply of evaporating pans was obtained. Over fifty of these large pans were distributed around the room in as high positions as possible, and a number were placed on top of the stock stored around the gallery. The stairway and elevator shaft lead- ing to the basement were tightly closed and the worst infested stock was opened and the boxes spread around upon the lower floor. The cans of bisulphide were distributed and everything done to facilitate rapid work in the application of the liquid. Owing to the slight danger of generating a spark in turning off the incandescent lights which it would be necessary to have if the application were made at night, it was thought best to defer the exposure of the liquid till early on Sun- day morning, July 14. (The dangers connected with the use of carbon bisulphide will be spoken of more fully at another place in this report.) Soon after 6 o’clock on Sunday morning the work of pouring the bisulphide into the pans was begun simultaneously by the six persons (including the writer) present. Each pan received from 2 to 3 pounds of the liquid. The pans ina vault and the show window and in the wall show cases were filled first and the doors to those compartments were then closed to retard the fumes. Otherwise the doors to show cases and closets and the drawers were all left slightly ajar to allow the unhindered entrance of the fumes. The pans around the sides of the rooms under the gallery were placed so high that a 5 or 6 foot stepladder had to be used to reach most of them. As only one such ladder was at hand, the work was somewhat delayed at this point, and all lower pans on goods along the middle of the floor and on show cases were filled before the work on the higher pans could be completed. In the meantime the pans in the gallery were being filled and the fumes on the lower floor were becoming very dense. The air supply had become insufficient for the workers, and instructions were given to each man to go outdoors as soon as he began to feel dizzy. This most of them did, and after a few refreshing breaths they were able to return to the work; but one or two did not leave the room until the work was finished. (The effects of the gas upon the operator will be 80 considered more in detail at another point.) After about 145 pounds of CS, had been exposed, occupying from fifteen to twenty minutes, the fumes had become so dense that we were forced to withdraw. The building was then carefully locked and left for twenty-two hours. People passing on the street at the time the exposure was being made and those having business in adjoining rooms complained of the exceed- ingly disagreeable odor, but at a visit to the premises later in the day the writer could detect but very slight traces of the odor on the street, even close to the door. No guard remained near the building during the day. On Monday morning, at 4.45, the store was opened for ventilation. The density of the fumes had greatly diminished, but a watch was kept to see that no one passed close to the door with a lighted cigar until the fumes had mostly disappeared. In forty-five minutes the store was so well aired that but little of the disagreeable odor remained, though for several days slight traces of the odor lingered in the room. An examination of many boxes of the infested stock on the lower floor disclosed many dead beetles, but no living ones. Unopened boxes of stock in the gallery were examined, and these showed only about one live beetle to every one hundred dead ones. So far as could be determined at the time, the treatment was very successful, and the proprietor expressed himself as very well pleased with the result. The suggestion was made that future trouble with the cigarette beetle might probably be avoided by treating incoming stock with CS, in a quarantine chamber before placing it in the sales room. In the basement the writer was shown a large, zinc-lined, air-tight box, hay- ing 18 cubic feet capacity, which has been used as a moistening cham- ber. Upon being assured that this was an admirable thing for a quarantine box, the proprietor declared it his purpose to adopt the suggestion and treat all new or suspected old stock in this way. DANGERS IN USE OF CARBON BISULPHIDE. It is customary when anything is written concerning the use of this very volatile and highly inflammable liquid to emphasize the danger from fire in the presence of the fumes, and it is usually pointed out particularly that even alighted cigar may cause a disastrous explosion. The writer has also seen printed mention of the danger of. liberating the fumes in the presence of heated steam pipes. So it seems that a brief mention of a few other points of danger may not be out of place here. No electric fan should be allowed to run in the presence of the fumes, as it is liable to Ne off occasional sparks. For the same reason there would be danger in turning on an incandescent light, and though the danger in turning ‘Sit suc i a light is less than in turning it on, there is still too much chance of forming some connection which would pro- 81 duce a spark to run the risk of the explosion which would almost surely follow. The writer has personally experienced the formation of such a spark when turning off a light, and it very frequently occurs when turning it on. The danger from gas and are lights is too apparent to need more than mention. It would be a matter of courtesy as well as a measure of safety to inform occupants of adjoining rooms of the nature of the work being done and the need for care in regard to fire should the fumes find entrance to their establishments. An additional safeguard would be to station a watchman on the premises till the treatment is ended. The danger to the operator making the exposure is but slight if he knows the nature and effects of the gas. As soonas he finds that he is being overcome and getting dizzy, he should at once get out into the open air. EFFECTS OF THE GAS UPON THE OPERATOR. The first appreciable effect is upon the sense of smell. At first the fumes have an extremely disagreeable odor; but the odor soon seems to gradually disappear, and in this treatment the men strongly doubted that they were using the same substance with which they began. This deadening of the smell continues until it iscomplete. The other senses seem to become benumbed simultaneously, so that the operator does not feel or realize that any change is taking place in him. But the heart beat becomes more and more rapid as the supplv of oxygen in the lungs diminishes. The power of thought is very much weakened and the work is continued in a mechanical sort of way. Hearing and sight are also weakened; in fact, consciousness itself is being gradually lost. But before this weakening process has gone far enough to be really dangerous or injurious the operator feels rather ‘‘ queer” in the head, with more or less dizziness. There is no pain or disagreeable sensation, no desire to escape out of it, and no sense of suffocation. But when a person reaches this condition it is high time to get out into the open air, where the ill effects will soon disappear. Should the operator persist in remaining longer in the room after this condition is reached there would be danger of a fall; and if no one happened to be near, his presence might not be missed and suffocation would soon follow. Even if he should get out safely the after effects would be more serious and a severe headache, at least, result. It should be clearly understood, however, that the action of the gas is somewhat poisoning as well as suffocating. These observations concerning the effects of the gas upon the men are gathered from personal expe- rience and the statements of others engaged in making the treatment herein reported. Owing to the effect of the gas upon the action of the heart, the writer believes that it would be wise to caution persons having any 4670—No. 30—01——6 82 trouble or weakness about the heart against taking any part in the application of carbon bisulphide. In view of the increasing use of CS, as an insecticide and the scat- tered condition of such observations as have been published in regard to it, the writer respectfully suggests the desirability of a more com- prehensive report than has yet been made, published in some such form as to be readily available to all those desiring practical informa- tion upon this subject. GENERAL NOTES. ICHNEUMONID PARASITES OF THE SUGAR-CANE BORERS IN THE ISLAND OF REUNION. Under this title M. Edmond Bordage, director of the Museum of Natural History of Reunion, has published a brief account of Ophion mauriti Saussure and of OC. antankarus Saussure, which are parasitic in Reunion on the larve of Diatrwa striatalis and Sesamia albiciliata, two destructive sugar-cane borers of that island and of Mauritius. He thinks that they are responsible for the marked reduction in the num- bers of the borers. The accompanying figures are from drawings by M. Bordage, and illustrate the wing venation of O. antankarus. Ge ®, IT Fic. 29.—Wings of Ophion antankarus—I, upper wing; II, lower wing. The large cell (ed) of the upper wing has three spots of reddish or yellowish color, which are given in detail much enlarged in Fig. III; they take the form of a crescent, 2 mere speck, and a triangle. (With O. mauritii th >re is found in the interior of the large cell (ed) only one spot which is formed like a triangle.) INSECTS FROM BRITISH HONDURAS. The Rev. W. A. Stanton, S. J., of St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., sent February 12, 1900, for identification certain insects col- lected at Belize, British Honduras. The notes which accompanied them are of interest. An insect known locally as the ‘‘doctor fly” was almost entirely to the fact that it is much more economical to take a street at a time and spray all the trees than to go hither and thither as desired by private parties. The former is possible only where the city undertakes to spray all the trees on the streets, while the latter must obtain where spraying depends upon the will and financial abil- ity of the owner of the abutting property. It might be well to add, that as arule Albanians neglect the trees on their own premises, while Trojans, who have spraying done, invariably include the trees on the premises as well as those in front of the property. The elm leaf- beetle has almost undisputed sway in the poorer portions of Troy, because the residents can not afford to have their trees sprayed, while in Albany these as well as those inhabited by the wealthier class are treated and the results are most beneficent, because it is in these poorer quarters that shade is most urgently needed. It therefore seems to me most advisable to urge the prosecution of such work, when necessary, upon municipalities rather than to allow it to depend upon the enterprise of private individuals, solely because it means the greatest good to the greatest number at a minimum of expenditure. This imported pest is slowly extending its range northward of Albany and Troy and in some localities where no spraying is done it is this season proving a scourge to both European and American elms. Forest tent caterpillar (Clisiocampa disstria Hiitbu.).—This insect has been a most serious pest in New York State for the last four or five years, and in localities here and there it has proved exceedingly destructive this season. The outbreak of 1901, so far as I can learn, was much more limited in area than in the previous years and confined largely to sections adjacent to where the insect had been speciaily abundant previously. The caterpillar appears,as a rule, to be unable to exist in large numbers in one locality for more than four or five years in succession. This is probably to be explained by the local activity of natural enemies. Another marked feature has been the increasing predominance of the pest in orchards. It is perhaps hardly necessary to add that most of the injuries in orchards could have been prevented by timely and thorough spraying. Carpenter moth (Prionoxystus robinie Peck).—This is a serious enemy to maple, oak, and ash trees in certain sections of New York State. Its destructive work at Ogsdenburg was brought to my atten- tion by Miss Mary B. Sherman, of that place, and through her some interesting examples of the borers’ work in sugar-maple trees were secured. One-third of a section or atree about 15 inches in diameter was fairly riddled with the large burrows of the caterpillar of this insect. It was so abundant as to ruin a number of fine trees in that 67 locality and necessitate their removal. The work of this pest at Buffalo was brought to my notice by Mr. M. F. Adams, of that city, and through his kindness I have been able to secure good examples of the insects’ work in ash and to observe its operations in oaks. This spe- cies also occurs on Long Island. All the examples of its work seen by me show that the full grown caterpillars prefer to run their bur- rows at some depth in the wood, and that as a rule they run so close to and communicate so freely with each other as to destroy the value of infested trees for timber. This insect also causes large unsightly wounds wherever its burrows come near the surface. Caterpillars about to pupate frequently take refuge in these channeled wounds, from which the pup work themselves partly out before the disclosure of the imago. The eggs are probably deposited in any available erevice, where they adhere to the bark rather firmly. A piece of root which had been bored by the willow eureculio (Cryptorhynchus lapathi Linn.) was lying in a breeding cage and a female Prionoxystus embraced the opportunity to deposit six or seven eggs well within the burrow. Apparently the females do not hesitate to oviposit before the appearance of males. Some eggs which were found in the office hatched, possibly without being fertilized, but it was impossible to prove this latter point. Dissection of a well-distended female, which probably had deposited no eggs, showed that she contained 269 well- formed ova and 133 which were partly developed, making a total of 402. The small Lecaniwm nigrofasciatum Perg. has proved a rather seri- ous enemy to soft maples in Albany. This scale insect has been so abundant on some small trees as to nearly cover the under surface of the limbs, and so much honeydew was exuded that the walks beneath were kept moist. The severe drain on the trees prevented much growth and resulted in the killing of a number of the smaller limbs. Badly infested twigs have a marked sour-semiputrid odor, due in all probability to the decomposition of the honeydew. Young began to appear in Albany about June 14, and by July 15 they were about 0.5 mm. long and were thickly set on the smaller twigs. Pseudococcus aceris Geoff.—This comparatively rare species was observed in immense numbers on the bark of a hard maple at Albany, N. Y., August 6. The male cocoons were present in thousands, and in places formed large white masses on the trunk, giving a tree the appearance of being affected by a fungus. Some immature individu- als were wandering over the masses of the male cocoons. The leaves were also badly affected. The cottony remains of adults were abun- dant, and here and there old females were still producing young, as a number of very small individuals were observed, and partly grown ones were assembled on the under surface of the leaf in long rows on both sides of the principal veins. There is a marked subacid, not 68 unpleasant, odor about this species when present in large numbers. It is not nearly so offensive as in the case of Lecanium nigrofasciatum Perg. Chermes pinicorticis Fitch is always more or less injurious to white pines in Washington Park, Albany, but this year it has been excep- tionally abundant, not only giving considerable portions of the trunks a whitewashed appearance, but literally plastering the under surface of many limbs. A number of these pines, as a consequence, have a thin foliage and are sickly. Mr. Hopkins congratulated the author on the large number of spe-- cies recorded, but he doubted that the tent caterpillar had so changed its habits as to attack pine. He was of the opinion that the occurrence of this insect upon pine was merely accidental. Mr. Ashmead said that he also was skeptical about the occurrence of the tent caterpillar on pine, and he advised Mr. Felt to withhold that statement from publication until further investigation could be made. Mr. Cockerell mentioned that in New Mexico the larvee of Clisio- campa fragilis sometimes crawled up the pine trees and pupated among the needles, but he did not find any proof that they ate the leaves. With regard to the inseet called Psewdococcus aceris in the Eastern States, it could not be placed in Westwood’s genus Pseudococ- cus, but belonged to Phenacoccus. The species was almost certainly not the European P. aceris, but was probably American, and without a name. The secretary read the titles of the following papers by absent mem- bers, and, upon motion of Mr. Bruner, they were accepted for publi- cation in the Proceedings: Review of the White-Fly Investigation with Incidental Problems, by H. A. Gossard, Lake City, Fla. Hydrocyanie Acid Gas Notes, by Charles P. Lounsbury and C. W. Mally, Cape Town, South Africa. The Use of Hydrocyanie Acid Gas for Exterminating Household Insects, by W. R. Beattie, Washington, D. C. Insects of the Year in Ohio, by F. M. Webster and Wilmon Newell, Wooster, Ohio. Fruit Seriously Injured by Moths, by C. W. Mally, Cape Town, South Africa. Notes on Four Imported Pests, by A. H. Kirkland; Boston, Mass. Drought, Heat, and Insect Life, by Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo. REVIEW OF THE WHITE-FLY INVESTIGATION, WITH INCIDENTAL PROBLEMS. By H. A. Gossarp, Lake City, Fla. The white fly (Alewrodes citr’) reached its maximum of destructive- ness last year, and called forth much apprehension both within the bounds of its present distribution and outside of them. About 75 per 69 cent of the orange groves in Manatee County are infested, and as this county puts out something like 200,000 boxes of oranges per year, worth on an average $5 per box, and since infested groves usually turn out one good crop not oftener than once in two years, and sometimes only once in three years, it is only reasonable to believe that with the insect absent the present annual yield of fruit in this county would be more than doubled. Thedamage to this single county alone can be hardly less than one quarter of a million dollars per year. The direct and indirect consequences of the insect’s presence in the State could have amounted to but little less than one half million dollars the past year. I believe the orange industry will flourish in spite of the fly and, barring freezes, that the restoration of our groves over middle and northern Florida will continue at a rate exceeding that of white fly dissemination, but if present conditions continue it appears that within a half dozen years our State will receive almost a million dol- lars less than it would with clean groves, though we do not doubt that the total income from the crop will have multiplied as many or more times than the loss during the interval. I am very sure the insect will not become worse anywhere than it was in Manatee County last year, and if groves are excellent property there at present they will remain paying holdings in said county and elsewhere, notwith- standing the presence of the fly. Signs of alleviation from the pest have been noted for some years, but not until last year did the value of its fungous enemies become emphasized to the most casual observer as a more than decimating factor in its extraordinary numbers. By autumn disease had so reduced it that the worst infested districts are this year cleaner than they have been during any of the three seasons since coming under my observation. NOTES ON FOUR IMPORTED PESTS. By A. H. KirRKLAND, Boston, Mass. Up to the present summer Massachusetts has-borne the unenviable distinction attaching to the only State harboring the gypsy moth (Porthetria dispar Linn). She now enjoys whatever benefit company affords misery, for during the present month a colony of the insect has been found at Providence, R. I. The infestation in this city is scattered over at least 2 square miles in the residential district. The first specimens were discovered August 1 by an amateur naturalist, Mr. Prescott Newhall, who carried them to Mr. James M. Southwick, formerly entomologist to the Rhode Island board of agriculture. Mr. Southwick rightly conjectured that they were gypsy moths, but to settle the matter beyond doubt, took specimens to the office of the Massachusetts board of agriculture, where the writer was able to corroborate the identification. On August 2 the writer made an examination of the colony and found it in the incipient stage, no trees being defoliated. The street trees are quite generally infested, and it seems probable that the caterpillars have spread from the original centers of infestation by dropping on teams and that in this way a large part of the city may be infested. Few facts are available at the present writing to show how the moth found its way to Providence, a distance of at least 35 miles in a direct line from the nearest infested point in Massachusetts. The colony in question does not show the characteristics of a natural infestation slowly spreading from a central point. Instead, there are several isolated points where numerous hatched egg clusters occur, none of 94 these clusters apparently being over 3 or 4 years old, thus showing that there are many centers of infestation. It was most unfortunate that the work against the moth in Massa- chusetts incurred the enmity of a large number of discharged employees. It was well known to them that the finding of the moth outside of Massachusetts probably would cause the State to abandon the work of extermination. When the matter of continuing the work was being discussed in the legislature in 1899, a persistent rumor was in circulation to the effect that the moth had been ‘‘ planted” in Rhode Island. Efforts to trace these rumors to their source were not very successful, all the available clues being followed up without tangible results. While the occurrence of the moth in Providence may be due to some well-known means of distribution, in the absence of facts showing this to be the case it is hard to avoid the belief that the moth may have been deliberately carried to that city. The Providence city authorities have acted with commendable promptness in the matter, and under the direction of Mr. Southwick competent men are at work destroying the egg clusters with creosote oil. It is earnestly hoped that the fight against the insect will be con- tinued in order that its future spread may be prevented. In Massachusetts the gypsy moth has spread unchecked since the cessation of the State work against it, February 1, 1900. To those who had tried to make this work a success it was gratifying to note that in 1900 practically no damage by the moth occurred throughout the whole infested district. The former infestations had been so severely dealt with that comparatively few scattered insects remained. In some of the larger infestations, particularly in the central towns, there were enough moths to serve as nuclei for colonies, and the present year in restricted localities numbers of trees have been defoli- ated. The season has been favorable to the increase of the moth, and at the present date (August 15) formidable numbers of the egg clus- ters may be seen in all of the central towns of the infested district. It seems probable that in a few years the insect, if unmolested, will be sufficiently abundant to repeat the widespread damage caused in 1888-1890. Already there are indications that public sentiment is becoming more favorably disposed toward the past work of the gypsy moth committee. Without doubt in a few years the increase and activity of the moth will again make necessary some organized effort to reduce its numbers. While the cessation of the work against the gypsy moth seemed unwise, and was a great disappointment to those familiar with it, yet it is fortunate that out of this work have come accurate and effective methods of dealing with the pest when it again appears in force. The value of these methods is well illustrated in the case of the Provi- dence infestation. Within a day after the colony was discovered a 95 trained man, equipped with the proper apparatus and insecticides, was placed at work destroying the egg clusters, and in a few days accomplished more than an amateur could have done in as many weeks. While not as important in its injury to trees as the gypsy moth, few insects have created a greater local commotion than the brown- tail moth (Hwproctis chrysorrhea Linn.) in Boston and its suburbs the present summer. The caterpillars were sufficiently numerous to strip shade and fruit trees in many residential localities; pear trees suffering to the greatest extent, with apple, cherry, plum, and willow following in about the order named. As is generally known, the hairs of the brown-tail moth caterpillar coming in contact with the human flesh produce a fierce and endur- ing irritation. As the caterpillars matured and commenced to migrate in search of shelter, large numbers of children and many adults were severely ‘‘poisoned” by them. So numerous were com- plaints from this source, and so prevalent was the belief that a new epidemic disease had appeared, that the Boston board of health gave a public hearing on the subject. At this hearing it was explained that the so-called epidemic was due to the caterpillar hairs, and that by the destruction of the winter webs which shelter the hibernating insects, future annoyance could be prevented. As has been deter- mined by Mr. F. J. Smith, former chemist to the gypsy moth com- mittee, the irritation caused by the caterpillars is probably of a mechanical nature and not due to any poisonous principle contained in the hairs. The hairs are barbed and very brittle, and when once lodged in the skin are easily broken, and require several weeks for their expulsion. It has not been possible to continue following accurately the spread of this insect, but it is now known to occur in Brockton and in Hud- son, Mass., and probably it has established itself throughout the ter- ritory lying between these localities and the known infested region, making a total infested area of over 1,200 square miles. More or less work has been done against this insect by local park and street boards, and where this has been carried on along approved lines the results have been very satisfactory. It is noticeable that the moth is strongly attracted to lights, and hence the greatest infestation is usually where street lights are most numerous. The little European parasite, Diglochis omnivorous Walker, is very effective in destroying the pupz, but its services have not been sufficient to restrict the increase of the moth. Taking Massachusetts as a whole, the most general damage by any insect pest the past season has been that by the elm-leaf beetle (Galerucella luteola Muell.). This insect has now become established in nearly all of our cities and larger towns, and has finally invaded Boston, where it threatens to cause serious damage. It is noticeable 96 that the spread of the insect has been chiefly along water courses and to a less extent along the main lines of railway. The severe injury by the beetle in the larger cities of the Connecti- cut Valley several years ago led to the introduction of municipal spraying operations. The original methods of work have been im- proved until they are now very effective. The chief reliance is placed upon a thorough spraying with some form ‘of arsenate of lead as soon as the foliage develops. It has been found most practical in large operations to use several powerful hand outfits, carrying two lines of hose, rather than to employ one or two steam outifits. The greater number of outfits permits the thorough treatment of the trees in an entire city as soon as the foliage has developed, and thus the beetle is not permitted to damage the trees in one part of a city while spraying is being carried on in another section. The work of the Springfield city forester, William F. Gale, has been particularly weil carried out, and has served as a model for similar operations in other municipalities. While the beetle, as a rule, has but a single brood throughout the State, a well-defined second brood occurs on Cape Cod and a partial second brood in the Connecticut Valley. In neither locality has this latter brood caused damage worthy of note. Willows and poplars throughout the State are becoming more and more subject to attack by the imported weevil (Cryptorhynchus— lapathi Linn.). This insect seems also to have followed the water courses while spreading through the State, although the transporta- tion of nursery stock is responsible for a large part of its journeyings. Nearly all our nurseries are more or less infested with this weevil, whose life history the writer has worked out in detail. Late in the summer, after feeding for some weeks on the petioles and young shoots, the beetles drill small holes into the bark beneath leaf scars or other irregularities and in them deposit the eggs singly. The holes are then carefully filled with bark dust. The eggs hatch in a short time, and the young grubs feed in the bark for a few weeks and then enter hibernation. At this time the grubs may be detected easily, as their presence is revealed by the black outlines of their burrows, which are plainly visible on the bark. With the advent of spring the weevil enters the sapwood and grows rapidly to maturity. When full grown the grub returns down the burrow, enlarging it toa uniform diameter, then ascends to the upper end, prepares a tight chamber, and trans- forms. The beetles commence to emerge in June. There is quite a variation in the time of emergence, those insects breeding in young shoots emerging first, while those feeding in the older wood appar- ently require a longer time for their development. While the insects as a rule hibernate as young larvee, individuals in all stages of growth are sometimes found in winter in the heartwood of old trees. In Germany this weevil is known chiefly asa pest of the basket willow if and alder. In Massachusetts we have noticed it more particularly as destroying ornamental poplars and willows. There are many loeali- ties, particularly along our coast, where cottagers are dependent almost entirely for shade upon the Balm of Gilead poplar and one or two species of willow. These trees, brittle at their best, when rid- dled by burrows of the weevil become easy victims of ice storms. The remedial measures most in favor are the destruction of the grubs by hand in the fall or winter. Where a tree is badly infested it is hardly worth while to attempt to preserve it. Such trees should be cut and burned, and in their places should be planted the silver maple, three-thorned acacia, or other species, that thrive in damp localities. DROUGHT, HEAT, AND INSECT LIFE. By Mary E. MURTFELDT, Kirkwood, Mo. Probably few localities in the Mississippi Valley have suffered so greatly from prevailing atmospheric conditions as has the suburb of Kirkwood during the present summer. Following an unusually dry spring there has been no appreciable rainfall since a brief, but heavy, shower on the 12th of June. Even of the two or three light showers that visited our city (St. Louis), but a few miles distant, scarcely a drop, or but a mere sprinkle, extended to Kirkwood. For many suc- cessive days the mercury ranged from 100° to 110° in the shade, and for only about six days since the middle of June has the maximum temperature fallen below 90°. Under such conditions it would seem inevitable that insect life must be much affected. My personal observations, although extending over a very limited area, indicate that this is the case. Early in the spring Aphididz of many species and in incomputable numbers occurred on grain and all varieties of fruit trees and threatened destruction to many choice ernamental shrubs. These insects would naturally be reduced as the season progressed, but usually some estivating indi- viduals or forms can be found by the close observer. At present, however, the most careful examination fails to reveal evidence of any persisting species. Cutworms, which were very destructive upon early vegetables in spring, find now no cultivated plants and no succulent weeds upon which to feed, nor have any species of the moths been noted for many weeks. The ‘‘corn ear-worm” or ‘‘ tomato fruit-worm” of this region (Heliothis armiger) does not find for miles around either of these plants for its sustenance and ean not, it seems to me, fail to be so reduced in numbers as to be practically innoxious for at least one or two succeeding seasons. ~Curculio and codling moth, following a season in which both stone and pip fruits were practically a failure hereabout, are scarcely at all in evidence in the dwarfed and flavorless apples, pears, and peaches tisss— Nor 3i—01-——7 - 98 that still cling to the trees or have already dropped to the hard and heated earth. A large prune tree on the grounds of the writer which has been in bearing for eight or ten years, but which is such a bait for Con- otrachelus nenuphar that we have seldom been able to obtain a per- fect fruit, yielded recently quite a crop of undersized but not wormy prunes. As entomologists all know, the pupze of many moths and beetles require a certain amount of moisture to enable them to emerge from the ground, beneath which their transformation takes place, and to expand their wings. It would seem as though the midsummer broods had not been able to do this, as the strongest lights have for weeks failed to attract any Noctuids, Geometers, or Bombyeids, and _ scarcely any leaf-feeding beetles are to be found even on such vege- tation as is still green. Incidentally it may be said that for the stu- dent of the life histories of insects this is the most disappointing sum- mer on record, but what its influence may be upon many well-known forms is a matter of not a little economic interest. The horsefly, very numerous and annoying to cattle during May and June, entirely disappeared some weeks since, the manure drying out too rapidly to afford the larve time to develop. Even the house fly and other annoying Muscidz are comparatively few in number. At this writing in this immediate locality almost the only grass- hoppers to be seen in meadows and pastures are in a very immature condition, and few in number. The chorus of other orthopterous species, usually so full and obtrusive during the evening hours at this season of the year, is very thin and interrupted. Occasionally one can distinguish the soft whirring of an Orchilimum or Xiphidium, and, at remote distances and intervals, the ear-splitting shrill of the “cone head.” The true katydid does not this year interrupt conversation in the evenings on the lawn or piazza with its hoarse iterations, neither does the angular-winged form with its noisy rattle. Butterflies have dis- appeared with the flowers from our gardens, and bees are consuming the stores accummulated for winter use. But insects, especially the obnoxious kinds, have great and inexplicable powers of adaptation and endurance, and there is much interest attaching to the problem of their survival and multiplication under present adverse conditions, It must not be forgotten that there are a few species that seem to revel in the heat and aridity. Among these are the ants, large and small. With no showers to inundate their galleries and temporarily arrest their activities they have increased beyond computation, and have become an almost insupportable nuisance about dwellings. The black crickets also seem to have found in the heat and drought of the present summer circumstances exactly suited to their enjoyment and multiplication. Their shrill chirpings on field and lawn and about our dwellings replace the notes of arboreal insects and indicate their presence in very unusual numbers. 99 Still another insect that seems to find the heat and drought of the present season most congenial and favorable for its multiplication and enjoyment is that household pest the ‘‘silver fish” (Lepisma domestica Pack.). Everywhere among books and papers, on closet shelves, between piled dishes, on all folded clothing and curtains containing starch the little nuisances, large and small, may be seen darting to cover upon the slightest disturbance, and in many cases the damage done is very serious, especially to costly books, collections of pictures, and to lace curtains. The only resource of the house- keeper has been to dust pyrethrum powder profusely over her books and unframed pictures, to remove all ornamental papers from the shelves of china closets and sideboards, and to frequently examine and shake out draperies and clothing liable to attack. There are a few other species that have for brief periods proved troublesome, but those noted are the most prominent and irrepressible. W hat the effects of the unusual season will be upon field-crop pests remains to be ascertained. Earlier in the season chinch bug, Hessian fly, and grain-feeding Aphididz were very prevalent and destructive in Missouri and adjoining States, and it can only be learned by the starting of fall crops in what numbers these have survived. It is to be hoped, and may reasonably be expected, however, that the great losses in almost all crops will be, in some measure, compensated by a marked reduction in the number of destructive insects. The secretary read several letters from absent members expressing regrets at not being able to attend the meeting, including ‘a letter from Secretary A. L. Quaintance, who was detained on account of pressing work, and also a letter from Director William Trelease, of the Missouri Botanic Gardens, cordially inviting the Association to hold its meeting of 1903 in St. Louis during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The committee on nomination proposed the following officers for the ensuing year: President, A. D. Hopkins, Morgantown, W. Va. First vice-president, E. P. Felt, Albany, N. Y. Second vice-president, T. D. A. Cockerell, East Las Vegas, N. Mex. Secretary, A. L. Quaintance, College Park, Md. The report of the committee was accepted and the above-named officers elected. The committee on resolutions made the following report, which was accepted and adopted: Resolved, That this Association, at its first meeting since the death of Dr. Otto Lugger last May, desires to place upon record its deep regret at the loss it has sus- tained by his untimely removal. Economic entomology has been deprived of an able exponent, and the members of this association feel also that they have per- ‘sonally to lament a true and warm-hearted friend. Dr. Lugger has long been 100 identified with economic entomology in this country. and aside from his scientific ability he was a man of admirable qualities and wide information. Resolved, That the Association of Economic Entomologists desires also to express its sense of loss through the death of Miss E. A. Ormerod, of England. Long before this body came into existence, at a time when economic entomology was ignored in England, Miss Ormerod took up the study of injurious insects, and published numerous valuable reports directing the farmers how to recognize and deal with their insect foes. She not only did this for England, but extended her researches through the aid of correspondents to the colonies, and always took a lively interest in the work done in America. Asan example of private initiative and unselfish devotion to the public interest Miss Ormerod’s work deserves to rank with that of Lawes and Gilbert at Rothamstead. Resolved, That we request the Honorable Secretary of Agriculture to publish the proceedings of this meeting, and that we express to him our hearty apprecia- tion of such action in previous years. Resolved, That we express our thanks to the officials of the Denver High School, to the people of Denver and the local committee of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to the Association, and to the local press for courte- sies extended. A. D. HOpPkKINs, W. H. ASHMEAD, BE. D. BALL, Committee. On motion of Mr. Felt it was voted to hold the next annual meeting at the same place with the next annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, on the last week day preceeding and the first week day of the meeting of that Association, which will be held in Pittsburg, Pa., June 28-July 3. Adjourned. A. L. QUAINTANCE, Secretary. LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS. ACTIVE MEMBERS. Adams, M. F., City Bank Building, Buffalo, N. Y. Aldrich, J. M., Agricultural Experiment Station, Moscow. Idaho. Alwood, William B.. Agricultural Experiment Station, Blacksburg, Va. Ashmead, William H., U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. Baker, C. F., St. Louis, Mo. Ball, E. D., Agricultural Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colo. Banks, C. S., Capitol Building, Albany, N. Y. Banks, Nathan, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Barrows, W. B., Agricultural College, Mich. Beckwith, H. M., Elmira, N. Y. Benton, Frank, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D, C. Bethune, C. J. S., 500 Dufferin avenue, London, Ontario. Bogue, E. E., Boston, Mass. Britton, W. E., New Haven, Conn. Bruner, Lawrence, Agricultural Experiment Station, Linco!n, Nebr. Bullard, W.58., 301 Lafayette street, Bridgeport, Conn. Burgess, Albert F., Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio. Busck, August, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Campbell, J. P., Athens, Ga. Caudell, A. N., U. 8S. Department of Agricuiture, Washington, D. C. Chambliss, C. E., Clemson College. 5. C. Chittenden, F. H., U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Clifton, Richard 8., U. 8S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Cockerell, T. D. A., East Las Vegas, N. Mex. Collins, Lewis, 177 Remsen street, Brook yn, N. Y. - Comstock, J. H., Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. Cook, A. J., Pomona College, Claremont, Cal. Cooley, R. A., Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman, Mont. Coquillett, D. W., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Cordley, A. B., Agricultural Experiment Station, Corvallis, Oreg. Doran, E. W., Normal School, Clinton, Mo. Ehrhorn, E. M., Mountainview, Cal. Felt, Ephraim P., Capitol Building, Albany, N. Y. Fernald, C. H., Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. Fernald, H. T., Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. Fiske, W. F., State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. Fletcher, James, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada. Forbes, S. A., University of Illinois, Urbana, III. Forbush, E. H., 13 Stanwood Hall, Malden, Mass. Fowler, Carroll, Agricultural Experiment Station, Berkeley, Cal. Frost, H. L., 21 South Market street, Boston, Mass. Garman, H., Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Ky. Gibson, Arthur, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada. Gifford, John, Mays Landing, N. J. Gillette, C. P., Agricultural Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colc. Gossard, H. A., Agricultural Experiment Station, Lake City, Fla. Gould, H. P., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Hargitt, C. W., Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y. Harrington, W. H., Post-Office Department, Ottawa, Canada. 101 102 Hart, C. A., University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill. Hillman, F. H., Agricultural Experiment Station, Reno, Nev. Hine, J. S., Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Holland, Dr. W. J., Pittsburg, Pa. Hopkins, A. D., Agricultural Experiment Station, Morgantown, W. Va. Howard, L. O., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Hudson, G. H., Normal and Training School, Plattsburg, N. Y. Hunter, W. D., U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Hunter, S. J., University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans. Johnson, W. G., 52 Lafayette Place, N. Y. City. Kellogg, Vernon L., Stanford University, California. Kincaid, Trevor, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash. King, George B., Lawrence, Mass. Kirkland, A. H., Malden, Mass. Lowe, V. H., Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, N. Y. McCarthy, Gerald, care of Crop Pest Commission, Raleigh, N. C. Mann, B. P., 1918 Sunderland Place, Washington, D. C. Marlatt, C. L., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Morgan, A. A., Agricultura! Experiment Station, Baton Rouge, La. Mosher, F. H., 283 Pleasant street, Malden, Mass. Murtfeldt, Miss M. E., Kirkwood, Mo. Newell, Wilmon, Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio. Niswander, F. J., 2121 Evans street, Cheyenne, Wyo. Osborn, Herbert, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Packard, A. S., 115 Angell street, Providence, R. I. Palmer, R. M., Victoria, British Columbia, Pergande, Th., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Perkins, G. H., Agricultural Experiment Station, Burlington, Vt. Pettit, R. H., Agricultural Experiment Station, Agricultural College, Mich, Phillips, J. L., Agricultural Experiment Station, Blacksburg, Va. Popenoe, E. A., 303 Fillmore street, Topeka, Kans. Quaintance, A. L., Agricultural Experiment Station, College Park, Md. Rane, F. W., Agricultural Experiment Station, Durham, N. H. Reed, E. B., Esquimault, British Columbia. Rolfs, P. H., Miami, Fla. Rumsey, W. E., Agricultural Experiment Station, Morgantown, W. Va. Sanderson, E. Dwight, Agricultural Experiment Station, Newark, Del. Saunders, William, Dundas street, London, Ontario. Schwarz, E. A., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Scott, W. M., Capitol Building, Atlanta, Ga. Sherman, Franklin, jr., care of Crop Pest Commission, Raleigh, N. C. Simpson, C. B., U. 8. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, Sirrine, F. A., Agricultural Experiment Station, Jamaica, N. Y. Skinner, Henry, 719 North Twentieth street, Philadelphia, Pa. Slingerland, M. V.. Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y. Smith, J. B., Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N. J. Snow, F. H., University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans. Southwick, E. B., Arsenal Building, Central Park, New York, N. Y. Southwick, J. A., Providence, R. I. Stedman, J. M., Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbia, Mo. Stimson, James, Watsonville, Cal. Summers, H. E., Agricultural Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Test, F. C., 4018 Indiana avenue, Chicago, Ill. Thaxter, Roland, 3 Scott street, Cambridge. Mass. Toumey, J. W., Yale Forest School, New Haven, Conn. Townsend, C, H. T., U. S. Custom-House, Ei Paso, Tex. 108 Walker, C. M., Agricultural Experiment Station, Amherst, Mass. Washburn, F. L., University of Oregon, Eugene, Oreg. Webster, F. M., Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio. Weed, C. M., Agricultural Experiment Station, Durham, N. H. Weed, H. E., Griffin, Ga. Wilcox, E. V., U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Woodworth, C. W., Agricultural Experiment Station. Berkeley, Cal. FOREIGN MEMBERS. Barlow, Edw., Calcutta, India. Berlese, Dr. Antonio, R. Scuola Superiore di Agricoltura, Portici, Italy. Bordage, Edmond, Directeur de Musée, St. Denis, Réunion. Bos, Dr. J. Ritzema, Willie Commelin Scholten, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Carpenter, Prof. George H., Science and Art Museum, Dublin, Ireland. Cholodkowsky, Prof. Dr. N., Institut Forestier, St. Petersburg, Russia. Cotes, E. C., 201 Iffley road, Oxford, England. Danysz,J., Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Bourse de Commerce, Paris, France. Enock, Fred., 13 Tufnell Park road, Holloway, London, N., England. French, Charles, Department of Agriculture, Melbourne, Australia. Froggatt, W. W., Department of Agriculture, Sydney, New South Wales. Fuller, Claude, Department of Agriculture, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. Giard, A., 14 Rue Stanislaus, Paris, France. Goding, F. W., Newcastle, New South Wales. Grasby, W.C., Grenfell street, Adelaide, South Australia. Green, E, E., Royal Botanic Gardens, Punduloya, Ceylon. Helms, Richard, 136 George street, North Sydney, New South Wales. Horvath, Dr. G., Musée Nationale Hongroise, Budapest, Austria-Hungary. Lampa, Prof. Sven, Statens Entomologiska Anstalt, Albano, Stockholm, Sweden. Lea, A. M., Department of Agriculture, Hobart, Tasmania. Leonardi, Gustavo, Portici, Italy. Lindeman, Dr. K., Landwirthschaftliche Akadeinie, Moscow, Russia. Lounsbury, Charles P., Department of Agriculture, Cape Town, South Africa. Mally, C. W.. Department of Agriculture, Cape Town, South Africa. Marchal, Dr. Paul, 16 Rue Claude Bernard, Paris, France. Musson, Charles T., Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond, New South Wales. Newstead, Robert, Grosvenor Museum, Chester, England. Ormerod, Miss Eleanor A.,' Torrington House, St. Albans, England. Porchinski, Prof. A., Ministére de l’Agriculture, St. Petersburg, Russia. Reed, E. C., Rancagua, Chile. Reuter, Dr. Enzio, Fredriksgatan 45, Helsingfors, Finland, Russia. Sajo, Prof. Charles, G6d6ll6-Veresegyhaz, Austria-Hungary. Schoyen, Prof. W. M., Zoological Museum, Christiania, Norway. Shipley, Prof. Arthur E., Christ’s College, Cambridge, England. Targioni-Tozzetti, Prof. A., R. Staz. d. Entom. Agrar, Florence, Italy. Tepper, J. G. O., Norwood, South Australia. Theobald, Frederick B., Wyecourt, County Kent, England. Thompson, Rey. Edward H., Franklin, Tasmania. Tryon, H., Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Urich, F. W., Victoria Institute, Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. Vermorel, V., Villefranche, Rhone, France. Whitehead, Charles, Barming House, Maidstone, Kent, England. 1 Deceased. O 1 ae May EL ¢: é san, Uist) ae: eed b: a ’ : ew & ° - a v4 iF As - Me lar cM ay “ohh ie wale ae ae . c é ‘e ign fl ih rvs Pres. me ns % re) ro! >) ie aipett at f ret : ain * ep se eS Ee et Ce ae oe ee Fe | | Re U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY—BULLETIN NO, 32, NEW SERIES. L, O. HOWARD, Entomologist. ae as * - INSECT ENEMIES OF THE PINE EN THE BLACK HILLS FOREST RESERVE. | AN ACCOUNT OF RESULTS OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING LOSSES, PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. By A. D. HOPKINS, Ph. D., Vice-Director and Entomologist of the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. ea WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING 19.03) = OFFICE. Einloinstegiot 0. ‘Howard. are Reaping ERE a epee! ; ae. First Assistant Entomologist: C. L. Marlatt. oe US ver Oa Be Assistant Sigel pat aa Toms FP. iH. Chittenden, Nath Bans “Apiarians Erste Benton, _ Assistants: R. 8: Clifton, gs C. Prat, Aug Busek, 4, Oto Heiden, 4 ase Rel ag > Artiste Miss ts Sullivan. Ges) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY—BULLETIN NO. 32, NEW SERIES. L. O. HOWARD, Entomologist. INSECT ENEMIES OF THE PINE TN THE BLACK HILLS FOREST RESERVE: AN ACCOUNT OF RESULTS OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING LOSSES, PREPARED UNDER THE DIREUTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. By A. D. HOPKINS, Ph. D., Vice-Director and Entomologist of the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1902. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DeparTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Division OF ENTOMOLOGY, Washington, D. C., January 22, 1902. Srr: In the temporary absence of Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the Division of Entomology, I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of a paper entitled ‘* Insect Enemies of the Pine in the Black Hills Forest Reserve,” by Dr. A. D. Hopkins, Entomologist of the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. The extensive losses occasioned in recent years by insects to forest lands in various portions of the United States, and particularly in the North and Northwestern regions, have attracted great attention, and have necessitated investi- gations as to the character of the injury in order that the most appro- priate methods of control may be advised. The present contribution is the third of a series bearing upon the insect enemies of coniferous trees, and comprises a summarized account of results of a special investigation that was made during the year 1901 under instructions from this Division and with the cooperation of Mr. Gifford Pinchot, Forester of this Department, together with a consideration of valuable suggestions for preventing losses, based upon studies by Dr. Hopkins extending over a number of years. I recommend its early publication as Bulletin No. 32, new series, of this Division. Respectfully, F. H. CHIrrenDEN, Acting Entomologist. Hon. JaAmMEs WILson, Secretary of Agriculture. 9 CONTENTS: Page. Request, authorization, and. instructions....-..--..:......---s.---.-..-2.--2 if 2 DnB TERA (TVA SITY 2 0) peat an a a 7 ren cOMUMU OM SPOWSEIVEM a. so ke os aw ss a -oceaccce 5 jc tjacc socce eee oeeeeen tes 7 1 Ss SHMTVO Tue AT OG 2S 0 ECT 0727 eee ne 7 einai MECHA TOMGed ays See eee hs ae ok af c,o soaps ett et tama ss e-cse 7 PEERmOMOe catised Wy IMSCCtS ..222.25- 2.222 e046 oe ce te nde me oes ne ncn soa sen 9 DAB TEREST NPP REVS nS leg fea nn lS 9 Ree ema cen lore eee ne see Pee ce Rev SA Oot ee ee eee ce 9 Peerrent mpm COMM s ae tee, esac oe cok Ses a es ose + MSE oe win ene eae es 10 ine Orevon Lomicus (Tomicus oregont Michh.) ....../222.---2-se0+25- 10 The coarse-writing bark-beetle ( Tomicus calligraphus Germ.) .....------- it The wood-engraying Tomicus (Tomicus cexlatus Eichh. var. scopulorum, lg WEES) a SESSASA eae eS aa eae lle spel are a ae ear I oe 2, The dark-red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens Lec.) .......--------- 12 The western pine Hylurgops (Hylurgops subcostulatus Mann.) ....------- 13 The pine-root bark-beetle (Hylastes porosus Er.) ...........------------- 13 1 SUPEYELM EWAN fy eu) DTS esp A ae sy aA 1 Ambrosia or timber beetles and wood-boring grubs ..............--...-- 14 Sete ReCHC wie UROM, OFMEF CAUSES... - oc - eese oc ea we wtaicescses-8 14 bere Kaper pibe haw OM aa 2 6 Soo ae wk, nos nye eee He ew ee ne 14 2 TUS a2 EGE eee es ec Pn AI ag ec ce RE 14 LINES SE Git Sahl 3G iy OVE Ns Ve LE Fees ne 15 Natural enemies of the destructive and injurious insects..............------- 15 PURSE 2 UBB ogy ioe wal Sh 2a eg a a 15 ive pinish-ereen, predaceous: beetles...) se sc obs ceases sccues = sees aicice er a eae oa) OF bine Orecon “TOMmIcuss.2.--22-ssscse2o5=- 1c e- cease eee ah MV Ghelce Cost del aver Orreeoval 4 Novaniebls|- Senso ne act oree Spe be a oebaEeoooer ee 5: Work of the rock-pine wood-eneraver.. ..<- .2--ae0c cscs eet see Page. 8 12 16 16 20 9 10 iat 12 13 5 PALE hee’ Un hg litem ai bh, reall (weve sy Vial Ly attina wine da) Aes 0h ea ee, “; b van ils vs ‘ ‘wl QOH alii? ae oe '% per es ) ove a: Yee. rr erore, } : hei PC ee aay fms ‘s ae i i? | ae Die wil in”. oP ies ‘sis 2 Ny 4 mre WoO ee of age See ; vate, f H ; Pig ou 1 ne eerie Soa ao roel. 7 » Yi was F Xi ey i Ai',’ Li it em J Bi eou@ « re re ee re ie ae se Too fa ee oad ; 2% (2 ; ys a Hy ;. ict ae . . TeR Pe eee ee a athe va A uta oo Wo site ar r¢ ich wie fat] wees] a : ; i ay ed a fini ES te veers ee * ra wn ee ee ahi hit ) sary ie i Ciel. « i: ; ; : 3 sabe 4 7 4 fie g " <% : SiS Zs wpa | fae sake Cio ee ae fh hig “% kes ae, HT ihes eon ae ae ng hh ES Bin af aloe Lope A Gee ae : ‘ 3 oy 1S. =. 2h wets tye Ay keh wine BP siegitiebe LW tees aa ei Rar : i : - ale | ' % ig : be - ’ j L = aA aks S 7 = rvs 27 ' ee INSECT ENEMIES OF THE PINE IN THE BLACK HILLS FOREST RESERVE. REQUEST, AUTHORIZATION, AND INSTRUCTIONS. The work herein reported was undertaken by request of Mr. Gifford Pinchot, Chief of the Bureau of Forestry, under authorization from the honorable Secretary of Agriculture and instructions from Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the Division of Entomology. THE INVESTIGATING TRIP. The investigations were conducted, in company with Mr. Pinchot and his chief field assistant, Mr. Griffith, on September 1 to 4, 1901, along a route traversed through the reserve from Spearfish, via Iron Creek, Bear Gulch, and Cement Ridge, South Dakota, Rifle Pit, Wyoming, and Spearfish Creek, to Lead, 5. Dak. THE CONDITIONS OBSERVED. Vast numbers of rock pine (Pinus ponderosa scopulorum) that were dying, or had died within recent years, of sizes ranging in diameter from 4 inches to the largest trees, were observed along the route. The dying trees occur in clumps of from afew examples to many hundreds, and in some sections, as viewed from the summit of Cement Ridge and other favorable points, the dying, recently dead, and old dead trees cover large areas. « THE AMOUNT OF DEAD TIMBER. Mr. H. 8. Graves* estimated in 1897 that about 3,000 acres of pine in the Black Hills Forest Reserve had been killed. Furtaer data fur- nished by the Bureau of Forestry show that the actual amount of dead timber, as determined by Mr. Griffith and party in a detailed survey of the timber resources of the reserve in 1901, is, ‘*An average stand of 1,956 feet board measure of bug-killed timber on 116,000 acres, giving a total of 226,890,000 feet board measure.” HISTORICAL REFERENCES. It is the general opinion among settlers and others who have had an opportunity to note the conditions affecting the pine that the dying timber commenced to attract attention about six or seven years ago, or about 1895. “Nineteenth Annual Report U. 8. Geological Survey, 1897-98, Part V, p. 87. ‘ 8 The evidence found by the writer in old dead standing and felled trees indicates that the pine-destroying beetle has been present for a much longer time. It was also evident that much of the devastation supposed to have been caused by forest fires was caused, primarily, by insects. Mr. Graves, in his exhaustive report on the Black Hills Forest Reserve,* refers, on page 87, to insects and the dead pine timber as follows: On the high limestone divide, from near Crook Tower to the head of Little Spear- fish Creek, there are numerous patches of dead and dying timber. These patches are usually rectangular in shape and follow the tops of the divide and ridges, or run lengthwise up and down the slope. This forest has for the most part not been lately burned, and there is a heavy matting of litter and humus on the ground. The injury is confined to the limestone formation and to high elevations. The trees are in many cases second growth and apparently perfectly thrifty. This injury is probably caused by insects. On all dead and dying trees examined were found bark borers, a species of the Scolytidze, working under the bark. In most cases the leaves were clinging to trees which had been dead for several seasons. While these borers do not, as a rule, attack vigorous trees, no other cause of the death of this timber could be found. Mr. H. E. Dewey, writing to the Division of Entomology from Lead, S. Dak., on August 12, 1899, stated: * * * There have been none in the trees this year until last Wednesday, the 9th. On that day there was a southwest wind, and aswarm of them came. My dwelling is in what was a grove of young native Black Hills pines. The bugs settled on the house like a plague of locusts. At night they left the house and seattered about. I have examined the trees, and with one exception do not find that they attacked them. This one excepted tree is a sight. Hundreds of bugs settled on it during the night, and by morning they had buried themselves out of sight in the trunk. As they bored their way in, the dust from their boring, which was very fine, filtered out from the top to the bottom of the tree like fine sawdust, and fell about the tree on the ground. They could be plainly heard at their work as they bored into the wood. The tree was a vigorous young pine about 15 feet high and 6 inches in diameter at the ground, and there is no apparent reason why they should select it more than others. Last year they were here in June. The following copy of a letter addressed to the Department of the Interior, Division of Forestry, was submitted to the author from the Division of Entomology, with a specimen of the insect, which, together with the specimens sent with Mr. Dewey’s letter, formed the material from which the species was named and descriptive notes were made. The letter is dated Piedmont, S. Dak., August 14, 1898, and reads as follows: Many of the pine trees in this vicinity are dying. Small holes appear in the bark, a reddish pitch exudes, the leaves turn brown, and in a few weeks the tree dies. I think the mischief is done by the small black insect inclosed herewith, which I found in one of the holes. Is there any remedy? «Nineteenth Annual Report U.S. Geological Survey, 1897-48, Part V, pp. 67-164. Bul. 32, New Series, Div. of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE |. WORK OF THE PINE-DESTROYING BEETLE OF THE BLACK HILLS (DENDROCTONUS PONDEROSA N. SP.). PRIMARY GALLERIES AND LARVAL MINES IN INNER SUR- FACE OF LIVING BARK. a, Entrance and basal chamber; ), ventilating holes in roof of gallery; ¢, termination. The larval mines radiate from the primary galleries. About one-half natural size. (Original. ) =a, Ten. a “anf j ni PLATE Il. Iture. Div. of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agricu Bul. 32, New Series, WORK OF THE COARSE-WRITING TOMICUS, IN INNER SURFACE OF BARK FROM DYING PINE. (Original. ) 9 THE TROUBLE CAUSED BY INSECTS. The evidence obtained from a study of all stages of the afflicted tim- ber, including the living, dying, recently dead, and old dead trees, of all sizes, and under widely varying conditions of altitude, exposure, geological formation, soil, and character of growth, indicates quite clearly that this widespread, unhealthy, dying, and dead condition of the timber is the work of insects. THE PRIMARY ENEMY. The evidence found also clearly indicates that the insect which makes the first attack on the living trees, and therefore the primary cause of the trouble, isa small, black, bark-boring beetle, belonging to a species heretofore unknown to science, and appears to be peculiar to the Black Hills region.* NAME OF THE BEETLE. Since this primary enemy has not been distinguished from a number of other bark beetles found in the infested trees, it has not been desig- Fic. 1.—Work of the pine-destroying beetle of the Black Hills, in inner bark of dead tree. a, pri- mary galleries; b, larve mines; ¢, pupze chambers; d, exit holes. Reduced about one-half (original). nated by a local name. 1 would therefore suggest that hereafter it be designated as ‘‘the pine-destroying beetle of the Black Hills,” and by “Since this was written it has been reported from Colorado.—A. D. H. 10 the technical or Latin name Dendroctonus ponderosa.* The adult is a stout, dark-brown to black beetle, individuals of which vary in length from 4 to 7 mm. (about one-sixth to one-fourth inch). They attack living and healthy large and small pine trees, enter the bark on the main trunk, and each pair excavates a long, nearly straight, longitudi- nal gallery through the inner bark (Pl. I and fig. 1), usually grooving the surface of the wood. Eggs are deposited along the sides of this primary gallery and hatch into minute white grubs (larve), which excavate mines through the bark at right angles -to the primary gallery (fig. 1, 6). These mines are extended and enlarged as the larve increase in size, and when full grown each individual excavates a broad, oval cavity in the bark (fig. 1, c), in which it transforms to a soft, white pupa, and then to the adult, which bores out through the bark (fig. 1, @), and flies, with other adults of the same and other broods, in search of other living trees in which to excavate galleries and deposit eggs for an- other brood. SECONDARY ENEMIES. Many other species of bark beetles and other Fic. 2.—Work of the Oregon Tomicus ( Tomicus oregon Eichh.). bark and wood infesting Primary galleries and larval mines in inner bark. a, En- insects were found asso- trance; b, central chamber excavated through inner bark; : : : ‘ — ce, egg galleries; d, location of central chamber not exca- ciated with the pr TMary vated through inner bark. Reduced about one-half (origi- enemy in the partly living ee bark of infested and dying trees, but none of them were found making an independent attack on living trees. Therefore they must be considered as secondary ene- mies, which follow the leader in the attack, and merely contribute to the rapid and certain death of the trees thus infested. The Oregon Tomicus (Tomicus oregont Kichh.).—This is a small red- dish to black bark beetle, individuals of which vary in length from 3.5mm.to4mm. It follows closely the attack of the pine-destroying beetle, and enters the bark on the large and medium sized branches and toward the top of the main stem. Several females excavate radi- “This species has heretofore been erroneously identified as D. terebrans and D. rufipennis, and will probably be found so labeled in some collections. Lt ating galleries from a single entrance and a central chamber (fig. 2, a and 6). The central chamber may (@), or may not (4), extend through the inner layers of bark and groove the surface of the wood, but the radiating galleries are nearly always grooved in the surface of the wood, as are also the egg cavities, which are excavated at short inter- vals along the sides (figs. 3 and 4). These grooved and notched carv- ings are often very conspicuous in the surface of the wood of trees and logs for many years after the bark is removed or has fallen away. The number of galleries branching from the central chamber varies from two to five or six, but the normal number is four—two above and two below the entrance. The mode of development of the young stages is the same as in the pre- ceding species. (See EISY:) This is a-common enemy of the rock pine (Pinus ponderosa sco- pulorum) throughout the Rocky Mountain region and of P. pon- derosa west of the mountains. It is ever ready to attack and prevent the recovery of trees of all sizes which are suffering from weakened vital- ity. It is. also at- tracted to recentl y = ~*Fic.3.—Work of the Oregon Tomicus. Primary galleries engraved At a i = in surface of wood. Central chamber not extending into wood felled tf ces, and br eeds except ata. Reduced about one-half (original). in enormous numbers in the bark on the tops and branches. The species was found to be exceedingly common in trees infested by the pine destroyer and on the logs and tops of those felled by the lumbermen. The coarse-writing bark-beetle (Tomicus calligraphus Germ. var. occi- dentalis).—This is much larger than the Oregon Tomicus, but is of the same color and general form. Individuals vary in length from 4.5 mm. to 6.5mm. This species also follows closely the first attack by the pine destroyer. It enters the bark from near the base to toward the 12 top of the tree, and excavates three or four long longitudinal galleries from a single entrance and broad central chamber (PI. II). The cen- tral chambers and galleries are usually grooved in the surface of the wood, but can be readily distinguished from those made by the Oregon Tomicus. It is a common and widely distributed species over the greater part of the pine-producing areas of the United States from the Atlantic coast to and including the Rocky Mountain region.* It attacks all of the Eastern and Southern pines, and doubtless several of the Western pines in addition to the rock pine, in which it was found in large numbers inthe Black Hills region. The wood -engraving Tomicus (Tomicus cala- tus Eichh.).—This is a much smaller and more slender bark beetle than the two preceding spe- cies. Individuals vary in length from 2.6 mm. to 3.2 mm., and in color from dark red to dull black. This is also a common, widely distrib- : uted, and variable spe- cies. It extends from \ the Atlantic to the Pa- cific, and infests all of the Eastern and South- ern pines and spruces. A variety (var. scopulorum n. var.) was found in the rock pine of the Black Fic. 4.—Work of the Oregon Tomicus. Primary galleries en- Hills, and has been col- graved in surface of wood. Central chamber extending into lected by the writer from wood. Reduced about one-half (original). £ a number of other spe- cies of Western pines. It attacks and breeds in the inner bark on the roots, trunks, and branches of weakened and dying standing trees of all ages and sizes, from the very young to the oldest and largest. It also breeds in immense numbers in the stumps, logs, and tops of recently felled trees. The dark-red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens Lec.)—This is the largest of the known North American bark beetles. The adults vary in length from 6mm. to9.5mm._ It attacks the bark on the base of liv- “The Western form seems to be sufficiently different in some minor characters to warrant this distinction in variety name—occidentalis. "3ZIS IYNLVYN GHIHL-3NO LNoaYy "MYVG YANNI NI SANII) TVAYV7] GNV S3IYSTIVS AdYVWIYd—"| “SIf (AVNIDINO) ‘dIHO ONINOCOS 4O JOWSYNS NO S3INSTIVS AYVWINd 4O SHYVIN—'S “DIS ‘AZIS IVYNLVYN GYIHL-3NO Lnosy (IVNIDINO) Bul. 32, New Series, Div. of Entomology, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE III. PLATE IV. Bul. 32, New Series, Div. of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Fic. 1.—A, PRIMARY GALLERIES, LARVAL MINES, PUPA CASES, AND EXIT HOLes; B, PRIMARY GALLERIES GROOVED IN SurR- FACE OF WOOD IN CHIP CUT FROM RAILROAD TIE. (ORIGI- NAL.) Fic. 2.—EVIDENCE OF CUTTING OF LIVING TREES. A, SCORING CHIP FROM RAILROAD TIE, SHOWING SURFACE OF WOOD NOT MARKED BY INSECTS; B, INNER SURFACE OF BARK FROM SAME CHIP. ABOUT ONE-THIRD NATURAL SIZE. (ORIGINAL.) 13 ing and dying standing trees and the stumps of felled ones, and exca- vates a broad, crooked, longitudinal gallery. The eggs are deposited in masses along one side, and when they hatch the larve work together and excavate a broad chamber, instead of making individual larval bur- rows, as is the rule with most other species. One of the striking pecul- iarities of this insect is the habit of the adult and larva of living in the quantity of semiliquid pitch or turpentine which accumulates in the primary gallery and brood chamber. While this beetle is capable of attacking and developing its broods in the bark of a living, healthy tree, it seldom causes the death of trees unaided by other insects. It does, however, contribute to the death of trees attacked by the pine-destroying and other destructive beetles. It is a common insect in the Rocky Mountain region and west to the Cascades. A variety (Den- droctonus valens orientalis) is common in the Kast, attacking in the same manner all of the Eastern pines. The Western pine IHylur- gops (Lylurgops subcostulatus Mann.).—This is a common, dull brown to black bark beetle, ranging in length from 3.5mm. to 4.5 mm., which attacks and breeds in the bark on the roots and bases of dying trees and the stumps and logs of felled ones. It excavates a single longitudi- nal gallery, and the broods de- velop in confused or irregular larval mines in the inner bark, { * Fig. 5.—Work of the rock pine wood engraver (Pi- but rarely groove the surface tyogenes cariniceps Lec.). Primary galleries and of the wood. This is one of larval mines in inner bark and surface of wood. Reduced about one half (original). the commonest bark beetles from the Rocky Mountain region to the Pacifie coast, and will evi- dently be found wherever the rock pine or Western yellow pine grows. The pine-root bark-beetle (Hylastes porosus Lec.).—This is a black, elongate, slender bark beetle, varying in length from 4 mm. to 5 mm. It attacks the bark on the roots of the Western pine and excayates a single longitudinal gallery from which the brood burrows radiate, and the broods develop in the usual manner. It was found in the bark on the roots of young seedling pines which had recently died, 14 and also in the bark on the roots of the stump of a recently felled tree in the Black Hills. This is also a common species of the Rocky Mountain pine regions. Branch and twig beetles.—The large and small branches and termi- nal twigs of the trees that were dying from the attack of the pine- destroying beetle were found to be infested by a number of described and undescribed species of the genus Pityophthorus and by Pityogenes cariniceps, all of which attack the bark as soon as the trees commence to die, and contribute, more or less, to hastening the death of the trees. Ambrosia or timber beetles and wood-boring grubs.—The wood of the trees was found to be infested by the Western hemlock wood stainer (Gnathotrichus sulcatus Lec.), the Western pine wood stainer (Gnatho- trichus occidentalis Hopk. MS.), and several unidentified Buprestid and Cerambycid larvae, which attack the trees, and when they com- mence to die bore into the sapwood and contribute to its rapid decay by giving entrance through their burrows to wood-decaying fungi. SMALL TREES DYING FROM OTHER CAUSES. The rock-pine pitch worm.—In addition to the trees killed by the pine-destroying beetle, quite a number of young pines 2 and 8 inches in diameter were found in the vicinity of Spearfish and Crow Peak that were seriously injured by the larva of an undetermined Sesiid moth working in the living bark of the main stem and causing ugly wounds. Successive attacks on the same tree weaken its vitality and attract the Oregon Tomicus and species of Pityogenes and Pityophtho- rus, which infest the main stem and branches, while a number of the root-infesting bark beetles and a pine weevil attack the base and roots, and the tree soon dies. Only a dead and dry larva and a dead chrysa- lis of this insect were found. The characters exhibited by these speci- mens do not agree with the descriptions of the larva of the sequoia and pine-destroying Sesiid (Lembecia sequoia= Vespamima sequoie Hy. Edw.*) or of the larva and chrysalis of the pine Sesiid (/Zarmonia pin= Parharmonia pint Kellicott”). The destructive habits of this class of enemies of trees (which includes the common peach-tree borer) suggest that this may be a common and destructive enemy of ‘‘ reproduction” pines in the Black Hills and other pine-producing areas of the West. The pine weevil.—In another section near the Wyoming and South Dakota lines many young trees were observed which were apparently dying from the attack of a pine weevil (/%ssodes sp.), or the combined attacks of this insect, a root fungus disease, and a number of species of bark beetles. “Mem. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. 1, part vi, Mongr. Sesiidee. Am. North of Mex. 1901, p. 263, with bib. ref. »Tbid., p. 264. 15 INSECT ENEMIES OF THE FOLIAGE. Little time was had to collect or study the enemies of the foliage, but from general observations there was no perceptible injury from this class of depredators. NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE DESTRUCTIVE AND INJURIOUS INSECTS. Numerous species of predaceous and parasitic insects were found associated with the primary and secondary enemies. Some evidence was found of the beneficial work of birds, and a few examples of the pine-destroying beetle were found that had been killed by a disease, but in no case was there sufficient evidence to indicate that any of these natural enemies, or all combined, were in sufficient numbers to render any special service toward bringing the trouble to an end. They were undoubtedly rendering some service, however, in prevent- ing the rapid multiplication of the pine destrover, which would other- wise occur. PREDACEOUS ENEMIES. The bluish-green predaceous beetle ( Trogosita virescens Fab.).—This is an elongate, flattened, shining, green beetle, varying in length from 10 mm. to 13 mm., and in width from 3 mm. to 4 mm. The larva is a long, slender, reddish to whitish worm, with shining black head and prothoracic pilates. This recognized predatory enemy of bark- infesting insects was frequently found associated with colonies of the pine-destroying beetle and the secondary enemies, and a few adults were found hiding beneath the flakes of outer bark. This widely dis- tributed insect in North America has not been sufficiently studied to determine its true relation to the destructive enemies of the trees, but it is evidently quite beneficial. Clerid beetles and their larve.—The slender, reddish larve of unde- termined species of this class of predaceous enemies of bark beetles were found in small numbers in the bark with the broods of the destructive and other species of bark beetles. This class of beneficial insects usually renders great service in reducing the numbers of the destructive and injurious species. Therefore their scarcity in this region may have had much to do with the rapid multiplication and spread of the pine-destroying Dendroctonus. While collecting speci- mens of bark beetles from saw logs in a mill yard at Boulder, Colo., on August 25, one of these Clerids (Clerus nigriventris Lec.) was very common. The active, ant-like adults, which are black, marked with transverse patches of gray, vary in length from 6 mm. to 8 mm., and in width from 2.5mm. to3mm. The larva is a slender, pale red worm. The adult feeds on and destroys great numbers of the adult bark 16 beetles before they enter the bark and when they emerge, while the larva destroys the larva and broods in the bark. A reil-bug enemy of bark-beetles.—A small, red to brown Hemipter- ous bug of the family Acanthiide and subfamily Anthocorina was. found inall stages of development, associated with colonies of the pine- destroying beetle and its allies, in the bark of recently attacked living and dying trees. These little relatives of the bedbug and the flower bugs are recognized as aggressive enemies of bark beetles, both in the East and West. The one found in the Black Hills is evidently P%zos- tethus californicus Reut. The adult is about 3 mm. long, slender, grayish, and exceedingly active. The young forms are usually bright red, active little creatures which attack and suck out the liquids from the bark beetles and their larve. The adult bug also attacks and kills the adult bark beetles. While this is a common and active enemy of the smaller bark beetle, it probably does not render much service toward checking the ravages of the destructive species. Other predaceous beetles.—There are also a number of predaceous beetles of the families Colydiide, Tenebrionide, Histeride, and Staphylinide which were found in greater or less numbers in the bark of infested trees, but their exact relation to the destructive beetle was not determined. PARASITIC INSECTS. Several parasites belonging to the order Hymenoptera and families Braconide, Chalcididee, and Proctotrupide were found to be enemies of the smaller bark beetle larve and adults, but none were found attack- ing the pine-destroying species. Therefore there does not seem to be much service rendered by this class of insects, which are usually so efficient in reducing the numbers of bark beetles. PARASITIC FUNGI. A few examples of the adults and larvee of the pine-destroying beetle were found which had evidently been killed by a fungus disease, but this was by no means common enough to have rendered any service in checking its ravages. BIRDS AS ENEMIES OF THE DESTRUCTIVE BEETLE. A few old dead trees and some which had been recently infested which showed evidence of the beneficial work of woodpeckers were observed in some localities, but hundreds of other insect-killed trees showed no trace of work by the birds. Therefore there appears to be very little service rendered from this source. This is evidently due to a scarcity of the birds and to the fact that the habit of the insect transforming to the adult in the inner bark makes it less accessible to the birds than are the spruce-destroying beetle and other bark beetles which undergo this change in the outer bark. PLATE V. Bul. 32, New Series, Div of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Fic. 1.—A , GALLERIES ENGRAVED IN SURFACE OF WOOD CUT FROM OLD DEAD TREE; B BARK WITH INNER PORTION DESTROYED BY GALLER- IES AND NAL.) LARVAL MINES. ABOUT ONE-THIRD NATURAL SIZE. (ORIGI- Fic. 2.—GALLERIES IN INNER BARK AND SURFACE OF WOOD OF RAILROAD TIES AND EDGING STRIPS. ABOUT ONE-THIRD NATURAL SIZE. (ORIGI- NAL. ) Ya yas Er. Ps a = - ~ y Lal , 7 a < a ad ad é a : eae “ : on y = o-2* , > ‘ , a 4 e Pas | B ® fl «Z bd . <4 “ , ? » Apa —_— ry : ) ur =r fer. Py — 3% , 4 = 7 - : npn = d a he j « ae iG wr J 7 \ 4 . “4 » : Vite Oist ‘ 7 = J ‘ b = hy : < © y 7, wa ay - io 4 > - = ‘ yet * } : = : | ‘ ‘ . 4 7 ne , wr ‘4 4 . : f - RA? 7 a 1 - ’ . ~ re eS je ) oD i . ‘ jae e . ” . * —_ * at 7 r i > CG a , r e. a ee ae — a -_ —- . Cd 7 : a r : : % ' . oes a Bul. 32, New Series, Div. of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE VI. WORK OF THE ROCK PINE-WOOD ENGRAVER (PITYOGENES CARINICEPS LEC.). GALLERIES IN INNER BARK AND SURFACE OF Woop. ABOUT ONE-THIRD NATURAL SIZE. (ORIGI- NAL.) all Pare ce etn . : iat a Wy HOW THE TREES ARE ATTACKED AND KILLED. Many hundreds of trees were examined during the investigation, including those that were living and perfectly healthy, living and freshly attacked, infested and dying, recently dead, and old dead ones which bore evidence of having been killed by the pine-destroying beetle. All stages of the insect, including the adult, the egg, different stages of the larva, the pupa, and recently transformed beetles, were observed and studied, as were also all stages of the primary entrance, the gallery and brood mines in the living, dying, and dead bark, and also the primary gallery grooves on the surface of the wood of old dead trees and logs from which the bark had fallen and decayed. The evidences gathered from these studies, and from information conveyed in Mr. Dewey’s letter, quoted on another page, indicate that the principal attack is made in August, when it would seem the beetles migrate in swarms from the dying trees and settle on the living ones, which they attack and infest in large numbers from near the base to the upper part of the main trunk or stem. The trees that are attacked by a sufficient number of the beetles to overcome the resistance exerted by the vital forces of the plant com- mence to decline, and by winter or the following spring they die and the leaves turn yellow and red. Those not attacked by sufficient num- bers of the beetles to overcome this vital resistance recover and are usually exempt from future attacks; the wounds heal and are covered over by subsequent layers of wood, thus causing pitch spots or gum- streak defects in the wood. The details of the work of the attacking force of beetles on a living tree may be briefly described as follows: Both sexes settle on their victim, usually in large numbers, and the males (7)* commence to excavate the entrance burrows, which are usu- ally hidden in a crevice or beneath a flake of the outer bark. The reddish, sawdust-like borings thus produced and thrown out fall to the ground around the base and lodge in the loose outer bark on the trunk. When they enter the inner living bark, or bast, the tree commences to exert its resistance by throwing out pitch to fill and heal the fresh wounds in the living tissue. Then the struggle between the resisting force of the plant and the beetles begins in earnest. Each female joins her mate, and together they continue the excavation. The bor- ings and pitch are disposed of by being pushed out and formed into a pitch tube at the mouth of the entrance burrow (Pl. VI, figs. 1, 3, and 4). The inner bark is entered obliquely and subtransversely to the cambium and surface of the wood, where a broadened cavity is excavated for the accommodation and temporary occupation of the “While it was not positively determined that the male of this species excavates the first entrance, it is the habit of many other bark beetles, and is probably followed by this. 16274—No. 32—02 2 18 pair, probably until the principal flow of pitch is exhausted. The gallery is then extended (probably by the female) transversely or sub- transversely for a short distance (seldom more than an inch), and then longitudinally up or down the tree, but usually up, varying from a few inches to a foot and a half, the normal length being about 1 foot. As soon as the gallery has been extended 1 or 2 inches from the entrance and basal cavity, small notches, or cavities, are excavated in the sides of the gallery, in each of which an egg is deposited, and so on until the gallery is completed. As the eggs are deposited, the bor- ings, instead of being thrown out at the entrance, are closely packed in the entrance burrow, basal cavity, and gallery, except near the farther end, which is kept open, enlarged, or extended to one side or the other, as it is occupied by the parent beetles, after their work of constructing the egg gallery is completed, until they die (PI. I). The bark of an infested tree is usually occupied by one of these primary galleries in every 1 to 6 inches of circumference from near the base to near the middle of the trunk (Pl. VII, fig. 2). Therefore they effectually check the normal movements of the sap, and the larval mines, which radiate from the primary gallery, destroy the intervening bark and complete the girdling process. Ten or twenty, or even forty or fifty pairs of beetles, attacking a tree 6 or 8 inches in diameter, would have little or no effect on:its vitality if scattered over the trunk from the base to near the top, but if concentrated on a limited space on the upper part of the trunk, and distributed so that there is a gallery at intervals of about every inch of the circumference, forty or fifty galleries are sufficient to so seriously affect the tree that other insects are attracted to it, and it soon dies from the girdling effect of the primary galleries and brood mines. The marks of as many as seven galleries were observed in a single chip, 6 inches wide and 124 inches long (PI. ILL, fig. 2), cut from a tree that had been killed by the beetles. This, with many other observations relating to the number of pitch tubes on freshly attacked trees and the galleries in the bark of dead and dying ones, indicates that the average tree killed by the beetles has from one hundred to two hundred galleries in 30 to 40 square feet of bark from the middle to base of the main stem or trunk. The number of eggs deposited in each gallery depends on the number of galleries within a given area of bark and the success of the attack. They vary from one or two to about one hundred, but the normal number appears to be about forty to fifty. If only one-half of these develop to adults there are four thousand or five thousand beetles to emerge from a single tree 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Therefore the number of beetles that may emerge from the thousands of trees that die in a single year would make a swarm of millions of individuals. Even if this number were reduced one-half, it will be readily seen how the trouble may be rapidly extended over vast areas of forests. 19 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE LIVING, DYING, AND DEAD TREES INFESTED AND KILLED BY THE BEETLE. The characteristic features which are of importance to the forester and lumberman in identifying the presence and the work of the pine- destroying beetle are as follows: BORINGS AND PITCH TUBES. The first indication of attack is the red dust or borings lodged in the loose bark and fallen arouna the base of the tree. The next and more conspicuous evidence is the presence of numerous small masses of pitch or so-called pitch tubes on the outer bark at the mouth of the entrance burrows. (Pl. VIL., figs. 1, 3,4.) If the pitch is fresh and mixed with reddish and white borings, it indicates a recent attack and the presence of the living beetles in the bark. If, however, the pitch is dry and hardened, without traces of fresh borings or the presence of living beetles, and the tree is living, it indicates an abandoned attack and that the tree will recover. APPEARANCE OF THE LEAVES, The leaves of trees dying from attack by the beetle present first a pale-yellow appearance in the tops and tips of the branches, followed by a general yellowing of all the leaves, thus presenting from a long distance a marked contrast to the dark, healthy green of the surround- ing living foliage. If the bark is stripped off and examined when the trees are in this condition, all stages from eggs to fully-developed broods will usually be found, together with numerous other secondary enemies of the trees and enemies of the insects. The leaves do not fall from the twigs for possibly two or three years after the trees die and the broods of beetles emerge, but they soon change from yel- low to red, and thus become even more conspicuous. The normal length of time the leaves remain on the twigs has not been determined, but the greater number evidently fall during the second or third year, leaving the twigs almost bare, with the exception of a few leaves on the tips which may adhere for a much longer time. APPEARANCE OF THE TREES THAT HAVE BEEN DEAD THREE YEARS OR MORE. Little opportunity was had to obtain information on the character- istic appearance at different stages of deterioration, but it would appear from such observations and general comparisons as could be made that the twigs and some of the branches commence to fall within three or four years, and that after the fourth year rapid decay sets in, and the tops commence to break off. 20 EVIDENCE OF THE WORK OF THE BEETLE ON OLD DEAD TREES. After the trees have been dead many years most of them decay at the base and fall, while the main trunks or snags of others remain standing; yet as long as the surface of the wood remains sound the characteristic longitudinal gallery grooves will be more or less distinct, and serve to indicate that the trees were attacked while living. Pieces of the old bark will also usually show traces of the galleries and indi- sate by the pitch-preserved tissue that the galleries were excavated in living bark. Traces of the pitch tubes may also remain on the outer bark for many years and serve to indicate the cause of the trouble. RELATION OF WOOD-BORING INSECTS AND WOOD-DESTROYING FUNGI TO THE RAPID DETERIORATION OF THE WOOD. As previously indicated, there are a number of wood-boring insects which bore into the sapwood of dying and dead trees. Some also penetrate the heartwood. Some of these wood-infesting insects enter tne wood as soon as the tree commences to die, others after it is dead, and still others at different stages of the decline and decay as long as there is anything left for them to work in. It is only those, however, that enter the wood while it is yet of value for commercial purposes that need to be specially mentioned in this connection. Next to the one that makes the primary attack, those borers which enter the sound wood are probably of the greatest importance. They not only cause pin-hole and wormhole defects, which depreciate the value of the lum- ber and other products into which the wood of the dying and dead trees may be converted, but they give entrance to wood-decaying fungi, causing rapid decay of the wood of the standing trees which would otherwise remain sound for a much longer period. While the injuries by these wood-boring insects are by no means as common where there are a great many dead and dying trees as where there are only a few, it was found to be suflicient in some sections to ‘ause, in connection with the wood-decaying fungi, a worthless condi- tion of the timber over large areas. Indeed, it would seem from such observations as we were able to make that unless the trees are cut and converted into lumber, ties, cordwood, or other commercial prod- ucts within two or three years after they commence to die, very little of value is left. SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTING LOSSES. The limited time devoted to the study of this new insect was not sufficient to determine the details in its life history and habits which are usually so necessary in the consideration of remedies, but some general features were noted, which, in connection with the information acquired from special investigations of the closely related destructive Bul. 32, New Series, Div. of Entomology, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE VII. Fic. 1.—SMALL FRESHLY ATTACKED PINE TREE, SHOWING Fic. 2.—MARKS OF PRIMARY GALLERIES ON PITCH TUBES. THE SURFACE OF WOOD WHEN BARK IS REMOVED. Fic. 3.—FRESHLY ATTACKED TREE, SHOWING PITCH TUBES. Fic. 4.—DeEAD TREE; OUTER BARK REMOVED ADJOINING TREE NOT ATTACKED. BY WOODPECKERS. SCENES IN THE PINE FORESTS OF THE BLACK HILLS FOREST RESERVE. 21 pine-bark beetle* of the middle Appalachian region and the spruce- destroying beetle” of the Northeast, will warrant, it is believed, some suggestions for the prevention of losses. METHODS OF COMBATING THE ENEMY AND PREVENTING LOSSES FROM ITS RAVAGES. When a trouble has been going on six or seven years and has reached the magnitude of the one under consideration, it is very plain that unless some natural agencies appear to either modify or check it, its control is beyond all human effort. On the other hand, if there are beneficial influences at work which are reducing the numbers of the insect and checking its destructive ravages, there is much that can be done toward aiding nature in the suppression and subjugation of an unruly species. The evidences found indicate that the latter is true in regard to this trouble. While many freshly attacked living trees and thickly infested dying ones were observed in different sections of the reserve, showing that great numbers of the beetles are at work and continuing the trouble, it was plain that the force of the attack has from some cause been materially weakened. TO REDUCE THE NUMBERS. t appears that the pine-destroying beetle of the Black Hills, like its Eastern relatives, depends on the trees killed by it for the aug- mentation of its numbers and the perpetuation of its power of killing more trees. Therefore it is only necessary that the attacking force be further reduced to a point where it can no longer overcome the vital resistance of the trees on which it concentrates its attack, in order to successfully defeat it and secure its extermination. The fact that the attacking force of the enemy is already weakened from natural agencies suggests that they can be reduced by artificial means below their power of killing more trees next season, and thus bring the trouble to an end. Therefore the following are suggested and recommended as probably the best methods of accomplishing this result: (1) Determine the location and extent of areas in which trees were attacked during the summer and fall of 1901 and the number of trees now infested with living broods of the pine-destroying beetle. (2) Select those areas in which there are the largest number of infested trees and mark the same for cutting. (8) Secure, by sale contracts or otherwise, the cutting of these trees and the removal of the bark from the infested parts of the main trunks and stumps prior to the Ist of May, 1902. The drying of the removed ® Dendroctonus frontalis (Zimm.) var. destructor Hopk., Bul. 56, W. Va. Agric. Exp. Station, 1899. » Dendroctonus piceaperda Hopk., Bul. 28 n. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric., 1901. 22 infested bark and surface of the wood will effectually destroy the insects. In addition, the logs so treated will be protected next spring and summer from the attack of wood-boring insects, and thus be almost or quite as valuable for all commercial purposes as if cut from living trees. It is not necessary that all infested trees in the reserve or those of all other infested areas should be thus cut and barked, but it is important that a large per cent should be so treated in order to insure a sufficient reduction of the beetles to check their destructive ravages. SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTING FURTHER TROUBLE. It is believed that the prevention of further trouble may be effected by means of girdled and otherwise treated trap trees, but the best method of treating the trees and the proper time or periods to do the work remain to be determined. No experiments of this kind have been conducted with the rock pine, and it is not positively known when the beetles commence to fly or what is the period of their greatest abundance or swarms. Therefore it is suggested that a special line of experiments be conducted, between the 1st of May and the Ist of September, to determine the best methods of providing trap trees and the best time to do the work to secure the desired end, viz, that of attracting the migrating beetles to certain trees or sections of the forest, where they can be subsequently destroyed by cutting the trees and removing the bark. TO PREVENT LOSSES FROM WOOD-BORING INSECTS AND WOOD-DESTROYING FUNGI. The evidence found relating to the work of wood-boring insects and wood-destroying fungi, which cooperate in effecting a rapid deteriora- tion of the trees killed by beetles, suggests that all trees should be cut within three or four years after they commence to die, the sooner the better, and be worked up into lumber, ties, mine timbers, and cord wood, in order to prevent the great loss of valuable products which would otherwise follow. Such material, if in excess of the demand for immediate consumption, might be stored where it would keep dry and be protected from fire. It would thus remain sound for many years and serve to supply the demand for material which would otherwise have to be drawn from the living timber. THE PROTECTION OF LIVING TIMBER. Since it is of the greatest importance that the living timber in the reserve should be protected and preserved for the heavy demands upon its resources which, owing to the vast mining, commercial, and other interests, it will be required to meet, the prevention of unneces- sary cutting on account of injuries, or alleged injuries, from insects should receive special attention. 23 EVIDENCES OF UNNECESSARY CUTTING OF LIVING TIMBER. One of the special objects of the investigation was to determine whether or not unnecessary cutting of living timber had been done by certain contractors who had purchased, at a reduced price, the speci- fied ‘*bug-infested” and ** bug-killed” timber. Therefore, upon the request of Mr. Pinchot, the writer made a careful study of the con- ditions found in an extensive cutting in a ‘‘draw” east of Dead Ox Canyon of Big Spearfish Creek. Much conclusive evidence was found that a large per cent of the trees cut here and worked into railroad ties had been living and uninjured by insects when felled. The evidence may be briefly stated as follows: All trees that are attacked and injured by the pine-destroying beetle, whether in small or large numbers, plainly show the characteristic work of the beetles in the bark and on the surface of the wood, as previously described (p. 17) and illustrated (Pl. II], fig. 2; Pls. IV, VII). The character of the work will also indicate whether or not a given tree was living, dying, or dead when felled and the bark removed. The operation of scoring, hewing, and barking the ties in this particular cutting had evidently followed closely the felling of the trees. There- fore the inner portion of the bark and outer or adjoining portion of the wood of the scoring chips and the barked surface of the ties from ‘**bug-infested” and ** bug-killed” trees bore abundant evidence of the work of the insect and the condition of the tree when felled, while those from healthy living trees, not injured or infested by bark-boring insects, showed no traces whatever of the work of the beetle or of any other *‘ bug” or insect. The records of ties, counted as observed in the woods and examined for the work of insects, show that out of 207 ties only 55 bore evidence of having been cut from ‘*bug-infested” and ‘* bug-killed” trees, while the other 152 bore no evidence of insect work on the barked surface, but showed from the condition of this surface that they had been cut from healthy, living trees; also that some of the trees had been cut in the winter when the sap was down and that others had been cut in the spring when the sap was up and the bark would peel. There- fore it would appear that a large amount of living timber had been cut which it was plainly evident the Government desired should remain standing. SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING TIMBER-CUTTING CONTRACTS. In order to provide or guard against the cutting of living, uninfested trees, along with the seriously injured and dying ones, it might be suggested that it be plainly stated in contracts and instructions that no living tree shall be cut which does not show, in the inner bark next to the wood, the presence of large numbers of living insects, of the species known as the pine-destroying beetle, or any other insect or insects which may hereafter be designated as destructive enemies of the trees. 24 NEED OF FURTHER INVESTIGATION. While considerable evidence was found during the time devoted to the investigation, there yet remains much to be determined by detailed study and experiments relating to the peculiar conditions which bring about the invasion of a rare or new insect and the conditions which con- tribute to its rapid multiplication and destructive work, as well as those which contribute to its decline and sudden disappearance. There are also many facts, yet to be determined, relating to the life history and peculiar habits of the pine-destroying beetle and other numerous enemies of the trees, and the natural enemies of such insects. The determination of these facts is very necessary in order to suggest the best methods of preventing losses in the future. It will also help us to utilize nature’s methods of protecting such of the species as are of_ use to man and destroying those that are objectionable. Cutting and barking the infested trees this winter would be an exper- iment of great importance, not only in its prospects of ending the trouble, but in demonstrating whether or not it is a practicable method to be adopted under similar conditions in the future. It will also be of interest, and probably of considerable economic importance, to note the effect that this process of insect destruction will have on the other injurious and beneficial insects involved. The experiments of girdling, cutting, and treating trees with a view of rendering them attractive to the migrating beetles, and thus pro- viding traps for them, is a line of work which should receive special attention next summer. It would serve to demonstrate, or at least indicate, several things which it is quite necessary to know in order to adopt successful methods of preventing future trouble from insect ravages on the pines of this reserve. It would demonstrate whether or not the beetles that emerge from the infested trees which have not been cut and barked could be attracted to trap trees; how and when the rock pine can be girdled or treated to exert the greatest attraction to the principal enemies, and how the insects thus trapped can be best destroyed. It would also contribute greatly to the study of the life history and habits of the primary and secondary enemies of the trees and the enemies of the insects. There are other features relating to the kinds of insects and fungi that attack trees girdled by different methods, or girdled and felled at different times of the year, which should be determined. Indeed, there are many and varied subjects relating to the insects of the rock pine which should be studied during the progress of the present trouble, in order to accumulate data that will be of service in prevent- ing and checking future destructive invasions in the pine forests of the Rocky Mountain region. O oe BY re e Hn. ee - AssISTANtT ENTOMOLOGIST. "WASHINGTON: | ee ee BRNMENT PRINTING OF RICE. | eo dg 08. LOLs “188 EF \ £ ; 4 poy 4 ts Lili gy Ui.) } x te z : \ \ 2 PR ay yA y ‘ Tb rectian 9 ay Ui) zt % aA ees ntomologist. ral Assistant Ent Dae Se Haat be + e pedi x tah ‘: Ue. VWEPAK IMENT OF AGRICULTORE. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY—BULLETIN No. 33, NEW SERIES. L. O. HOWARD, Chief of Division. SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLE CROPS. A SERIES OF ARTICLES DEALING WITH INSECTS OF THIS CLASS. PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST, BY F. H. CHITTENDEN, ASSISTANT ENTOMOLOGIST. % ban RA We Za \ Hitt y : CELD AA QQ: 4 ea NTT INNS cr Me THE pL HES RN aan Withysssss™ Ws S> WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. ESE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DreparRTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Diviston oF ENTOMOLOGY, Washington, D. C., April 15, 1902. Srr: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript containing a large number of accounts of insects injurious to vegetable crops, which have been drawn up, as a result of his investigations, by Mr. F. H. Chittenden, Assistant Entomologist. Mr. Chittenden has been devoting himself assiduously to this work for some years, and has learned a great deal that is valuable to truck farmers and to economic entomologists. I recommend that this manuscript be published as Bulletin No. 33, new series, of this Division. Respectfully, L. O. Howarp, Entomologist. Hon. James WILSON, Secretary of Agriculture. CONTENTS. Page, Tue Porato SratK Weevit ( Trichobaris trinotata Say). (Illustrated) -...-.-- 9 Tur NortHern LeAr-Froorep PLANt-BuG (Leptoglossus oppositus Say). (Illus- TREC CMe aera many te anos he as ee LS OURAN. weer hd ees Bo geen ee 18 fen Carrom Rost .Piy (sila rose Fab;.).'.” (Uilustrated) =. 2-22) £5.20 hs ese 26 THE Carrot Beetie (Ligyrus gibbosus Dej.). (Illustrated)......--..-----.- 32 Tue Beer Army Worm (Laphygma exigua Hbn.). (Illustrated).......-.-- 37 NORESEONT VV EBWORMS' sateen 8 eee ieee Se Sac ese oe 46 THE GARDEN Wesworm (Lo.rostege similalis Guen.). (Illustrated). ----- 46 ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE BEEr Werxsworm (Lowostege sticticalis Hein) een CUllustrated) peeks se ee See esa eS 3S eee RE LS eee 47 Tue Imported CABBAGE Wesworm (Hellula undalis Fab.) -..---..------ 48 Tue Rep Turnip Beerie (Hntomoscelis adonidis Pall.). (Illustrated) ..-.-.. 49 THE CRoss-STRIPED CABBAGE Worm (Pionea rimosalis Guen.). (Illustrated) - 54 THE CABBAGE Looper (Plusia brassice Riley). (Illustrated) -.....--------- 60 A New Cassace Looper (Plusia precationisGuen.). (Ilustrated)-...------ 69 THE CELERY Looper (Plusia simplex Guen.). (Illustrated) .....---..-.-.-- 73 Nores on Diprrerovs LEar-MINERS ON CABBAGE ........-.7_..2.022--2225-- 75 Tue Importep Turnip LEAF-MINER (Scaptomyza flaveola Meig.)---------- 75 Tue NativE CABBAGE LEAF-MINER (Scaptomyza adusta Loew) -.-.------- 76 THE ImporTeD CABBAGE LEAF-MINER (Scaptomyza graminum Fall.) ....-. 76 Tue Native Cirover LeAr-MINER (Agromyza diminuta Walk.) .....------ 77 Tue Four-spotreD CABBAGE FLEA-BEETLE (Phyllotreta bipustulata Fab.). (Il- MTSE CCG eeeprps ao ee ne ce eS Sy a seen oe eae ae Te MisceLLANEOUS Nopes' on SomME CABBAGE INSECTS .--.------------+--2-s---- 78 THE CABBAGE CuRcULIO (Ceutorhynchus rape Gyll.)....-...------------ 78 THE SEED-STaLK WEEVIL ( Ceutorhynchus quadridens Panz.)..----------- 79 BENE IANS ee ne I EIDE Ene ee ot a: Sink, ween a arr oe a eae eee 79 NGASES AS DESTROVERS OKs CABBAGE) WORMS ~ 2222.32. -o.s-cesnsessesae soe 79 THE CABBAGE Root Maaaor INsuRIous To CELERY .----------- as? Te 80 OBSERVATIONS ON INsEcTS AFFECTING LATE CABBAGE AND SIMILAR OROPS. (eliltistrate dl) pears sepa ys See ss Sos ee be ye SSS oh ee ee ee eee 80 Tue IMPORTED CABBAGE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rape Linn.) ..--.----------- 81 Tue Dramonp-Back Mors ( Plutella cruciferarum Zell.)....-.------------ 81 THE HARLEQUIN CABBAGE Bua (Murgantia histrionica Habn.).-.----..---- 82 Tue CABBAGE Looper '( Plust@pprassice Riley) 22: 2.252-.3.2.2--282-54-- 83 THE CABBAGE PLANT-LOUSE (Aphis brassice Linn. )..---.2...-22-------- 83 THE SEeD-corn Maaoor (Phorbia fusciceps Zett.). (Illustrated) ....-------- 84 THe Bean LEAF-ROLLER (ELudamus proteus Linn.). (Illustrated)......-.---- 92 THE Pea Mora (Semasia nigricana Steph.). (Illustrated).......-..-.------ 96 THe Bean Curworm (Ogdoconta cinereola Guen.). (Illustrated)... -- ees 98 4 Page. Norrss on Insects. Arrecrinc. BEANS AND PEAS .2...--2-----s--2.--es-ees=e 100 THE Gray Hatr-stREAK Burrerrty ( Uranotes [Thecla] melinus Hbn.). (Il- lustrated) 2. Zou. c2Ss 28s os ea eo ee a ee ee 101 THE Bean LEAF-BEETLE (Cerotoma trifurcata Forst.)......-------------- 102 THe Lima-BEAN VINE-BORER (Monoptilota nubilella Hulst.) ...----------- 102 Diqgbroticn atripennis Say A232 35.250 ee 2 eee eee ee Sinem 103 THE Mexican Bean WEEvIL (Spermophagus pectoralis Shp.)-..---------- 103 Te PRAD WEEVIL (Bruchus pisoniun Ioan.) = see ee ee 104 THE Bott Worm or Corn-EAR Worm ( Heliothis armiger Hbn.)--------- 104 THe Faun: Wesworm (Hyphantria. cunea Dru.)522- 1225.25. 32 a eee 104 THE GARDEN FLEA-HOPPER (Halticus uhleri Giard.). (Illustrated) ------ 105 Acanihocerus galcaior Wal 3 .+ 22s. eae en and bearing a transverse curved row of from 4 to 6 elevated points. This circular area comes off like a trap- door (ce) for the issuance of the young. Under a microscope of mod- erately high power the entire surface is seen to be finely reticulate, with rather regular pentagonal and hexagonal areas (7). The length of an egg is about 1.4"", and the width 1-1.15"", the height being a trifle less. A chain of eggs is shown at 4 (fig. 3), and the sculpture of an egg at d. Chains vary in length from those having half a dozen egos, and measuring about three-eighths of an inch, to others having 26 eggs and measuring 1} inches in length. THE NYMPHS. The nymphs when first transformed have the legs and antenne rose- colored, the body pale orange-red, the eyes reddish or reddish-brown. The ground colors change, in all except the fifth stage, to brighter ral orange or vermilion with dark-brown or black legs and antenne, while the amount of black on other portions of the body increases with each successive molt." First stage.—The nymph when first hatched from the egg is pale coral red in color, with long, dark brown or nearly black legs, the proximal half of the antenne being of the same color and the remainder pale coral, becoming darker soon after hatching. The antenne and legs are of nearly equal length, about one-fourth longer than the body (with the head). The rostrum, which is kept closely folded under the body when the insect is not feeding, is of the same color as the legs and about three-fourths as long as the body. The posterior portion of the body is sparsely tuberculate, the arrangement being as shown in the accompanying illustration (fig. 4) at a. The legs and antennz are clothed with svarse short black hairs. The tibiee of the hind legs Fic. 4.—Leptoglossus oppositus: a, nymph of first stage; b, second stage; ¢, third stage; d, fourth stage; e, fifth stage—all about two and one-half times natural size (original). show no evidence of the expansions which appear in later stages. The length of the body when first hatched is about 2.3", and the width is about 0.8™™". : With the casting of the first skin, the nymph takes on a more elongated appearance generally, the head, body, antenne, and legs all being longer and more cylindrical, while the tubercles become more pronounced. ‘The two dorsal abdominal tubercles and the anal extremity become black, and a pair of minute tubercles usually show just behind the pair back of the hind legs. The hind tibis shows slight evidence of enlargement. Length when fully matured, 6™". This stage is illustrated at d, fig. 4. Third stage.—Superticially this stage (fig. 4, c) looks but little different from the second. The thorax is longer than the head, the black por- Second stage. “The differences between the nymphs of this species and of L. phyllopus are not nearly so marked as in the two cucurbit-feeding Anasas, tristis and armigera. 29 tions of the body are darker and more conspicuous, and the abdominal tubercles more prominent. The antenne and legs are wider, the latter with the lateral tibial expansions just beginning to show, being now about the same width as the tibia itself, and without teeth. The tubercles are larger, but the dorsal spines are scarcely longer than in the second stage. The haustellum immediately after the molt projects beyond the abdomen to a distance about equal to the length of the head. Length of body just after molt, 6". Fourth stage.—TVhe appearance of this stage is shown at d, fig. 4. The antenne, hind legs, and body are subequal in length, the haustel- lum a little shorter when first transformed, the width of the body at this time only a little over 2"", becoming about 3.5"™ before the next molt. When ‘‘ full colored” the body is of about the same appearance as in the third stage, but the red ground color becomes lighter and duller orange before molting, while the black coloring extends farther. The wing pads are bronzy black, occupying more than half the thorax; the tibie each marked with a whitish band just below the middle; lateral expansions about two-thirds wider than tarsi, with one more or less feebly marked lateral tooth toward apex. Length when first molted, 9™™. Fifth stage.—This stage is illustrated at ¢, fig. 4. With the casting of the fourth skin the nymph begins to show the appearance of the mature bug; the antenne and legs are still shining black, the latter yellowish at the extreme apex, and the tarsi have each a whitish band, as in the preceding stage. The lateral expansions are several times as broad as in the preceding stage, strongly bidentate on the lateral sur- face, and rather feebly unidentate on the inner portion, which is marked with a medial white spot. The head and body are black, thickly covered with gray pubescence, thickest on the head. The prothorax is narrower at the apex, where it is of about the same width as the base of the head, and broader than the thorax at the base; the sides are nearly straight, with wide orange margin. Just behind the apex of the thorax there is a pair of small, rounded orange tubercles placed rather closely together. Length when first molted, 11™". The adult.— A full description of the mature insect has been given by the writer in the article previously mentioned (p. 45), but for the benefit of those who may not have opportunity to refer to that deserip- tion it may be stated that the parent insect is a large, chocolate-brown heteropterous bug of the same family as the squash bugs, the Coreidex, from which insects it may be readily distinguished by its more slender form, acutely pointed head, and longer antennz and legs, but more particularly by the leaf-like expansion of the hind legs (see fig. 3,q). The length is 18 to 21", and the width across the thorax 5 to 6™, 23 DISTRIBUTION. Leptoglossus oppositus is Austro-riparian in distribution, although it extends about halfway into the Carolinian region and sometimes even farther north, such occurrence, however, in the writer’s opinion, being rare and in some cases perhaps accidental. With recorded distribu- tion and the localities furnished during the year, we know that this species occurs in Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Indian Terri- tory, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, Ken- tucky, Indiana, New York, and New Jersey. In the last-mentioned State it is recorded from Shiloh in September, and it was captured on Staten Island, New York, in October, by Mr. W. 'T. Davis. LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. The life cycle.—TVhe life history of this plant-bug, as previously intimated, practically duplicates, as regards the length of the different stages, that of our two common species of Anasa, ¢77/st/s and armigera. Eges that were deposited in extremely hot weather in early August produced nymphs in eight days and the first molt of the nymph took place in three days. The nymphs do not thrive in confinement as well as do those of the species of Anasa, and the working out of the periods of the different stages would, therefore, have been laborious. Assuming the periods to be practically identical, we have the egg stage eight days, the first nymph stage three days, as previously ascertained, and can surmise the second and third nymph stages to be five to seven days each, the fourth five or six days, and the fifth seven or eight days, the minimum period of the entire life cycle probably being about five weeks, and the maximum seldom more than six weeks, except in the case of some ot the late broods which occur in the fall. As with Anasa, there is only a single generation produced each year, The first appearance of this plant-bug in the neighborhood of the District of Columbia is probably not far from the first day of July, the earliest date when it has been observed. This is two or three weeks later than the appearance of slnasa tristis. The first eggs ob- ained were deposited August 9. Nymphs were first seen August 13; the second stage, August 16. The first imagos of the new generation developed September 10, and during the next few days many more were seen both in our rear- ing cages and in the field. The hibernated bugs disappeared a week or two earlier, so that there was no overlapping of generations obsery- able. The second stage of the nymph has been observed during dif- ferent seasons as late as the middle of September and an individual of the third stage September 23. A belated adult was observed in the second week of November. 24 Food habits. —It may be well to sum up what is now known of the food and other habits of this species. It is obvious that cucurbits are the favorite food of both adults and nymphs, although the earlier arrivals or hibernated adults are more often found upon fruit trees. The nymphs are most abundant on cucurbits, which naturally is true of adults of the new generation which remain on or in the vicinity of the plants upon which they developed until time for seeking winter quarters. Plums, cherries, peaches, and tomatoes are frequently punctured by the insects in all stages, tomatoes appearing to be pre- ferred in our rearing jars to other food. Green corn is fed upon readily. There is record of occurrence on corn published by Dr. Lintner in the Country Gentleman of October 7, 1886 (p. 753). Of other published records of food habits we have Mr. Ashmead’s men- tion of this species in his enumeration of the insect enemies of cotton; also note of the occurrence of eggs and nymphs on a hedge plant and on Russian apricot. Grape has been recorded as a food by Dr. Lint- ner (loc. cit.). The natural wild food plant remains to he discovered. In the report of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station for 1900-1901 mention is made of this bug as having been received from rarious parts of Oklahoma, accompanied with the report that it was injuring the fruits of peach and plum by puncturing them and suck- ing out their juices. The species occasioned considerable alarm there, and farmers were asked to send specimens whenever found, in order that several points in its life history might be determined. Other habits.—The nymphs, as soon as hatched, group themselves about the chains of eggs and remain there during the day and probably till nightfall. Afterwards they may be found in other locations, and those which have been under observation, both in the field and in con- finement, at once selected a place for congregating where they were to be seen throughout the day, the individuals of a colony or those which hatched from a single egg mass always remaining by them- selves. In one rearing cage a colony established itself at the base of a squash leaf near the stalk, which appears to be a favorite rest- ing place for this as well as other plant-bugs, including the squash bugs; and another colony formed at the apex of the same leaf, as far as possible from the first colony. Here they remained day after day without mingling. Finally a stray nymph froma third egg mass, and larger than the others, joined the lower colony and remained with them. With the assumption of the third stage, the nymphs kept under obser- vation deserted their original congregating places and collected in another portion of the cage, where they were joined by a newly hatched colony. With later stages it is a matter of common occur- rence to find in the field three or four stages in a single group. A fully matured nymph was observed to shed its last skin October 2, 25 at 11.30a.m. At this time it was a light carmine; in the afternoon it had changed to the normal dull black color. This plant-bug has a similar but much fainter odor than the common squash bug, but in ordinary handling of the creatures, nymphs and adults, it would scarcely be noticed. NATURAL ENEMIES. Quite frequently the adults of this plant: bug are noticed with Tach- inid eggs on the upper surface of the thorax. During the first week of August a fly was reared from hibernated adults, which proved to be Trichopoda pennipes (fig. 5). An adult of the squash bug, Anasa tristis, was found September 14 with a nymph of the second stage of this plant-bug affixed to its beak. REMEDIES. This plant-bug can, in the case of ordinary attack, be controlled by hand-picking or by capturing the insects in Inverted umbrellas, bags, or specially prepared nets saturated with kerosene; the best time for their capture being in the early morning or late in the evening, as they are apt to be active, taking wing readily, in the heat of the day. A certain measure of relief should be obtained by the free use of kerosene emulsion, which will at least kill the younger nymphs. Some of the remedies in use against the striped cucumber beetle* and other insect enemies of cucurbits will assist in the control of this species when it occurs on cucurbits. Among these are the protection of young plants with coverings; the use of repellents, such as land plaster or gypsum, saturated with kerosene or turpentine; the plant- ing of an excess of seed to distribute attack; the stimulation of the growth of the plant by manures or other proper fertilizer; and, lastly, clean cultural practice. If, as soon as the crop is harvested, the vines be gathered and burned, many bugs in their different stages will be destroyed and the crop of insects will be reduced for the ensuing year. With a knowledge of the natural wild food plant or plants of this species, we might be able to control it in the same manner as sug- gested for its congener, L. phyllopus, which feeds normally upon thistles. This matter is considered on page 48 of Bulletin No. 19, present series. Fie. 5.—Trichopoda pennipes: adult, fly three times natural size (original). *See Circular No. 31, 2d ser., The Striped Cucumber Beetle, pp. 4-7. 26 THE CARROT RUST FLY. ( Psila rose Fab.) This imported pest, which has been noted as injurious to carrots in Canada since 1885, made its appearance during the season of 1901 in New York, and did considerable injury. November 14 and 19, 1901, Mr. James Granger, Broadalbin, N. Y., sent specimens of the maggot which proved, on rearing, to be this species, and which he found at work in a celery field during the sum- mer. The larvee seemed to begin eating into the thick part of the root when the plant was about half grown, stunting it so as to make it worthless for market. About 6,000 plants had been ruined during the season, and traces of the ravages of the maggot were found all over a field containing 60,000 plants. It is to be regretted that the rearing and subsequent identification of the species was made so late in the season that it was impossible to make any biological observations. The importance of the species as a pest in Europe and its prospective increase and injuriousness in this country are such, however, that it is deemed advisable to present at this time what is known concerning the insect and its life history. All that has been hitherto published on its occurrence in America is from the pen of Dr. James Fletcher, Dominion entomologist of Canada. Attack on carrots is not difficult of recognition. The leaves of the young plants early in the spring turn reddish, and the roots are found to be blotched with rusty patches, particuiarly toward their tips. The roots when stored for winter, although not always manifesting any degree of injury on the outer surface, may at times be perforated in all directions by dirty brownish burrows, from which the whitish or yellowish larvee may be found sometimes projecting. DESCRIPTIVE. This species is quite minute, the adult or parent fly measuring only about one-sixth of an inch (4"™") in length, with a wing expanse of a little more than three-tenths of an inch (8™"). The color of the body is dark green, described by some authors as black, and it is rather sparsely clothed with yellow hairs. The head and legs are pale yellow, and the eyes are black. The general appearance of the two sexes is shown at ¢ and @, respectively (fig. 6). It will be noted that the male abdomen is rounded at the apex, while that of the female is prolonged into a rather acute point. A more detailed description is given by Curtis. The larva, about half grown, is figured at.7, yg. It is paler than the more mature larva. The full-grown larva resembles rather closely that of the cheese maggot, to which this species is nearly related, but is much darker in color, being rather dark brown, with the segments on - well marked, the head, as is usual with related maggots, being minute, while the posterior extremity is truncate. The general appearance is shown at 4, the spiracles at c, and the anal segment at 2. The length of the mature larva is a little less than three-tenths of an inch (7™™). The puparium (e) is of about the same color as the larva, and the anterior portion is obliquely truncate, recalling the appearance of the anal segment of the Scolytidee or bark-beetles. The length is nearly one-fifth of an inch (4.5™"). Fic. 6.—Psila rose: 3%, male fly; 9, female fly, lateral view; a, antenna of male; b, full-grown larva, lateral view; ¢, spiracles of same; d, anal extremity from the end; ¢, puparium; jf, young larva; g, anal segment from side—flies, young and mature larva, and puparium, eight times natural size; other portions more enlarged (original). According to Curtis, when the imago issues from the puparium an oval lid on this portion lifts up, permitting the fly to crawl out. The posterior extremity ends in two minute and not prominent dark tubercles. DISTRIBUTION. The carrot rust fly is a pest in England and Germany and probably elsewhere on the continent of Europe. It was originally described from Kilia, in Bessarabia. Just when it was first introduced in this eountry does not appear to be known, but ravages were not apparent until 1885, and until the present year the species seems to have been confined to Canada, although we have in the National Museum a single specimen received from Mrs. A. T. Slosson, labelled Franconia, N. H. New York is apparently, therefore, an unrecorded locality and celery a new food plant. It frequently happens that a species introduced from one country into another, particularly from the Old World into America, assumes new habits and acquires new tastes as regards food. The localities in which the species has been observed in Canada will be mentioned further on. From the known distribution of the carrot rust fly it would seem probable that this species will not be troublesome far southward, its 28 establishment in Canada for at least eighteen years indicating its adaptability to a cold climate. It will perhaps not extend farther south than the Upper Austral life area, and for a number of years at least would be most injurious in the more northern portion of that zone and in the Transition. There is little doubt that it will in time spread westward, and may some day become a pest in the celery fields of Michigan. OCCURRENCE IN CANADA. The first record of the occurrence of the carrot rust fly in America appears to be that published by Dr. Fletcher, who, as already remarked, has written all that has hitherto been known of the occurrence of this species on this continent. In 1885 carrots purchased in the market at Ottawa were seen to be much mined by small white maggots, which proved by rearing to be the carrot fly (Rpt. Ent., Dept. Agr., Can., 1885, p. 15). In 1886 Dr. Fletcher found young plants of carrot ina garden at Ottawa badly attacked in the spring. The same year a great deal of damage was done, particularly to roots stored for the winter. Mr. F. B. Caulfield, an entomologist of Montreal, reported that in February, 1887, nearly all the carrots that he had seen exposed for sale were more or less attacked. At Nepean, On- tario, early carrots were badly attacked, nearly every root showing signs of the insect’s presence, two-thirds of the crop being seriously injured for the market (Rpt. Ent. and Bot., Exp. Farms, Dom. of Can., for 1887 [1888], p. 21). In 1897 the species was reported as occasioning complaints during the previous ten or twelve years, chiefly in the Province of New Brunswick, but also in Ontario and Quebec. Attack is described as being a serious one, carrots stored for winter use being rendered use- less for the table from the discolored burrows of the numerous mag- gots which sometimes occur in a single root. In 1895 a correspondent at Rothsay, Kings County, N. B., whose crop had suffered severely from the ravages of this insect, noticed that late sown carrots were less injured than those sown at the ordinary time. Late planting has since been recommended and adopted with considerable success (1. ¢. for 1897 [1898], pp. 19 —198). Specific men- tion is made of injury at Upper Sackville, Brookville, and Clifton, N. B. In the first locality injury was noticed in 1894 and 1895, at Brookville in 1895, and at Clifton for several years. In the last local- ity few carrots were raised ‘‘ of late years on account of this pest.” The following year (I. c. for 1898 [1899], pp. 193-194) specific injury to carrots at Noulton and Ste. Marie, Quebec, was noticed. EUROPEAN LITERATURE OF THE INSECT. The original description of the carrot rust fly, by Fabricius, ap- peared in 1792 (Entomologica Systematica, Vol. IV, p. 356) and 29 under the name of Musca rose, the specific name evidently being sug- gested by the capture of the mature fly upon a rose bush, but this is not explained in the text, which reads ‘*‘//abitat in Kilixw floribus.” In subsequent years the species was redescribed by Fallen, Meigen, Macquart, and Zetterstedt, and in 1834 Bouché (Naturgeschichte der Insekten, pp. 97, 98) gave some account of its habits. In 1837 a popu- lar account was published by Vincent Kéllar (Schiédliche Insekten, p. 168). K6llar’s account is translated in the London edition published in 1840 (pp. 160, 161) the insect being referred to as the ‘‘negro fly.” The same year John Curtis published, in Farm Insects (pp. 404-407), a still more extensive article with illustrations and descriptions of all stages. Accounts also appeared in subsequent years by Miss E. A. Ormerod (Manual of Injurious Insects and other publications), by Taschenberg, and others. It is probably this fly which Joshua Major mentions in his ‘* Treatise on the Insects most Prevalent on Fruit Trees and Garden Produce,” published in London in 1829. On page 183 he states, under the head of carrots, that ‘‘ the greatest pest to this plant is a small white larva of a small fly (Pollydismus Complanatus)”. He furnishes the information that moist weather appears to be the most productive of the depredations of this species, stating that under such atmospheric conditions it is not uncommon to see ‘* whole and exten- sive crops laid waste and rendered useless, by their perforating and defacing the Carrot from one end to the other, which effect gives rise to the common term canker, which gardeners have so much to com- plain of in this vegetable.” On page 199 he also refers to this species as ** orub (Pollydismus Complinatus)—See on Carrots.” He adds that he can suggest nothing for the destruction of the pest since the mag- gots are so deeply fortified in the plants which they attack that noth- ing can be applied that will reach them without destroying the plants. He, however, recommends rotation with crops not affected by this species, and avoiding plots that have had carrots the year before. Zetterstedt quotes Dahlbom (Dipt. Seand., Vol. VI., p. 2403) as having reared this species from larvee at the roots of turnip (Brassica rapa), wand rape (LB. napus). HABITS OF THE SPECIES. The life history of the carrot rust fly does not appear to have been worked out. What we know is from the authors that have been quoted. The writer is inclined to believe that in the United States the species will be found to pass the winter usually as a puparium, possibly occasionally also as a larva; but as larve work also on carrots in store the flies will develop in winter, as happened in the writer’s laboratory, which is kept unusually cool for a working room and still cooler at night during the colder months. Hence we have great irregularity of development, making generalization impossible until we have an 30 opportunity to make obseryations in the field. As the larvee go deep into the ground upon the approach of cold weather it is quite probable that they may be able to survive as such. In any case, the insect develops rather early in the season. Attack begins with young carrots which turn of a rusty color, and upon examination the roots will be seen to be disfigured with rusty patches, more especially toward the tips. Both flies and maggots are found throughout the warmer months, but the latter desert the roots for pupation in the earth, the last generation probably descending much deeper into the earth than the earlier ones. According to Curtis the summer generations develop in three or four weeks. No one appears to have surmised how many generations are produced. There must be at least two, and probably more. Miss Ormerod states that the fly goes down into the ground for oviposition where she can find a crack or other opening about the roots of the carrot (or other food plant affected), and the maggots when hatched work their way into the roots; when this is quite small they often destroy the lower portion. NATURAL ENEMIES AND ASSOCIATES. Curtis found a species of parasitic four-winged fly which he described. as Alysia apii (Farm Insects, p. 420), and which he presumed was a parasite of this species and connected with its economy. Polydesmus complanatus Linn. is stated by Curtis to be attracted to the roots, which have been previously perforated by the maggots of this species, sometimes congregating in such vast numbers that he sup- posed that it was this creature which was reported to have devoured ‘arrots by the acre in Scotland in 1831. This is a European milli- pede several times reported to be introduced in this country," and it is sometimes accompanied by a centipede known as Scolopendra electrica, said to assist in depredations. “Prof. O. F. Cook, who is our best American authority on the Myriapoda, informs the writer that, although this species has been recorded as occurring in the United States, it has not yet been positively recognized on this continent, he having never seen specimens. It seems probable that notwithstanding the fact that this insect must have been brought to this country in potted plants and in earth perhaps thou- sands of times, it has, for some unknown reason, failed to gain a permanent foothold. In response to the inquiry of the writer as to whether any of the Myriapoda, better known as thousand-legged worms, miillipedes, etc., were capable of original damage to plant tissue, Professor Cook stated that their mouth-parts were not formed either for biting or chewing, and that they were only capable of eroding or scraping dis- eased tissue, and, to some extent, soft, delicate plants. In this way, however, they can do oceasional damage by constantly scraping plant growth like the tubers of potatoes affected with scab and similar diseases, and young, delicate plants that might recover if they were not attacked. 3] METHODS OF CONTROL. As with other species which feed beneath the surface of the ground, the carrot rust fly is a difficult one to reach with insecticides. Our ‘principal dependence is therefore based upon methods of tillage which will serve to avert attack. Kerosene emulsion prepared in the proportion of one part to ten of water and sprayed upon the carrots along the rows with a knapsack or other sprayer, or sand, land plaster, or ashes, with which kerosene has been mixed at the rate of half a pint to 3 gallons, sprinkled along the rows, are (with the exception of crude carbolic acid at the rate of half a pint in 5 gallons) about the only applications which have been made with good results. In Canada, according to Dr. Fletcher, one or the other of these applications should be made once a week through June from the time the roots begin to form, and particularly after the rows have been thinned. Late sowing has also been practiced to great advantage, several per- sons attesting its value. Rotation of crops should always be practiced in the case of such species as the present one, and this means the planting of a new bed each year as far as possible from land infested the previous season. Many of those who have complained of injuries have admitted planting carrots on the same ground year after year, and some have testified to the value of rotation. Destruction of the insects in stored carrots.—Where carrots are stored for winter use in earth this should be treated to destroy the larvee or puparia which leave the roots to enter the soil for transfor- mation. This may be accomplished in several ways: (1) By burying the earth deeply; (2) by spreading it in thin layers where it will be exposed to the elements; (3) where possible, by throwing it into pools where it will be frozen; or (4) by exposing it to heat or steam in any manner which may be most convenient. Treatment of the insect in celery beds.—Now that we know that this insect also infests celery, it is obvious that celery should not follow carrots nor carrots celery in rotation. Clean cultivation should be practiced, which means the destruction of all remnants after the celery crop has been harvested, and if the insect is found to destroy celery in store in the same manner as carrots, the earth, after the larvee have entered it, should be treated in the same manner as described above. After harvesting, it would be a good plan to give the celery fields a light raking or cultivating of sufticient depth to expose the larvee or puparia that they may be destroyed by frost; early the following spring, before the flies have time to issue, if the earth be plowed deeply, it will, with little doubt, have the effect of destroying most of the insects; and such as have not been killed by frost and survive 32 cultivating and raking would be buried so deeply under the ground by the spring plowing that they would not be able to effect their escape. THE CARROT BEETLE. (Ligyrus gibbosus Dej. ) A very common beetle along the Atlantic coast from Long Island to the Gulf States, and at many points inland, has been reported as the cause of injury to carrots and other root crops, and to some other plants. It first attracted attention from its injury to sunflower and has been given the name of sunflower beetle; but as its record shows it to be the worst insect enemy to carrot and parsnip known in the United States at present, the name of carrot beetle is suggested as more appropriate. It is somewhat of a general feeder, and, as we learn more of its habits, — we will doubtless find that it will, on occasion, attack many other plants than those which will be specified. During the year 1900 it was destructive to corn in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the following vear to sunflower in Illinois and to root | crops in Indiana. DESCRIPTION. The beetle (fig. 7)—From three other species of Ligyrus, g/bbosus can be distinguished without much difficulty. It is of robust form, like ruginasus, the Pacific coast form, and relictus, but from both it may be known by its much smaller size. It measures between one-half and five-eights of an inch in length, and its width is more than half the length. The surface of the elytra is strongly sculptured and coarsely punctate, characters which will distinguish this genus from Lachnos- terna. The color varies from reddish brown to nearly black on the dorsal surface. The lower surface is reddish brown, and the legs, which are still brighter colored, are clothed with reddish- FIG. 7.—Ligyrus gibbosus: Yellow hairs. ~The remaining species, rugzceps, peetle—about twice nat- js restricted to the South, and is narrower than chin ta ile the others, with a different facies. The species may further be distinguished from rugénasus (with which it agrees in having the thorax impressed in front, and with a small tubercle, andin having the anterior tibie tridentate) by the structure of the clypeus which is bidentate or two-toothed, the clypeus in rugi- nasus being unidentate or single-toothed. The egg is of the usual scarabeid appearance, when recently laid measuring 1.70™™ in length and 1.45™™ in diameter, but when ready to hatch the length is about 2.30™" and the diameter 2.20". In almost every respect the egg is a counterpart of that of Lachnosterna, which 33 was described by the writer in Bulletin No. 19 of the present series (p. 75). It is perfectly snow-white with just a perceptible luster when laid, but becomes grayer when near the hatching time. The larva and pupa have never been described, to the writer’s knowledge. DISTRIBUTION. The list of localities in which Zigyrus gibbosus has heen observed. and by which it is represented in most cases in the National Museum, includes territory from Long Island to California and Oregon, as well as the Gulf States. It indicates a very wide distribution, but so far as we know at present the species does not occur in the Northern States in the Transition or even in the more northern portions of the Upper Austral life zones. For example, although it is extremely abundant about the city of New York, it does not occur in the central portion of the State. A list of known localities follows: New York, Staten Island, Long Island, N. Y.; in New Jersey at Trevose, Brigan- tine, and Highlands, and ‘‘throughout the State, but much more common along the shore at light’? (Smith); Pennsylvania; Maryland; Cobb’s Island, Pennington Gap, Fortress Monroe, and Virginia Beach, Va.; District of Columbia; Keokuk, Iowa; Thomson, I1l.; Purdue and Chesterton, Ind.; Moody, Ark.; Topeka, Riley County, Onaga, and Atchison, Kans.; St. James and Glencoe, Nebr.; Capron and Crescent City, Fla.; Craig, Miss.; San Diego, Plainview, Rock Hill, and Gainesville, Tex.; Salt Lake, Utah; Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Mesilla Valley, and Water Canon, N. Mex.; Yuma and Wilcox, Ariz.; Bayou La Fourche, Mer Rouge, and Ville Platte, La.; Grand Rapids, Wis.; Pueblo, Colo.; Los Angeles, Kern County, and southern Cali- fornia; Hood River, and Dalles, Oreg. RECENT INJURIOUS AND OTHER UNRECORDED OCCURRENCES. April 21, 1900, Mr. René L. Derouen, Ville Platte, La., sent speci- mens of this insect with the report that the species was concerned in the destruction of the corn crop of that vicinity. The beetles were described as cutting the corn just above the roots. The previous year’s crop was lost through its depredations, and fear was expressed that the country might suffer very much indeed through the ravages of this pest. Mr. James Lambeth, Craig, Miss., sent specimens, with the information that many of these insects were to be found in a corn- field about an inch deep in the ground. During 1901 we received in June specimens of the beetle, with information from Prof. W. G. Johnson, associate editor American Agriculturist, that this species was found injuring the roots of sun- flower and sweet potato at Thomson, Carroll County, Ill. October 10 we received specimens of beetles eating the roots of celery, carrots, and parsnips, and sent by Mr. F. J. Dickinson, Chesterton, Ind. He stated that the carrot crop appeared to be in good condition, judging from the tops, but when the plants were pulled it was seen that the roots were full of little holes. The beetles appeared to work entirely 23987—No. 33—02 3) 3b4 under ground, and our correspondent stated that they had ruined the ‘arrot and celery crop that fall. December 5, Mr. Dickinson again wrote in regard to investigations which he had conducted at the writer’s request. He succeeded in ascertaining that carrots, at least in that locality, were the chosen food of the beetles, but celery and sweet potatoes were greatly damaged. Of parsnips an occasional root was found that had been eaten into, but not to seriously damage it. Celery was greatly injured by the beetles’ gnawing into the roots so that the plants were killed and dwarfed, sometimes so badly that the crop was practically worthless for market. One-half of Mr. Dick- inson’s sweet potatoes were not marketable on account of the holes made by these beetles. LITERATURE AND RECORDED INJURIES BY THE SPECIES. The first account which the writer finds of injuries by the carrot beetle was published in the report of the Commissioner of Agricul-— ture for 1880 (p. 274). About the middle of August of that year specimens were received from St. James, Nebr., where it was reported at the roots of sunflower plants of sickly appearance, from 5 to 25 of the beetles to each plant. They had eaten the bark from the root and scored long grooves in the wood. The larvee were found in the same situation doing apparently the same work. Later in the fall of the same year a correspondent at Glencoe, Nebr., wrote that this species often nearly exterminated wild sunflower by working at its roots. He had also observed it on cultivated sunflower and dahlia. June 4 of the same year we received from Mr. D. Donaldson, Rock Hill, Bexar County, Tex., a lot of larvee of this species—which were subsequently reared to adults—with the report that the species was doing much damage to potatoes. Of this lot, one changed to pupa June 14 and others June 16, the beetles issuing June 28 and July 1, respectively. It will thus be seen that the pupal condition for this season required about fourteen or fifteen days. Pupation took place in an oval cavity in the earth formed by the rolling and twisting of the larva. September 16 Mr. J. H. Wayland, Plainview, Tex., sent beetles with the report that they were numerous and doing much damage to shrubs and vegetables of different kinds by working upon their roots, first cutting small roots and afterwards the tops. From 1 to 50 beetles could be found in the ground around the roots of single vegetables, weeds, and small shrubs. It is plain from the above that injuries must have been quite exten- sive in the year 1880. In September, 1889, Mr. F. M. Webster reported the occurrence of this species in destructive numbers on carrot at Purdue, Ind. The carrots were found to be gnawed to the depth of 2 or 3 inches, the cavities thus formed being large and irregular. Injuries con- BD tinued during that month and October and up to the 6th of December. (Insect Life, Vol. I, p. 382). During the year 1890 Ligyrus gibbosus was reported by Professor Bruner as having been quite destructive to the sugar beet over limited areas toward the western part of the State of Nebraska. It attacked the roots, into which the mature insects gnawed great holes, sometimes entirely embedding themselves. They worked for the most part on old ground and where irrigation was practiced. The work upon the roots extended from the surface toa considerable depth, but was most apparent at about 3 or 4 inches below the surface. In some instances it reached a depth of fully 7 inches (Bul. 23, 0. s., p. 17). In 1894 Mr. Webster again reported this species to be destroying sunflowers by eating the roots, the beetles going from hill to hill to continue their depredations. This occur- rence took place in Indiana, as before, in St. Joseph County (Insect Life, Vol. VII, p. 206; Ohio Farmer, July 5, 1894, p. 17). In Bulletin No. 36 of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, by H. E. Weed (Nov., 1895, pp. 156, 157), an interesting note is published on the occurrence of this species in Mississippi. The injury by the beetles is described as somewhat resembling that of corn billbugs. When a stalk of corn is attacked it presents a wilted appearance, but after a few days of favorable weather it may recover. An excellent illustration of the cause of attack is given, well worth repeating, in Mr. Weed’s own language. In June of this year many reports were received from Adams County of damage being done by these beetles and we were at a loss as to how to account for the injury. Upon investigation, however, we found the following to be the situation: The beetles were doing damage only in a limited locality, and had done the most damage upon a plantation where some 3,000 head of cattle were pastured last year. The land was not plowed until spring and the corn was planted immediately afterwards. These facts explained the whole matter. The beetles were attracted to the pasture last year by the droppings of the cattle and had deposited their eggs in the grass. The larve fed on the roots of the grass last season and changed into mature beetles Just before the ground was broken. The corn immediately after was attacked by the beetles, as it was the only vegetation on the land. If the land had not been broken up the beetles would probably have fed on the grass and deposited their eggs as usual. The substance of this report of injury is repeated in the eighth annual report of the same station (p. 71). A short general account of this species is given by Messrs. Forbes and Hart in Bulletin No. 60 of the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station (p. 152), which includes an original illustration of the beetle. SOME DIVISIONAL RECORDS OF ATTACK. May 9, 1898, Mr. Geo. Davenport, Mer Rouge, La., mailed speci- mens of this beetle with the report that, although there were few of this insect in corn in that vicinity the previous year, during 1898 they 36 were very numerous. The beetles went down under the surface of the earth and completely shredded the cornstalk between the surface and the roots. They were described as playing havoc with stands of corn in that region. September 19, of the same year, Mr. B. M. Vaughn, Grand Rapids, Wis., sent specimens of the beetle working in ‘arrot tops and in tubers of dahlia. During 1899, Mr. J. P. Baker, Moody, Drew County, Ark., sent specimens of bevels. June 3, reporting that they were cutting late plantings of small corn and cotton, as many as 7 or 8 being found on a single plant. Older growth of these crops seemed exempt from Stara evidently owing to their firmer, more woody texture. August 28, Dr. W. H. Ridge, Trevose, Pa., sent specimens of the beetle, stating that they had been destroying great quantities of carrots by- boring down and eating the roots off, ibavine the ground full of holes. SUMMARY OF FOOD AND OTHER HABITS. Our knowledge of the life economy of the carrot beetle is still incom- plete. It would appear that in many respects it closely resembles the brown fruit-chafer (uphoria nda Linn.), which has been treated in Bulletin No. 19 (n. s.), pages 67-74. Larval injury has been noted, but there is little doubt that the grubs feed also on humus, manure, and decomposing roots and tap roots of herbaceous plants. The writer has observed larvee feeding in earth where there was no opportunity for plant attack. Most cases of reported injury have been due to the oper- ations of the beetles, and damage is more pronounced on young plants than on older growth, the latter appearing, in some cases at least, to be exempt from attack, owing to their firmer and more woody texture. Injury may be accomplished both by hibernated individuals in the spring from April to June, according to locality, and by recently transformed specimens in late summer and in autumn. Like the fruit-chafer again, the species is with little doubt single- brooded. Eggs have been observed by the writer June 8 from which larve hatched ten days later. Pupation takes place in an oval cavity in the earth, formed by the rolling and twisting of the grub within, as in the case of allied insects; and the observed pupal period is about fourteen or fifteen days in the warm weather of late June and early July. As these observations were made on material received from Texas, it seems probable that farther north, as, for example, along the coast of New Jersey and Long Island, pupation taking place at a later period requires a longer time. Hibernation, without much doubt, occurs in the adult condition. The favorite food of the beetle is evi- dently carrot, and after this corn in the Southern States; elsewhere parsnip and celery appear to be chosen. Sweet potato and Irish potato are subject to much damage. Sunflower and dahlia are to be included as food plants, and sugar beet is sometimes injured, as is also cotton. 37 The writer has found the beetles in numbers about the roots of pig- weed (Ambrosia), and other persons have noticed them about weeds. Although the species is rather unusually periodical in injurious attack, it is obviously capable of doing much damage in years when it develops in great numbers. NATURAL ENEMIES AND METHODS OF CONTROL. One bird, the chuck-will’s-widow, is recorded as having fed on the beetles of Zigyrus gibbosus at Gainesville, Tex. (Ins. Life, Vol. LI, p.189). It is to be regretted that when this insect is present in large num- bers in cultivated fields there is little, owing to its manner of working, that can be accomplished in the line of control. About the only thing that can be done is to trap the beetles at night by means of stationary lanterns and pans of water placed below the lanterns, on which is float- ing a thin scum of kerosene. The lanterns should be stationed at intervals about the field, particularly around the borders. The beetles are strongly attracted to electric lights, but it is not certain that they could be lured from the fields after beginning to feed. A correspondent reports that by scattering lime through infested fields the beetles have been apparently driven away. It is possible that this or some other similar substance might have a deterrent effect, but it is rather doubtful. After the crop has been harvested, if the insects continue in numbers in the ground, either in the adult, larval, or pupal stage, it would be profitable to turn in hogs, which soon find and root up such insects from the ground. Chickens also learn to follow the plow after these and similar insects. Crop rotation should also be practiced. THE BEET ARMY WORM. (Laphygma exigua Hbn. ) Simultaneously with the occurrence of the fall army worm (Za- phygma frugiperda) in the eastern United States in such unusual and destructive numbers in 1899, as previously reported by the writer (Bul. 29, n. s., pp. 5-46), a similar outbreak of a related species known in American literature as Laphygma flavimaculata Harv. occurred in Colorado and New Mexico. The outbreak in Colorado has been men- tioned by Prof. C. P. Gillette in several publications, but no compre- hensive account of the species has yet been published, and recent studies of literature show thit there is such a strong possibility of this species becoming a serious pest eastward that it becomes a practical necessity to bring together all that we know about it. All that has been published in regard to its food habits and ravages in America are from the observations of Professor Gillette, but through the kindness of Dr. H. G. Dyar, of the National Museum, I have been referred to numerous articles on this species going to show that it is widely dis- 38 St) tributed and cosmopolitan, although in the United States restricted to an area considerably west of the Mississippi Valley. Although this insect is obviously of foreign origin, there is proba- bility of its some time migrating in the same manner as did the Colorado potato beetle in the late sixties and early seventies; and it is nearly equally possible that this insect may become as great a foe to the culture of the sugar and garden beét, as well as to other vegetables, as the Colorado beetle has been to the potato, though this may not happen in the near future. It does not confine itself to foliage, but after devouring this eats off the crown of a plant and then the roots. DESCRIPTIVE. This species, as might be expected from their relationship, is similar to the fall army worm in all stages, but the resemblance is not close. The moth (fig. 8,a@) resem- bles more nearly the plain gray form of L. frugiperda, but the fore-wings are broader and paler, the reniform and other spots as well as mottlings are more distinct, but the hind- wings differ very slightly, the veins, particularly the central ones, being a little more dis- tinct. The body is of similar Fic. 8.—Laphygma exigua: a, moth; b, larya, lateral color, but a little more slender. view; ¢, larva, dorsal view; d, head of larva; e,egg, The wing expanse is less than eyed tom above fa, fom ileal nia an inch, and-one fOr A technical description is furnished by Hampson (Fauna of British India, Moths, Vol. II, p. 259), which is quoted herewith: Pale ochreous brown. Fore-wing with the subbasal, ante-, and post-medial double lines indistinct; the orbicular small and round, pale or ochreous; the reniform usually less prominent, with ochreous or dark center; the submarginal line pale, angled below the costa, and with some slight dark streaks before it at middle; a marginal series of dark specks. Hind-wing semihyaline opalescent white; the veins and outer margin tinged with fuscous. The eggs are also similar, being ribbed as in the case of most Noctuid moths, but according to the figure and description furnished by Hofmann, they differ by being pyramidal, something unusual in the Noctuids. The general appearance of the egg is shown in the illus- tration at ¢ and f. It will be noticed that the upper third has the appearance of being surmounted by a cap, and this portion is separated from the lower two-thirds by a white ring. 39 The larva.—The few specimens of the larva available for description are small or not quite mature, the longest measuring less than an inch and one-fourth, and with much narrower head than that of the fall army worm. The ground color in life is greenish or olivaceous, but this does not show in inflated and alcoholic specimens. The lateral stripe, however, is strongly suggestive of frugiperda, although the surface is not marked by the large tubercles present in the latter species. The head is mottled dark brown, with V-mark well indicated; the thoracic plate scarcely different from the abdominal seg- ments save in bearing piliferous warts, while the remainder of the body, with the exception of the head, which is strongly marked with dark brown undulating lines, is faintly clothed, only a few . 4 Zz i Fic. 9.—Laphygma exigua: extremely short hairsappearingatintervals. Below enlarged section of first the lateral stripe the surface near the spiracles is —_Preleé_ segment, dorsal : . 6 : view (original). pinkish. The larva is shown, lateral view, at 4, and dorsal view at c, figure 8; an enlarged section of the first proleg seoment of the larva is illustrated in'figure 9. Through the kindness of Messrs. Coquillett and Dyar, the follow- ing more technical descriptions of the larva are furnished: The young larva.—The young ones are pale green with a whitish dorsal, subdorsal, and stigmatal line, spiracles white, ringed with black, the head dark brown. Later in life the head becomes green dotted with blackish and the coloring of the body differs considerably in the depth of the coloring even among the different individuals of the same brood and in the same stage of development. In some the ground color is light green, in others the suprastigmal space varies from dark green to almost black. When first hatched the larvee spin a web about them and live gregariously for several days, after which they disperse and live separately without any protection. [D. W. Coquillett. ] The mature larva.—Head round, oblique, apex in joint 2; sordid luteous with a few white flecks on the vertices of the lobes; width about 2™. Body cylindrical, equal, normal, joint 12 scarcely enlarged. Cervical shield smoky or green, cut by three sordid white lines. Green or olivaceous in darker larvee. A straight subdorsal line a shade paler than the ground color, and a straight broad substigmatal one of the same color but broadly green, filled so as to appear only at the edges, or else in the dark form, blotched in dull red centrally on the segments. Between these lines the lateral space is gray to black, strongly dotted with whitish. Dorsum dotted and lined confusedly in green or blackish, heaviest centrally, defining a narrow obscure pale dorsal line. A bright white speck on tubercle iv, which is at the upper corner of the spiracle. Subventral region pale, mottled in whitish. Feet normal, green, the thoracic ones brown shaded. [H. G. Dyar.] THE QUESTION OF NOMENCLATURE. Considering the cosmopolitan distribution of this species, the question of nomen- clature becomes important. In Smith’s list of Lepidoptera of Boreal America pub- lished in 1891 (p. 47) the insect is recorded as Caradrina flavimaculata Hary. In its larval as well as adult stage, and in its habits, however, it bears so close a resem- blance to the fall army worm (Laphygma frugiperda) that it is obvious that the 40 two species belong in one genus. Sir G. F. Hampson in his Fauna of British India (Moths, Vol. IT, p. 259), mentions this species as Caradrina exigua Hbn., giving a rather long list of synonyms, of which Caradrina flavimaculata Hary. is one. He mentions it in Fauna Hawaiiensis (Vol. I, pt. 2, Macrolepidoptera, p. 153) as Spodop- tera exigua Hbn., again giving flavimaculata Hary. as a synonym. In Staudinger and Rebel’s ‘‘Catalog der Lepidopteren,’’ published in 1901 (p. 195), the species is referred back to the genus Caradrina, with remarks on synonomy and distribution. DISTRIBUTION. There can be no doubt that the beet army worm has been introduced, probably originally on the Pacific coast, and has thence made its way eastward to eastern Colorado and New Mexico. With the possible exception of two army worms, the common army worm ard the fall army worm (both of which may have been introduced originally many years ago from South and Central America), all of the cutworms which are most destructive and assume the army-worm habit in seasons of unusual abundance are of foreign origin. There are no species posi- tively known to be native which migrate in numbers. In accepting the opinion of European authorities, Meyrick, Stau- dinger, and Rebel, as to the identity of this insect with the European Caradrina (Spodoptera) exigua Hbn., we must also adopt the credited distribution which shows it to be truly cosmopolitan. Its range thus includes middle and southern Europe, England and its near-by insular possessions, Borkum, Mauritius, Madeira, Canary Islands, Africa, Asia Minor, Syria, Armenia, Japan, China (4), India, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. Harvey described this species in 1876 from material from Oregon and California (Can. Ent., Vol. VIII, p. 54). So far as the writer is aware, however, it has never occasioned injury on the Pacific coast, which is not a little singular, considering the fact that its favorite food plant, sugar beet, is extensively cultivated in portions of Cali- fornia, and that the insect was doubtless introduced there even before 1876. As to its origin, nothing appears to have been surmised. It is doubtless like so many pests, oriental, and perhaps came from India or Australia by way of Hawaii to California. From present knowledge of its distribution it is obviously capable of flourishing in both the Lower and Upper Austral life zones, and of doing injury even in the Transition, but it may be that it agrees with its congener, the fall army worm, in being better adapted to the Lower Austral zone. A single specimen was captured in northern Sonora, Mexico (Biol. Centr.-Amer. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Vol. 1, 1900, p. 280). We have little definite information regarding the region of North America which this species inhabits. The list of localities includes Oregon; Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and other points in California; Fort Collins, Palisades, Delta, Grand Junction, and Montrose, Colo. ; 4] Roswell, Mesilla Valley, and Carlsbad, N. Mex. Both the Col- orado and New Mexico localities are east of the Rocky Mountain range, and it appears to be only a matter of time when this species will succeed in invading the great sugar-beet regions of Nebraska; perhaps in time it will also travel farther eastward and become a pest in the Eastern States. It does not seem, however, that there is any immediate danger of general spread as in the case of the Colorado beetle; first, because the insect is a general feeder capable of thriving on plants belonging to several botanical orders, and hence does not need to migrate for food; and second, because the migration of the Colorado beetle is something almost unprecedented in entomological history; third, because according to present evidence the insect is Lower Austral and perhaps Tropical in origin, while the sugar beet grows best in the Upper Austral or Transition zones. From obserya- tions of Professor Gillette it is obvious also that this insect, like the fall army worm, although it may invade the Upper Austral area, is not apt to survive severe winters; hence, if it becomes introduced very far northward its ravages will without doubt be sporadic and depend- ent upon the occurrence of winters sufficiently mild to favor its hibernation. ~ PROBABLE METHOD OF SPREAD. As previously surmised, this species has doubtless come to our shores from Australia, India, or somewhere else in the Orient, possibly via the Sandwich Islands, and originally through the ‘‘Golden Gate,” Los Angeles, or at some intermediate point on the California coast. If it was introduced in the northern portion of California, it drifted south- ward, as would any other species of semitropical or Lower Austral origin (which zones we conclude must have been the original home of the insect). From southern California its distribution eastward was ¢ matter of easy accomplishment, by short flights of the moths aided by favoring winds through Arizona, possibly extreme northern Mexico, and New Mexico, where few high mountains barred its course, to Colo- rado, where, according to available data, its further spread appears to have ceased. In some respects this introduction has been accomplished in what we may surmise was the manner of establishment of certain other injur- ious insects, examples of which are the potato tuber worm (@elechia operculella) and perhaps the imported cabbage web-worm (//e//ula undalis), both of which inhabit California. They probably originated in the Orient, and evidently followed asimilar course, with this differ- ence, however, that as one feeds in the tubers of potatoes and the other in the heads of cabbage, and both are small species, it is more likely that they were introduced in part by ‘‘commercial jumps,” which accounts for their being found farther east throughout the South. Both 42 have spread to the Atlantic seaboard, the former occurring in North Carolina, and the latter in South Carolina. Neither (so far as records show) has invaded Colorado. ECONOMIC LITERATURE. The first account that the writer finds of injury by this species in America is entitled ‘‘The Sugar-Beet Caterpillar,” and was issued as Special Press Bulletin, dated August 19, 1899, of the Colorado Agri- cultural Experiment Station, C. P. Gillette being the author. Injury in the vicinity of Palestine, Graed Junction, and Fruita is specially mentioned, and some facts on the insect’s occurrence are also given, the main portion of the bulletin, however, being devoted to the discus- sion of remedies. In Press Bulletin No. 3, from the same station and - author, a similar account appears. During the same year also the writer mentioned furnished for Bul- letin No. 26, n.s., of the Division of Entomology, an account of this species and its occurrence during 1899, adding as localities infested Delta, Montrose, and Rockyford. From this it appears that although beets were principally devoured, the caterpillars also attacked potato, which in some cases suffered badly, as also small fruit trees where beets were planted in orchards. In a report of the same writer (12th Report Agl. Expt. Sta. of Colo- rado for 1899-1900, p. 39) similar injury is cited, the estimate being made that two or three hundred acres of beets were completely ruined in three localities during August. The insect matured in enormous numbers, and was noted to be passing the winter as a moth. The same writer published in the 22d Annual Report of the State Board of Agriculture of Colorado some additional facts in regard to this insect’s life economy (pp. 128-129). This account states that the species disappeared as suddenly in 1900 as it had appeared the preceding sea- son. Since parasitism was not especially noticeable, it was surmised that the insect failed, although for no assignable reason, to properly survive the winter. Three new food plants were added to the list previously furnished, including lambsquarter (Chenopodium), Russian thistle, and saltbush (Atriplex). Mr. E. D. Ball observed that the moths were flying abundantly about the middle of May; caterpillars began hatching the first week in June, and by the middle of that month were abundant. Their ravages were worst on earliest planted beets, late plantings suffering injury only when near weeds or patches of early beets. Thousands of the worms were seen migrating, and they were found to travel two or three feet a minute. In **The Economie Entomology of the Sugar Beet” (Bul. No. 60, Exp. Sta. Uniy. Ill.), by Messrs. Forbes and Hart, an account of this cviven. These species also appears in which some new facts are g 43 include wild sunflower, Cleome, pea, and leaves of apple as food plants, the data having been derived from observations communicated by Pro- fessor Gillette. It is stated that this species evidently hibernates as a moth, and at least two generations of larve may be expected each year—the first about June, and the second in August. A similar account to the last is given by Prof. E. D. Sanderson in ‘*Insects Injurious to Staple Crops,” page 262. An account of this species and its habits, as occurring in Europe, was given in 1893 by Dr. Ernst Hofmann in ‘*‘ Die Raupen der Gross- Schmetterlinge Europas,” page 109. This includes a characterization of the genus and descriptions of all stages, with figures of the egg and larva. The following synonymical list is furnished by Hampson (Fauna British India, Moths, Vol. II, 1894, p. 259): Caradrina orbicularis, Wlk. Cat. x, p. 294. Caradrina venosa, Butl. Ent. Mo. Mag. xvii, p. 7; C. & S., no. 2115. Spodoptera cilium, Guen. Noct. i, p. 156; C. & S., no. 2117. Spodoptera insulsa, Wlk. Cat. xxxii, p. 648. Spodoptera erica, Butl. P. Z. 8., 1880, p. 675. Laphygma cycloides, Guen. Noct. i, p. 157. Laphygma macra, Guen. Noct. i, p. 157. Laphygma? caradrinoides, WIlk. Cat. ix, p. 190. Caradrina flavimaculata, Hary., Grote, New Check-list, p. 30. Caradrina insignata, C. & 8., no. 2112 (nee WIk.). Huebner’s description appeared some time in the early part of the century in Sammlung europiiischer Schmetterlinge, Noct. fig. 362. This publication, however, is not available at the present writing, and the exact date of its issuance can not be determined. RECENT DIVISIONAL REPORTS OF INJURY. The first intimation that the writer had of the occurrence of the beet army worm in injurious numbers in this country was received through Prof. J. B. Smith, who wrote in February, 1900, that it had been reported by Professor Gillette as destructive in Colorado during theseason of 1899. In response to inquiry, Professor Gillette wrote that there had been a considerable outbreak in Colorado during that sum- mer, and prior to that season only three specimens of the insect had. been present in the college collection. The caterpillars were very abundant during August at Grand Junction, Palisades, Delta, and Montrose, and specimens of the insect were also received from Rocky- ford, where they were reported to depredate on beets. Hundreds of acres of beets were not harvested because of the ravages of this species in the region about Grand Junction. It was noticed that but little destruction of the last brood by insect enemies was observed, and that the moths appeared during the latter part of August and September in prodigious numbers. 44 ‘*The moths spend the winter evidently in hibernation,” since exam- ination of the ovaries of many of the females appearing in the fall failed to show the ova developed in any case. During the same season Mr. Vernon Bailey, of the Biological Sur- vey of this Department, observed this beet army worm in large num- bers on the foliage of young sugar beets in a field near Eddy, now Carlsbad, N. Mex. According to Mr. Bailey’s notes (which were accompanied by specimens), the first occurrence was noted June 19, 1899, and the larvee were doing much damage to sugar beets in the Pecos Valley near Roswell and Eddy. Extensive areas, including in some cases entire fields, were destroyed, necessitating replanting and sometimes the abandoning of the crops. The crop of that region was generally injured. Mr. Bailey informs the writer that a sugar-beet factory started at Eddy has since been put out of operation, and sugar beets have been raised there since only toa limited extent for feeding stock. The cultivated portion of the valley lies mainly in the Lower Sonoran life zone, but is so near the Upper Sonoran zone as to have a mixture of the species from the latter. During the summer of 1901 Mr. A. N. Caudell, of this office, spent some time in the collection of insects in portions of Colorado, and gathered some material found injurious to cultivated crops. Among this was the beet army worm, all stages of which were found on sugar beet at Palisades, Mesa County, and at Delta. At the latter place larvee were captured also on table beet, although they did not occur on this variety of the plant in injurious numbers. In a letter dated February 4, 1902, Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell fur- nishes the writer the information that this species, which he listed on page 35 of Bulletin No. 24 of the New Mexico Agricultural Experi- ment Station, as occurring in Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, had been reared by him from the larva depredating on cultivated onion. EARLIER RECORDS. The first record that appears to have been made, unpublished hith- erto, however, was by Mr. D. W. Coquillett, when employed as field agent of this Division in California. May 25, 1882, he found the larva at Anaheim, Cal. The following day the lary spun their cocoons, and moths began issuing on the 14th of the following month. At the latter date more larvee were found, of all sizes, feeding on corn, Chenopodium album and Amaranthus retroflerus. Some of the largest were placed in rearing cages, and June 22 crept beneath the litter in the cages and spun yery thin cocoons. ‘The moths issued the second week in July. An extended search for larve was made in the field July 8, but without success. November 5 still other larvee were found in the above-mentioned locality feeding on a species of 45 mallow (Malva borealis). Some of these began spinning their cocoons three days later, and by November 14 all had spun up. Two produced moths December 12. October 24, 1886, a larva was found at Los Angeles, Cal., feeding on Wicotiana glauca. This produced a moth November 21. Two years later, February 18, Mr. Coquillett captured a moth much worn. The above notes are of particular interest as showing new food plants and as verifying Professor Gillette’s observations on the hibernation of the species in the adult condition. We would naturally expect a somewhat different life history as regards dates of appearance and disappearance in localities in south- ern California, so different from that of Colorado. According to Mr. Coquillett’s observations, moths were rare in April, but became abun- dant the latter part of May and during June. Adopting the hypoth- esis, if it can be called such, that hibernation takes place as moth, some moths must appear in early April in order to produce mature larve as early as May 25. With the somewhat incomplete notes on actual field observations, it would appear that this species, like many other Noc- tuids, such as common species of cutworms, has a spring brood and a late autumn brood, but differs from most cutworms in the stage of hibernation. Between the first and second generations there is evi- dently a very long season of estivation or complete quietude passed under the ground when the larva does not feed. SUMMARY OF FOOD PLANTS. As with other Jarvee that frequently or occasionally migrate in num- bers, the beet army worm is lable to attack most forms of vegetation in its line of march. Sugar beet appears to be the favorite host plant, but table beets are also relished, and the larve feed quite as well on lambsquarters (Chenopodium) and pigweed (Amaranthus). They also attack saltbush or saltweed (Atriplex), all plants rather closely related to beets. When numerous they affect corn, potato, pea, onion, wild sunflower, the leaves of apple, mallow (Malva), MWicotiana glauca, Cleome, and plantain (Meyrick). They are also said to feed on wild orasses. NATURAL ENEMIES. A single enemy appears to be recorded for the beet army worm, a Tachina fly, reared at this office May 29, 1897, from a caterpillar received May 17 of that year from Mr. 8. A. Pease, San Bernardino, Cal. This is /rontina archippivora Will.,a rather common species on the Pacific coast, although it occurs eastward also. It is a parasite of Agrotis ypsilon, a destructive cutworm, as well as of other moths and some butterflies (Tech. Ser., No. 7, Div. Ent., p. 15). 46 METHODS OF CONTROL. Several remedies were tried in Colorado during the year of greatest infestation there with satisfactory results. These included Paris green and kerosene emulsion. Both killed the insects, checking their num- bers for the following year. Paris green was applied in the form ofa spray and dry, mixed with flour. Used with flour it cost about 80 cents an acre. Two sprayings with the liquid preparation were found to be most effectual. When this species occurs in fairly injurious numbers the remedies that have been specified should be sufficient. When it is unduly abun- dant, however, army-worm remedies should be applied. The latter form of remedies is discussed in Bulletin No. 29 (n. s.), a copy of which will be furnished to anyone desiring it. NOTES ON WEBWORMS. During the last two years three species of webworms that occur in gardens and do more or less injury to various crops have been reported as the cause of damage in various parts of our country. These are the garden webworm, beet webworm, and imported cabbage worm, each of which will be considered under a separate heading. THE GARDEN WEBWORM. ( Loxostege similalis Guen. ) * The reported injurious abundance of the garden webworm during the year 1900 in localities in three different States indicate that this species was somewhat generally destructive in that region that year. It is rather singular that, although the insect is widely distributed, real injuries by it appear to be confined to the States bordering the Missis- sippi River in the South. Some of the notes given show that it has even a longer list of food plants than have yet been credited to it. May 14, 1900, Mr. J. D. Mitchell, Victoria, Tex., reported this web- worm as abundant in his vicinity, where it was known locally as the grass worm, a name which it shares with the better-known grass worm or fall army worm (Laphygma frugiperda). Its favorite food in that “In early works this species has been generally referred to Hurycreon rantalis Guen., and now to Phlyctanodes similalis Gn. The following synonymy is credited by Sir G. F. Hampson (Pr. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 210, 1899), in addition to eight names bestowed by Walker: Phlyctenodes similalis Guen. Delt. & Pyr., p. 405. Nymphula rantalis Guen. Delt. & Pyr., 405. Botys posticata Grote and Rob. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., 1, p. 22, pl. 2, f. 25. Eurycreon communis Grote. Can. Ent., ix, p. 105. Eurycreon occidentalis Pack. Ann. N. Y. Lye., x, p. 260. The list of Walker’s names includes: Mbulea murcialis, Botys licealis, B. siriusalis, Scopula nestusalis, crinisalis, thodnalis, and diotimealis, and Nephopteryx intractella. 47 locality, according to our correspondent’s observations, appears to con- sist in the finer and softer forms of grasses, such as buffalo, crab, and joint grasses. In some seasons the caterpillars did great damage in patches. In ordinary years they were found here, as elsewhere, ‘*worming” the so-called ‘‘careless weed” (Amaranthus spp.), par- ticularly in cotton fields. When other foods failed the larve attacked young cotton, but if the field was kept clean and well cultivated it was not injured. June 13 Mr. W. J. Patton, Springdale, Washington County, Ark., gave information that the moths were found everywhere in field and orchard in prodigious numbers, and that the greatest appre- hension was felt lest the larvee which would develop from the eggs deposited by the moths would do great damage. July 24 Prof. H. A. Morgan, Baton Rouge, La., wrote that this webworm was a pest upon cotton and alfalfa in the northern portion of his State. In the three instances of injury that have been cited communications were accompanied by specimens. The larva at maturity is somewhat variable in color, but such indi- viduals as have come under the writer’s notice from different sources are usually dull pale green above and dull greenish yellow on the lower surface. The dorsal surface is strongly marked with large shining jet- black piliferous spots, more or less distinctly relieved by a paler border, and there is a median double pale line in well-marked individuals and a lateral single whitish line, while below this line the piliferous spots are lighter. The head is dull gray, mottled with brown. The hairs proceeding from the tubercles are mostly single and black; some are in pairs, and those of the dorsal surface are surrounded by a small area of white, and of the ventral surface by a much larger area. Just before transformation larve become paler yellow. The length when full grown is a little less than an inch (21-23™). ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE BEET WEBWORM. (Loxostege sticticalis Linn. ) * For some reason writers on this species, which is shown in fig. 10, appear to have overlooked the fact that it is not native, but intro- duced from abroad, presumably on the Pacific coast, whence it has found its way eastward to Colorado and Nebraska. From specimens in “The following synonymy has been indicated by Hampson (Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1899, p. 211): Phlyctzenodes sticticalis Linn. Faun. Suec., 1354. Pyralis fuscalis Hibn. Pyr. f., 45. Pyralis tetragonalis Haw. Lep. Brit., p. 385. Pyralis lupulina Cl. Icon., pl. ix, f. 4. The species is mentioned by Kaltenbach as Botys sticticalis Linn., and Meyrick (Handb. Brit. Lep., 1895, p. 418) preserves the better-known name of Lowostege sticticalis Linn. 48 the National Museum it seems that the insect was collected at Palmer, Utah, in July, 1869, which is evidence that it must have been intro- duced many years earlier. In 1873 it was found in central Missouri. It has been taken by Messrs. Dyar and Caudell in Denver, Salida, and Sedalia, Colo., by Cockerell on the top of the range between Sapola and Pecos rivers in New Mexico at about 11,000 feet elevation. It is also recorded from Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as from several localities in Nebraska, Kansas, and Michigan. It does not appear to have been observed in Illinois, although search has doubtless been made for it on sugar beets cultivated in that State. Dr. Dyar,in a note to the writer, generalizes that the species is rather common throughout the Rocky Mountain range. Meyrick records this species as inhabiting England, Ireland, western and central Europe, and northern Asia, as well as North America, and mentions its occurrence on the upper side of the leaves of Arte- misia vulgaris and campestris. Kaltenbach also records Artemisia as a food plant. wa La ary ay qt aE) AF AP past | ote APS th Fic. 10.—Loxostege sticticalis: a, moth, twice natural size; b, larva, less enlarged; c, upper surface of first proleg segment of larva; d, side view of same, c, d, more enlarged (reengraved after Insect Life). There seems no reasonable doubt that we have another case of introduction from Asia into the Pacific States of this country, analo- gous to that of the beet army worm treated in preceding pages. There is this difference, however, that the present species was introduced many years earlier, has a much wider range, and is capable of sustain- ing life in several zones, from the Lower Austral, perhaps to the Transition. There is no doubt about the establishment of the species in the Colorado localities, but larvee do not appear to have been observed in the localities mentioned in New Mexico and Manitoba, which are obviously transitional. THE IMPORTED CABBAGE WEBWORM. ( Hellula undalis Fab. ) Up to November 19, 1900, only one complaint of injury effected by the imported cabbage webworm reached this office. It was, however, reported froma new locality in Georgia by Mr. H. Walter Me Williams, Citi > 49 of Griffin, in a letter dated November 15. He stated that this insect had been very destructive during the season. December 1 he sent specimens, and stated that the insect had cost some of his neigh- bors several hundred dollars, the larvae having simply eaten the buds from all the ruta-bagas and turnips in the settlement, causing the plants to rot and fail to develop roots. May 7, 1900, Mr. J. H. Heard, Montreal, Ga., wrote that this webworm had made its appear- ance in his vicinity the previous year. During 1901 Mr. W. M. Scott, State entomologist, Atlanta, Ga., wrote, July 1, that this species was still prevalent in southern Georgia. During 1900 it appeared in injurious numbers at Augusta, Tifton, Albany, Marshallville, Fort Valley, and Meansville, its occurrence in these localities indicating that it was generally distributed throughout the southern part of that State. A Mr. Long, Leesburg, Ga., had informed Mr. Scott that only the week before writing this webworm had practically precluded the possibility of growing late cruciferous vegetables in that section. In 1900 his crop of late turnips was entirely destroyed by this pestas if by fire. October 28 Mr. H. Walter McWilliams reported this species still present at Griffin, Ga., and likely to remain. It devoured cabbage, ruta-baga, turnip, rape, ete. He had tried several mixtures, but without any noticeable good effects. November 9 Miss Blanche Dix sent larvae of this species from Beech Island, 8. C. In an earlier letter she referred to having observed this species present on cruciferous crop plants in that locality. THE RED TURNIP BEETLE. (Entomoscelis adonidis Pall. ) In a letter dated March 9, 1900, Mr. Percy B. Gregson, Waghorn, Alberta, Northwest Territory, wrote that this species was very abun- dant in several districts in his vicinity, and that even so late as Octo- ber, 1899, he had letters from farmers complaining of it. June 29 our correspondent sent specimens of the beetles noticed 7x co7tu at the time of gathering them, and when they reached this office July 9, eggs were found in the soil in which they had been packed. In 1901 this insect was also troublesome in the same region. This species is occasionally troublesome through its ravages on tur- nip, cabbage, and other crucifers in the Northwest. Up to date, how- ever, it has attracted little or no attention in the United States, receiving frequent mention, however, in different Canadian publiea- tions, chiefly by Dr. James Fletcher, in his annual reports as Entom- ologist and Botanist of the Dominion of Canada. DESCRIPTIVE. The beetle.—The adult of this insect, as its common name would indi- cate, is red; at first glance nearly scarlet. The under surface of the 23987—No. 33—02——_4 50 body is black, as are also the eyes, legs, and antennz. The dorsal sur- face is mostly red, with the middle portion of the thorax black. The elytra are ornamented with three stripes. a rather narrow sutural one, and a shorter black stripe on each side, about midway between the suture and the margins. (See fig. 11.) The punctation of the elytra is dense and rather fine. The form of the body is elongate oval. The length is about one-fourth inch or longer. The species belongs toa genus represented by several forms in Europe, but it is the sole rep- resentative of its genus in this country. Zoologically, Entomoscelis is placed near Chrysomela; hence this insect is a relative of the Colo- rado potato beetle (Chrysomela | Doryphora| decemlineata). It is char- acterized by having a long metasternum and closed front coxal cavities, having the tibiz gradually but not strongly dilated at the apices, the outer face deeply concave, the distal edge obtusely angulated, and the claws simple. The egg is ellipticalin form, twice or a little more than twice as long as wide at its greatest diameter, deep blood-red in color, and finely hexagonally granulated, the areas being just discernable with a one-fourth-inch hand lens. Length, 1.50 to 1.60""; width, 0.75 to 0.80™™. The larva has been fully described by Doctor Fletcher and others, who will be quoted. When first hatched it is orange, with black Fie. 11.—Entomoscelisadonidis— snots, but turns black in twenty-four hours. ey ae gee oa are ien wedge-shaped, and measures about 2™™ in length. It undergoes two molts. In the second stage it meas- ures 3.25" when not extended. The body is now slug-shaped, flat- tened below and rounded above; not narrowed at the thorax, as is the ‘ase with the larva of the Colorado potato beetle. In the third stage the larva measures about 5™™, and does’ not differ materially from the second stage. When fully mature the larva reaches a length of about one-half an inch (12™"). The pupa is bright orange in color, the wing, antennal, and leg ‘ases, honey-yellow, the first mentioned bearing each three longitudinal strive. DISTRIBUTION. This species is common to North America, Europe, and Asia, and evidently belongs to what is known as the circumpolar fauna; in other words, it is not of recent introduction, but is native to the boreal regions of both the old and new world. According to Doctor Hamilton (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., Vol. XXI, 1894, p. 397), it is to be found everywhere through the Rocky Mountains at 8,000 to 11,000 feet eleva- tion (Bowditch). A more exact list of localities includes Montana, Hesterburg’s Lane, Colorado (Cockerell); British Columbia; Fort Simpson and Mackenzie River, Alaska (Leconte); the Hudson Bay region, Minnedosa, Elkhorn, Brandon, and 51 Lorlie, Manitoba; Alberta, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Grenfell, Pheasant Forks, and Regina, Northwest Territory. According to Fletcher, it is rare toward the eastern and western limits of its range. The foreign distribution comprises southern Europe, including France, Austria, Germany, Roumania, Western and Eastern Siberia to Turkestan. DIVISIONAL RECORDS. Writing December 1, 1900, Mr. Gregson stated that immediately after the receipt of the writer’s letter, dated August 22, be paid a visit to the farm where Swede turnips were being injured by this species. Many of the beetles were still feeding, and he succeeded in securing a number of eggs, as many of the individuals captured were in copulation. About this time the weather turned very cold, snow falling to a depth of many inches, with an extremely low temperature for September, the result being that none of the eggs hatched. The eggs obtained by the writer at Washington during the extremely hot weather also failed to hatch. These observations are in uniformity with those made by M. Lesne in Roumania and Dr. Fletcher and his correspondents in the North- west Territory of Canada, conclusively showing that eggs do not hatch until the following spring. According’ to Mr. Gregson’s observations, the eggs are never found on growing foliage. They are deposited invariably under dead leaves and in similar rubbish on the ground, or under a small clod of earth or other shelter about the roots of turnip or other food plant. The larvee appear to attack plants chiefly at night. Writing August 15, 1900, our correspondent stated that he had recently left a district very badly infested with this species. One of the farmers whose crop was inspected had just planted out his third lot of young cabbages, and had also resown his turnips three times, each crop having been destroyed by this pest, larve and beetles of which were at work. September 6, 1901, Mr. Gregson stated that he had kept careful watch for this species during the year, and had made special visits to farms where in ordinary years he had always reckoned on finding plenty of the beetles. He had also received letters from different farmers who had been on the lookout for this species, but the insect had appar- ently entirely disappeared, at least temporarily, from that portion of Alberta, Northwest Territory. It is probable that atmospheric condi- tions have been responsible for the insect’s nonappearance during the year. In that vicinity an unprecedentedly wet year was experienced in 1900, and a still wetter spring and summer followed in 1901. Assuming that this has been prejudicial to the beetles, it is quite evident that this species is largely dependent upon the weather for its multiplication, and that it prefers dry weather. This statement is borne out by M. Lesne, who writes that ‘‘droughts favor its multiplication while cold and rainy weather greatly retard it.” Had it appeared in consider- able numbers, Mr. Gregson writes he would certainly have heard of it. 52 HISTORY AND LITERATURE. Entomoscelis adonidis was given its specific name by Pallas in 1771 (Reisen durch versch. Proy. des Russ. Reiches, etc., Vols. I, 2, p. 468), the description appearing under the genus Chrysomela. It has also been placed in the genus Pheedon (Kirby, Fauna Bor. Am.) and was described by Fabricius as ¢rilineata (Gen. Ins. Mant., 1777, p. 219). Kiinstler, Képpen, Weise, Témdésvary, Lesne, and other European writers have furnished descriptions of the larva. (See Rupertsberger Biol. Lit. Kafer Europas von 1880 an. ete., 1894, p. 259.) Rape (Brassica napus), Cochlearia draba, butter-bur (Petasites peta- sites [officinalis], and Adonis autumnalis have been recorded as food plants by European authors, as also thistle and barley (Korn). Of recent publications the reader is referred to Erichson’s Naturge- schichte der Insecten Deutchlands (Vol. VI, p. 310-3812) and Lesne in the Annales de la Société Entomologiques de France for 1890 (Vol. VI, pp. 177-179, figs. 1-9), for technical descriptions and bibliography, as also to Dr. Fletcher’s works, which will presently be mentioned. M. Lesne’s article is accompanied by an illustration of the larva. What appears to be the first instance of attack by the red turnip beetle on cultivated plants in America was recorded by Dr. Fletcher in his report as entomologist and botanist for the year 1887 (1888, p. 19). He states briefly that he collected this species on turnips at Regina, Northwest Territory, in August, 1885. The beetles were noticed to be sluggish in their habits, like the Colorado potato beetle, and it was said that they did not occur in sufficient numbers to do much injury, although they were sufficiently abundant to show that with the increase in cultivation of its food plant the species might in time develop into a troublesome pest. In his report for 1891 (1892, p. 202), the same writer gives addi- tional notes in regard to the occurrence of this species in Northwest Territory and Manitoba. Extracts from correspondence are given from six different localities showing attack on turnip, cabbage, and rad- ish, it being noticed that rutabaga was very little troubled, provided other more preferred crucifers were available. The choice food plant appeared to be rough-leaved varieties of turnip in preference to smooth-leaved varieties and some other plants. In his report for the following year (pp. 152-155) Dr. Fletcher gave a still longer account of this species, with extracts from corre- spondence from several sources and detailed descriptions of the differ- ent stages with references to European publications. In 1893, according to the same writer’s report for that year (1894, p. 17), the species again attracted attention, it being noticed that the beetles made their first appearance according to Mr. Thomas Copland, Saskatoon, Northwest Territory, June 17, and that the beetles fed 53 upon a common cruciferous weed, the prairie wall flower (Zrys/mum parviflorum). Brief mention is made of this insect by Dr. Fletcher in the Trans- actions of the Royal Society of Canada for 1899-1900 (vol. V, 2d ser., p. 212). NATURAL HISTORY. From the sources of information that have been furnished, it appears that eggs are laid normally in autumn, although sometimes earlier, and that the species hibernates in this stage. The larve hatch in early spring long before cultivated crucifers appear above ground. According to Dr. Fletcher, the larvee feed both in the day- time and by night, and are comparatively active, although, as is well known, the lary of the larger leaf-beetles are mostly rather sluggish. When disturbed they drop from their food plant. The beetles seem to make their first appearance in the Northwest Territories during July and August, and do their worst injury through- out September, continuing in the field in some instances as late as October. The occurrence of the beetles in the latter part of June, as noted by Mr. Gregson, at Waghorn, is perhaps rather exceptional. Eggs are laid in clusters, loosely fastened together in the same manner as those of the Colorado potato beetle, and are deposited under clods or in cracks in the soil in similar locations. Larve have been noticed to bury themselves in the earth to a depth of about an inch, and to change at once, in small smooth cavities, to pupe. REMEDIES. The measures to be employed for the destruction of this turnip beetle are practically the same as those used against the Colorado potato beetle. Paris green is the best of these, and may be applied dry, mixed with from ten to twenty parts of cheap or spoiled flour, fine plaster, or air-slaked lime; or as a spray, mixed with lime or Bordeaux mixture at the rate of a quarter of a pound of the Paris green to 40 gallons of the diluent. In order to insure success, where the insect abounds in great numbers the wild food plants of the insect should also be treated. Hand-picking or jarring the beetles from infested plants into pans or other receptacles containing a little water on which a thin scum of kerosene is floating may also be employed. It follows, as a matter of course, that rotation of crops is advisable; and the planting of crops subject to the attack of this species, particularly crucifers, should be avoided in the vicinity of wild plants affected by the same species. 54 THE CROSS-STRIPED CABBAGE WORM. (Pionea rimosalis Guen. ) * This destructive enemy of cabbage and other cruciferous crops, after an apparently complete absence from the neighborhood of the District of Columbia in 1899 made its appearance in great numbers in May and June of 1900 in different fields of cabbage at Brookland, D. C., and was found later in most gardens in which cabbages were grown in near-by localities in the neighboring States of Maryland and Virginia. In nearly every case that came under notice that year the species was much more abundant on cabbage than the larva of the common imported cabbage butterfly (%eris rape), and it was noticed that although it works in much the same manner as this latter species, it dug still more deeply into the heads, and in many cases completely destroyed cabbage by eating out the hearts while young and tender. The insect continued to be the most destructive cabbage pest in this vicinity until late August, when it was replaced by the cabbage looper, and in some restricted localities and on other plants than cabbage— horse-radish, for example—by the harlequin cabbage bug. This species first became known as an enemy of cruciferous crops over twenty years prior to the date of writing, but since that time has not attracted the attention that would seem to be warranted by its man- ner of attack. For some reason it does not seem to have multiplied to any great extent during that time, except locally, until 1900. When conditions favor its increase there is no reason why it should not take rank as one of the foremost cabbage pests. DESCRIPTIVE. The moth is pale ocher yellow in color, the fore-wings much suffused with fuscous and brownish black, the pattern formed being about as shown in fig. 12, a, subject to some variation. The hind-wings are paler, nearly transparent except at the anterior angle, where they are infuscated. There is also a row of five or six small, dusky spots between the middle of each hind-wing and the inner border. The wing expanse is about 1 inch (25), and the length of the body less than half an inch (10™"), The eggs (fig. 12, 6) are laid in masses, and, being flattened and over- lapping like the scales of a fish, strongly resemble the masses deposited by Tortricide. The outline of an individual egg is rounded oval, the longest diameter being 1.2"" and the shortest diameter 0.9 to 1.0". The egesare rather bright light yellow in color, and so thin that the green of the leaf on which they are deposited can be seen through “This species has been restored to the genus Evergestis by Sir G. F. Hampson (Rev. Pyraustidae, Pt. II, Pr. Z S. Lond., p. 186, 1899), and the genus Pionea is reserved for other species. 55 the middle, the yellow color showing strongest about the margins. The sculpture is fine, but strong and very irregular, the areas showing as irregular triangles, quadrangles, and pentagons (c). They are usually deposited on the under surface of the leaf and in masses of from one to two score, although smaller masses of from two to three or five eggs are not uncommon. The newly-hatched larva is nearly uniform gray in color, with small black tubercles and no visible evidence of striation. The head is round and prominent and nearly twice as wide as the body, and the hairs of the body are sparse and about as long as the width of the head. The full-grown larva.—The larva when mature is bluish-gray above, with conspicuous transverse black stripes. The head is yellowish or light brown, the thoracic plate mottled (fig. 12, ¢), and each segment has three or more well-defined, nearly straight or curved, transverse stripes. (On the second and third thoracic segments the first stria curves forward between the anterior tubercles.) The dorsal tubercles, Fig. 12.—Pionea rimosalis: a, moth; b, egg mass; ¢, sculpture of egg; d, larva; e, cocoon—a, d, e, twice natural size; .b, much enlarged; c, more enlarged (original). of which there are two pair of prominent ones in each segment, are gray, partially encircled with black. There is a wide stigmatal line of bright yellow extending from the second to the last segments, and above each spiracle there is a large prominent black tubercle. The ventral surface is green, somewhat mottled with yellowish, and the tubercles bear each a long, black hair about half as long as the width of the body. In form the larva is subeylindrical, moderately slender, about six times as long as wide, and the segments of the body show strongly at the sides. The length of the mature larva is about six- tenths of an inch, 15™" in repose, 17"" when fully extended, and the ereatest diameter is about 2.9™™, The pupa is of the usual pyraustid form, the wing-cases and head dark brown and the abdomen light yellowish brown. ‘‘ Head small, rounded, with a slight transverse notch anteriorly; wing, antennal and posterior leg-sheaths extending nearly to tip of fifth abdominal joint. Abdominal joints with sutures plainly marked, the two terminal joints 56 closely welded together and forming a conical tip, at the extremity of which are two very minute brown tubercles” (Riley). The length is 11 to 12™”, or a little less than half an inch. The cocoon. —Transformation to pupa takes place in a cocoon formed of earth and constructed near the surface. The appearance of a cocoon is well illustrated at ¢ of figure 12. The measurement is a little less than five-eighths of an inch in length, and three-eighths of an inch in diameter. The outer grains of sand are rather loosely held together, but the interior is fairly substantial, the lining being of light-gray color, nearly white. DISTRIBUTION. So far as the writer is aware, no comprehensive list of localities of this species, or other data that give any idea of the insect’s distribu- tion, have ever been published. From material received at this oftice and at the National Museum, and from reports of correspondents, the following list of localities has been compiled: Newark and Dover, Del.; Cabin John, Marshall Hall, and elsewhere in Maryland; Cameron’s Mills, Carterton, Chesterbrook, St. Elmo, and Alexandria, Va.; Brookland and elsewhere in the District of Columbia; Lexington, Ky.; Springfield, Ohio; Auroraand Lafayette, Ind.; Mount Juliet, Tenn.; Carbondale and Anna, IIl.; Raleigh, N. C.; Montreal, Athens, Macon, and Storeyille, Ga.; Alabama; Lone Star, Oxford, and Aerioaltnral College, Miss.; West Point, Nebr. From the above list it would seem that the southern distribution of this species and its southern origin are well established. The moth has been recorded as occurring farther west and north, but injurious occurrences are lacking, at least in reports of injuries sent to this office. It seems, therefore, that the species attains its highest devel- opment in the Lower Austral life zone, although occasionally it invades the Upper Austral and even, perhaps, the Transition area. This, however, is only temporary. RECENT INJURY. During 1899 we received this species from Mr. E. Dwight Sander- son, at that time at Raleigh, N. C., September 18. They were found in numbers on cabbage. July 28, Mr. 8. 8S. Simms, Storeville, For- svth County, Ga., sent this species, also found on cabbage. Septem- ber 18, Mr. Thos. I. Todd, Athens, Ga., sent the species, with the accompanying information that it did great damage that year feeding in the buds and tender leaves of cabbage and turnip, and stated also that it was known as ‘‘the common webworm,” in contradistinction to the imported eabbage webworm (J//ellula undalis). He stated that this species succumbed to Paris green and pyrethrum dusted upon the plants, where the imported species did not. In 1900, Mr. J. H. Heard, Montreal, Ga., sent this cabbage worm, July 5, with information that it was concerned in attack on cabbage 57 in that vicinity. We received, August 6, specimens of this species from Dr. KE. K. Harding, Carterton, Va., where they were attacking cabbage. NUMBER AND OCCURRENCE OF GENERATIONS. Observations conducted during the season of 1900 indicate the pres- ence of four generations in the District of Columbia and vicinity. From larve obtained in the latter days of May and in early June in different fields of cabbage, in and near the District of Columbia, moths were obtained during the last days of June and until July 6. The second generation produced from the first of these moths and placed in a rearing cage July 2, issued August 1, having passed all stages in just thirty days, which will come very near to being the mini- mum period for this latitude, since the heat was excessive during the greater part of the month of July. The third generation began to appear in the rearing cages, on Sep- tember 1, from moths which issued August 1, or in thirty-one days, the temperature during that period, with the exception of a few days, having been about the same as in July. The fourth generation, as might naturally be expected, failed to develop in confinement, and it seems probable that this was the last generation produced in the field. This was only apparent, however, for after repeated failures to find the larva in the field, a colony was taken September 21 in a small head of cabbage. This last colony was obtained on the Department grounds, and was evidently the progeny of moths which had purposely been liberated from our rearing jars, so that it represents in all probability the normal fourth generation. It must not be supposed from the above that there is any such regularity of development except in a single season and in a given locality. At other times, from specimens gathered where the tem- perature was somewhat different, moths were reared July 14; larve were obtained, nearly all mature, July 30. From other lots moths have issued August 9 and 10. In one instance larvee were noticed to mature August 20, and to develop as moths September 1, giving ten days for the period occupied by the larva in the cocoon. Perhaps two or three days elapsed before the larve changed to chrysalides. In still another case larvee were found to enter the earth August 29 and 30, and moths developed September 9, giving about the same period as just mentioned. SUMMARY OF LIFE HISTORY. Observations conducted by the writer go to show that in many respects this cabbage worm, although the larva of a moth, conforms very closely in its life economy to the imported cabbage butterfly. It is attacked by some of the same natural enemies, and appears to differ from the imported species only in unimportant details. Like 58 the imported worm, it makes its first appearance some time in April in the vicinity of the District of Columbia. The eggs hatch in six days in hot July weather, a longer time being required in a cooler atmosphere. The stage passed in the cocoon in warm weather has been observed to be ten days. Part of this time the larvee were probably quiescent. The exact pupal stage was not observed, but probably varies from six days to considerably longer, according to temperature. The period of the larva varies from two to three weeks, and perhaps longer in cool weather. NATURAL ENEMIES. The cross-striped cabbage worm is subject to the attack of small four-winged parasites of the genus Apanteles, and a few other natural enemies, including wasps, destroy it. ; Apanteles congregatus Say is recorded as having bred from material received in 1880 from Mississippi (Report Com. Agr., 1883, p. 127). A. utilis French was reared from material received from Lone Star, Miss., October 17, 1879 (Insect Life, Vol. III, p. 16). A. xylina Say was reared from cocoons on and with its host by Dr. A. D. Hopkins, Morgantown, W. Va., July 26. Of this latter occur- rence, Dr. Hopkins (I. c., Vol. IV, p. 259) remarked: ‘‘This species was found plentifully wherever the host was observed. Gardeners generally were destroying the cocoons, supposing they were the eggs of the caterpillars.” A, leviceps Ashm. issued September 30 from larvee obtained in 1899 from Athens, Ga. A. alamedensis Ashm. was reared July 16, 1900, from larvee obtained from Montreal, Ga., and sent to this office by Mr. J. H. Heard. Fully half of the larvee (a large number) were parasitized. Meteorus indagator Riley MS., issued from material received from Oxford, Miss., September 1880 (I. ¢., Vol. III, p. 59). REMEDIES. In treating this species it should be borne in mind that ‘* worms” of other species as well as other cabbage pests are more often present than otherwise. Arsenicals.—The best remedy is Paris green applied either dry or wet, preferably, however, as a spray, at the rate of about one pound of the poison to 150 gallons or a little less of water, and it should be used when the plants are first set out, to insure its reaching the young larve or caterpillars before they have burrowed far into the heads; in other words, this poison should be applied in the same manner as for the imported cabbage worm, as the two species have much the same habits. Other applications should follow frequently, as required, and can be made with safety until the heads are about half formed, and 59 even later, as the poison, under ordinary circumstances, disappears from the plants within three or four weeks after being applied. Bran mash.—A mixture of bran with Paris green, a standard remedy for cutworms and grasshoppers, is, according to the testimony of those who have used it, successful against cabbage worms. It is best to mix the bran with water and sugar before adding the poison. The propor- tions are two or three ounces of sugar or other sweetening, and a suffi- cient amount of bran (about one pound to the gallon) to make, when stirred, a mixture that will readily run through the fingers. This is to be sprinkled either wet or dry upon affected plants. Kerosene emulsion has been used for many years against the imported cabbage worm, but is not as efficient as the arsenicals, because it is necessary for this spray to come into direct contact with the larve, in other words, to hit them in order to kill them. Pyrethrum has been used for some years as a remedy against the common cabbage worm, and is of use against the present species. It has the advantage of not being poisonous to human beings, but is said by some cabbage growers to discolor the leaves, and if its use is not continued at frequent intervals the larvee recover and continue their destruction. -It is therefore more expensive than the other remedies that have been mentioned. Mechanical methods.—For small gardens where for any reason it may be undesirable to use arsenicals hand-picking can be practiced and is of especial value when the plants are first set out. The corn-meal remedy.—Corn meal dusted on cabbage, according to the testimony of Prof. Lawrence Bruner, causes the worms of the imported cabbage butterfly to drop off and protects cabbage and other crops until washed off by rains. It is advised to apply it in the morn- ing while the dew is on. The meal acts as a deterrent. Clean cultivation and trap crops.—lf cooperation in clean farming could be secured, together with the use of arsenicals, the losses due to the ravages of this as well as other leaf-feeding pests of cabbage might be largely averted. The practice of leaving cabbage stalks in the field after the main crop has been secured is reprehensible. _Rem- nants should be gathered and destroyed, with exception of a few left at regular intervals through a field as traps for the females for the deposition of their eggs. These plants should be freely poisoned with arsenicals, where feasible, so that the last generation will not develop. Water as a remedy.—Washing the plants with a stiff stream from a hose is of value where this can conveniently be done. Hot water at a temperature of about 130° F. has been advised as a remedy against cabbage worms. Applied at this temperature it does practically no harm to plants and destroys all insects with which it comes in contact. 60 THE CABBAGE LOOPER. ( Plusia brassice Riley.) The remarkable scarcity of this species during the entire spring, summer, and autumn of 1899 has been mentioned in an earlier article (Bul. 22, n. s., p. 59). It was, therefore, a cause of considerable sur- prise to find larvee in abundance during the last week of November in 1900, the work of this species and Prer/s rapx being quite noticeable on the older leaves of cabbage. The finding of larve only a quarter grown showed that eggs had been deposited during the month. Larvee were kept ina cool indoor temperature and fed freely on eab- bage leaves. All but one, however, sickened and died within a week after capture. The last larve of this lot died when full grown, Decem- ber 11. Numerous larvee, however, were still living in the fields where” this species was under observation, all of the living ones observed being in first-class condition December 13. One larva was found less than half grown, showing that eggs had been deposited about the last week of November. The cabbage looper is an unusually voracious species, developing rapidly, and a single individual is capable of doing considerable dam- age, as when at work on pea. On cabbage, while the larvee are feeding on the outer leaves, the plant can more readily withstand defoliation. One looper was noticed to eat more than its own bulk each day. DESCRIPTIVE. The moth which produces this looper is of somewhat obscure appear- ance, although its markings are fairly regular and constant. The upper wings are grayish brown, mottled with gray, whitish, and blackish. Just on the inner side of the inner half of the wings there is a varia- ble white mark, looking, particularly in the male, something like the letter Y. The hind-wings are paler brown, with the latter half more or less infuscated, and both wings are strongly scalloped, as shown in the illustration. The veins of the hind-wings are rather strongly defined. The lower surface is pale brown, and both the upper and lower surfaces are shining. The wing expanse varies from about an inch and one-eighth to an inch and three-eighths. The egg.—Vhe egg is silvery white in color, with no appearance of iridescence, and as it rests upon a green leaf, the color of the leaf showing through causes it to appear pale green. It is of the usual semiglobular Noctuid form, the surface strongly marked with radiat- ing vertical ribs, about forty-eight in number as counted from the sides from which they project rather feebly but distinctly, and forty as counted from above where some vanish. Cross strive are not dis- tinct, but the spaces between the ribs are filled with rounded concave areas. The lower surface of attachment is nearly smooth and not ribbed. The diameter is about 0.6"" and the height 0.4™™. 61 The larva derives its name of looper from its habit of ‘t looping” in walking, due to the absence of legs on the sixth and seventh seg- ments. It is from the first a pale-green, fragile-looking creature. It varies considerably in color when mature; a large proportion of specimens that have come under observation are darker green than normal, and these are usually rather more strongly marked with the white lines shown in figure 13 ate. Upon attaining full maturity the longitudinal white lines frequently disap- pear. In some individuals also there are rounded spi- racular spots on the three thoracic segments. An immature larva is shown in figure 14. The cocoon and pupa.— When the larva becomes full grown it constructs for pupation a remarkably fine, white, gauzy cocoon, which it usually attaches to the broad surface of a cabbage leat or other plant on which Fic. 13.—Plusia brassice: panies moth; b, egg shown it has fed. Strictly speak- from above in upper figure and from side in MEd ; AUS . ce, full-grown larva in natural position feeding; d, pupa Ing, this is seldom a perfect in cocoon just before development of moth—a, ¢, d, cocoon, although some such about one-third larger than natural size; b, more en- . ° larged (a, ce, d, adapted from Howard; b, original). can be found, as it uses the surface of the leaf for protection on one side and the gauze on the other. It seems probable that this is quite efficient against many of its enemies; and it is in the larval stage that the insect usuually suc- cumbs to the numerous natural enemies which will presently be men- tioned. The chrysalis varies somewhat in color, being rather pale for a Noctuid, the wing-pads moderate brown, and the abdominal seg- ments yellowish. The total length is a little less than three-fourths of an inch. It is shown in its cocoon at d (fig. 13). TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE STAGES OF THE LARVA. Stage I.—Head higher than wide, bilobed, mouth projecting, clypeus high, nearly reaching vertex. Antenne long; free from joint 2, somewhat flattened; luteous brown, the sutures of clypeus dark brown, area around mouth black, epistoma red- dish, antennze pale; width 0.25"™. Body slender, moniliform, smooth. Whitish, translucent, pale green from the blood. Abdominal feet on joints 9, 10, and 13. Cer- vical shield trapezoidal, black, small but distinct. Thoracic feet blackish, abdom- inal ones grayish outwardly, no distinct shields. Joint 12 enlarged. Tubercles 62 small but round and distinct, normal, no subprimaries. ia to iib on thorax sepa- rate, iv of abdomen below the corner of the spiracle, halfway to y on joint 11. Stage I/.—Head higher than wide, mouth broad projecting, squarish shallowly bilobed, flattened before. Green, the broad sutures of the high clypeus blackish; width 0.45"". Large ocelli black, in a close semicircle, jaws reddish. Body slender, moniliform, joint 12 enlarged dorsally. Feet on joints 9, 10, and 13. Translucent green, a narrow white subdorsal (below tubercle ii) and stigmatal lines. Tubercle iii on joints 5 to 7 and less so on 8, enlarged, black. Others also black but minute. Setze long, black, pointed; subprimaries present, normal. Feet all pale and concol- orous; no shields. Stage I1I.—Head high, flattened before, held obliquely, vertex against joint 2, cly- peus two-thirds to vertex, the paraclypeal pieces broader than before and concolorous with the head. Antennze moderate, blackish ringed. Green, ocelli black, whitish ringed, setze black; width 0.7™. Body humped up in the legless part; joint 12 slightly enlarged. Green, tubercles whitish with narrow black hair points, iii on joints 5 to 7 somewhat larger and black, largest on joint 6, not very conspicuous.~ Fine, irregular white lines, viz, geminate dorsal, small and subobsolete, addorsal (above ii), subdorsal (below ii), and stigmatal somewhat broader than the others yet narrow. Sete blackish, rather long. Tubercles of joint 12 somewhat enlarged. Feet absent on joints 7 and 8. Thoracic feet brownish at tips. Spiracles pale, con- colorous; tubercle iv below the stigmatal white line. Stage 1V.—Head as before, green, ocelli black centered; width 1.2™™. Body slen- der, joint 12 a little enlarged; feet on joints 9, 10, and 18. Cylindrical, incisures a little narrowed. Translucent green, the gsex glands in joint 9 large, pale yellow, Fic. 14.—Plusia brassicx: larva about half grown—somewhat enlarged. conspicuous. White addorsal line narrow, a broader subdorsal (above ii, over i), narrower lower subdorsal (below ii and near the subdorsal), narrow white stig- matal lines, all as before. Tubercles distinct, a little elevated, small, white, iii of joints 5 and 6 black. Feet concolorous, claspers and spiracles whitish; no shields. Setze blackish, rather long. Tubercle iv behind the spiracle on joint 5, below the lower corner on 6 to 8, opposite the corner on 9 and 10, halfway to y on 11, at the lower corner on 12. Tubercles i and ii on joint 12in a square. Lines irregularly edged and broken at the extremities. Stage V.—Head rounded squarish, slightly bilobed, flattened before, oblique, free from joint 2. Translucent shining green, antenne and palpi yellowish, ocelli black; width 1.8 to 2™. Body normal, moderate, joint 12 enlarged dorsally. Green, no shields marked with white lines. Addorsal narrow, crinkly; subdorsal (between i and ii) broader, upper lateral (below ii) and stigmatal narrow. Tubercles white, ili of joints 5 to 7 black, but small and inconspicuous. Spiracles white, narrowly black-rimmed. Feet green, the abdominal ones on joints 9, 10, and 13. Tubercle iv below the spiracle. Setze blackish but obscure. The larva occasionally comes darker colored. The ground color is darker green, more transparent, especially along the dorsal vessel and above the stigmatal line, making the lines more con- trasted and whiter. Tubercles iii are black the whole length, largest on joints 6 to 8, but plain on 5 to 12. Head brownish on the lobes. (Larva had only 5 stages. ) [H. G. Dyar.] 63 DISTRIBUTION. Although the cabbage looper remained undescribed until 1870, and there is no doubt that it is a native species, it has now become widely distributed throughout that part of the United States lying east of the Rocky Mountains, together with Utah, and from Maine to the Gulf. It is probably of somewhat remote southern origin, and is much more destructive in the southern portion of its range than in the most north- ern, if we except a few localities like New Jersey and Long Island, where it is periodically troublesome. We have no reports of destructive occurrence in Maine, and it is possible that the species is recorded only from fugitives there; and the same applies to some other northern localities which appesr in our divisional records. The moth appears to be a strong flyer, and has been recorded as far north as Winnipeg, Manitoba (Hanham), from captures; but it does not seem probable that injury has been committed there. RECENT INJURY. During the past three years much complaint has been made of the ravages of cabbage ‘* worms,” but, as a rule, the letters of complaint have not been accompanied by specimens, and we have thus not been able to identify the species. It seems probable, from the abundance of the cabbage looper, that this insect was often the cause of injury, although attack is frequently complicated by the presence of P%eris rapx, the common imported cabbage worm, and other species. During the year 1899 we received complaints of this looper from Athens and Montreal, Ga., and Rollover and China Spring, Tex. Mr. James I. Todd, of Athens, Ga., reported that in his locality this cater- pillar fed mainly on the older and lower leaves of cabbage, turnip, and rutabaga, but did nearly as much damage during 1899 as P/onea rimo- salis, which is treated in another paper in the present bulletin. At Evansville, Ind., where Mr. J. B. Walsh reported this species as injurious during the same year, it was currently reported that the gar- deners of that vicinity considered the species new as a cabbage pest. During the next two years we received complaints, accompanied by specimens, from Mr. J. L. Phillips, Blacksburg, Va., who stated that this looper was doing considerable damage to peas near Norfolk, hav- ing almost displaced the destructive green pea louse in point of injuri- ousness. Specimens were also received from Carterton, Va., and Cor- pus Christi, Tex., in both cases complaint being made of injury to cabbage. In the latter locality this insect was called the common cab- bage worm. In the vicinity of the District of Columbia the writer and Mr. Pratt at different times found this larva attacking pea, aspara- gus, common pigweed (Amaranthus retroflerus) growing between rows, lamb’s-quarters (Chenopodium album), mullein, plantain, and tomato. 64 ECONOMIC STATUS. It is nearly as difficult to define the exact status of an insect as regards destructiveness as it is to obtain reliable estimates of its injuries. What is true of one is about equally true of the other. We can obtain reliable information as to the relative injuriousness of an insect com- pared to others which affect a given crop in a given season over a small area, and we sometimes receive valuable estimates of injuries that have been inflicted over such small areas, but it is only with slight hesitation that the writer places the cabbage looper among the first three cabbage pests of this country, considering what has been written in regard to it. In view of its much wider distribution, its manner of attacking cabbage, and its destructive appearance so much earlier in the season, there can be no doubt that the imported cabbage worm (/%er/s rape) is our worst enemy to cruciferous crops; and next in order comes the harlequin cxbbage bug (Jlurgantia histrionica), after which comes the cabbage looper as the third in rank. Writing of this insect in 1870, Riley stated that, next after the cabbage worm mentioned, this was the most common insect which attacked cabbage in Missouri—a remarkable fact, considering that the species had not hitherto been described (2d Mo. Rept., p. 110). The same author, writing again in 1883 (Rept. Commr. Agric. for 1883, p. 119), said that the larva of this species was the most destructive enemy to cabbage and other cruciferous plants known to the Southern gar- dener, and shared that distinction with the imported cabbage butter- fly as far north as Illinois and New Jersey. Since the time of the publication of that statement, however, the harlequin cabbage bug has become much more widely distributed and injurious, and has alone destroyed many fields of cabbage, as the writer can testify from per- sonal observation. * As previously intimated, owing to the fact that the cabbage looper comes late in the season, its injuries are not so noticeable, as ordina- rily it confines itself to the outer leaves of cabbage. It has a much wider range of natural food plants than the other two species men- tioned, and there is no doubt that some injuries done by it are attrib- uted to the common cabbage worm, as the latter is better known. Professor Sanderson has recorded an instance of unusual abundance in Maryland during 1898 (Practical Farmer, December 31, 1898). He states that most of the large cabbage growers of Maryland had lost between 75 and #0 per cent of their crops, and rarely could first-class heads be found in a kitchen garden. When from twenty-five to forty loopers were greedily devouring a single plant, as he frequently found “At the present writing, however, this species is held in check in many localities in its northern range by weather that has been inimical to its multiplication, and it may be a matter of some years before it regains the lost footing. 65 them, this is not surprising. The writer noticed much the same condition of affairs in portions of Maryland, Virginia, and the Dis- trict of Columbia which he visited that same year, entire fields being practically failures, the growers not taking the pains to gather any of the plants on account of the ravages of this pest. In most cases, how- ever, the writer had noticed other insects at work earlier in the year, and the loopers took what was left. The following year, as the writer has already recorded, the species was very rare, on account of the extreme cold and the sudden changes of the winter of 1898-99. LITERATURE OF THE SPECIES. Comparatively little has been published in regard to the cabbage looper when we take into consideration its excessive injuriousness. In addition to the accounts that have been quoted, Lintner published an article on this species in his Second Report on the Insects of New York (1885, pp. 89-93), in which, however, little is added to our knowledge of it, but the report in question gives a very full bibli- ography to date; and in Bulletin No. 23 of the Geneva Station, pub- lished in 1894, an account, by F. A. Sirrine, is given, on pages 667-671, with photographic illustrations. In 1893 Mr. G. C. Davis (Bul. 102, Mich. Agr. Expt. Sta., p. 27) made the statement that this insect was taken on celery in Michigan, the moth appearing July 14. In the American Florist for March 3, 1900 (Vol. XV, pp. 912, 913), Mr. Sirrine gave a short account of this looper in connection with injury to carnations, stating that it and the variegated cutworm were the worst of the transient enemies of this plant. Like the cutworm, he writes, it feeds usually at night on the buds. It can be carried in the house on plants, but more commonly the female moth finds her way indoors through open ventilators. FOOD PLANTS. This species feeds normally on Crucifere, favoring cultivated forms, and, when such are to be had in abundance, it is not often that the loopers feed to any extent on other plants in the same neighborhood. It appears to greatly prefer cabbage and cauliflower, but during its seasons of abundance attacks also turnip, rutabaga, radish, both culti- vated and wild, kale, mustard, and the like. Peas are frequently the object of attack, while cowpeas and beets are also eaten. Sometimes the insect is quite destructive to celery and lettuce, and will feed also upon tomato and, less frequently, on asparagus beds, clover, and possibly tobacco. It is sometimes a pest in greenhouses, when it does damage to carnations, mignonette, and German ivy (Senecio scandens). Other food plants include dock, dandelion, lamb’s-quarters, Japan quince (Cydonia japonica), plantain, mullein, and pigweed, 23987—No. 33—02 a) 66 LIFE HISTORY. The pupal period varies greatly, according to the season. Thus, in hot weather in July a number of loopers were observed by the writer to transform to pup July 5 and to issue as moths on the 11th, or in six days, the temperature indoors averaging about 85°. Another lot of pupex taken from celery in the field October 7 did not develop moths until the 29th, or in twenty-two days. The weather was cool, but the temperature was not noted, so it is plain that we have a pupal period, varying according to temperature, of from one to three weeks. No definite records can be found of the duration of the egg or larval periods, but assuming three generations for the Upper Austral zone, where this species seems to attract more attention than in the South, we van safely assume from analogy with the observed pupal periods and other knowledge of related species that the egg period will vary from four to ten or more days, according to temperature; that the larva may undergo all its changes (five stages in number) in from two to four weeks, the minimum of two weeks being estimated from the fact that the larvee grow so rapidly, and the maximum, four weeks, from our knowledge that the insect breeds later in the season than nearly any other injurious species of its kind. In reviewing the life history of this species, Dr. Lintner (I. ce.) stated that there were only two generations produced during the year, and this is perhaps true of its extreme northern limit. Mr. Sirrine, however, states that it is apparently three-brooded on Long Island, and that hibernation probably occurs both as adult and pupa. If the last generalization is correct it would seem probable that four generations may possibly be produced in the District of Columbia, but the writer is inclined to believe that there are only three, and that hibernation takes place chiefly in the pupal stage. A fourth genera- tion is evidently attempted, but fails to survive the winter. The time when the moth makes its first appearance in the District of Columbia or elsewhere appears not to be recorded. Few individuals survive the winter northward, but the propagation of the species is so rapid that by the time autumn is reached great numbers of larve are produced which do much damage to crops in cultivation at this time. NATURAL ENEMIES. PARASITES. This cabbage looper is unusually susceptible to bacterial and fun- gus cliseases; it is also preyed upon by birds and other insectivorous animals and by parasitic and predaceous insects. Its most efficient insect destroyer in the field in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia is a minute chalcis fly (Copidosoma truncatellum Dalm.), an imported European parasite, which has evidently selected this 67 looper as its favorite host in this country. In Europe this chalcis fly is also particularly attached to the genus Plusia, although known to parasitize larvee of several other genera of Noctuids as well as other families. The habits of this parasite were described by Dr. Howard in the American Naturalist for February, 1882 (pp. 150, 151). An interesting instance of its value as a destroyer of the looper is cited in the annual report of this Department for L882 (1883, p. 121). In the fall of 1880 nearly fifty larvee were collected, with the intention of rearing the moths, but all, with a single exception, were eventually destroyed by this parasite, only 2 per cent of the larvee having reached the imago state. As parasitized loopers approach full growth they lose their characteristic pale longitudinal stripes and become uniform pale green or yellow in color. Asa rule, in the writer’s experience, the larvee spin up before succumbing, and in a few days parasitism by this chalcis fly is clearly evident, since the pupz do not develop and the larvee assume a peculiar twisted form. Almost without exception the bodies of the parasitized larvee are completely filled with these almost micro- scopic parasites. By actual count 2,528 chalcis flies issued from a single parasitized larva. In recent experience the parasitic flies have been reared only from their host during the last week of September and in October. Apanteles congregatus Say, « well-known parasite of the imported cabbage worm (/’%er7s vapx) and other noxious species has been reared from this looper. It has been noticed on several occasions that when the larva of the looper forms its characteristic gauzy white cocoon on other plants than those on which larvee have fed, the individual is usually diseased or par- asitized. Thus, on one occasion the writer took five chrysalides from eggplant, although no evidence whatever could be found that the larve had fed on this plant. Larvee were found on eggplant, but not feed- ing, and all of these, although kept in the best of condition, died of disease or were parasitized by the Copidosoma truncatella. It may be interesting to note ofthis parasite that the adults issued in late Sep- tember, sixteen days after their detection in the body of the host. At Brookland, D. C., on one occasion all of the pup that could be col- lected were parasitized, an evident case of complete parasitism. PREDACEOUS ENEMIES. A medium-sized white-spotted black spider, Phédippus audax Hentz., was observed by the writer July 13, destroying the moth of this insect. This spider appears to be specially adapted to prey upon Plusia, since the web spun by it looks almost precisely like that of the looper. Other species of spiders crawl into the empty cocoons of the moth, and it seems probable that they feed on the larvie also when these are just about to transform. 68 Several species of Carabide and other predaceous Coleoptera have been recorded to occur in badly infested cabbage fields, with the pre- sumption that they had been feeding on the looper. (Rept. Dept. Agr. 1883, p. 120).* Mr. J. B. Dunn, Corpus Christi, Tex., wrote that he knew of only one insect that fed on this worm, a large black beetle locally known as ‘pinch bug.” This insect was not sufficiently abundant, however, to keep the looper in subjection. Specimens kindly sent to this office proved to be the larva of a species of Calosoma, probably calidum, and the beetle Pastmachus californicus. He also wrote October 14 that a bird locally known as jackdaw, and which Dr. C. H. Merriam identifies as either the great-tailed or boat-tailed grackle (Quésculus mucrurus or Y. major), was particularly fond of these cabbage loopers. These birds would alight in the fields and feed on the larvee daily until” they would **clean them up and save the crop.” During recent years, however, hunters and others had slaughtered these birds to such an extent that they now shunned civilization. Our correspondent thought this bird deserved protection. DISEASES. Bacterial disease.—During July some recently collected larve were found to be suffering froma disease. A larva thus affected first grows pale and yellow, and ina very few hours becomes weak and flaccid, upon death assuming an ashy gray color, which later may turn to brown or blackish. Diseased larvee usually become fastened by the prolegs to the plant upon which they have fed, and hang head downward, in time often becoming a putrid mass much like that observed of the common cabbage worm when diseased. In the jar in which these larvee were fed a cabbage leaf had been placed which was not quite fresh, and, evidently as a result of feeding upon that, the remaining larve contracted the distemper. and all were dead two days after the first appearance of infection. Diseased larve were referred to Mr. B. T. Galloway, Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, who wrote that, to the best of his knowledge, the organism concerned in the infection had never been described or named, but was apparently a species of bacillus. What is perhaps the first mention of a disease of this insect, and probably the same as under present observation, was by Prof. Herbert Osborn (Bul. No. 30, n. s., 1892). He states briefly that larve were attacked by a disease that swept off many of them. In Mr. F. A. Sirrine’s account, previously cited (I. ¢., p. 670), mention is also made of the disease and its occurrence in 1894 on Long Island. Mr. Sirrine “The following is the list: Cratacanthus dubius, Harpalus caliginosus, H. faunus, H. pennsylvanicus, and the laryze of Collops quadrimaculatus, Hippodamia conrergens, and LH. parenthesis. rie) ee 69 states, however, that it was not noticed until the cold, wet weather of October and November set in. It should be added that the writer observed the same disease upon Plusia in the field during the last week of July, and that pup also suffered from it. This disease is readily communicable from one larva to others, and it frequently happens that if a diseased one is placed in an ordinary tin collecting box over night all of the others that may be confined with it develop the disease in a day or two. Fungus disease.—One of the fungus diseases from which Plusia larvee die is Botrytis riley? Farlow. The affected worms, according to Riley, become sluggish and then die, after death appearing stiff and brittle and firmly attached to the leaves or stems upon which they have died. They are profusely covered with a greenish mold. REMEDIES. The same remedies as advised for the cross-striped cabbage worm should be used against the present species. It should be observed, however, for the benefit of our correspondents, that they must be used with great persistency at frequent intervals in order to insure perfect success, and should be applied to the lower surface of the outer leaves. The’killing off of the first generations of the insect should be particularly observed, but this will be of little or no avail if other ‘abbage growers within several miles of the same locality do not take the same precautions. One of our correspondents, Mr. Dunn, pre- viously referred to, tried Paris green and lime, and succeeded in kill- ing all of the common cabbage loopers. Notwithstanding this, however, the writer noticed during September, in the vicinity of the District of Columbia, an entire field of cabbage which had been liberally dusted with Paris green and plaster mixed at the usual rate of 1 pound of poison to 20 pounds of plaster, with no perceptible effect upon these insects. The first application had been made about two weeks previous, another had been made within five days, and yet the larve were feeding quite contentedly on the lower surfaces of the leaves in their usual manner and no dead were to be found under the plants or elsewhere. This simply indicates that the poison, as previously stated, should be applied to the lower surface, and preferably in the form of aspray. Mr. Pratt, who observed this species at Chesterbrook, Va., noted the same results. After a rainfall egos hatch, and the larve are able to do injury without being atlected by the poison. A NEW CABBAGE LOOPER, (Plusia precationis Gn.) The larve of this species in different stages of growth were observed during 1899 and 1900 attacking cabbage and some other plants in two gardens in the District of Columbia. The same insect was observed 70 the previous year in less numbers in the same gardens. Cabbage does not appear to be recorded as a food plant of this insect, and in fact its habits are little known. RECENT ATTACK. June 1-3, 1899, this species first came under the writer’s notice, when a few larve nearly grown and several less mature were observed on cabbage. June 5 an immature individual was brought to the writer by Mr. T. A. Keleher, of this office, who found it feeding on cultivated morning glory, and June 19 a larva was taken by the writer feeding on common pigweed (Ambrosia artemisixfolia). The indi- viduals found were so few in number that it was impossible to trace the species through its life history. The following June, however, larve were present in greater abundance, all on cabbage. DESCRIPTIVE. The moth of this species is a little larger and more graceful than that of the cabbage looper. The general color of the fore-wings is a beautiful bright shining brown, variegated with bronze, purple, and pale-fawn color. The fore-wings are not so strongly scalloped as in the species mentioned, but the hind-wings are similarly colored, and Fic. 15.—Plusia precationis: a, female moth; b, larva extended, feeding; ¢c, pupa in cocoon—all some- what enlarged (original). the veins are equally noticeable. In the common looper the white spots on the fore-wings are chalky-white, while in this species, although they are of very similar form, they are decidedly silvery, and the two portions are usually well separated (see fig. 15, a.) The thorax is also brown, and the abdomen fawn-colored, while the Jower surface is similarly but a little more strongly marked than that of the common looper. The wing expanse of specimens at hand shows a variation from an inch and an eighth to nearly an inch and a half. The penultimate stage.—In next to the last stage this larva lacks _ the characteristic markings of the mature form. It is very much more slender, and looks, in fact, more like a Geometrid than a Plusia. | ; _ i It is of nearly the same green color, but the sides of the head and the legs are not marked with black. There are two white undulating stripes on each side of the middle of the dorsum and a broad yellowish white stripe above the stigmata. In most individuals one or more of the abdominal segments bear on each side a black suprastigmatal tubercle. The last stage.—In the last stage the larva may be readily distin- guished from the common cabbage Plusia by the long eye-like ellip- tical spots on each side of the head. The hind pair of thoracic legs are nearly black, the middle pair a little lighter, and the front pair still paler. The dorsum is mottled with white, the lines being irreg- ular, and the dorsal tubercles, of a green color, being quite prominent. The lateral stripe of the abdomen is broad, white, and well defined. In some individuals on the first two or three abdominal segments the suprastigmatal tubercles are black, but imagos hatched from larv: thus colored look no different from those hatched from unmarked larve. There is also considerable difference in the arrangement of the white marks on the back, the same being true of the common cabbage Plusia. In some individuals these white marks show as four strong undulating stripes, while in others half a dozen or more very irregular striped markings are seen. In one individual the black lateral spot on the head was much less strongly detined than in the others. When fully matured the larva measures in its natural slightly curved position about one inch in length. In figure 15, 6, a larva is shown extended in a position which it often assumes. The pupa (c) does not appear to have been described. It is not likely that it differs in any important particular from that of P. brassice. The eggs have not been compared with those of P. brassice, but it is more than probable that they are nearly identical, and, in fact, the species differs very little in structure and life history from that of the common cabbage looper. DISTRIBUTION. Smith states that this species occurs in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains from May to October, also in Canada. Exact records of localities are rather meager. They include Canada; Cambridge, Mass.; Sharon, Pa.; Dayton, Ohio (Pilate); Woodstock, Ill.; Wiscon- sin; and the District of Columbia. Hanham states that this species is rare at Winnipeg, Manitoba. It does not seem probable that the insect breeds there, but is merely a stray from a more southern and congenial locality. HISTORY OF THE SPECIES. The biological literature of this looper is quite limited, which is to be explained by its seldom having been found attacking useful plants. In the year 1869 Dr. A. S. Packard made mention of this species in 12 his first edition of the Guide to the Study of Insects. He states on the authority of Mr. Saunders that the larva, of which he gives a brief description, feeds on the hollyhock in August. He also makes men- tion of Plusia larve figured by Glover in his work on insects injurious to the cotton plant, but as this work was never published, in the true sense of the word, it need not be further mentioned here. In the late Dr. Riley’s second Missouri Report (p. 112), published in L870, this species is briefly treated in connection with a discussion of Plusia brassice. He states that it occurs commonly on thistles and proposes the name of thistle Plusia. The larva is said to differ from the cabbage Plusia only in haying the sides of the head, the thoracic legs, a row of spots above the lateral light line, and a ring around the breathing pores, black. In the Canadian Entomologist (Vol. XIII, pp. 21-23) for February, 1881, Mr. D. W. Coquillett, now of this office, published an article entitled, ‘*On the early stages of usta precationis Guenee.” Sub- sequently, in the same publication (Vol. XIV, p. 60), Mr. Coquillett calls attention to the wrong identification of the species, the insect which he had under observation being P. s/mplex and not precationis. The species is again referred to in connection with a consideration of Plusia simplex by My. Coquillett in the Eleventh Report of the State Entomologist of Illinois in 1882 (pp. 88-42). From studies made at that time of the larvee of these three species of Plusia, deductions were made that //usta simplex ditters from brassice only by the black rings around its breathing pores, and that both of these larve differ fom precationis by lacking the black stripes on each side of the head. Unfortunately, as the writer has previously observed, some examples of brassicxe also have these black rings about the breathing pores. No extended observations have been made on the life history of this species, but it is probable that it will be found to agree perfectly with P. brassice when it occurs in the same localities. Such individuals as were under observation by the writer transformed to pup in seven, eight, and eleven days, pupation beginning in three instances in early June, and in two in late June, the eleven-day period being passed in unseasonably cool weather. It should be added that there is in the National Museum a moth reared October 4, 1882, on Gerardia pedicularia (presumably in the District of Columbia), and of a Proctotrypid, bred from the cocoon of this species March 29 of the same year. The name of eyed-cabbage looper is proposed for this insect. REMEDIES. This species would yield to the same remedies as advised for the common cabbage looper, namely, Paris green, best applied in the form of a spray, but it is usually not abundant, and hand-picking would suffice on small patches of cabbage or other plants affected. / 73 THE CELERY LOOPER. (Plusia simplex Guen. ) In some portions of our country, as, for example, in Illino s, this species to a certain extent takes the place of the cabbage looper (Plusia brassice Riley). It is stated to be the commonest species of its genus in Illinois, and is rather generally distributed in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to New Mexiec. In most places, however, where it has come under observation it is con- siderably rarer. It is described by Messrs. Forbes & Hart as a very destructive celery insect, and has been bred by them from sugar beet, and by Mr. Coquillett from lettuce as well as celery. To the latter we are indebted for our principal account of the species. DESCRIPTIVE. The moth (tig. 16) is decidedly dissimilar to that of the cabbage looper, having a greater wing expanse, nearly two inches, entirely different coloration, and differently shaped upper wings. These differ- ences are brought out quite distinctly in the accompanying illustra- tion. The lower edges of the fore-wings have a well-defined conical projection. ‘The border is not scalloped, the color is somewhat purplish brown, the darker shades being velvety brown. The silver marks are very distinct, and form the pattern illustrated. The hind-wings are ochreous or yellowish brown, strongly banded with dark fuscous, particularly toward the white border. The ground color of the thorax, fore-wings, and abdomen is duller than that of the hind-wings. The lower surface is pale ochreous, with a rather distinct darker band running through both wings near the middle. The egg 1s described by Coquillett as milky white, flattened, globular, or turnip-shaped, sometimes with an impressed spot in the center of the upper surface. The upper half of the egg is grooved vertically; the grooves are narrow and the spaces between them roughened. The transverse diameter is about ,4) inch. The larva (fig. 16) is similar to the cabbage looper, and in the examples seen rather more robust posteriorly. The color is very pale yellowish green, and the markings are very similar to those of the cabbage looper, but all of the larvee examined have the supra-spiracular spots black, which only occasionally happens with the cabbage species. The length is about the same, 1} inches when fully extended. Fic. 16.—Plusia simplex: male moth at left, larva at right—some- what enlarged (original). 74 The pupa has never been described by comparison with related species. It is in most respects like that of the cabbage looper. A more detailed description of the moth has been given by Thomas in his fourth report as entomologist of the State of Illinois (9th Report, St. Ent., Ill., pp. 47, 48), which is quoted in Mr. Coquillett’s account, which was published in the Eleventh Report of the State Entomologist of Illinois, 1882 (pp. 38-43). DISTRIBUTION. The celery looper appears to be a Transition species, but it is fre- quently taken also in the Upper Austral region, where it breeds in certain localities, particularly westward. Possibly its being more abun- dant in cold climates will account for the scarcity of reports of injury. Smith reports its occurrence in Hudson Bay territory, Canada; in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains—Colorado at 12,000 feet, and New Mexico; also that it appears throughout the season. Our National Museum collection, with some other sources of information, shows the following list of localities in addition to those that have been mentioned above: Maine; Massachusetts; Rochester, Rhinebeck, and Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Wash- ington, D. C.; Westpoint, Nebr.; Caney, Kansas; Merino Valley, New Mexico; Longs Peak, Colo.; Wisconsin; St. Louis, Mo.; Portland and Albina, Oreg. Several of these localities are furnished on authority of Dr. H. G. Dyar. In New York, in the region specified, he captured specimens on different occasions during the last week of July; in Oregon, during the second week of May. DIVISIONAL RECORD. There is a single divisional record in regard to the biology of this species. April 10,1893, we received from Mrs. J. 5. Maurice, Caney, Kans., a moth stated to have been observed on blossoms of apple. This had deposited eggs en route, and some larvee began feeding as soon as received. By May 2 they had nearly completed their growth, and the following day the first larva spun up. As it takes from one to three days for larve to transform, and the first moths did not issue till May 20, the pupal stage in this instance may be placed at fifteen or sixteen days. The larval stage during the same period was approxi- mately three weeks. Larve fed on weeds with which they were sup- plied, but as there is no evidence that these wefe natural foods their names need not be mentioned. We have no information as to any natural enemy of this species. REMEDIES. The same remedies advised for the cabbage looper would, of course, be applicable to this species when it occurs in injurious numbers. — It is necessary, however, that whatever remedy is employed be used also on wild food plants, including weeds, which this insect affects. / ee Seer ae 75 NOTES ON DIPTEROUS LEAF-MINERS ON CABBAGE. The leaves of cabbage, radish, and other cruciferous plants are liable to injury from the attack of maggots of the families Drosophil- ide and Oscinide. Three species have been identified with such attacks in this country, and a fourth can now be added. It seems probable if the leaves of cruciferous crops in various portions of the country were carefully examined, we might find that several more species have this habit. They are not of themselves particularly destructive, but they contribute their share toward the injury of these plants, different species of cabbage worms being the principal enemies, except in regions where such other pests as the harlequin cabbage bug and the cabbage plant-louse are most numerous. The Imported Turnip Leaf-miner (Scuptomyza flaveola Meig.).—This appears to be the most abundant species, and has received attention by Mr. D. W. Coquillett in an article in Insect Life (Vol. VII, 1895, Fic. 17.—Scaptomyza flaveola: a, larva; b, puparium; c, adult; d, antenna of fly; e, work in radish leat— natural size; all others enlarged (reengraved after Coquillett). pp. 851-383). Since that publication was issued the writer reared the same species from the leaves of cabbage in the District of Colum- bia, the adult issuing June 7, 1900. October 4 of the following year the same species was obtained from cabbage at Tennallytown, D. C. It was noticed that the mature flies were quite sluggish in the cool temperature which prevailed at that time. Being interested in this group of insects, the writer obtained from Prof. H. Garman, of the State agricultural experiment station at Lexington, Ky., a specimen of the species which he described and figured on pages 46-51 of Bulletin No. 40 of that station as Drosophila sp. This was pro- nounced by Mr. Coquillett to be the same as that figured in Insect Life, and mentioned under the name of Drosophila flaveola. It is illustrated herewith (fig. 17). Mr. Coquillett has since adopted the generic name of Scaptomyza. ips A ’ i Jy Wr oa DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY—BULLETIN NO. 34, NEW SERIES, L. O. HOWARD, Entomologist. PRINCIPAL INSECTS LIABLE TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON NURSERY STOCK. PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST, BY NATHAN BANKS, Assistant Entomologist. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 1902. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DEPARTMENT oF AGRICULTURE, Division oF ENTOMOLOGY, Washington, D. C., April 29, 1902. Str: I have the honor to transmit for publication a manuscript pre- pared by Mr. Nathan Banks, of this office, in which are considered the principal insects lable to be distributed upon nursery stock. ‘The inspection of nursery stock under State laws has become so general throughout the United States that the desirability of some publication of this sort has become very evident. I had the matter in mind last autumn, and at a conference of the official horticultural inspectors for the United States, held at Washington October 11-13, 1901, a resolu- tion was unanimously passed requesting this Department to prepare and publish an article on those nursery pests of the country which are capable of transmission on nursery stock to the injury of the pur- chasers. Since it is desirable that this manuscript shall be put in available shape for distribution to all horticultural inspectors and to all nurserymen and others immediately interested, I recommend that it be issued as Bulletin No. 34, new series, of this Division. Respectfully, : L. O. Howarp, Entomologist. Hon. JAMES WILSON, Secretary of Agriculture. et ee lee Ge a te MR EP LSAT See whee S 7 as 'y % ie ; - 4 En. : ok GOMER ca) ey ERNE RSI: Howe a TS h > } At Peon er) Se sr ae A - b= ae Pim) 1456 Ne \ ones or sas fae Ot h x inn over a Fh rare Pieri y Bias id fev nhitidvemterer of Seta ee eae wdi rar r ys eee thd eee Bohan bie reat 2p Heap lore ae Bes Meaty C7 Poe ibaa id gi te ia PF hit ata eauite ea Series ; Bene sats ldiny AGT caesar “HALE Diesed were tes Nee ee 7. ey hte Taro, elt hai ae ie va shy He eel Pout th) Pe 4 & TOMES oh Fae up ath an pUen 2 ness hand 210) Wi adi ag jee tigi lncane eee ay Sige cite: Tier eat ) ‘ a s A Mae Maino mMeawOnler: jos eee he ee CONTENTS. Tabular statement of insects upon the tree in winter................2.-- Tabular statement of insects feeding SCL Re on the buds and young leaves in early Menptera (Mugs) scaleimsects, plant-lice) ...2-..2-5.2-26022.2222--besececee Family Coceidze (scale insects). _.- Table of scale insects -.......-- The peach lecanium ........-.-- The oyster-shell bark-louse- - - - The scurvy bark-louse .......-. Aspidiotus (circular or round scz VES) SA ee 2 we ia es LDS LE Du GAVSTGIG IG O05 (So A ae ne ee See LUNE DEL cE ae SS ee ee Eee ee ee eee The European fruit scale. - - Pwtnan sscale 2... 2.2... The greedy scale -...------ ithererape scale: .. 5.25... .+ the peach seale...-.-...+- dnemosexscalez ese. 5 <= 5 = Family Aphidie (plant-lice)-.....-- Mableroleplamt-lWees=2 5. 2:2. =. The woolly apple aphis- ..--..-. The black peach aphis. ---.----- AO ENA ICOS a ae The plum plant-louse......-.-.- ithe chery aphiss:.-2+..2---.-.- Baniiiy Pawilidees <2. 22.22. == + - ihe pear-tree psylia _......-.-. Pamily Membracide...-..-...--.--- The buffalo tree-hopper. ------ - Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) -- - - The apple-tree tent caterpillar. - The fall webworm...-..-.-.--- The brown-tail moth -.....---- Mhejeat-crumiplen: 2 .5-------- The white-marked tussock moth ihe cipsy-moth -—.-:-Se------- WanmkerwOnms 52 as-.2- 2-52 -=.-- The peach-tree borer ---...---- The peach twig-borer....-.---- miesbae worm --. 222 5.2-25- Other caterpillars... 22-2. -: =. Page. Coleoptera: (beetles, “weevils) <2. i222 22.0.2. oe ne 38 The round-headed apple tree-borer ...0. 2: <<< .cs2 52 eos oe eee ee 39 The flat-headed apple tree-borers2. 2... ee eS ee 40 ‘The sinuatepear-boret: <2: = 52 382 oe ee ee 40 The fruit-tree bark-beétle_3.. 01-2 55-422 es eee eee 42 The apple twig-borer®. .-.... .-.-------------se--2--+-----222 295 4() Sowenemilus sinuatus, stages. ....<.---.--0-)-224---2s5--- 5252 2--2- Fain 40) Seploriucsinuatus, work Of .22.-...------+-5=+<+-5-->-38+-t-s-2-5* == 41 Mee mcOlyis TUZUIOSUS -.....---.------2--2---+ 220 - 2s eee neste 42 4; vAmphiceras bicaudatus. .......---..----+------------s-e220-95---- 42 aoe bagoleticpomonella..2....----.-2-22-------+--256-5222- 22-550 44 AS. Mhaeoletis cingulata...-...--..-----.----+---+--2-022920-- tee 67 e+ 45 THE PRINCIPAL INSECTS LIABLE TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON NURSERY STOCK. INTRODUCTION. In preparing this descriptive catalogue of the insects liable to be transported upon nursery stock, it has appeared that there is a great disparity of views as to what insects should be included. To include only such as are known to be very destructive would exclude a great many species that will be found by anyone who examines a tree in the fall or early spring. ‘To include all the species that are known to be found in any stage upon fruit trees in winter would make the list too bulky. Therefore, all species known to be of more than local interest have been treated. Notes on the species infesting fruits are added at the end. The insects have been arranged according to their natural orders, and in the Hemiptera (bugs, scale insects, plant-lice) according to the families. In the Coleoptera (beetles, weevils) and Lepidoptera (but- terflies and moths), such an arrangement did not seem desirable. No account of the remedies to be recommended or used is given, as these differ greatly, according to locality and conditions, and the various State laws specify certain treatments. It will be a great help to those interested in the growth and sale of young fruit trees to be able to recognize the appearance of the various insect pests during the winter; therefore, much attention has been paid to this phase of the subject. In using this bulletin one should remember that, besides the insects here treated, there may be upon a tree other insects of Jess importance. TABULAR STATEMENT OF INSECTS UPON THE TREE IN WINTER. Insects upon the roots: Hormune swellinos omappleiroots. .-.2-.-2--- 02-22... -s245---- Woolly aphis. Srpeschand plum TO0ts =... +. 2 2+--.-+-.-----+--2--5--- Black peach aphis. Insects upon the bark of trunk or branches: Peni GENIE) seo eties = 8) oo oes seb ds oe ees ee Woolly aphis. Small brown clear-winged insect in the crevices of bark... .-------- Pear psylla. SRAIERMISeC TOTS ALeaNCee se. ees koe poet cae eee Se ests See Coccide. Caterpillars in cases or cocoons. .-...----------- Fall webworm, bud moth, apple Bucculatrix, codling moth, pistol-case and cigar-case bearers. In nests or bunches of shriveled leaves attached to branches. - -- - Leal-crumpler, and brown-tail moth. - : 10 Insects upon the bark of trunk or branches—Continued. Ina case or bag hanging from twigs |: /-- 92-222 +2 ec see ee eee ee Bagworm. Clusters of eggs on bark -.------- Cankerworms, tussock moth, and gipsy moth. A belt of egesairound twigs 25-22 22s5- Sse ee Apple-tree tent caterpillar. Single small blackish eggs often in groups on twigs or branches. - -- - - Plant-lice. Smaller reddishteces: +20: 22 ote ose can es eee aoe ee Clover mite. Insects beneath the bark: Tiny holes usually near a crotch, each covered by a bit of frass ...-...-.- Peach twig-borer. Small brown beetle within the twig. ............------------/ A pple twig-borer. Small holes in bark of trunk or larger branches... ~~~ --- Fruit-tree bark-beetle. A gummy exudation of sap at base of tree ....-:..--.2.-.-2-- Peach tree-borer. Discolored spots or cracks and evidences of frass......------ Round-headed and flat-headed apple tree-borers, and sinuate pear borer. TABULAR STATEMENT OF INSECTS FEEDING ON THE BUDS AND YOUNG LEAVES IN EARLY SPRING. Feeding on the buds or young shoots. .-. Bud worm, peach twig-borer, leaf-crampler, brown-tail moth, pistol-case and cigar-case hearers. Feeding upon the leaves: Plantlicer tee st ee Apple plant-lice, plum plant-louse, and cherry aphis. Gaterpillarstintents =. ---25-< eee eee Apple-tree tent caterpillar. Mainyscatenpillarse = 22-.o2-5° =22e Tussock moth, brown-tail moth, gipsy moth. Bane caterpillars: 9 2-5 5205 ae hs Sars te af teeny oe eee Canker worms. A-blister-onigall upon: leavegis 2.7ica/ ise ee Hae ee; Bee Pear-leaf blister-mite. Small caterpillars within little cases. -.--..-- Pistol-case bearer, cigar-case bearer, leaf-crumpler, and bagworm. b) oD HEMIPTERA (BUGS, SCALE INSECTS, AND PLANT-LICE). The members of this order obtain their food (which is liquid) by sucking it up aslender tube into the mouth cavity. This tube or beak is composed of several needle-like pieces so shaped and arranged that they inclose a minute channel up which the liquid food is drawn. The beak is inserted in the plant often to some distance beneath the surface. The members of this order do not pass through a pupal or chrysalis stage like the butterflies and moths, but there is an approach to it in the males of the scale insects. The insects of this order to be treated are arranged in four families, which may be separated, for our purposes, as follows: The insect from above apparently without legs, antennze, or wings, and fixed to the host plant; the adult male (not often seen) usually has two wings. -.-.-.- Coccide. (scale insects) . The insect shows distinct legs and antennee, and often four wings. Most of the specimens wingless, and provided with two small tubes or cornicles (see fig. 16) near tip of body; not hopping when disturbed --.--..-.: A phididee {plant-lice). Adult always winged, without the cornicles; hopping when disturbed. The prothorax not enlarged, with hyaline wings. .....----------- Psyllidee. The prothorax greatly enlarged; wings obscured.......--.---- Membracidie. ile FAMILY COCCIDZ (SCALE INSECTS). The scale insects, or bark-lice, are readily known from most insects in that the stages commonly seen are immovably fixed to the bark or leaf, and show no outward sign of legs or other structures. For a short time after birth they are active, crawling creatures, and distribute themselves over the surface of the plant. Having selected a location, they push their long and thread-like beaks deep into the tree and pro- ceed to suck up the sap. As they grow the protected or covered bark- lice secrete a waxy substance that hardens and forms the scale. When the insect molts the old skin or exuvium remains attached to the scale. The shape, color, and position of this exuvium is of great value in identifying the species. Their small size and similarity of appearance makes their determina- tion difficult, and it is rarely safe to determine the species by a few individuals, but on a moderately infested branch one is apt to find some specimens that are quite characteristic of the species. The unprotected bark-lice, such as the Lecaniums, secrete no cover- ing scale. TABLE OF SCALE INSECTS. 1. Soft scales, without a shield-like covering, very convex, on peach or plum. Lecanium nigrofasciatum. 2. Armored scales, with a shield-like covering and showing an exuvial spot, much ESSEC OMe xet Mase CANIM, 2p Ne ceoe ays, ons =the ok oe ee eee 2 oe ee 3 3. The exuvium shows as a circular spot situated near the center or at least remote from the edge of the scale; the adult female scale more or less circular, rarely MAUD NSS BING COL Ie meeetrchee naib ay cprpeye es nye ha Se Ie Dek oe aS Ispidiotus. 4. The exuvium showing as a more or less ribbed, elliptical spot at the end or close to one edge of the scale; scales usually whitish in color; if not, then of an oyster- 5. Seale brownish; the female of an oyster-shell shape, male ovate. Mytilaspis pomorum. 6. The scale whitish, female not oyster-shell shaped, male scale elongate. -------- 7. 7. The female scale plainly ovate, much longer than broad; the male scale having three longitudinal keels (see fig. 4, d).------------------- Chionaspis furfurus. 8. The female scale is irregularly circular, but little longer than broad; the male RealeanwiinmomemmedianukeGelv ssi. these os. LE Ck ee Seales re hl eos 9. 9. Exuvium orange or bright yellowish; on fruit trees; male with keel rather indis- (UE SE PS ra ah eS et Diaspis pentagona. 10. Exuvium pale or dull yellowish; on raspberry and blackberry; male with distinet k@all ne ne BES cee ES Re ee eee ee ere Aree ey lulacaspis rosie. THE PEACH LECANIUM. (Lecanium nigrofasciatum Perg.— fig. 1.) This insect, formerly known as ZL. persicae, is one of the largest of the scale insects, being about one-fifth of an inch long and two thirds as wide. It is elliptical in outline and strongly convex. It is usually of a dull greenish-brown color, sometimes distinctly marked with darker 12 bands. It is found upon-the branches of peach and plum, more rarely on apple, and commonly occurs on the under side of the branch, the upper side of which is covered with a black fungus that grows on the honey-dew dropped by the Lecaniums from the branch above. The’ females pass the winter in the adult condition. The eggs are developed by the latter part of May. The young hatch early in June and con- tinue for fully a month (June 10 to July 15). The young larve are flat, uniformly pale yellow, and witha thin marginal rim. They become stationary ina few weeks. Bythe middle of July the male pupe are developed, and by the 22d the first winged malesappear. There is but one brood a year, and the best time for treatment will be during July. Fie. 1.—Lecaniwm nigrofasciatum Perg.: adulis at left, young at right. (Howard). There is another species of Lecanium (Z. prunastrz), less commonly found on plum. The female is much like that of the peach Lecanium, but the insect passes the winter in the larval state, not maturing till May. The young hatch in July, migrate to the leaves, and in the early fall return to the branches, where they pass the winter. It has rarely been found in this country outside of New York State. THE OYSFER-SHELL BARK-LOUSE. (Mytilaspis pomorum Linn.—figs. 2 and 3.) The oyster-shell bark-louse is one of the best known enemies of the orchardist. It is a dark, slightly convex scale, elongate and usually curved in outline, much resembling a miniature oyster shell. When crowded upon the tree they are apt to be less curved and often quite straight. The elongate exuvium is situated at the small end. Its elongate shape and dark color at once separate it from all other com- mon orchard scales. The eggs, whichare whitish in color, are deposited in late summer, and occupy the posterior two-thirds of the scale. The female dies, but the scale remains to protect the eggs during the winter. The young hatch in May or early June, crawl out upon the 13 (Howard.) Fig. 2.—Mytilaspis pomorum: a,b, females; c, scales on twig; d, male scale. (Howard, ) details. ’ d a; e, female; 6 and lary C, aspis pomorum: a, male; Fig. 3.—Mytil 14 twigs and small branches, and locate there permanently. In a day or two they begin the formation of the scale. The male scale is much smaller than the female, elongate, wider behind than in front, and little, if any, curved. It is uncommon on apple, but often found on other food plants. The winged male insect appears in midsummer. There is but one brood a year in the North, but in parts of the South there are apparently two broods; the second one hatching about Sep- tember 1. The oyster-shell bark-louse is widely distributed and attacks a great variety of trees, but is especially partial to apple. THE SCURFY BARK-LOUSE. (Chionaspis furfurus Fitch—fig. 4.) This common orchard scale is readily known by its whitish color and ovate form. The adult female scale is rather flat, irregularly ovate in outline, with the yellowish exuvium at the apex. The life history is similar to that of the oyster-shell bark-louse. The eggs are laid in the early fall and occupy the greater part of the scale. The mother dies and the scale re- mains on the tree during the winter to protect the eggs. The young hatch during the latter part of May or early in June. The male scale, which is often very abundant, is much smaller than the female, snow-white in color, and fully twice as long as broad, with nearly parallel sides and three keels or ridges. The winged male insects issue in Sep- tember. There is but one brood in the North, but probably two or even three in the South. The scurfy bark-louse is widely distributed and occurs on most orchard trees, but chiefly on apple and pear. Fic. 4.—Chionaspis furfurus: a, 5, infested twigs; c¢, female; d, male. (Howard.) Asprpiotus (CrRCULAR OR RoUND SCALES). To this genus belongs the most destructive known species, the San Jose scale. The other species, however, often cause much damage. There is a considerable resemblance among the various species, so that it is difficult for any inexperienced person to determine them. The final characters that separate species are based on the structure of the pygidial plate of the adult female scale. To observe this it is necessary that a specimen be boiled in caustic potash and mounted in balsam ona glass slide. When this is examined under a microscope the lobes, spines, hairs, and sinuations of the margin of the plate 15 appear quite distinctly. Thus, the characters that may be used in the field are not final and only comparative, and great care must be exer- cised, especially when only a small amount of material is available, and any doubt can be settled only by sending the material to some competent authority who can mount and microscopically examine the species. TABLE OF ASPIDIOTUS. 1. Seale of adult female circular, with exuvium central, dark-colored, the exuvium pale yellowish when dark waxy outer covering is rubbed off; scale not very con- vex, about 2" in diameter; half-grown scales are nearly black and show a central nipple surrounded by one or two depressed rings... - - perniciosus Comst. Scale of adult female not circular, the exuvial spot at oné side of the center; the half-grown scales usually paler and without the central nipple surrounded by SIE STPSSS SS! TAINS Ses ee, eB ae oe na 2. Adult female scale dark-colored, about 2™ in diameter; exuvial spot orange Oisred Gishucolonedite= sae. cscs eee eS od 1. forbesi, ancylus, and ostreeformis. Adult female scale paler, or larger, or with white center......................3. 3. Seale of adult female about 2™™ in diameter, yellowish or pale brownish, with a Whe centerrquite tat: Ol PTape =. 222.5: 2.222... . 22a... uve Comst. Scale of the adult female very convex, about 23™™ in diameter, of a uniform drab or yellowish-brown color, the exuvial spot showing reddish, but not commonly OROTA eon oo bb Sas COGS R Ee SES AOE ea h Seal ee en rapax Comst. Seale of the adult female large, nearly 3™™ in diameter, flat, and pale-grayish in color; the exuvium reddish or orange -...---.------------ juglans-regiex Comst. In identifying scale insects by means of the above table, scales should be examined from bark or fruit as clean as possible, and where the scales are not crowded and have room to normally develop. When thickly massed they lose their characteristic shape and appearance, and on sooty or dirty bark they are discolored and abnormal. nN THE SAN JOSE SCALE. ( Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock—figs. 5, 6, and 7.) The San Jose scale is known to every orchardist by hearsay, but few, however, can distinguish it from allied scales, such as ancy/us, Sorbesi, and ostreeformis. On badly infested trees the scale presents the appearance of dark gray, scurfy patches. The individual scale is about 2™™ in diameter, usually nearly circular in outline, of a grayish color, with the central darker nipple surrounded by one or more quite distinct yellowish or pale grayish rings. When the scales are crowded the outline is more or less distorted. In none of the allied forms is the adult female scale as nearly circular as in the San -lose scale. When on fruit or young twigs there is often a reddish discoloration around the scale. Putnam’s scale and the cherry scale have a brighter colored exuvium, situate one side of the center. The cherry scale is often much paler than the San Jose scale. The European fruit scale has an exuvium similar to the San Jose, but lacks the darker nipple; 16 moreover, the exuvium is plainly not at the center of the scale. The male of the San Jose scale is about two times as long as broad; broader at one end than at the other, with a large, dark exuvium, showing a central nipple. It is situated toward the small end of the scale. The male of the European fruit scale is not so elongate, and the exuvium is but little darker than the scale and nearer to the small end than in the San Jose scale. The male of Putnam’s scale is as elongate as that of San Jose, but has an orange exuvium. The male of the cherry scale is in shape much like that of the San Jose scale, but the exuyium is of a brighter yellow, the scale usually being paler than the San Jose. Fic. 5.—Aspidiotus perniciosus: a, infested twig; b, view of infested bark magnified. (Howard and Marlatt.) In general the adult female of the San Jose scale may be distin- guished from its allies by the more circular scale, with yellow exuvium, when exposed, more centrally located, otherwise with dark nipple; the male by similar characteristics of exuvium and nipple. But the San Jose scale is most easily recognized by its immature scales, which are almost black, circular, and with a central nipple surrounded by one or two depressed circular rings. Such a character is not found in any other of the allied scales, SS Ss err Y Fey Be The San Jose scale attacks all of our orchard trees, but appears to be most destructive to pear and peach. The insect is represented in winter by partly grown specimens whose development was stopped by the cold weather. They resume growth in the early spring; the males soon appear, mate with the females, and the latter give birth to living young. At Washington, D. C., this time is about the middle of May, and the young continue to appear for about six weeks. The larva crawls off a little way, settles, and within two days begins the Fic. 6.—Aspidiotus perniciosus: a, female; b, margin of pygidium magnified. (Howard and Marlatt.) secretion of its scale. This young scale is at first white with a swell- ing in the center. If it is situated on green tissue it is apt to pro- duce a redness. In a few days the pale scale becomes nearly black, with a‘central nipple surrounded by one or two depressed rings. This form is very characteristic of the species. In about twenty-five days another brood of males appears, and in thirty days the females become adult. At about thirty-five or forty days of age the females begin to give birth to living young. Since one of these mother scales may have been born six weeks before another, it results that there is a 24842—No. 34—02 2 18 contusion of generations throughout the summer, breeding constantly going on untii late fall. The number of broods will thus depend upon the length of the season. Fig. 7.—Aspidiotus perniciosus: Infested fruit and branch, and enlarged scales. (Howard.) THE EUROPEAN FRUIT SCALE. (Aspidiotus ostreeformis Curtis—fig. 8. ) This species can usually be readily separated from the San Jose scale by the characters mentioned under that species, but it is practi- cally impossible, without making a microscopic mount, to distinguish it from Putnam’s scale and the cherry scale. The cherry scale, espe- cially when on cherry, is more shining and often shows a grayish margin. The European fruit scale occurs on all orchard trees, but only, so far as known, in certain Northern States. The winter is passed by the partly grown specimens, which become mature toward the last of June, and soon begin to give birth to living young. The young continue to appear for several weeks. There appears to be but one brood a year, at least in the Northern States. hp odin Me pal Ves PUTNAM’S SCALE. ( Aspidiolus ancylus Rutnam. ) This scale is widely distributed and attacks all orchard trees. In general appearance it is like the San Jose scale, but at once known by the exposed orange exuvium, the less circular scale, and by the half- grown young having no depressed ring around the nipple. It can be separated from the European fruit scale and from the cherry scale only by a microscopic examination of mounted specimens. It is usu- ally much darker than the cherry scale, the exuvium usually a brighter orange, and the scale more conical than that species. Specimens vary, however, a great deal in these points. The insect winters in a nearly full- grown condition. The males appear in April, soon pair with the females, and the latter deposit eggs in the late spring orearly summer. The young begin to hatch early in July and continue dur- ing the month. There is but one brood a year. THE CHERRY SCALE. (Aspidiotus forbesi Johnson. ) This scale is similar to Putnam’s and to the European fruit scale, but some- ‘ = ants Fic. 8.—Aspidiotus ostrexformis: a, scales times, especially on cherry, it IS more on twig; b, natural size; ¢, immature shining, and presents a gray rim around — “tage; «, female; ¢, male; fand‘g, in- " . . 5 side of scales. (Marlatt.) the scale, which is commonly flatter than the allied species. It attacks all orchard trees, but is rarely com- mon. It winters partly grown, like its allies. The male issues in April. . The eggs are laid in April or early May, the young hatching during May and part of June. There appears to be two broodsa year, the males of the second brood issuing during the latter part of July and the young during August and September. THE WALNUT SCALE. ( Aspidiolus juglans-regix Comstock—tig. 9.) This insect is at once recognized by the large size of the adult female scale, it being the largest of our species of the genus, the scale often being 3" in diameter (one-twelfth inch), while the San Jose scale is scarcely 2" in diameter. The adult female scale is irregularly circu- lar in outline, quite flat, and of a pale grayish or dirty-white color. The exuvial spot is reddish or orange and situated one side of the cen- ter. The scale often appears to be less closely attached to the bark than with the other species of this genus. The male scale is elliptical 20 and much smaller than the female. The adult female scale hibernates, — and deposits eggs in early spring. The males from them issue early in June. Eggs are deposited again in June, so that there appears to be two or possibly three broods in the South. This species is not abundant, but Hable to be found on almost any orchard tree. Fic. 9.—Aspidiotus juglans-regix: a, female; b, male; c, pupa; d, e, infested twigs. (Howard.) THE GREEDY SCALE. ( Aspidiotus rapax Comstock—tig. 10. ) This is quite a large species, readily distinguished from the others we have treated by its very convex scale and uniform drab or yellow- ish-brown color, except for the dark brown exuvium which often shows near the center. The adult female scale is less circular than most of the other species, and does not always show the exuvial spot, which is at one side and covered with a film of secretion. The male scale is much smaller, and elliptical in outline. The young are nearly circular, with a central nipple often surrounded by a pale gray ring. This scale is very abundant in California and has spread somewhat eastward, especially in the South. It attacks various orchard trees, but more commonly the orange. It is a scale that is liable to be found more commonly in the future, and orchardists should be on the lookout for it. The greedy scale, in California, winters in all stages. THE GRAPE SCALE. ( Aspidiotus uve Comstock. ) This is a more or less elliptical scale, with the exuvium rather nearer oneend. It has a yellowish or pale brownish color, with a whitish center near the exuvium, the latter of a pale yellow. The scales are often found in a longitudinal row, and rarely infest both sides of the 21 same branch. It winters in the egg stage. The young hatch in May; the males issue in the summer. There is but one brood a year. It is practically confined to the grape, but has been found on a few other plants, and may spread to fruit trees. 7 Fig. 10.—Aspidiotus rapax. Seales on twigs, and enlarged. (Howard.) THE PEACH SCALE. (Diaspis pentagona Targ. Tozz.—fig. 11.) The peach scale, sometimes known as the ** whitewash scale,” is of a grayish white color, rather flat and irregularly circular or slightly Fig. 11.—Diaspis pentagona: a, infested branch; b, female; ¢, male; d, group of males. (Howard.) . . ul = Ve <0 ry. + ovate in outline, never as elongate as the scurfy bark-louse. he exuvium is often a little way from the margin, and is yellowish or 29 orange in color. Its pale color and elongate exuvium will readily separate it from all other scales on orchard trees. The insect passes the winter with the mature females and the male scales. The males hatch in early spring. The eggs are laid early in May, and the larve hatch in about ten days. The males again commence to issue by the middle of June, and the females begin egg-laying by the end of June. The second generation is full grown by the middle of August, and these in time soon begin to lay eggs for the brood that will winter as mature females and undeveloped males. Fig. 12.—Aulacaspis rose ; 1, infested branch; 1a, female; 7b, male. (Comstock.) The male scale (fig. 11, c, d) is elongate, about three times as long as broad, slightly wider behind than in front, with a median keel, and snow white in color. The male scales appear to be most numerous on the lower parts of the branches and near the base of the trunk and often so matted as to make the trunk or lower branches absolutely snow white. The peach scale is becoming common in many of the Southern States and as far north as Pennsylvania. It infests plum, cherry, and peach, and less commonly other plants. _—" 23 THE ROSE SCALE. (Aulacaspis rose Sandberg—fig. 12. ) This species is similar to the peach scale, and, indeed, the easiest way to distinguish between them is by their host plants. The peach scale does not affect the host plants of the rose scale, which are roses, raspberry, and blackberry. The scale covering is much more thin and delicate and the exuvium is usually of a paler or duller yellow than in the case of the peach scale. The keel or ridge of the male is more distinct. The life history of this species does not appear to be well known in this country. It winters, as a rule, in the egg as far north as New Jersey; but mature females and immature females and males may be found in winter. In the early spring one often finds the female scales surrounded by a radiate row of male scales. It is probable that there is more than one brood in a year, at least in the South. FAMILY APHIDZ (PLANT-LICE). The plant-lice are small, sluggish insects found on the under surface of leaves or on the bark and roots. Most of the individuals have no wings, but at times one finds some specimens with delicate transparent wings laid roof-like over the body. They all have distinct legs, a pair of moderately long antenne, and usually quite prominent eyes. They occur in colo- nies, and by their numbers often do a considerable amount of damage. The eggs are found on trees in winter situated near the base of twigs and buds. (See fig. 13.) They are minute, oval, or elliptical shining Fic. 13—Eggs of a black objects. During the warm part of the year the ee = females produce living young, so that one individual may, in a few months, be the parent of a large colony. Many of the species secrete a sweetish liquid from two pre-apical tubes or cor- nicles. This liquid is known as honey-dew, and attracts other insects, especially ants. TABLE OF PLANT-LICE. A. Plant-lice on the bark or roots: With a whitish, woolly, or cottony covering. .....-..------ Schizoneura lanigera. immoaTeheOVerMNes 6. -,.0-12-- 5-2 - sees ogee eet Se wa {phis persice-niger. B. Plant-lice on the leaves: With bluish-white mealy powder; on plum ..-.--.---------- Hyalopterus pruni. DmeeOWal MOnNCHOINYS soo. = 50... 2- +. ~ <= 2S eeqnee a = - sete ed Myzus cerasi. Green, or faintly reddish; on apple... ------------- Pae ood Iphis mali and A, sorbi. 24 THE WOOLLY APPLE APHIS. (Schizoncura lanigera Hausmann—figs. 14 and 15.) One often notices on the trunk or larger branches of the apple Fie. 14.—Schizoneura lanigera; a, agamic female; b, larva; c, pupa; d, winged female. (Marlatt.) small, bluish-white, flocculent patches of a woolly substance, which indicate the presence of this insect. This cottony substance is a wax-like excretion clinging to the posterior parts of a small, reddish-brown wingless aphis. It is not, however, this form on the trunks that causes injury. This aerial form is but the indication that there are other speci- mens, under the ground and feeding on the roots of the tree. It is the latter form that seriously affects the vitality of the tree. Upon the trunk the lice often cause a roughening of the bark, especially on the new growth around scars made by prun- ing. On the roots the lice cause hard and large knots, which eventu- ally produce a ‘‘club-footed” con- dition of the roots. Such trees usually show their weakness by the fewer and duller colored leaves. The woolly aphis is practically Fig, 15,—Schizonewra lanigera; a, b, work on confined to the apple, but there are Rede ce Verte afew varieties, such as the Northern Spy, that appear to be immune against its attacks. The lice com- en 25 monly found on the trunk and roots in summer are the wingless, agamic females. They give birth to living young, and continue to do so, possibly for several years. In spring some of the root-lice will crawl up the trunk and continue to breed there till fall. The colonies of lice on the trunk give rise to winged and migratory females. These, when they locate, give birth to wingless male and female lice, and each female deposits a single winter egg in a crevice of the bark. This egg will, in the spring, hatch into a female which will start a new colony of wingless lice on the trunk. Some of these will, in the summer, crawl down upon the roots and continue to breed there. In the north the colonies on the trunk are apt to be killed out by the severe cold weather, but in warmer latitudes many of them live through the winter, particularly if they are protected by a piece of bark. THE BLACK PEACH APHIS. (Aphis persice-niger EK. F. Smith—fig. 16. ) This insect, like the woolly apple aphis, does its great injury under- ground. Its ravages on the roots of peach give a sickly appearance to the foliage of the affected tree, the leaves often being light green or \ s? fou Fic. 16.—Aphis persicx-niger; winged specimen. (J. B. Smith.) yellowish in color, and their edges somewhat rolled. The wingless lice on the roots are of a dark-brown color. They breed there con- tinuously without producing males or eggs. Early in the spring some of the root-lice crawl up the trunk of the tree and locate on the young twigs. Here the winged form develops and migrates to other trees to found other colonies. The winged insect is of a shining black or very dark brown color, the tibie of the legs being mostly yellowish. 26 Toward midsummer many of the lice on the twigs crawl down into the ground and locate upon the roots. APPLE PLANT-LICE. The foliage of apple trees, particularly of young trees, often appears curled, and sometimes discolored. This curling is produced by colo- nies of plant-lice. These lice secrete a sticky liquid known as honey- dew, which falls on the leaves below. A black fungus grows upon the leaves covered by the honey-dew, and this checks their growth. There are several of these plant-lice that attack the leaves of apple; two of them are greenish in color, another has a reddish tinge. The commoner of the two green species is known as Aphis mali Fitch. (probably Aphis annuz Oest). Its life history is about as fol- lows: The eggs are laid on the tree in the fall, partly hidden in crey- ices of the bark; the young hatch from these eggs in early spring, and grow into wingless and sexless lice, known as ‘‘ stem-mothers,” which produce living young; these young become winged, and, in the early summer, migrate to grasses, where they increase during the summer. In the fall they develop a set of winged, sexless lice, which migrate back to the apple and give birth to sexed individuals; these pair, and the female lays her eggs. The other green species is Ap/is mali Koch. It passes its entire life history upon the apple. The eggs are laid in the late fall. They are black, and occur generally on the trunk and branches. In early spring the young hatch from these and grow into stem-mothers. . These produce living young fora number of generations. Many of these of the first two generations become winged, fly to other apple trees, and there start colonies. In October sexed specimens are produced, and the female lays the eggs that are destined to pass the winter. The other apple plant-louse is A. sorbz Kalt. It is distinctly tinged with red, and the wingless forms have a whitish powdering on the body. This species has a life history similar to that of Aphis mali Fitch., but it is not known what plants serve as its summer hosts. THE PLUM PLANT-LOUSE. (Hyalopterus pruni Fabr. ) This insect winters in the egg state. The young on hatching in spring go to the under surface of the leaf and there multiply rapidly. Their bodies are covered by a bluish-white mealy powder. Winged specimens are occasionally developed which migrate to other trees. They feed on the plum all summer, but some specimens are said to migrate to grass in early summer. In the fall the winter eg@ is attached to a plum twig, usually at the base of a bud. At times they do considerable damage to young plum stock. tics 27 THE CHERRY APHIS. ( Myzus cerasi: Fabr.) This aphis often causes the leaves of the cherry to become crumpled and rolled, and on young trees sometimes does serious damage. The winged and wingless insects are both of a dark brown color, and look much like the black peach aphis. The eggs are laid in the fall on the branches at the base of buds and in crevices of the bark. The young hatch from them in the spring when the buds begin to swell, crawl out upon the buds and growing leaves, and develop into stem- mothers, which give birth to living young. This is kept up all sum- mer until the fall, when the sexes appear and the female deposits her eggs. A number of winged migrants are developed in the spring generations, which serve to spread the species. The insects usually become very abundant by June, but in midsummer they are not as common. FAMILY PSYLLIDZ. THE PEAR-TREE PSYLLA. ( Psylla pyricola Forster—fig. 17.) This insect is closely related to the plant-lice, but readily known by its longer antenne and its ability to hop. Its color is reddish, with 5 . Fig. 17.—Psylla pyricola; greatly enlarged. (Marlatt.) some black markings, and with clear wings laid roof-like over the body. When disturbed, it hops and flies away. 28 The insect is widely distributed in the East, but usually is not abun- dant enough to seriously injure the tree. When they become excess- ively abundant they cause the leaves and fruit to dry and fall. The adult insect hibernates in crevices of the bark. These overwintering specimens are brownish-black in color, with bronzy eyes. They emerge from their hiding places in the early spring, mate, and the female begins to lay eggs before the leaves are out. The eggs are placed singly or in groups in crevices of the bark of the twigs or in old leaf scars, and, when the leaves have unfolded, upon the Jeaves themselves. The larvs hatch in about two weeks and begin to suck the juices from the leayes and petioles. They at once commence to excrete honey-dew, and when the insects are extremely numerous the amount of liquid secreted is enormous and fairly rains from the tree. A black fungus grows on the honey-infested leaves and tree, so that the whole soon has a smoked appear- ance. In about thirty days the larva hecomes adult. Development contin- ues all through the summer, and there may be as many a five broods if the season be long enough. It is only known to attack the pear. FAMILY MEMBRACID2. THE BUFFALO TREE-HOPPER. (Ceresa bubalus Say—fig. 18.) Upon young fruit trees, particularly the apple, one sometimes sees a series of oval or elliptical scars that disfigure Fig. 18.—Ceresa bubalis: a, insect; b, recent and weaken the branches and render DEB CHONES: GH PEBE; ¢, ONT SOT anata > een) StatemCO. OLECE insect. attack. These sears are the results of the work of a curious insect, the buffalo tree-Lopper. It is a grass-green, triangular insect that hops and flies away when disturbed. The pronotum of the thorax is enlarged, as with others of this family, to cover the head and most of the abdomen. The anterior corners of the pronotum project laterally into acute angles. In August and September the adult insects may be found on the trees engaged in oviposition. The female cuts the bark with her oyipositor in two nearly opposite curved slits, so that the bark between is cut loose. Beneath each slit she deposits a series of from 6 to 12 eggs. These eggs hatch in the spring. The dead piece of bark falls out and leaves the elliptical scar, which enlarges with the subsequent growth of the twigs and becomes an inviting point for the attack of other insects. There is but one brood each year. 29 LEPIDOPTERA (BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS). The caterpillars and cocoons of these insects are known to all. The vaterpillars differ from the grubs of beetles in that they have on the under side two rows of prolegs—fleshy, wart-like structures that serve to support the posterior part of the body. The injuries caused by these insects are made by the caterpillar. These have biting mouth- parts that nip out tiny pieces of the leaf or wood, which is then chewed and swallowed. The more injurious forms that are liable to be transported on nursery stock may be arranged as follows: HpheecumenGMimetnertrunikes eae See eee 2S ne oh ee 8 Peach-tree borer. Feeding within the twigs or leaf-shoots....-..----.---..------ Peach twig-borer. LPeceee bimalee? (ay ay ONAN TH) NENT KSEE GeNS pe Pe ee eee ie, 2. 2. The insect covered by a case.....---- Bagworm, leaf-crumpler, pistol-case bearer, cigar-case bearer. pe CeU GEN OLEGCOVENEO MID incl CASC a0 a) ets ne oe Ss al Ps ee Se 3. 3. Making tents or nests. _.-.--..-: A pple-tree tent caterpillar, fall webworm, brown- tail moth, leaf-crumpler, and bud moth. a MRR TMP ent awe ete ee ae ot ok ne AL wei e eee 4. Pesilcuinvacaterpillanswesms Am tee o£ 2) 2 Dee te Ls Tussock moth, gipsy moth. Area EN yplil airs) weer) nse eit tac eee ee ts SE ee) Wri 2 Cankerworms. THE APPLE-TREE TENT CATERPILLAR. ( Clisiocampa americana Harr—fig. 19. ) Fic. 19.—Clisiocampa americana: «a, b, caterpillars; c, egg-mass, d, pupa, e, female, f, male. (Riley.) The webs or tents of this caterpillar are frequently found on orchard and nursery trees in May and June. The caterpillars use this tent as 30 a common home, where they retire at night and remain during cloudy days. Each clear morning, at about 8 o'clock, they go out along the branches to the leaves for feeding. The amount of damage done will’ depend a great deal upon the number of tents upon the tree. The eges are laid in masses of 200 or 300 arranged in a broad belt around the twig. (See fig. 19, ¢.) Each end of this belt tapers off to the twig, which character serves to distinguish it from similar egg-clusters of certain other moths. Each mass is covered with a glistening sub- stance that protects it from the rain. The young caterpillars hatch during the latter part of April or early in May, at about the time when the leaves are expanding. They immediately begin to feed on the leaves near by and to unite them into their tent, which is enlarged as the caterpillars grow. The full-grown larva is nearly 2 inches long, hairy and black, with a white stripe along the back. On each side of this is a row of short, yel- low streaks; there are also pale lines on the sides of the body. The under side is nearly black. When ready to pupate the caterpillar seeks some protected spot and there spins its yellowish cocoon, and soon changes to a brown chrysalis. The moth, which is brown, with oblique white bands across the forewings, emerges in a week or so and deposits her egg-mass and dies. There is but one brood a year. THE FALL WEBWORM. (Hyphantria cunea Dru.—tig, 20. ) During the summer and early fall webs or tents sim- ilar to those of the apple- tree tent caterpillar are often seen among the terminal branches of fruit trees. These are the work of the fall webworm. The eges of this moth, 300 to 500 in num- ber, are laid in patches on either side of the leaves in June. The larve issue from June to August, and at once begin their web. They eat only the upper surface of the leaf, leaving the veins and the under surface untouched. The young caterpillar is pale yellowish, with dark spots along the sides and covered with scattered hairs. The full-grown Fic. 20.—Hyphantria cunea: moths and cocoons. (Howard). bl caterpillar is velvety black above, the sides have two yellow stripes, and between them are many blackish patches and dots. The yellowish or brownish hairs are mostly in tufts which arise from tubercles or warts. Some specimens are quite pale; others very dark. In Septem- ber or October the caterpillar is ready to pupate, and descends to the main branches or trunk of the tree. Here it makes a delicate cocoon, within which it changes to a chrysalis. The insect passes the winter in this stage, and the moth emerges the following spring. The latter has white, sometimes spotted wings, and expands about an inch and a ‘half. There is but one brood each year in the North, but from New York city south there are two broods, the caterpillars of the second making their appearance in August. THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. (Euproctis chrysorrhea Linn.—fig. 21. ) This insect, at present confined to certain parts of eastern Massa- chusetts, is such a dangerous pest that all interested in nursery trade Fic. 21.—Euproctis chrysorrhea. Moths, laryee, and cocoons. (Howard.) should be able to recognize it. During winter their small but very compact webs or nests attached to the terminal twigs are very promi- nent objects and will aid in distinguishing the species. In midsummer the eggs may be found in patches of two or three hundred attached to the under side of a leaf near the tip of a branch. The egg mass is covered by a dense layer of brown hairs from the tip of the abdomen of the female. The young hatch in August and eat the surface of the leaf. As soon as it is devoured they draw another leaf to it, until in the fall they have quite a tent. On the approach of winter they strengthen their tent and use it to shelter them during the winter. In spring they come out, eat the unfolding buds and tender leaves, and thus do great damage. The full-grown caterpillar is about 13 inches long, dark brown, mottled, and spotted with orange, and clothed with reddish-brown hairs and two rows of dense tufts of’ white hair along the upper side of the body. By the middle of June the cater- pillars are ready to pupate, and each makes a cocoon attached to a terminal branch, or sometimes elsewhere on the tree, or even on some other object. These cocoons are often close to each other, so as to form quite a mass. The moths emerge in a few weeks. They have white wings, and the females a brown tip to the abdomen. There is but one brood each year. THE LEAF-CRUMPLER. (Mineola indiginella Zell. ) The presence of this insect is easily recognized in winter by the. clusters of brown, shriveled,and partly eaten leaves fastened together and to the twigs by silken threads. Within each cluster of leaves is a curved tube, usually sinuate at the small end, and within this tube is the small, brownish caterpillar of this moth. This caterpillar is but half grown. In early spring the larva cuts loose from its fastenings, crawls with its case out upon the branches, and attacks the developing buds and young leaves, thus causing a great deal of injury. The cat- erpillar becomes full fed by the middle of May, and is then of a green- ish color. It pupates in the larval nest, and the moths issue in June or early July. The eggs are deposited in July, singly on the leaves. The young larva, upon hatching, starts to make a little case for itself, which it enlarges when necessary. They feed on all fruit trees, but are partial to apple, and there is but one brood annually. THE WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK MOTH. ( Orgyia leucostigma S. & A.—iig, 22. ) The caterpillar of this moth, which does great damage to shade trees in cities, sometimes attacks apple and other fruit trees. The adult insect is a light-grayish moth, the female wingless, the male with ash- gray wings, expanding about 1} inches, and the antenne are feathered. The eggs, 300 to 500 in number, are laid by the wingless female in the fall within a frothy substance, which on drying becomes hard and brittle. The whole is a very prominent whitish mass, often situated partly or wholly upon the old cocoon. In May the young larvee hatch and begin eating the foliage. The larve are full-grown in July, and spin their slight silken cocoons, attached to any convenient spot. The full-grown caterpillar is a very handsome insect, about 1} inches in 33 length, yellowish, with three blackish stripes along the body, and a bright-red head. It is clothed with long, scattered hairs, four white O.HEIDEMAN S.C. Fie. 22.—Orgyia-leucostigma. Various stages; eggs at hand k. (Howard.) tufts on the anterior part of the body, and three long black plumes, two in front and one at the tip of the body. In the North there is but one brood a_ year, but from New York city south there are usually two broods, the caterpil- lars of the second appear- ing in early August. THE GIPSY MOTH. (Porthetria dispar Linn—figs. 23, 24, and 25.) Although practically confined to certain parts of Massachusetts, this insect is quite liable to spread, and all interested in orchards and nurseries should be able to recognize this caterpillar. 94849 -No. 34—02——3 FIG. 23.—Porthetria dispar: female moth. (Howard.) o4 The eggs to the number of 400 to 500 are deposited in clusters attached to trees, fences, ete. Each cluster is covered with yellow hairs from the body of the female, which causes the mass to resemble a piece of sponge. The caterpillars hatch from April to June, and feed vora- ciously on the leaves, mostly at night. The full-grown caterpillar is about 2 inches long, of a grayish, mottled appearance, with the tuber- Fig. 24.—Porthetria dispar. Larva. (Howard.) x cles on the anterior part of the body blue, and those on the hinder part of the body red, all giving rise to long yellow and black hairs. When the caterpillars are about half grown they begin to crawl down the tree to the ground in early morning, and ascend again for feeding in the evening. By July they are ready to pupate in a thin cocoon fastened Fic. 25.—Porthetria dispar. Chrysalis, (Howard.) to the trunk of the tree, to a fence, or other convenient object. The pupal period is about ten days, and the moths issue in August. The female moth has whitish wings with several black spots, notably around the outer margin. The male is brownish, with darker undu- late lines and spots. The gipsy moth attacks almost every sort of tree, und there is but one brood a year. 35 CANKERWORMS. (Figs. 26, 27, 28, and 29. ) These slender, bare caterpillars appear on apple and other fruit trees in early spring and eat holes in the leaves. As they crawl they loop up the body, and are thus called *‘ measuring worms” or “inch worms.” Thereare two species of the cankerworms, their habits, how- LLY f v W- i 3 Fig. 26.—Alsophila pometaria: a, male; b, female. Fre, 27.—Alsophila pometaria: a, b, e, e&8s; c, d, details. (Riley.) f, larva; ec, d, segments of same; g, pupa. (Riley. ) ever, being similar. The eggs are laid in clusters on the tree in the fall and early winter, with the fall species (A/sophila pometaria- Warr.); in March or April with the spring species (Paleacrita vernata Peck). The eggs of the former are flattened on top; those of the latter are rounded. The lary hatch in early spring and at once feed on the it | ti I i i tars a Ith: Fic. 28.—Paleacrita vernata: a, male; b, female, Fic. 29.—Paleacrita vernata, a, cater- c, d, e, details. (Riley.) pillar; b, egg; c, d, segment of caterpillar. (Riley.) leaves. When full grown they descend to the ground and pupate therein, the moths issuing in late fall or very early spring. ‘The females are wingless, and obliged to crawl up the tree to deposit eges. So fs) ac The males have large, thin, gray wings. There is but one brood each year. THE PEACH-TREE BORER. (Sanninoideu exitiosa Say—tig. 30.) This destructive insect is readily discerned by the presence of a gummy exudation mixed with frass and excrement at or near the base of the tree. The parent moth lays the eggs singly (from May to July, according to latitude) on the bark of the tree, usually near the base. The young larva burrows into the bark and mines between it and the 36 sapwood during the summer and fall. It is quiescent during the winter, but resumes feeding in the early spring, reaching full growth by May or June. The caterpillar is then a little over 1 inch in length, soft, and pale yellowish in color, with a shining, dark-brown head. It transforms to a chrysalis within an elongate cocoon just beneath or sometimes outside of the bark. The moths emerge in May DRS epee C Sap Fic. 30.—Sanninoidea exitiosa: a, female; b, male; c, larva; d, e, female and male pup; f, cocoon. (Marlatt. ) or June. The female has dark-blue fore-wings; the male has clear ones. It primarily attacks peach, but sometimes cherry and plum. There is but one brood each year. THE PEACH TWIG-BORER. (Anarsia lineatella Zell.—fig 31.) to} The presence of this insect in the winter is quite readily known by bits of frass attached to the bark, often at the crotches of branches or twigs. Each bit of frass covers the entrance to a small burrow lined with silk, within which the young larva of this insect passes the winter. It is now of a yellow- ish color, with the head and thoracic segments, as well as the last seg- ment, almost black. Early in spring, when the leaves are coming out, the larvee abandon their bur- rows and attack the tender leaf Fic. 31—Anarsia lineatella: a, infested twig; shoots, boring into them from a b, same enlarged; ¢c, larva in case, d, larva en- . . larged. (Marlatt.) point a little below the apex, and when one shoot commences to dry the larva leaves it and attacks another. In about two weeks the larva is full grown, and pupates in a slight open cocoon attached to the bark or among the shriveled leaves. The tiny, grayish moth issues in May. Two broods follow this, the larve boring in the young twigs 37 or sometimes in the immature fruit. The larva from the second brood makes the little burrows in the bark in which the insect passes the winter. The peach twig-borer feeds on all stone fruits. THE BAGWORM. ( Thyridopteryx ephemerxformis Haw.—figs. 32 and 33.) The winter cases or bags of this insect, 15 to 2 inches long, are often seen hanging from the branches of shade trees, particularly arbor- Fig. 32.— Thyridopterya-ephemerxeformis. Cases; d, one cut open. (Howard.) vite, locust, and basswood, but are not so common on fruit trees. The adult insect is a moth; the female wingiess; the male with four ————— \ Daal an FIG. 33.—Thyridopteryx ephemerxformis: a, larya; b, head of same; c, male pupa; d, female pupa, e, adult female; f, adult male—all enlarged. (Howard.) transparent wings and a black body. The female never leaves her case alive, but in the fall deposits her eggs therein, drops out and dies, 38 the case remaining attached to the tree all winter. In May the young hatch, and at once start to make little cases for themselves, which they enlarge as they grow. When ready to pupate, the caterpillar fastens its case to a twig and transforms to the chrysalis. The male moth appears in August. There is but one brood a year. OTHER CATERPILLARS. On the apple tree in winter one may find several other caterpillars in various stages of development. One of them, the pistol-case bearer ( Coleophora malivorella Riley), is a small larva with a dark head. It carries with it a case the tip of which is curved over, the whole about one-eighth inch long. It feeds on the buds and leaves in spring. In the fall it fastens itself securely to the twig, and thus passes the winter in an immature condition. Another is the cigar-case bearer (Coleophora fletcherella Fern.). It has a life history similar to the preceding, but its case is straight, not curved. Fic. 34—Larva Both feed on the pear and quince. pelea Small, elongate, white, ribbed * ~ cocoons, nearly one-fourth of an inch long, often in clusters, are sometimes seen on apple bark in winter. They indicate the presence of the apple-leaf bucculatrix (B. pomifoliclla Clem.). In spring the tiny, delicate moths issue from the cases. The larvee mine the leaves. There are two broods an- nually. Small, inconspicuous cases, covered with particles of dirt and bark, are, at times, found on the bark of the apple and pear. These con- tain the half-grown larva of the bud-moth (Timetocera ocellana Sehif., fis. 34 and 3D). In spring the larva feeds on the buds and yg, 35.—work of bud-moth young leaves, webbing the leaves in a bunch _ larve in opening twigs. J ; an i ee ‘ pes (Slingerland. ) or nest. They pupate within this nest. The moth issues in July, and is a grayish insect with a creamy white patch on each fore-wing. During the summer the young larvee partially skeletonize the leaves, feeding beneath a thin silken web. As winter approaches they migrate to the twigs and form their hibernating cases. There is but one brood a year. COLEOPTERA (BEETLES, WEEVILS). Beetles are easily known by the hard, coriaceous fore-wings that cover and protect the back of the abdomen. Both in the larval and the mature conditions they have biting mouth-parts, and injury is 39 sometimes done by both the erub and the beetle. The grubs, to reach the adult condition, pass through a complete change or metamorphosis, like caterpillars, but do not spin a silken cocoon, The grubs do not have the prolegs that are found in caterpillars. The forms to be noticed below may be arranged as follows: 1 LEO SUI UTS gh a ee Se Se ee eee Apple twig-borer. Borne i the trunk of laren Drapenes— = 2- --- =~ 4-12 -25- 3 - = . yyy. Ac ,Aa B.ne, AAa. oY. |