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foo, OUP PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 13.

REPORTS

OF

OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS:

THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION,

MADE

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1887.

17528—No. 13

SSF a ee ae ee ee es + a ak ea ae a ae Se ae er whe

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ul

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ny Vile

Ol

LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., March 15, 1887.

Str: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 13 of
this Division. This Bulletin comprises such of the reports of the agents
of the Division for the season of 1886 as were necessarily excluded from
the Annual Report for lack of space.

Respectfully,
C. V. RILEY,
Entomologist.
Hon. NoRMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture.

SO eS ee ar Sas a See + Erte sta er a ~ + or as CC Ct *

CONTENTS.

PR ERESC DIG Meta a reaye sare orem ales eiaiareie erica aiS.o'e <<) ca ='e ciate cic's se s'selicle ealelelee va etmar
Report on Locusts in Texas in the serine of 1886 BEBO ed COCUCU OSOODE Canaor noc.
Fourth Report on Insects injuring Forest and Shade Trees.........-.....----.
PEO HOR MOY MODLAS cn LISOCUSt sme feta ioe nya Soa ine clo nant cass wen e suns ceriuceaiecse
Tessa with insecniciaes.on Garden Insects: 2-2-6 -- 201-2 -+-. sences o-cnte cree
Ee tiedie @ TOPS OC LS) s5- es eta nose sieielate Sio.cik: cine bin cveicc a waidie aise cice:cs.ulo e's eitele
A record of some Experiments relating to the Effect of the Puncture of some

Hemipterous Insects upon Shrubs, Fruits, and Grains, 1886 ............-.-..
Notes from Missouri for the Season of 1886 ..... = sonene nACOnG deb Soecacese Shad =

Emp eR EON URW Se CTA OM UM eraiats) sarainiele'cleicin'clsz'clesisle c'e «.s/c\2)c\e/</uiv sliciviais «) s ele = ciallciaiels
5

59

PES

INTRODUCTION.

This bulletin contains all of the reports from the Agents of the Divis-
ion for the season of 1886 with the exception of those from Mr. Coquil-
lett and Mr. Koebele on remedies for the Cottony Cushion-scale of
California (Icerya purchast Maskell), that of Mr. Webster on insects
affecting grains, which will be published in the Annual Report of the
Department, and that of Mr. Ashmead on insects injurious to garden
crops in Florida, which is reserved for the next bulletin.

Mr. Bruner’s report on locusts in Texas during the spring of 1886 is
interesting in its local bearing and from the similarity of this outbreak
of non-migratory or partially migratory species in the far Southwest to
that in the extreme Northeast described in our Annual Report for
1883.

Miss Murtfeldt’s notes from Missouri, Mr. Alwood’s report on some
injurious insects from Ohio, and Mr. Bruner’s report on Nebraska in-
sects are simply short accounts of the prominent injurious insects of
this particular season in their respective localities. Dr. Packard’s
fourth report on insects injurious to forest and shade trees contains an

- account of a new and important enemy of spruce cones, and consider-

able matter whichis new and of interest both from the entomological
and from the forestry standpoints.

Mr. Webster’s experiments upon the effect of the puncture of certain
plant-bugs were undertaken with a view of settling the disputed ques-
tion as to whether these punctures are poisonous. The experiments in
the main prove such a poisonous effect, and 1 may here state, without
going into a general discussion of the subject, that while in Columbus,
Ohio, in May, 1886, I found the immature forms of Poecilocapsus 4-vit-
tatus blighting the young shoots of both Gooseberry and Currant, and
that in this case the poisonous nature of the puncture was unmistak-
able. The punctured shoots were without exception blasted and dis-
torted.

Mr. Alwood’s tests with insecticides upon garden insects were under-
taken as a continuation of those recorded in Bulletin No, 11 of the di-
vision, and will be of interest both on account of the new locality and
on account of several new substances experimented with.

~
4

8

The apicultural notes from Mr. McLain form a portion only of his
report for the season of 1886, and were excluded from the annual re-
port for want of space. The portion on bees vs. fruit is in the main an
account of a repetition of the experiments detailed in the Annual Report
for 1885. The results are corroboratory, but not absolutely conclusive
of the inability of bees to injure fruit, in that the conditions were not
varied sufficiently and that the fruits were substantially the same kinds

as used last year. cae
2 C. V. i.

REPORT ON LOCUSTS IN TEXAS DURING THE SPRING OF
1886.*

By LAWRENCE BRUNER, Special Agent.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

Sir: Herewith is submitted a brief report of a trip to Washington County, Texas,
and surrounding regions, made under your instructions for the purpose of investigat-
ing the locust plague of that section and reporting upon the same.

You will see from my notes and the specimens which accompany the report that the

-chief species causing the damage is, as you supposed, not Melanoplus spretus but WM.
differentialis or a closely allied form; and that it can be much more easily handled
than can the migratory locust of the Northwest.

Immediately upon the receipt of your letter (April 16) containing the instructions,
I arranged to leave by the first train (April 17). Arriving in Houston on the 20th
and making all necessary preliminary arrangements, Dr. Flewellen and myself pro-
ceeded the next morning to the seat of trouble, which was reached late in the after-
noon of that day.

Upon examination myriads of the young locusts were found on the plantation of
the doctor’s brother, Maj. J. P. Flewellen. These were chiefly confined to the edges
of the fields and along the ravines where they had congregated upon the weeds.

After spending a few days in experimenting with poisons and other agencies for
killing them, I returned to Houston for mail containing any possible further instruc-
tions. From here I went to Galveston, where I wrote a short communication for the
News, giving remedies and urging co-operation in the efforts in destroying the plague.
A copy of this article accompanies the report.

* Our attention was called to the locust visitation in Washipgton County, Texas,
in March of the present year by a letter received from Dr. R. T. Flewellen, of Hous-

ton, which reads as follows:
WASHINGTON COUNTY, TEXAS,
March 22, 1886.

DEAR SiR: This and many other localities of Texas had the crop of corn and cot-
ton destroyed by grasshoppers, and I herein send you a small paper box of eggs taken
from the ground to-day for your examination. This locality, 4 miles south of the old
town of Washington on the Brazos River, lost not less than 20,000 bushels of corn
and about 2,000 bales of cotton by the ravages of the pest, and judging from the vast
quantities of eggs seen to hatch, the destruction of last will be repeated this year
unless timely aid comes to the relief of the unfortunate planter. Hence this appeal
to you. It is hoped that you will send some expert of your department to this imme-
diate locality to learn the habits, species, and correct classification of the insect, and
pe ueurate some means for their destruction, for if nof arrested this locality is

oomed.

* * * *% % ~

Very truly,

Prof. C. V. RILEY,
Washington, D. C.

R. T. FLEWELLEN.

We accordingly had Mr. Bruner visit the region in question with instructions to
learn what he could concerning the extent of injury, the species concerned and their
habits, and to experiment with such remedies as would aid the planters in saying the

crops.
9

me Ee

After leaving Galveston I visited various localities surrounding the immediate re-
gion infested to ascertain the exact area over which the locusts had hatched in inju-
rious numbers, thereby anticipating your orders of April 29, which reached me at.
Austin on the 5th of May. From Austin I returned to the plantation of Mr. Flew-
ellen in order to ascertain how the warfare was progressing in that neighborhood,
and what the prospects were for the production of a crop this year. Upon my arrival
I found a decided reduction in the number of hoppers, and a correspondingly brighter
and more hopeful feeling among the planters of the stricken area. I also learned of
another locust that appeared to be increasing very rapidly among the forests of post
oak lying between the towns of Washington and Brenham. This very likely will prove
to be an undescribed species, belonging somewhere between the genera Melanoplus
and Acridium.

After sperding severa: days in this locality, I returned to my home at West Point,
where I arrived on the 14th of the month.

Very respectfully,
LAWRENCE BRUNER.

Prof. C. V. RILEY,

U. S. Entomologist, Washington, D. C.

I visited the region indicated in Dr. Flewellen’s letter of March 22,
arriving there on the evening of April 21, to find that the young had
already hatched and were then nearly or quite three weeks old. Upon
examination but few of these were found scattered over the cultivated
fields, while the majority of them were still confined to the weed patches
at the outer edges in ravines, along “turn rows” and in fence corners.
That evening, after a short consultation with the neighboring planters,
it was decided that immediate warfare begin, as no time should be lost
if advantage was to be taken of the position which the enemy occupied.
Accordingly, early the following morning, a team was dispatched te town
for poisons and other munitions of war. While some present favored
poisoning, others opposed this mode of warfare as dangerous and im-
practicable; but, as they could suggest no substitute, it was finally
agreed that poisoning should be tried. This was agreed upon chiefly
because all were supplied with the apparatus necessary for its applica-
tion, and were accustomed to its use in fighting the Cotton Worm (Aletia
szylina). Ialso proposed the use of coal tar and kerosene pans, and
ordered the material for the construction of a trial machine. The fol-
lowing morning we started out over the plantation of Major Flewellen
on a tour of inspection, only to find the majority of the eggs already
hatched and the young locusts in their second and third stages. After
digging for several hours and finding but a couple of unhatched eggs
and no egg parasites, it was decided to devote the future to the destruc-
tion of the larve before they began spreading over the crops, notwith-
standing the fact that you wished me especially to devote much of my
time in digging for egg parasites.

By careful inquiry from old citizens I learned that ever since the war-
times grasshoppers have occasionally appeared in unusual numbers at
isolated localities throughout portions of Central Texas, and especially
in the immediate neighborhood at present overrun. When this was

11

the case, crops invariably suffered to a lesser or greater extent from
their depredations. These visitations were so limited in extent and
inconspicuous in their nature that but little attention was paid them
at the time. There were other insect enemies that were attracting no-
tice and required the attention of the planters, whose chief crop had
been cotton. The Cotton Worm (Aletia xylina) had so increased in
numbers as almost to render the growing of cotton an impossibility ;
but, owing to the perseverance of those interested, that insect has at
last been reduced to such an extent as to be under control. Until
within the past three years these grasshopper or locust depredations
escaped popular notice (save during the visitation in the Fall of 1876
of the migratory species). Since this time, however, their increasing
numbers and frequent damage to crops have been too great to be over-
looked even by: the most unobserving. They have appeared at widely
separated localities, and although not committing general injury are
known to have eaten away several of the outside rows of cotton and
corn in fields bordering waste lands and ravines grown up with weeds
and other rank vegetation. Not until last year, however, did the plague
reach such a magnitude as to cause alarm; and this only after the
total destruction of crops upon plantations situated in different locali-
ties and in adjoining counties.

Referring to notes taken while in the field, I find the following re-
marks: ‘¢‘ There appear to be several species of the locusts which are
causing the trouble here, and all seem to have had similar egg-laying
habits. In looking about I find the larve of Melanoplus differentialis
or M. robustus, M. angustipenmis, M. atlanis, and Acridium frontalis. The
last three species are in about equal numbers, while those of the first
are by far the most numerous, and this is the only one which is charged
with last year’s depredations. Iam not quite positive whether the large
species is Ml. differentialis or M. robustus, as these two species are very
nearly related, and I have never seen authentic larve of the latter.
To-day (April 23) I found an old specimen of a male robustus, and was
assured that it was one of the genuine offenders, while yesterday the
femora of differentialis were pointed out to me as having belonged to
‘the very kind’.”

During my sojourn in the infested region I observed M. atlanis, fully
fledged, quite frequently, while walking about the fields, while others,
with those of M. angustipennis, were still in the pupal stage. These
latter, with those of Acridium frontalis, were exceedingly common, and
together nearly or quite equaled in number those of the larger species.
These three, while not always mingled with the former, were generally
to be found with them; especially was this the case upon rather damp
eround at the edges of ravines and grass patches, and also in fields of
small grain.

While the Rocky Mountain or Migratory Locust prefers rather solid
soil upon somewhat elevated open fields and closely grazed pastures for

12

depositing its eggs, all of these species now infesting Central Texas ap-
pear to find more suitable conditions among rank herbage for the dep-
osition of their eggs and subsequent development of the young larve.
The large species especially finds the protected roots of grasses and
corn best adapted to the sheltering of its eggs,and almost invariably
selects the varieties which grow in clumps for this purpose. In digging
I have found as many as 8 or 10 egg-pods inserted among the root-stalks
of a single clump of grass. Possibly the sheltered nature of these eggs
protects them from the numerous parasites which attack those of the
Migratory and other species which deposit in the unprotected ground.
It is asserted by different persons in this region that the present species
lays an average of 150 eggs to the pod, which, judging from the frag-
ments of egg-shells found by digging, is nearly correct; at any rate the
estimate is not too high. Hgg-depositing with this species commences
rather later than with some of the other representatives of the genus,
but just at what date I did notlearn. There is but a single pod formed
by an insect, the entire complement of eggs being deposited at once.

The larve commence hatching during the latter part of March and
continue to appear up to the middle of April, according to the forward-
ness or backwardness of the season. Wet warm weather favors the
hatching, while dry weather rather retards the process. The young
molt five times, at intervals of from 12 to 20 days, according to the con-
dition of the weather. Dry weather with hot days retards, while damp
or wet weather favors this process among insects by keeping the exu-
vie pliable during molting, as well as in furnishing the necessary moist-
ure required in growth. The winged or mature insects appear about
the middle of July or a little earlier and begin to couple soon afterward,
thus completing the cycle.

Their mode of attack does not differ greatly from that of HU. spretus,
save in that the latter begin upon the crops immediately after hatching,
while these species do not. They wait until they are from three to four
weeks old before venturing far from the places of hatching. Like that
species they have the habit of huddling together upon plants and among _
grasses and débris during cool nights and on cloudy days. This appears
to be a trait common to all insects when present in large numbers, and
must be the result of some special instinct. When about half-grown the
larve become pretty well scattered over the fields and do not hop back
to the weed patches on the outskirts in the evening, as they do while
younger and when first beginning their attacks upon the crops. The
molting is the same as with other locusts, and need not here be rede-
scribed. The grown hoppers do not migrate by flight, but do sometimes
move in concert in certain directions by jumping. This can hardly be
termed migration, since the change of location is merely performed for
the purpose of obtaining food, while the act of migrating is towards ob-
taining more decided results. When feeding they can be driven like
other locusts, and this trait in their nature has been taken advantage

13

of at different times and by many of the planters as a means of partial
protection to the crops.

It is sometimes quite a difficult matter to account for the rapid in-
crease of certain insects during a series of seasons that for years before
have scarcely appeared in numbers sufficient to be noticed. However
true this assertion may be, I think the rapid increase in the present in-
stance can be readily accounted for, and has its direct causes partly in
the negligence of the planters over the area now suffering and partly
through other and indirect but favoring circumstances. It has already
been ascertained that all of the species which are combining in the
present injury are partial to rank vegetation, and find the most favor-
‘able conditions for their egg-laying and subsequent development in the
waste land at the borders of cultivated fields, in ravines which run
through cultivated ground, and in neglected grounds which were at one
time under the plow. Everywhere in this locust area do we find great
neglect in this respect. There are not only large fields lying idle which
were once cultivated in cotton, but also wide borders adjacent to ra-
vines and gullies which have been permitted to grow up in bunch
grasses and weeds. Each of these features is of too common recurrence,
thus giving this and other insects of like nature ample harbor and room
for multiplication year after year. This is the prime cause, but from
inquiry it cannot be disputed that there are several other agencies
which have aided in bringing about the present state of affairs. These
are, primarily, the comparative scarcity of insectivorous birds, and sec-
ondarily the comparatively dry summers for the past three years.
While the bird question cannot easily be remedied at once, or the sea-
sons changed so as not to favor the increasing hoppers, there can be a
great deal accomplished by clearing up these waste places and putting
them once more under the plow. The dry seasons have aided the in-
crease of the locusts by diminishing their natural enemies. These are
chiefly soft-bodied insects, very delicate in structure, that are dependent
to a much greater extent than the locust is on moisture for their de-
velopment and subsequent career. It stands to reason, therefore, that
dry seasons, while not materially affecting the more hardy nature of
the locusts, are very injurious, if not altogether fatal, to insects whose
organs are so delicate as are most of these parasitic forms.

Up to the present season but little or nothing has been done by the
planters to protect their crops from the ravages of these locusts or
towards diminishing their numbers. True, some of them tried to save
their crops by driving the locusts off after they were fully matured and
could fly. While this remedy will sometimes save a portion of a crop,
it is only transient in its result, and must be repeated each day several
times. It is also a remedy that works better with the migratory spe-
cies than with the non-migratory forms that seldom fly more than a
few yards ata time. To save crops from locust ravages the main ob-
ject to be kept in view is, or rather should be, the destruction of the

14

pest, and not merely a transient removal of it. If the insects are merely
kept agitated while in the fields this does not prevent them from pro-
ceeding to the outskirts and depositing their eggs in the waste places
heretofore mentioned, and thereby rendering the production of crops the
ensuing year equally uncertain, and even, with favoring conditions, ten-
fold more so.

When I first visited the region infested, I learned of some efforts at
poisoning the larve with arsenic and Paris green. These had been
‘tried merely as exp@iments, and thus far had proved but partially suc-
cessful. The poisons in every instance had been applied in too large
quantities for the mixtures used, and resulted in the killing’ of the vege-
tation over which they had been distributed. Where this was the
case, the hoppers escaped with little injury. These mineral poisons only
take effect when taken internally with the food, and when the vegeta-
tion has been killed the young locusts will not eat it, but hop away to seek
that which is fresh. Finding this to be the case, a series of experiments
was instituted in order to ascertain just what proportions of the poisons
were necessary in order to obtain the best results and not to kill the
vegetation. By inquiry it was learned that of the arsenic the follow-
ing solution had been used: to one barrrel (47.9 gallons) of water in
which two quarts of molasses had been stirred, 12 ounces of the poison
were added. The latter had first been boiled in a little water, with a
pound or more of carbonate of soda, for about an hour in order to dissolve
it. We therefore decided that the future experiments should be made
with less poison to the barrel of water, and accordingly a half pound
was substituted. This mixture also proved too strong for the vegeta-
tion. After continued experiments it was finally decided that from 4
to 5 ounces of the poison to the barrel of water gave by far the best
results, and did not injure the vegetation unless put on too thickly or
in too coarse a spray. Bright sunshine during spraying appeared to
render the poison more injurious to the vegetation. A second spraying
over the same grounds also had the same effect as the stronger mixtures.
Light rains did not materially diminish the efficacy of the poisoning.
The results of arsenious poisoning are not immediate upon the hoppers,
but first show after about twenty-four hours, and prove fatal in about
thirty-six to forty hours. When the first examination was made after
the application (twenty-four hours afterwards) it was found that most
of the larve had left the weeds and were found creeping and jumping
about in a rather sluggish manner upon the ground underneath. No
dead ones were to be found at this time. In examining the same local-
ity a day later, a great many dead were found, also many others that
were very sluggish, while but few really active ones were to be found.
On the morning of the thifd day I counted upon 1 square foot of sur-
face between fifty and sixty dead, and a few others were present that
must certainly have followed before the expiration of another twenty-
four hours.

15

This poison is best applied with a rather powerful force-pump, using
a very fine spray, otherwise the vegetation will blister and much of
the fluid be wasted by falling upon the ground. The finer the spray
the more evenly the poison can be distributed, and hence a correspond-
ingly better result will ensue. Where comparatively large areas are to
be poisoned the best plan is to have two or more barrels, or, what is
better still, a tank holding a hundred or more gallons of the poisoned
water, mounted upon a wagon and drawn through the field with a team
of horses or oxen. Always poison by going against the wind instead of
with it, otherwise there is danger of poisoning both the team and the
persons operating the pump. It should also be remembered that a
muzzled beast is less liable to eat the poisoned vegetation than one
without a muzzle. Again, poisoning should be done only upon such
grounds as are never grazed, or over which stock is not permitted to
run. Poisoning can only be done with safety in regions where fields
are fenced, and upon such vegetation as will not afterwards be used as
food for animals or man. While rains may wash off most of the poison
from weeds, they never can do this from grasses and grains where the
blades are fastened to the stem in such a manner as to catch all the
rain which falis upon them and earry it to the body of the plant.
Paris green is used diluted with wheat flour or wood ashes, and ap-
plied by dustin g it upon the vegetation by means of a fine meal-sieve.
The proportions giving the best results as stated to me were 12 ounces
of the green to about 20 pounds of flour. Some add one pound of very
finely-powdered resin, which they claim acts as a sort of glue, causing
the material to adhere to the vegetation. Great caution is also neces-
sary in using this poison, both in its application and afterward in
keeping stock away from the vegetation to which it has been applied.
The best time for applying this remedy is in the morning while the dew
is still on the vegetation and before the wind arises. While a few of
the planters in the vicinity of Washington and Navasota seemed to
think this remedy superior to the arsenic, I did not find it so upon
Mr. Flewellen’s plantation, where it was tested several times. Where-
ever used, it is true, the hoppers disappeared, but an examination re-
vealed but few dead ones upon the ground. My opinion is that they
only moved to other localities where the poison was not put. This I am
pretty certain of, for frequently large numbers of the larve were ob-
served adjacent to such localities one day where there had been none
the day before. Vegetation also suffered from the effect of the poison.
In using poisons I would recommend the spray rather than the dry
application. The sirup or molasses adds to the efficacy of this latter
by enticing the hoppers to eat, since they are exceedingly fond of
sweets. Poisoning is undoubtedly a good remedy against locusts and
other injurious insects in countries where every field is fenced and
where no stock is permitted to roam about. Where there are no fences,
however, and stock roams at will over fields and along roadsides, its use

16

is out of the question. There are also numerous instances in fenced dis-
tricts where its use is impracticable and out of the question; as, for ex-
ample, in pastures and grain-fields as well as in the garden. In these
latter instances, therefore, it is necessary that other remedies be adopted.
I therefore suggested the use of the coal-tar and kerosene pans and the
various other machines and contrivances which have been used with
success in other locust districts in times past. As a sample and illus-
tration of their use I had one of these constructed, and had the satis-
faction of seeing it adopted by almost every planter in the immediate
neighborhood, as well as by others throughout the region afflicted.
While this latter remedy or contrivance did not meet the approval of
some of the larger planters, it was very popular with the colored pop-
ulation, who are exceedingly superstitious concerning the use of poisons
of all kinds. It was also quickly adopted by persons of limited means,
or where the locusts were confined to small patches and could be readily
destroyed in a few days with a small machine dragged over the ground
by hand.

In addition to the foregoing remedies one gentleman told me of a
plan he had adopted for destroying the hoppers upon his place. It
was about as follows: Having noticed that a certain piece of neglected
ground had been largely used by the locusts last fall for depositing
their eggs, he decided to plow it up this spring and, if possible, prevent
them from hatching. When plowing began it was found that most of
the eggs were thrust among the roots of large grassclumps. He there-
fore mustered all hands together and set them to gathering these clumps
of grass and hauling them into piles which were afterwards set on fire
and burned, thus destroying the locust eggs which they contained.
No less than nine wagon loads of the grass clumps were thus gathered
and burned, and this evidently did much good. Others who have recog-
nized the insectivorous nature of fowls, and especially of the guinea-
hen and turkey, have begun rearing these in large numbers. I also
suggest to the planters in general that they protect the quails and quit
shooting them for several years, since they, too, are of great aid as
insect destroyers. ‘

At this time locusts are present in damaging numbers in the follow-
ing counties as nearly as I could ascertain by inquiry and travel: Wash-
ington, Burleson, Lee, Fayette, Austin, Grimes and Waller, and of
these only Washington, Austin, Grimes and Waller have reported the
loss of crops during last year from theirravages. This section lies just
between the two ‘“‘cross timbers” of east Central Texas and borders the
prairie country. Judging from the timbered nature of this portion of
the State, the climate as a rule must be rather more humid than it has
been during the past few years, and consequently cannot always be
overrun by locusts, if, as we understand it, aridity is favorable to the
rapid increase of these insects. With the present warfare against them,
if continued during the spring and summer into the fall, there certainly

15

cannot be much danger of future depredations from locusts. Still I
would suggest to the inhabitants of this and adjoining regions to keep
on the alert, and wherever and whenever threatened to waste no time
but to try and control them at once.

Although the loss of crops has been limited to comparatively smal]
areas throughout these counties, nevertheless the damages sustained
will aggregate more than might be imagined. Asan example, we need
only quote a few lines from Dr. Flewellen’s letter where he writes:
“This locality, 4 miles south of the old town of Washington on the
Brazos River, lost not less than 20,000 bushels of corn and 2,000 bales
of cotton by the ravages of the pest.”. When we add to this the losses
sustained at other localities throughout these counties, and also those
on other crops, we have before us quite formidable figures.

In closing my report, it might be thought proper for me to give my
opinion as to the possible results of this summer’s brood of hoppers.
This can be done in very few words. Possibly in addition to a few out-
side rows, a few fields of cotton and corn will be taken in places where
the weed patches were destroyed prematurely, thereby scattering the
larve over the fields while the crops were still very small and tender.
This I know to have occurred in several instances where it was thought
that by destroying the weeds the little hoppers would also perish.
Aside from this there need be but few complete failures on account of
locust depredations.

THE POST OAK LOCUST OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, TEXAS.

In addition to the several species of locust that have been mentioned
in the preceding pages, last summer for the first time another species
of focust was noticed in vast numbers among the post oak timber lying
between the towns of Washington and Brenham, in Washington county.
These were so numerous in one locality that they completely defoliated
the trees of the forest, even to the very topmost twigs. The region occu-
pied by this insect, although not over a mile and a half in width by 7 or
8 miles in length, is sufficiently large for the propagation of swarms ¢a-
pable of devastating a much larger area during the present spring and
summer, and by another year to spread over several of the adjoining
counties.

Although there is at present no apparent injury to the trees thus de-
foliated last year, and now in progress again this year, there can be no
question as to the final result if these attacks are continued for several
years longer. The trees will eventually die. While up to the present
time this locust has shown a decided arboreal habit, it may, and un-
doubtedly will be, obliged to seek food in the adjoining fields when com-
pelled to do so through lack of its present diet, which is rapidly disap-
pearing before the hungry myriads of young locusts.

Notwithstanding the great numbers of the foregoing described species
which together have combined in injuring the cotton and corn crops

17528—No. 13——2

18

throughout this and adjoining counties, it is my opinion that the present
species is more to be feared in the future than they, on account of its
arboreal nature and the difficulty of getting at it in order to destroy it.
To kill these locusts either while feeding among the foliage or “ roost-
ing” upon the topmost boughs of the tal] trees would be next to impos-
sible. On the other hand, the other species are easily to be gotten at
and destroyed, as just shown.

The habits of this locust, as nearly as I was able to learn through
inquiry from others, and by personal observation, are briefly as fol-
lows:

The egg-pods are deposited in the ground about the bases of trees or
indifferently scattered about the surface among the decaying leaves,
&c., like those of all other ground-laying species. The young commence
hatching about the middle of March and continue to appear until into
April. After molting the first time and becoming a little hardened
they immediately climb up the trunks of the trees and bushes of all
kinds and commence feeding upon the new and tender foliage. They
molt at least five or six times, if we may take the variation in size and
difference in the development of the rudiments of wings as a criterion.
The imago or mature stage is reached by the last of May or during the
first part of June.

The species is very active and shy in all its stages of growth after
- leaving the egg. The larva and pupa run up the trunks and along the -
limbs of trees with considerable speed, and in this respect differ con-
siderably from all other species of locusts with which I am acquainted.
I am informed that the mature insects are also equally wild and fly like
birds. They feed both by day and night; and I am told by those who
have passed through the woods after night when all else was quiet,
that the noise produced by the grinding of their jaws was not unlike:
the greedy feeding of swine.

Aside from its arboreal nature there is but a single instance men-
tioned of its preference to growing crops. This was a small field of
either cotton or corn, or perhaps both. If the nature of the crop was
told me at the time I have forgotten. At any rate the crop of one or
the other of these two staples grew in a small clearing in the very midst
of the most thickly visited area. The mature insects alone were the
offenders in this instance. During the day-time they would leave the
trees in swarms and alight upon the growing crop and feed until even
ing, when they would return to the trees. If, during the day, they were
disturbed, they immediately took wing and left for the tops of the sur-
rounding trees to return shortly afterward.

The exact classification of this locust has not yet been fully ascer-
tained, since no mature specimens were to be obtained, or, to my knowl-
edge, are contained in any of our American collections. The larve and
pupe collected, however, would indicate a relationship to both the gen-
era Melanoplus and Acridium. It appears to be congeneric with an

mas Tre

a Ase get

Pa

undescribed short-winged form, thus far only taken in Missouri, which
lives among and feeds upon the oaks only of that region. The present
species is also evidently undescribed, unless the mature insect should
differ widely from the preparatory stages herewith presented. It is
popularly known in that region as the ‘‘ Red-legged hopper” of the post
oaks.

The larve and pupe are of rather bright color, giving them a gaudy
appearance. The ground color of the body is dark wood brown deep-
ening into black along the sides of the pronotum and the apex of the
posterior femora. The head for the most part is of a bright lemon yel-
low, while the pronotum is of the same, varied by streaks and blotches
of the brown. The antenne and posterior femora are red internaily,
dimly banded with yellow and brown on the external face, through
which the red color of the inner side can be plainly seen. The feet and
tarsi are also dark. The pupez average almost an inch in length and
are rather robust in form, with short, broad heads and powerful jaws

FOURTH REPORT ON INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FOREST AND
SHADE TREUS.

By Dr. A. S. PACKARD, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

PROVIDENCE, November 1, 1886.

Str: I herewith submit my report on insects injurious to forest trees, based on ob-
servations made during the past season in Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire.
This report contains observations on the Spruce Bud-worm, a new enemy to that tree,
with notes on other forest insects. Other notes on incomplete larval histories do not
necessarily appear until they have been completed.

Respectfully yours,

A. §. PACKARD.
EOra Cs 9V i.e LEE.
U. S. Entomologist.

THE SPRUCE AND HACKMATACK WORMS IN 1886.

During the past season, as in 1885, no traces of the caterpillar or moth
of Tortrix fumiferana, formerly so destructive to Firs and Spruces, were
discovered. The moths must be now as rare as before 1878. Great
progress has also been made by the younger growth of these conifer-
ous trees in repairing the desolation caused by the attacks of this worm.

The Larch Saw-fly was, on the other hand, found to be still not un-
common. It was observed July 1 at Brunswick, Me., locally, the worm
having freshly hatched upon a few trees, but it did not do any more
harm than the previous year.

During the early part of September, however, it was observed in
abundance along the Cherry Mountain road from Fabyan’s to Jefferson,
N. H., a few miles north of the White Mountain house. The Larches
had been ravaged rather severely and many of the worms were still
lingering on the branches, feeding upon the leaves; while many young
trees had been stripped, wholly or in part, of their leaves. Some dead
Larches were also to be seen.

We call attention below to a Phycid caterpillar which was observed
in Maine preying upon the young cones of the Spruce, no lepidopterous
insect with similar habits having before been observed.

We have also given more attention than forme rly to the insects infest-
ing the Willow and Alder, as these trees are the prolific source of many

species which spread from them to other forest as weil as to ornamental
20

eieriaben ‘ Pieler ty i elige SON aoe mee ee i

21

and shade trees. While the Willow has until recently been useful as a
shade tree, when standing by the horse-trough or by the well, an occasional
Weeping Willow being seen in towns, a new value is attached to the tree
for the salicylic acid extracted from it, and in the Southern States there
have already been established extensive plantations of willows, the
twigs and branches being cut and gathered for the extraction and man-
ufacture of this valuable remedy.

The number of species of insects affecting the Willow in Europe is
said by Kaltenbach* to amount to three hundred and ninety-six; of
these ninety-four are beetles and two hundred and fifteen moths and
butterflies; while the European Alder supports one hundred and nine-
teen species of insects of different groups.

THE SPRUCE CONE-WORM.
(Pinipestis reniculella Grote.)

This is the first occurrence, so far as we know, of a caterpillar prey
ing upon the terminal fresh young cones of the Spruce. We have pre-
viously t called attention to the Spruce Bud-louse (Adelges abieticolens)
which deforms the terminal shoots of the Spruce, producing large swell-
ings which would be readily mistaken for the cones of the same tree.
Another species of Bud-louse (Adelges abietis Linn.), which appears to be
the same as the European insect of that name, we observed several
years since (August, 1881) in considerable numbers on the Norway
Spruces on the grounds of the Peabody Academy of Sciences at Salem,

The species of caterpillar in question was observed, August 24, in
considerable numbers on a young Spruce 10 to 20 feet in height at Mere-
point on Casco Bay, Maine. The cones on the terminal shoot as well
as the lateral upper branches, which when healthy and unaffected were
purplish-green and about 14 inches long, were for the most part mined by
a rather large Phycid caterpillar. The worm was of the usual shape
and color, especially resembling a Phycid caterpillar not uncommon in
certain-seasons on the twigs of the Pitch Pine, on which it produces
large unsightly masses of castings within which the worms hide.

The Spruce Cone-worm is usually confined to the
young cones, into which it bores and mines in different
directions, eating galleries passing partly around the in-
terior, separating the scales from the axis of the cones
(Fig. 1). After mining one cone the caterpillar passes
into an adjoining one, spinning a rude silken passage
connecting the two cones. Sometimes a bunch of three
or four cones are tied together with silken strands;
while the castings or excrement thrown out of the holes
form a large, conspicuous light mass, sometimes half as oe a aaa ee
large as one’s fist, out of which the tips of the cones are 4b.

*Die Pflanzenfeinde aus der Klasse der Insekten, 1874.
tGuide to the Study of Insects, p. 523, and Bulletin 7, U.S. Eat. Comm., p. 234,

22

Seen to project (Fig. 2). Besides these unsightly masses of castings,
the presence of the caterpillars causes an exudation of pitch, which

Fic. 2.—Mass of infested cones (original).

clings in large drops or tears to the
outside of the adjacent more or less
healthy cones. Where much affected
the young cones turn brown and sere.

The same worms had also attacked
the terminal branches and twigs of
the same tree, eating off the leaves
aud leaving a mass of excrement on
one side of the twig, within which
they had spun a silken gallery in
which the worm lived.

On removing the bunches of dis-
eased cones to Providence, one cater-
pillar transformed in a warm cham-
ber into a moth, which appeared the
end of October; its metamorphosis
was probably accelerated by the un-
usually warm autumnal weather. All
the others had by the Ist of Novem-
ber spun within the mass of castings
a loose, thin, but firm, oval cocoon,
abouf half an inch long and a quar-
ter inch wide, but the larve had not
yet begun-to change to chrysalids,
Whether in a state of nature they

winter over in the larval state within their cocoons, or, aS is more
likely, change to pup in the autumn, appearing as moths by the end

of spring, remains to be seen.

The chrysalis is of the usual Phycid appearance, rather slender, but
- with the abdominal tip blunt, with no well-marked cremaster or spine,
though ending in the usual six curved stiff bristles, by means of which
it hooks onto the walls of its cocoon, thus maintaining itself in its nat-

ural position.

I only found one tree next to the house thus affected —

eal ra a

Mn SOW te ma

by this worm. It is probable that in a dense spruce
growth the trees would be less exposed to the attacks of
what may prove a Serious enemy of shadespruces. The
obvious remedy is, to burn the affected cones and mass
of castings late in Summer.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva. (Fig. 3.)—Of the usual Phycid form; the
head and prothoracic shield deep amber-brown; the body reddish
carneous or amber-brown, with a livid hue; a faint, dark, dorsal,
and a broader, subdorsal line; piliferous warts distinct; each
segment divided into a longer anterior and shorter, narrower, pos-
terior section, bearing two dorsal piliferous warts, besides a lateral
one. Length 16™™. :

Fic. 3.—Spruce
Cone-worm (en-
larged, original).

23

Pupa.—Of the usual Phycid appearance; rather slender, the abdominal tip blunt,
with six long slender up-curved bristles. Length 9™™,

Moth. (Fig. 4.)—1 male. Fore-wings long and narrow, stone-gray, with no reddish
or brownish tints. Head, palpi, and body dark gray with white scales intermixed.
Fore-wings dark and light gray; a broad basal
light pitch; before the middle of the wing a white
zigzag line composed of a costal and median scal-
lop. A square whitish distal patch, and half way
betweenit and the outer margin is anarrow white
zigzag line inclosed on each side by a dark border,
the line being deeply angulated three times. Edge
of the wing next to the base of the fringe deep
black, interrupted by narrow pale gray spots:
Fringe dusky, with fine white scales. Legs
banded with black and gray. Hind wings pale gray. Expanse of wings 22™™;
length of body 10™. (Identified by Prof. C. H. Fernald.)

Fic. 4.—Moth of Spruce Cone-worm
(enlarged, original),

‘THE GREEN-STRIPED PHYCID WORM.
(Meroptera pravella Gr.)

~ This a common insect on the Willow, occurring at Brunswick, Me.,
August 20, and threugh the month. It spins a web on the under side
of the leaf, and pupates from the 15th to 20th of September, the moth
in confinement appearing (in the breeding cage at Providence) the end
of May (the 25th-31st). The caterpillar, which is longitudinally striped
with light and dark green with black slashes on each side of the head,
varies somewhat; in some there are only four slashes on the head, with
no other markings. The moth ditfers from Phycis rubrifasciella on the
Hickory in having no cross-band of raised scales, while the insect is
much darker, and the palpi are twice as broad.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva.—Body of the usual form, tapering from near the head to the
end. Head of the usual size, not quite so broad as the prothoracic segment ; green,
slashed vertically and mottled with large and small brown or jet-black spots. Pro-
thoracic segment a little swollen; the shield not striped like the rest of the body.
Body with narrow alternating light and dark green stripes; brown along the back,
and inclosing a large round green spot on each segment; the brown portion with
_ three interrupted green lines, one median and two lateral. Piliferous dots minute,
not conspicuous. Length, 15™™,

Pupa.—Of the usual Phycid shape; mahogany-brown; end of the terminal abdom-
inal spine smooth, shining, convex, and ending in a stout curved lateral spine on
each side. Length 10™™.

F Moth.—Body and fore wings dark gray, with brick-red scales and bands. Palpi very
if broad, especially the second joint; dark gray ; vertex of head light gray, with dark
: scales; antennze blackish. Prothoracic scales and shoulder tippets (patagia) dull
_ brick-red; middle (disk) of thorax gray. Fore wings dark, dusky gray, with scattered
if pale gray scales; base of wings dull brick-red; a broad, diffuse band of the same color
crosses the basal fourth of the wing; on the outer fourth of the wings is a similar
€ broad, diffuse, dull brick-red band, sending a diffuse longitudinal stripe towards the
basal band; an incomplete transverse pale gray line, curved outward in the middle

_ of the wing, borders the inside of the outer reddish band. Costal edge dusky, the
reddish bands not reaching it. Fringe of the same dull slate-color as the hind wings.

Expanse of wings, 20™™. (Identified by Prof. C. H. Fernald.)

RN ir het Ee Reese

~~

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i,
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i.
.

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24

THE ALDER FLEA-BEETLE.
(Haltica alni Harris.)

In the correspondence of the late Dr. Harris the following mention is
made of this beetle: ‘ In traveling from Centre Harbor, N. H., to Con-
way, on the 2d of August, 1854, and from Conway to Upper Bartlett,
and subsequently to Jackson, we saw the Alders (Alnus serrulata) every-
where ravaged by insects which had destroyed their leaves in the man-
ner of canker worms. Upon examination the spoilers were found not
to be all dispersed and several were seen upon the leaves still continu.
ing their work; at the same time were found in Conway numerous
beetles, which proved to be a species of Haltica, eating the leaves off
the same Alders. The larve which had ravaged the shrubs were doubt-
less those of the Haltica before named.”

We have reared the beetles from the grubs during the past season.
At Merepoint, near Brunswick, Me., during the middle of August,
1886, we noticed clumps of Alders standing in dry soil partly defoliated
or with skeletonized, brown or blackish leaves, on which, as well as
the still remaining green leaves, were black grubs, sometimes seven or
eight on a leaf. All the alders in the region were not molested, the
grubs occurring locally. August 15 we found a single beetle, on
placing a number of leaves with the grubs in a tin box. We found a
white pupa lying loosely on the bottom of the box August 20; soon
more pupe appeared, and the beetles began to appear in considerable
numbers the last week of August. It is evident that in nature the
- larva falls to the ground to transform, the pupe entering the earth.

Afterwards, September 10, we found whole clumps of Alders at the
base of [ron Mountain, Jackson, N. H., stripped by the grubs, neariy all
the riddled, brown, dead leaves having fallen off and thickly covering
the ground under the bushes. Such a wholesale devastation of Alders
we never witnessed. By this time the beetles had become very abun-
dant, and were apparently feeding on the few leaves still attached to
the tree. The Alder is the source of some of our destructive forest and
fruit insects, and should this grub ever spread to other food trees it
will be very annoying, though it can be subdued by proper spraying.
There seems to be a periodicity in the appearance of this beetle in
unusual numbers, Harris having seen the same grubs in great abun-
dance in 1854 in the same region. We have never observed it so com-
mon and destructive before in Maine. It is most probable that the
beetles hibernate under the leaves and, soon after the leaves expand
in May, lay their eggs in masses on them, the grubs scarcely stirring
from the leaf on which they are born, until ready to pupate. The
grubs are probably distasteful to birds, otherwise they would fall an
easy prey to them and be kept within due limits.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva.—Body somewhat flattened; head scarcely two-thirds as
wide as the body in the middle; black, becoming brown in front near the jaws.
Body livid brown above; the tubercles black; paler beneath; with three pairs of

+a 39 ce ¢ See ee

_—

Pf peat

25

black jointed thoracic legs; no abdominal legs, but an anal prop-leg. The abdom-
inal segments each with a traverse, oval-rounded, ventral, rough space forming a se-
ries of creeping tubercles ; and in front on each segment is a transverse, oval, crescentic
chitinous area bearing two piliferous tubercles; the back of each segment divided
into two ridges, each bearing a row of six sharp tubercles, bearing short hairs; a
single ventral row on each side of the ventral plate. Length, 7-10™™,

Pupa.—Body rather thick, white. Antenne passing around the bent knees (femero-
tibial joints) of the first and second pair of legs, the end scarcely going beyond the
middle of the body. Elytra with five or six rather deep longitudinal creases. The
salient points of the body armed with piliferous warts. Abdominal tip square at the
end, with a stout black spine projecting from each side. Length, 6™™,

Beetle.—Uniformly deep prussian blue, with greenish reflections on the head. An-
tennal flagellum with fine whitish pubescence; tibia clothed with tawny hairs.
Length, 5-6™™,

THE ALDER LEAF-ROLLER.

(Gelechia oronella Walsingham.)

While the leaves of the Alder are variously folded and rolled, per-
haps the most striking leaf-roller is the above species, which occurred
in Maine late in the summer, in August and the early part of Septem-
ber.

The little worm is amber-colored, the body rather thick and cylindri-
cal, but with no distinctive markings. One was observed which had
sewed a portion of the edge of the leaf for half an inch in extent with
four or five large white silk stitches. The moth, which appeared in the
breeding cage May 4 of the following year, is described below.

In another example, probably of this species, the end of the leaf was
rolled up one and a half turns, and sewed with three broad strong silk
stitches. On unrolling it the end of the leaf was found to be more or
less eaten, the roll being gradually drawn in and made more perfect as
the caterpillar consumes the tip of the leaf. It pupated September 18.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva.—Body rather thick, cylindrical; body and head delicate
amber-colored ; end of the body with quite long hairs, longer than the body is wide.
Length 6™™,

Pupa.—Rather thick; mahogany-brown; length, 7™™.

Moth.—Palpi with the second joint moderately broad, scarcely more than twice as
wide as the third joint, which is moderately broad and two-thirds as long as the sec-
ond joint. Head and palpi whitish-gray ; second joint black externally ; third joint
white, with two black rings. Fore wings of the usualshape; white-gray ; at the base
a black streak parallel to the costa; on the basal fourth of the wing is a pair of con-
verging black spots; beyond is a similar but thicker pair of black spots, and still be-
yond another pair, one of the spots being situated on the costa; four black costal spots
towards the apex of the wing. Hind wings pale glistening gray. Expanse of wings,
1s™m, Jam indebted to Professor Fernald for the identification of this species.

THE PINK-STRIPED WILLOW SPAN-WORM.
(Deilinia variolaria Guen.)

Thecaterpillar of this pretty moth is one of the commonest inch worms
to be found on the Willow.

The genus to which this caterpillar belongs was founded by Huebner
for a moth referred by Guenée to Cabera. The species of Deilinia are

26.

distinguished from those of Corycia by the pectinated antenne, the two
common lines, and the generally ocherous tint, though the females of
D. variolaria are with difficulty separated from those of Corycia. From
Acidalia the species differ in having pectinated antenne, in the want of
a decided band on the hind wing, and in the larger palpi. The species is
figured on Pl. 10, fig. 26, of Packard’s Monograph of Geometrid Moths.

The caterpillar occurred August 10 on the Willow at Brunswick, Me.
It pupated August 14, and the moth emerged from May 20 till June 6.
The moths are seen flying among willows in Juneand July. We have
also found the larve July 24, and from that date till the first week in
September.

DESCRIPTIVE.— Larva.—Body smooth, cylindrical. Head as wide as the body,
flattened from above, especially in front; antennze pinkish. Green with a pinkish
tinge ; onthe side of the head a lateral distinct deep pink line, sutures and upper side
of the segments pinkish. There are eight dorsal median spots along the abdominal
segments, a central dark-brown dot, flanked on each side by a pale lilac patch. First
pair of abdominal feet deep lilac; anal legs with a vertical anterior lilae line. Su-
pra-anal plate large, triangular, with two minute tubercles. Length, 22™™.

Pupa.—Thorax moderately stout, at first greenish, finally becoming like the abdo-
men, mahogany-brown; terminal spine (cremaster) rather stout and blunt, ending sud-
denly in two large curved bristles with three minute slender much curved ones on each
side; the basal pair situated about half-way between the base and the middle of the
spine. Length, 10™™. ;

Moth.—Front of head deep reddish-ocherous; white on the front edge; palpi deep
ocherous; antenne white. Fore wings with the costal edge rather full. Both wings
strigated more or less thickly with brown; sometimes the wings are pure white. In
the male, the strigze (or short lines) are arranged in two parallel lines on both wings.
Beneath, pure white; sometimes a complete black discal dot oneach wing. Fore and
middle legs ocherous. Expanse of wings 26™™, This species differs from D. erythe-
maria (Guen.), also common in the Atlantic States, by its white wings, which are often
without lines, and by the deep reddish ocherous front of the head.

THE HERALD.

(Scoliopteryx libatrix Linn.)

This fine moth, common to the New and Old World, is in England ~
called “the Herald.” Here as well as in Eu:ope it feeds as a general
rule upon the Willow, but we are told by Mr.-H. L. Clark that he has
bred it from the Wild Cherry in Rhode Island.

Its habits so far as they have noticed are nearly the same as observed
in Europe. Mr. Lintner, the State Entomologist of New York, says that
the caterpillar feeds on and pupates among some of the leaves drawn
together by silken threads to which the pupa is attached by an anal
spine. The fall brood remains in the pupa state from fifteen to twenty
days. He bred a moth which emerged August 3, hence he thinks that
there are probably two annual broods of this species, since he has taken
itin the early partof May. In Illinois Mr. Coquillett bred a larva which
spun its cocoon August 23, while the moth appeared September 7.

27

Professor Riley’s notes show that he found the larvee at Kirkwood,
Mo., in May, 1872; that they began to spin their cocoons May 29; and
that the moths began toemerge June 11. On June17 eggs were found.

We have found the larva on the Willow at Brunswick, Me., August
26, when it was nearly fully grown. Itis easily recognized, since it is one
of the few Noctuid caterpillars to be found on the Willow, and may be
recognized by its pale green hue and the yellow lateral line as well as
the yellowish sutures between the body-segments. A chrysalis beaten
out of a Willow tree during the last week in August disclosed the moth
about the 12th of September. Another chrysalis was found at J ackson,
N. H., during the second week in September, the moth appearing Sep-
tember 14. The Jarva had sewed together four or five willow leaves at
the end of a terminal shoot, and the cavity thus formed was lined with
a thin but dense whitish cocoon in which the pupa was situated with
the head upwards, and firmly held in place by the hooks on the abdom-
inal spine. The moth hibernates, appearing in May as soon as the
leaves are unfolded, and we see no grounds for supposing that there
is more than a single brood of caterpillars or of moths. The chrysalis
is quite unlike that of most Noctuids which transform in the earth, and
has a simple blunt spine. The cremaster or spine of the present species
is much like that of those Geometrids which spin a cocoon.

We thus have an interesting departure from the usual structure and
habits of a numerous family of moths, the end of the pupa being spe-
cially adapted for « residence in a cocoon to prevent its being shaken
out of its exposed pupal abode. Like all tree-feeding Noctuide, the
caterpillar is well protected from observation by its style of coloration ;
in the present case the pale green assimilating it to the leaves among
which it feeds.

THE BROWN CRYPTOLECHIA.
(Cryptolechia quercicella Clemens.)

The leaves of the Oak and, as we have found the past season, the
Aspen, are often bound together by a rather large flattened Tineid cat-
erpillar, larger in size than inost larve of the family to which it belongs.
It is of about the size of the caterpillar of another less common species
of the same genus (C. schlagenella) whose habits we have already de
scribed in Bulletin No. 3 of the Division of Entomology (U.S. Depart-
~ ment Agriculture, p. 25.)

The larva of the present species (originally described by Clemens as
Psilocorsis quercicella) was said by that author* to bind the leaves of
oaks together in August and September (in Pennsylvania) and to pick
out the parenchyma between the network of veins; to weave a slight
cocoon between two leaves, appearing as a moth in March and April.
Our observations confirm the accuracy of Clemens’s observations. In

*Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Phil., June, 1860. See also Clemens’s Tineina of North
America, edited by H. T. Stainton, p. 149.

28

1884 we reared it from the Oak in Providence, the moths in confine-
ment appearing May 3 to 13 of the following spring.

During the season of 1886 we found the larve both on the Oak and
on the Aspen at Brunswick, Me., during the last week in August (the
25th to 3l1st). It disfigures these trees by binding the leaves together,
where it occupies a gallery in the mass of excrement filling the space.
It weaves a slight, but quite consistent, oval, flat cocoon between the
somewhat crumpled leaves; the moths appeared in the breeding cages
from May 15 to 20; at first sight the moth resembles a Tortrix, the
wings being wide and broad at the end, and the markings plain; itis

very different in appearance from the moth of the other species we have |

mentioned, which is white, with longer, narrower wings. The abdomi-
nal spine of the chrysalis is also very peculiar in shape.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva.—Body flattened. Head wide, slightly narrower than the
prothoracic segment; dark brown; prothoracic shield dark brown, slightly paler than
the head. Body behind pale livid greenish flesh-colored ; no dorsal setiferous warts,
but on each side of each segment are two dark warts of unequal size giving rise to
long hairs; below them are two smaller, paler, less conspicuous warts. Supra-anal
plate large, broad, rounded, blackish, with five setiferous warts around the edges of
the plate. All the legs concolorous with the body. Length, 12™™,

Pupa.—Of the shape of the Tortricide, being unusually stout and of a mahogany
brown color. Abdominal segments peculiar in having a single, finely crenulated

ridge passing dorsally and laterally around the front edge of the segment ; there are no —

teeth or spines, but a rough surface on the ridge with confluent granulations The
tip is peculiar, the last segment being conical, with a stout spine (cremaster), which
is rounded, a little fattened, and ending in two forks, from the sides and ends of which
arise in all 6-8 long bristles, which stick into the silken lining of the rather slight
cocoon in which it transforms. Length, 7™™.

Moth.—Recognized by its large size, broad square wings, and long slender palpi>
curving backwards high over the head. Head, thorax, and fore wings tawny gray,
with a line of fine dark scales on the base of the antennae and on the upper and un-
der side of the last joint of the palpi. Fore wings uniform tawny gray, mottled with
fine blackish scales; no distinct markings except a dark diffuse discal dot. Fringe gray.
Hind wings and abdomen as well as the legs shining pale tawny gray, much lighter
than the fore wings; beneath of the same color, except that the fore wings are some-
what dusky except on the outer edge and outer half of the costal margin. Expanse
of wings 20™™,

THE BEECH SPAN-WORM.

(Hyperetis nyssaria Smith and Abbot.)

Although the Alder is one of the food trees of this not uncommon
inch-worm, it is known to live on the Beech. The specimen reared from
the Alder by us is described below.

I have reared this moth from a large span-worm found on the Alder
September 6, at Brunswick Me., which exactly resembled a small twig
of the same shrub. It pupated September 20, in a broad flattened oval

cocoon spun between the leaves, and the moth appeared at Providence

in the breeding cage May 15 of the following year.

MMe 1 AES

:

cee

Mees

29

Mr. W. Saunders has reared the moth from a caterpillar found on the
Beech, and it will probably occur on other trees.

Larva.—Head rather small, much narrower than the body, somewhat flattened in
front. First thoracic considerably narrower than the second thoracic segment ; sec-
ond and third thoracic segments with lateral slight swellings; the black spiracles are
situated on dusky swellings; on the fifth abdominal segment is a dusky dorsal hump,
edged in front with white, consisting of two rounded conical tubercles. Supra-anal
plate rounded with two stiff terminal setae ; anal legs rather broad, with a setiferous
fleshy conical tubercle on the upper edge. General color of head and body lilac-brown ;
head slightly more reddish, and on the back of each segment is a pair of whitish spots,
especially distinct on the second thoracic, but wanting on the first segment. Supra-
anal plate and anal legs sea-green, mottled with dusky spots. Length 28™™,

Pupa.—Body rather thick; mahogany-brown, ends of wings and legs reaching to
the posterior edge of the third abdominal segment. Terminal spine of the abdomen
(cremaster) large, flattened beneath, broad, triangular; the upper and under surface
with fine irregular wavy longitudinal ridges. Four lateral curved bristles and a ter.
minal pair about twice as thick and long as the others. On the under side at the base
of the spine are two orbicular areas like flattened tubercles. Length 12 ™™,

Moth.—Fore wings pale whitish, with fine cross specks as usual; the basal cross
line is heavy on the costa and bent sharply outwards on the subcostal, with a smaller
angle on the median vein and a larger angle on the submedian vein. The great but
obtuse angle made by the outer line extends quite near the outer edge of the wing.
Half way between the apex and the outer line two brown costal patches; two un-
equal black patches near the internal angle. Beneath, the lines and cross specks are
reddish-brown. Expanse of wings 33™™. The specimen does not agree with either
of the four figures in my Monograph of Geometrid Moths, differing especially in the
shape and direction of the outer line.

THE CLEFT-HEADED SPAN-WORM.
(Amphydasis cognataria Guen.)

This common inch or measuring worm is the largest species we have
met with feeding on the Willow, and may be readily recognized by its
deeply cleft head and reddish-brown or green body like a reddish or
green willow twig, which it closely mimics. We have noticed it as
frequently in Jackson, N. H., as in Maine. It becomes fully fed by the
first week in September, my specimens transforming September 8, the
chrysalis entering the earth. The moth appears in June in Maine, late
in May in Southern New England and New York. I have raised this
moth in Maine from the Larch (pupating September 15), also from the
Missouri Currant, an ornamental shrub; also from the Apple, Elm,
Cherry, and the Aspen in Rhode Island, though the Willow is probably
its native food-plant, as it occurs in greatest abundance on that tree.
Mr. Lintner states that the larva feeds on the Maple; that the caterpillar
entered the ground for pupation August 11, the moth emerging the
latter part of May. (Ent. Contr. III, 166.) My specimens emerged in
Providence, May 13. The larva found on the Aspen is greenish and
like a fresh aspen twig, with whitish granulations, which are black on
the tubercles. _

30

DESCRIPTIVE.— Young larva.—Head large, deeply notched, each tubercle distinctly
conical; body cylindrical, slender, with no tubercles; a little smaller in the middle
than at each end. Head and body uniformly of a dull, brick-red. Length 13 to
140m, C

Larva before the last molt-—With the characters of the adult larva; salmon red.
Length 35™™.

Mature larva.—Twig-like, head very deeply notched, each side above conical ; the
face flat in front, the surface granulated. Prothoracic segment raised in front into a
large granulated piliferous tubercle. Ou the fifth abdominal segment a pair of large
lateral rough tubercles, a little paler than the body; on the 8th segment a pair of
converging pale granulated tubercles. Anal legs very large and broad, witha pair
of long dorsal sharp fleshy tubercles; supra-anal plate very large, conical and acute,
with four setae near the apex. Body of even width throughout, reddish-brown, like
a reddish willow twig, or sometimes greenish. The surface finely granulated with
light and black, and with flat rough warts, paler in color than the rest of the body;

our on the front edge of each segment, and two dorsal ones behind. It varies in
color from reddish-brown to green, thus mimicing willow twigs of different colors.
Length 55™™,

Pupa.—Large, full, stout; dark brown. Cremaster large, stout, a projection on
each side in the middle, beyond rounded, sharp, the point ending in a slender fork.
Length 24™™.

Moith.—A large stout-bodied moth, with heavily pectinated antenne and rather
small wings. Fore wings narrow, with the outer edge longer than usual; pepper and
salt or ash sprinkled with black brown; an indistinct, diffuse, inner, curved line,
with a second one nearer and diverging a little on the costa, being nearer together
at the base. A third diffuse line encloses the discal spot. An outer distinct black
hair-line always present. Hind wings with three dark lines. Abdomen with two
rows of obscure black spots. Expanse of wings 60™™,

iCHTHYURA STRIGOSA Grote.

The caterpillar of this interesting species was found July 30, at Bruns-

wick, Me., feeding on the Aspen (Populus tremuloides). It moulted
August 10, and about the 20th began to spin a silken cocoon between
two leaves. The moth (a male) appeared in the breeding cage at Prov-
idence, May 20. Like J. americana, it sits with the wings folded sharply
over the back, with the fore legs held straight out in front, with the
tufted tail curved up. :

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva before the last molt.—Head broader than the body, flattened
in front, dull black, with long white hairs. Body flattened, with yellow and reddish-
longitudinal stripes; three dorsal faint red stripes on a yellowish ground, and three
deep lake-red lateral stripes, the lowermost the broadest and deepest in hue. Two
bright yellow lateral stripes. Five pairs of flesh-colored abdominal legs, the legs pale
amber, colored like the under side of the body. Length 9™™.

Larva after the last molt.—Markings much asin the previous stage. Length 17 to
a

The rude cocoon is formed by tying a few leaves together, gathering them by a web
at the edges, thus forming a roomy chamber, partly lined with silk, within which the
chrysalis rests.

Pupa.—Smaller and not so full and rounded at the end as in J. inclusa; cremaster
as in that species, ending in two stout, very short, recurved spines. Length 12™™.

Moth.—One male. Smaller and duller brown than J. indentata Pack. Palpi whit-
ish below, dark-brown: above, as in J. indentata (which closely resembles Fitch’s J.
vau) ; front of head slightly broader and squarer; median thoracic brown band as in

ana.

7

2

‘

ol

I, indentata. Fore wings with the costal edge straighter and the apex less turned up
than in J. indentata, the apex being slightly more rounded than in that species or in
J. inclusa, Basal line distinct, making a sharp angle on the median vein, and more
incurved in the submedian space than in J. indentata; second line much more sud-
denly incurved than J. indentata, the same line being straight in J. inelusa ; the short
third line as in J. indentata, but more sinuous. -Fourth and outer line much as in J.
indentata, but the species differs from all the others known by the large conspicuous
irregular whitish ochreous patch which fills in the costai curve of this line and ex-
tends half way from the costal end of the line to the apex of the wing; no deep brick-
red discoloration on each side of costal half of fourth line, so distinet in J indentata,
but a long discal blackish stripe extends along tle first median venule to the sub-
marginal row of brown dots which are not so distinct as in J. indentata or I. inclusa ;
though the marginal row of dark brown lunules is as distinct asin J. inclusa. Fringe
as in J. inclusa, but that on the hind wings much darker. Hind wings darker than in
I. indentata. Wings beneath much as in J. indentata, but there is no reddish tint to-
wards the apex, and the white oblique costal streak is much less distinct. There are
traces of a common brown diffuse line. Abdomen a little shorter, the fan or tuft of
scales perhaps shorter and expanding wider. Expanse of wings 25™™,; length of
body 12™™,
THE LIVE OAK THECLA.

(Thecla favonius Smith and Abbot.)

The green, slug-like caterpillars of this beautiful butterfly were ob-
served on the Live Oak at Enterprise, Fla., April 7 and 8, also a few
days afterwards at Crescent City, and again on the Scrub Live Oaks on
Anastasia Island, Saint Augustine. They pupated April 13, 14; the
chrysalis in general appearance closely resembling that of Thecla cala-
nus, found about Providence. They breed easily in confinement, my
specimens having been placed in a small pocket tin box. After my re-
turn to Providence the butterflies emerged from April 30 to May 2. It
is the most common species in the Southern States, and is said by Smith
and Abbot to feed on Quercus rubra and other Oaks.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Lar'va.—Closely resembling in general appearance that of Thecla
calanus. Body straw-yellowish green, with fine yellowish papille and dense short
hairs. Head pale horn-color, small and narrow. Length 17™™,

Pupa.—Of the same size and shape as that of Thecla calanus, the hirsutes the
same, though not quite so coarse. In color rather pale horn, not so much mottled
with black. It differs from T. calanus in the distinct lateral row.of black dots. Length
eee

Imago.—Wings of the usual form and color in the genus. Fore wings of male with
a blackish sex-mark below the costa; a tawny patch in the first and a larger more
distinct one in the second median cell. Hind wings with a Jarge deep orange patch
near the inner angle, with a minute one on each side; orange spots on the inner
angle. ‘‘ The points of the W formed by the inner line on the under side of the hind
wings touching the outer line” (French). Expanse of wings, 23™™,

THE LIVE OAK LEAF-ROLLER.
_ Tortrix quercifoliana Fitch.

While at Saint Augustine, Fla., early in April I noticed a pale green
leaf-roller on the Live Oaks on Anastasia Island. April 14 it spun a

32

slight cocoon, within which the worm changed to a pupa, April 16 or
17; the moth appeared April 30, after my return to Providence.

DESCRIPTIVE.—Larva.—Pale green ; head green ; otherwise of the usual appearance.

Pupa.—Body pale and slender, the cast skin thin and tnusually so for a Tortrix.
Cremaster or terminal abdominal spine peculiar in being long and narrow, as wide at
the tip as at the base; the surface above and beneath with fine longitudinal ridges;
a pair of short dorsal sete near the end; edge of the extreme tip curvilinear, with four
curved setz of nearly equal length. Each abdominal segment with two rows of fine
teeth. Length, 10™™,

Moth.—Pale tawny yellow, with yellowish brown darker scales and dots and darker
brown lines. Head pale, tawny brown on the vertex with a small spot in the middle
ofthe front. Palpi dark, externally pale above and at tip of second joint. Fore
wings pale whitish tawny yellow, densely speckled with darker scales; on the inner
third of the wing an oblique, dark brown, narrow line beginning on the inner third
of the costa and ending in the middle of the hind margin. An outer parallel line,
which is forked on the costa and ends on the internal angle; from near the middle
the line sends off a spur to the apex, but before reaching the apex a spur is sent to
the costa, also a 3-forked line to the outer edge of the wing. Hind wings, abdomen,
and legs almost white. Expanse of wings, 20™™. (Identified by Prof. Fernald.)

REPORT ON NEBRASKA INSECTS.
By LAWRENCE BRUNER, Special Agent.

This has been an unusually favorable year in Nebraska and adjoining
States for the ravages of certain injurious insects. The spring was a
little backward, rather drier than usual, and warm, suitable for the
development of all kinds of our most destructive species. The summer

yas a hot and uncommonly dry one, killing off the parasites, while con-
tinuing favorable to most of the species causing injury to crops.

Among the species noticed to be injurious the following were chief:
The Red-legged Locust (Melanoplus femur-rubrum), the Differential Lo-
cust (VW. differentialis), Chinch Bug (Micropus leucopterus), the Striped
Cottonwood Beetle (Plagiodera scripta), the Ash Saw-tly, the Colorado
Potato Beetle (Doryphora 10-lineata), the Gray Blister Beetle (Lytta
cinereus), the Corn Worm (Heliothis armigera), and the larve of the Ash
Saw-fly, and early in the season the Box-elder Plant Louse.

Notwithstanding the ravages of all these insects in connection with
avery dry summer, our crops have fallen but little below the average
year, and at the present time everything appears in first rate condi-
tion.

As would naturally be supposed, from data received last year, locusts
are again on the increase at various points both southward and north-
ward. During the months of April and May I visited, under your in-
structions, central Texas, where several species of these insects had be-
come so numerous as to endanger the crops in that particular locality.
Upon these I reported at the time. We have since learned that crop
prospects in that portion of the State were good, and that the locusts
were diminishing in numbers. On the other hand, in Montana and
northwestern Dakota, advices stated that the Rocky Mountain Locust
(Melanoplus spretus) with several other species, were even more numer-
ous than they were in these places last year. This being a new and
sparsely settled country it has been very difficult to obtain reliable data
as to their numbers, movements, and injuries, if any.

Judging from occasional newspaper reports during the season it 1s
quite evident to my mind that scattering swarms of locusts have reached
eastward at least as far as the James River, along the line of the North
ern Pacific Raiiway, and southward of this point probably 75 or 100
miles. These swarms have certainly left their eggs scattered over the
country passed through while migrating, and will evidently be heard

17528—No, 13——3 33

34
from next spring, providing the winter is favorable to their preserva-
tion. We do not, however, look for any extraordinary increase in these
insects over an extended scope of country next year.

In southwestern Nebraska and portions of northern Kansas the
Chinch Bug (JV. leuwcopterus) became very numerous during June and
early July, and did a considerable amount of injury to crops—especially
to small grain. This undue increase was mainly due to the excessive
drought in that particular region. A reference to the accompanying
telegraphic crop reports will be sufficient proof of the magnitude of the
injury done and the area overrun. Soon after harvest heavy rains in
this region diminished the numbers of the insect.

The Striped Cottonwood Beetle (Plagiodera scripta) has also been
quite numerous in several portions of the West during the year, and.
did much injury to both Cottonwoods and Willows upon high land.
Especially was this true with respect to the young trees upon tree claims
in newly settled areas. There has been considerable vexation at the
United States land offices on account of the injuries of this insect and
of a species of Saw-fly, the larve of which attack the foliage of our va-
rious species of Ash trees, causing them to die. When the time comes
for “proving up” there are too few trees growing upon the tract of
land, and the result is its probable loss to the enterer.

The Colorado Potato Beetle ( Doryphora 10-lineata) and Cabbage But-
terfly (Pieris rapae) have both been rather more abundant than usual
during the year and have done much injury to their respective food-
plants.

In addition to these, the Ash-gray Blister Beetle (Lytta cinerea) has
been observed in several localities in northern Nebraska to entirely de-
foliate young hedges of Honey Locust. Until the present summer IL
have not observed this insect attacking the Honey Locust since the sum-
mer of 1876 or 1877. At that time a nursery of small trees of this kind
were entirely stripped of leaves by them, as were also several larger
ones standing alone.

The Corn Worm (Heliothis armigeray was very numerous and caused
considerable injury by eating the ends of the ears of corn. It has also
been found quite abundant in tomato patvhes, where it bored into the
fruit; causing the tomatoes to rot.

We append a series of short extracts from western newspapers bear-
ing on some of these topics.

*“GRASSHOPPERS.”

A cloud of grasshoppers stopped for a meal at Sanborn [Dakota] recently and
chewed up a field of wheat in ten minutes.—Omaha Daily Bee, July 23, 1866.

Grasshoppers are reported in numerous quantities in Winneshiek County, Iowa,
Howard County, Indiana, and in Athens County, Ohio.—Omaha Daily Bee, May 31,
1886.

Grasshoppers are reported at Fargo and Huron, Dak. Lawrence Bruner, who is
authority on the subject, informs us that there is no doubt they are increasing yearly,

ou?

va

35

and unless something is done to check them they will eventually be as numerous
asever. One consolation, however, is that they will never be able to do the same
amount of damage in one locality as formerly, on account of the wider expanse of
settled and cultivated land over which they will have totravel. Nebraska is forever
more free from any serions ravages.— West Point Progress, Thursday, July 22, 1866.

CHINCH BUGS.

CuicaGo, May 30.—The following crop summary will be printed in this week’s issue
of the Farmer's Review: ‘‘ As the season advances reports of the presence of insects in
winter wheat fields grow more numerous, but beyond certain afflicted districts in
Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio the reports are of an isolated character and do not
appear to seriously threaten the general outlook for an average crop yield. Southern
Illinois continues to send in the most bugs. Alexander, Bond, Edwards, Jefferson,
and Monroe Counties, all in Southern Illinois, report great injury in many of the fields,
Grenola, Franklin, and Panorama Counties, in Kansas; Felton and Highland Counties,
in Ohio, and Howard County, in Indiana, report considerable injury from chinch bugs.
Looking over the entire winter wheat belt, the promise is still good for an average
yield, but the early promise that the season was to bring forth a ‘‘ bumper” crop will
now be abandoned. The acreage would not warrant such an outcome, unless the
conditions were every where extremely favorable.—Omaha Daily Bee, May 31, 1886.

CHESTER, NEBR., July 2.—[Special to The Bee ]—The chinch bugs have been making
great havoc with the spring wheat. Some fields are entirely destroyed, others greatly
damaged, and scarcely any left untouched. When the bugs get through with the
wheat they attack adjoining cornfields and are damaging them to some extent.

BELVIDERE, NEBR., July 2.—[Special to The Bee |—Prospects for all kinds of crops
are good with the exception of wheat, which the chinch bugs are taking to some ex-
tent.

HEBRON, NEBR., July 2.—[Special to The Bee. |—Crops have needed rain badly for
some time until last Saturday, when a copius downpour came to theirrelief. Wheat
is suffering from the depredations of chinch bugs, many fields having been taken en-
tirely and not considered worth harvesting. Corn is growing finely, and although
small for the season of the year bids fair to make a good crop.—Omaha Daily Bee, July
3, 1886.

HASTINGS, ADAMS CouNTY, NEBRASKA, July 9.—Rye and barley harvest is showing
about two-thirds of a crop. The yield of oatsand wheat, on account of drought last
month and the present ravages of chinch bugs, will not exceed two-fifths of an average
yield. Corn is doing fairly well but needs rain.

CRETE, SALINECOUNTY, NEBRASKA, July 9.—The condition of wheat is bad. Chinch
bugs and rust are the cause, and there will be only a half a crop. Oats will only be
half a crop, on account of late planting. Barley will be a larger crop than last year.
Ryeisaheavy crop There has been no rain for ten days. Farmers are jubilant.

WanHoo, [SAUNDERS CouNTY, ] NEBR., July 9.—Nearly all the corn is laid by. Itis
necding rain badly. A few more days of dry weather will work great injury, but a
rain in a few days will help it wonderfully. Oats and spring wheat will be slightly
injured by drought, and chinch bugs are doing some damage to wheat.

EXETER, FILMORE County, NEBRASKA, July 9.—Wheat will be a poor yield this
year. Chinch bugs are reported from several places as very destructive. Corn was
never better. It is two weeks since the last rain and more is needed, but no damage
asyet. Farmers feeling o. k.

FAIRMONT, FILLMORE County, NEBRASKA, July 9.—Farmers need rain very much,
Wheat, small acreage, is badly eaten by chinch bugs and injured by drought and heat.
Corn and other small grains are suffering from drougth and heat. If dry spell con-
tinues one week more, farmers will raise only a small crop.

DANNEBROG, Howarp County, NeBrasKA, July 9.—The hottest day so far this
summer was yesterday, the temperature reaching 104° in the shade, No rain has fallen

36

for five weeks and growing crops are suffering. Some fields of oats and spring wheat
will be an almost total failure. Rye, winter wheat, and barley are ready for harvest,
and the yield will be fair; chinch bugs are commencing to be very bad in some parts
of the county. The prospect of a good corn crop heretofore has been good, but now
it is discouraging on account of the drought.—Omaha Daily Bee, Saturday, July 10,
1836.

HEBRON, THAYER COUNTY, NEBRASKA, July 10.—Corn is in need of rain. The dry
weather has continued for a period of two weeks or more. Small grain in general is
suffering for want of rain. A rain any time within a week will help the corn in its
growth and destroy the chinch bug, now playing havoe in many fields. Most of the
small grain failed to fillont by reason of the dry weather, and its production won’t
reach that of last year’s by one-half. Our farmer friends are somewhat discouraged
over the present outlook for prospects of a good corn crop.

YorK, YORK COUNTY, NEBRASKA, July 10.—Chinch bugs are worne on wheat and
other small grain. Corn looks ie but some of it is turning to a yellowish shade.
Squash and melon vines are wilting and bugs working on them. No rain for nearly
three weeks. If we have rain in a few days there will not be a great shortage un an
average crop. Farmers feel blue, knowing that the crop will not be an average one.

York, YORK County, NEBRASKA, July 10.—The condition of the corn crop in York
County is good, notwithstanding the dry weather of the past two weeks. Oats will be
an immense crop. Spring wheat is an entire failure. The crop was very short and
what remained is being rapidly destroyed by the chinch bugs. The dry weather has
had a damaging effect on wheat and corn. Winter wheat and other crops are good.
The York County crop will average about 60 per cent.

EDGAR, CLAY County, July 10.—Small grain has suffered badly from the drought in
this part of Nebraska. There has been no rain in this section for two weeks, during
which time. the weather has been intensely hot and dry. Barley and rye are har-
vested, but there is not more than two-thirds of a crop. There was yielded about two-
thirds of a crop. Spring wheat and oats are very short, and are being destroyed by
chinch bugs rapidly. Unless rain comes soon, but little grain will be harvested on
account of chinch bugs. Farmers are very much discouraged, though they still enter
tain hopes of a medium corn crop.

FAIRCHILD, CLAY COUNTY, NEBRASKA, July 10.—Wheat will make about one-half
a crop, barley about three-fourths, and oats a good average yield. Dry weather in
the early part of the season injured small grain most. We had good rains in the lat-
ter part of May. Since that time it has been dry, no rain at all since June 28. Corn
is looking well in spite of dry weather. If we get rain in a few days there will be a
good prospect of nearly a full crop. Lately chinch bugs have made their appearance
in large numbers and are doing considerable damage. Farmers, as arule, are feeling
in good spirits over the crop prospects.— Omaha Daily Bee, July 12, 1886.

Fort DonGE, Iowa, July 16.—[Special telegram to The Bee }|—A much necded rain
fell in this locality yesterday. * * * Thecropsare slightly damaged by the drought.
Chinch bugs have made their appearance in portions of the county and are getting
their work in on grain and corn.

HEBRON, July 16.—[Special to The Bee]|—Your correspondent has made a thorough
investigation of cropsin Thayer County and Southern Fillmore, arriving at this place
to-day. The chinch bugs have ertirely destroyed many fields of spring wheat and
oats. Some fields have been burned on the ground, with the hope of killing the bugs
to keep them out of adjoining fields of small grain and corn. At the best, small grain
will not make over one-third of a crop throughout this section. Corn has looked well
until within the past ten days, but the hot, dry weather of the last two weeks has
put a different hue on the aspect and on farmers’ countenances. The earliest plant-
ings and most forward corn suffers the most, but on all sides can be seen, sprinkled
through the fields, stalks of corn that are white as snow. With copious rains within
a few days a fair crop of corn may be had, but a delay of wet weather for ten days

37

_ will insure anywhere from one-third of a crop to nothing. Pasture and hay lands are
also showing the effects of the drought.—Omaha Daily Bee, July 17, 1886.

GRAND IsLAnD, Hatt County, August 5.—The wheat crop throughout Hall County
is turning out much better than was expected. In some precincts the farmers report
the yield better than it has been for years, while in other localities if was damaged
by drought and chinch bugs, but the average yield will be about 12 bushels per acre.
The recent rains have done much toward bringing out the corn crop, which is in a
splendid condition, and in some places it will make 60 to 80 bushels to the acre, and
without any more rain it will average about 40 to 50 bushels to the acre. Farmers
are feeling good generally, and think the entire crop, on au average, is better than it
has been for years.—Omaha Daily Bee, August 6, 1886.

TESTS WITH INSECTICIDES UPON GARDEN INSECTS.

By WILLIAM B. ALWwoop, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

COLUMBUS, OH10, October 30, 1886.

Sir: I inclose herewith a summary of my tests with different insecticides. These
are not written in the style of a report, but to acquaint you with the results I have
obtained. My work is just begun, and I do not feel as though anything creditable
in the way of a report could be furnished so far. I trust this will be satisfactory
and furnish you with what information you desire concerning the progress of the
work thus far. If you desire it I can furnish a copy of the original notes from
which this summary is made up; however, many of my serial tests were noted in bulk
instead of keeping an individual record of each test. This was done because of same-
ness and lack of importance in the individual record. This matter would have
reached you a week sooner had I not been ill for several days. I will forward some
notes about machinery in a few days.

Very respectfully,
WM. B. ALWOOD
ProfaC. -V. RILEY,

U. S. Entomologist.
KEROSENE EMULSION.

Formula.—Kerosene, 67 per cent.; water, 33 per cent.; whale-oil
soap sufficient to form a stable emulsion.

This preparation was used on several insects with somewhat varying
results, the chief features of which are condensed in this note.

On Cabbage Worms.

The first series was begun before Piusia brassice was numerous, hence
only Pieris rape is spoken of. The emulsion was used in different di-
lutions, ranging from equal parts of water and emulsion to 16 parts of
water and 1 of emulsion. It was in all cases applied as a spray, and
when the worms were numerous and eating vigorously. Several hun-
dred plants were used. in the field tests. Weaker solutions than 1 of
emulsion to 3 of water were of no avail unless applied very heavily, and
then they caused considerable injury to leaves. In the proportion of 1
to 3 it was quite effective where the worms could be reached, 7. ¢., were
not under the leaves, and destroyed about 75 per cent. of them. It did
not injure the leaves in this strength if properly sprayed. Where so-
lution of 1 to 5 was put on excessively it killed and also injured plants.
Stronger solutions than 1 to 3 were not more efficacious and injured
plants seriously. The weaker solutions would sicken the worms and

38

39

affect them unpleasantly for a short time, but they would uniformly
recover, and either proceed again to eat or crawl away to another
plant. In no case were worms injured unless spray was delivered di-
rectly upon them. Hating of the plants after they had -been sprayed
did not affect them. These experiments occupied several days and
were duplicated. :

Tests in small Jars.—This was a duplicate test on Plusia brassicew and
Pieris rape. The liquid was applied with a feather and in sufficient
quantity to moisten the entire body of the worm. In dilutions up to 1
to 5 it killed both; weaker solutions occasionally killed one or more
rape but not brassice.

In breeding Cages.—In this test the above was duplicated on larger
scale. Liquid was applied as spray and until all worms were thoroughly
drenched. They were placed on parts of a small cabbage-head, so that
each box very nearly represented an out-door experiment and enabled
me to be much more certain of results obtained.

Up to 5 dilutions 80 per cent. of rape were destroyed and 10 per cent,
of brassice, there not being much difference in the strength of liquid
as to efficacy. Weaker solutions did littie or no injury to either. P. bras-
sice was not treated with emulsion at all in the field, but from effect
on rape am sure that the conditions were essentially those of outside
experiments. The amount of drenching with this liquid which bras-
sice could stand was certainly remarkable. In previous test jars were
covered. Liquid in each case was taken from same jar of emulsion,
I had no trouble in making a good emulsion that was stable in what-
ever dilutions I chose to use it.

On Cabbage Plant-louse.

Wherever used on this insect, even in weakest solutions (1 to 16),
the emulsion destroyed all that were touched by it.

On White Grubs.

A solution of 1 part emulsion to 4 parts water was used quite ex-
tensively on the larve of the May beetle, Lachnosterna fusca. The re-
sults were far from satisfactory. Where used on the lawn the grubs
descended 2 or 3 inches and were unharmed. Some few appeared a little
sick, and occasionally a black spot was observed on some of them, but
none were destroyed. After conducting this test for twenty days it was
abandoned. Several boxes were arranged with loose soil and grubs
placed in these for experiment. Here where they were only lightly
covered with loose soil the emulsion destroyed nearly every one in
twenty-four hours. The liquid was sprinkled on in these tests suffi-
ciently to moisten the surface thoroughly.

Lime and salt were also tried over the lawn and in boxes. On the
lawn where they washed through, the grubs immediately descended out
of reach, None were actually killed on the lawn that I could observe,

40)

In boxes lime was nearly as efficacious as emulsion, and so also was
salt; however, to do good execution, salt must be applied in quantity
sufficient to injure the soil. I think there is no doubt but these insects
can be easily destroyed if they can be reached, but how to reach them
under the soil is the question. Their large, soft bodies are very sus-
ceptible to injury.

PYRETHRUM.

This powder was purchased from a local wholesale dealer, and to all
appearances was of high grade. It was used in various tests to experi-
ment on its use, and as a check on other substances it was used in all
tests of whatever nature.

On Cabbage Worms.

My earlier experiments lead me to believe that brassice was much
harder to destroy than rape, and this I still believe to be the case to
some extent, but not to such an extent as at first supposed. Quite a
large series of tests were made in the field and also in jars and cages to
test the above supposition, the result in the main being very satis-
factory. Pure and up to 3 dilutions it killed rape with a precision
and certainty that was remarkable, the powder after the 3 dilutions
acting nearly as well as if stronger. The time required was varia-
ble, but usually the worms were well used up in two hours. Above 3
dilutions its action was uncertain and not to be depended upon, although
5 dilutions will kill a fair percentage if thoroughly applied. With bras-
sice the results were quite similar up to 3 dilutions. A large quantity
of powder was used of this strength on these worms after rape had
nearly disappeared. It was very effective, killing fully 90 per cent.
of all worms, although the time required is somewhat longer than with
rape- Above 3 dilutions it is not efficacious on brassice, killing
scarcely any, and from the whole experience of my experiments I am
satisfied that 3 dilutions are all that can safely be made for out-door
work.

In Jars.—A large number of tests were made in jars, with very minute
quantities of powder on both worms. Jars were covered. These were
very successful, causing death in from forty minutes to two hours. The
only exception to this was a full-grown larva of brassice. In this test
dilutions up to twenty times the weight of powder were quite efficacious
on rape, but a few of the last did not destroy brasstce with certainty.

This series was also repeated in breeding cages with, in the main,
corroboratory results. After 5 dilutions its action on b6brassice was
quite uncertain, depending somewhat upon the amount used; 15 dilu-
tions would not kill them at all under any method of treatment. Rape
was killed up to 20 dilutions if thoroughly applied, although in such
cases they were more severely treated than would be possible with
powder bellows in field work. Experiments with minute portions of

4
¢
¢

—
—

pure powder would indicate that it is not the amount of powder that
proves fatal but that it is the fact of a few grains of powder coming in
contact with the body of the worm. All of my dilutions above 5 times
the weight of powder show that its efficiency is thus very much im-
paired, and I am satisfied that while almost infinitesimal doses are suf-
ficient to produce death when powder is pure, they will not suffice in
the presence of adulterations. I am quite convinced that 5 dilutions
is the limit of safe adulteration, and think that I should hesitate to
recommend over 3. The age of the worm when treated is of consider-
able importance in this connection, as young worms are destroyed with
much greater certainty than older ones. Pure powder exposed on the
leaves of cabbage plants for periods of thirty minutes, fifteen hours,
and twenty hours, killed with as much certainty as fresh powder. Old
powder, which had stood one year in a candy jar without cover, killed as
well asfresh powder. This last was used, diluted 3 times, in field work
and did good execution.

One pound of powder diluted with 3 pounds of flour and carefully
used in a Woodason double-cone bellows was sufficient to dust one
acre thoroughly. Four was the only adulteration used.

EXTRACTS OF PYRETHRUM.

Water extract—1 ounce pyrethrum; 1 pint water.

Alcholic extract—1 ounce pyrethrum; 1 pint alcohol.

These were thoroughly tested and the tests repeated several times,
with very unsatisfactory results.

The water extract was made by stirring together the ingredients.
Only the liquor was used which was kept in.a tightly closed jar.

This extract destroyed rapae at an average rate of 50 per cent. up to
4 dilutions, and at 5 dilutions failed entirely. In full strength it was
not nearly so efficacious as dry powder, even on rape, and it did not
affect brassice at all.

The alcoholic extract was made by repercolation with about 80 per
cent. alcohol. This I anticipated would bear a large number of dilu-
tions, and it was used in an extensive series of tests in the cages and
jars. Up to 5 dilutions it killed fairly well and a few were destroyed
above this, but not enough worth mentioning, only a small or weak
worm dying. This test was repeated several times and a new extract
was made, but with little better results. The new extract killed about
50 per cent. very slowly at 10 dilutions. Both extracts spoken of
above were applied as spray, except that in jars a feather was used and
the worms thoroughly wetted.

On Aphis brassice.

Pyrethrum in several forms was used on this insect with unsatisfae-
tory results, the action being, when applied pure or in strong mixtures)

42

to dislodge but not destroy them. Pure powder applied with a bellows ;
quickly dislodged them, but did not kill over 10 per cent. Those not ©

killed soon recovered and crawled back upon the plant.
On Potato Beetle. —

Used in the field pure it destroyed about 50 per cent. of the larva,
principally younger ones. Adults were not injured though heavily
treated, but when confined in breeding cage and thoroughly dusted
they were all killed. Iam quite sure pyrethrum is not a satisfactory
remedy for Potato Beetle where London purple or Paris green can be
used with safety.

On Tomato Worms.

Several species of Sphingids were quite numerous on the tomato
vines, principally quinque-maculata. On these the powder was used
pure and also diluted three times. I did not observe an instance where
theroughly applied that it did not produce death in from two to three
days.

On Squash Bugs, _

Diabrotica vittata and also 12-punctata were treated with the powder
both pure and diluted three times. It destroyed them very effectually,
although I am not certain that they could be so successfully treated in
the spring when the plants are small and the beetles very active. This
treatment was late in the season when they were feeding on pollen in
the bloom of squashes.

On Fall Web-worm.

Not enough of these could be found for thorough tests, but pure
powder used on one colony made them immediately break from the
web, fall to the ground, and scatter in all directions, but two days’ ob-
servation failed to show any dead ones.

Several times woolly caterpillars were treated both with powder and
solution without in any instance producing death. .

The powder used throughout was the roseum, and from one package.

BUHACH (Pyrethrum cinerariefolium).

I was ordered to obtain this powder direct from dealers, and finally

sent to Stockton, Cal., for it. It did not arrive in time for full com-—

parisons with P. rosewm, but I tested it quite thoroughly on P. brassicae.
Used in minute particles it kills in one to three hours, was decidedly
slower in action than P. rosewm, but the weather was cooler. Exposed
on leaves of plants it killed up to three days’ exposure though very slow
at last trial. Weather cool as before mentioned.
Diluted with flour it kills in small jars up to 30 dilutions, but in
cages was not effective after 10 dilutions, and I think most of these

43

would have recovered had they been where they could have crawled
away to fresh leaves. The season was so late when received that I was
unable to give it a test out of doors with anything like satisfaction.
Alcoholic extract.—One ounce powder, 4 fluid ounces alcohol (reper-
colated).
This killed slowly at 10 dilutions; above that was not effective.

BENZINE.

This was used on several insect8S. Harly in the season when the rape
worm was plenty a large number of infested plants were sprayed with
very unsatisfactory results. Where it was used lightly not 1 per cent.
of worms was killed, used heavily a few more were killed, but the plants
were also slightly injured. Tests in the field were repeated several
times with no better results. A number of tests were made in breed-
ing cages and there they resisted it equally as well. Of one lot, after
being thoroughly sprayed four times in quick succession, only 16 per
cent. died. It usually sickened the worms, but they soon recovered.
Of the lot above mentioned two had pupated in twenty hours. Only by
the most thorough drenching was I able to kill cabbage worms at all
with this remedy. The injury to leaves was not nearly so great as at
first would be supposed, and in fact only extremely heavy applications
did any lasting injury.

On Potato Beetle.

Thorough spraying did not injure these at all. Leaves were not in-
jured.
On Tomato Worms.

The most thorough treatment was unavailing. Leaves slightly in-
jured.
On Squash Bugs.

Were not injured. Leaves slightly burned.

On Cabbage Lice.
These were destroyed where the spraying was thoroughly done.
ALUM WATER.

This was first used in solution of 1 ounce to 1 quart of water, but as
this had no effect whatever on cabbage worms or lice a strong solution
was made by boiling water with a quantity of alum init. Part of the
alum crystallized out on cooling, but left the solution as strong as could
be made. This was used very thoroughly with no result whatever. In
every respect it was a complete failure.

44
ICE WATER.

This was used in spray and poured upon the plants in quantity, also
worms were submerged in the water for periods of time up to ten seconds.
Every trial showed this to be utterly valueless as aremedy. Occasion-
ally a small worm would be injured but in no ease that I observed were
any killed outright. Temperature of water during trials varied from
35° to 38° Fah., air from 90° to 95° Fah. <A hot day was purposely
selected for the work.

TANSY WATER.

Strong decoctions of this were made both by soaking and boiling the
leaves. In both cases it was apparently as strong as could be made.
Used in the field, no result whatever. On worms confined in closed
jars they died in about six honrs. In cages no effect whatever, though
tested repeatedly and very heavily applied.

TOMATO WATER.

A strong decoction of this was made by boiling and used as above |

with quite similar results. In many instances the substance has de-
stroyed the worms in jars (small wide-mouth bottles) and not under
exposed conditions. The larve were not drowned but only moistened.
This is important as showing that the manner of using a substance is
quite important.

DREER’S INSECT TERROR.

This powder was used both in the field and in cages. In no instance
of the field trials were any of the larve injured, though it was thoroughly
applied, lightly with bellows and heavily by hand. Used in cages it
had no effect whatever except that in one instance 20 per cent. of rape
were killed where it was applied to food so heavily as to completely coat
itover. P. brassice was not affected by its use though confined from
four to five days where food plant was completely coated with powder.
I feel perfectly safe in saying, after abundant tests, that this substance
is perfectly worthless.

HAMMOND’S SLUG SHOT.

This was used only on Cabbage Worms (rape and brassice). In field
tests several hundred plants were used and tests made very thoroughly.
At first the powder was dusted on lightly and was almost an entire
failure, but with repeated and heavier dustings better results were ob-
tained; however none of the results were sufficiently successful to com-
mend its use. Where used heavily not over 20 per cent. of rape were
killed, and brassice were not injured. In none of the field tests was I

»

able to find dead brassice. Worms of both species were frequently

bo Pengete’ far erinn

45

noticed forty-eight hours atter application feeding as usual though
themselves and the leaves were coated with powder. In breeding cages
better results were obtained. Light applications did but little good as
outside, but heavy applications, where plants were completely covered
with powder, were quite effective, both species being destroyed to the
extent of 80 per cent. to 90 per cent. (No substance was more carefully
or thoroughly used than this in the above experimeuts.) In solutions
the effect was about the same. It was used up to 8 ounces to 1 pint of
water, making almost a thick mixture. In this manner about 25 per
cent. of rape were killed in the field; not tried in cages.

All of my work points to the conclusion that brassicw is more diffi-
cult to deal with than rapa; especially is this true where the poison is
a powder to be eaten. They are easily disturbed and will move away
to the under side of the leaves until disturbing cause has disappeared.

This powder cannot be successfully applied with a bellows, because
of its characteristic of accumulating in little bails or masses which can-
not pass the bellows, and, also, if must be applied heavily to accomplish
any results whatever. Heavy applications by hand will probably prove
the only means of doing any good with it.

TOBACCO SOAPS.

Of these several were used, Wolf’s Vermin Soap and different brands
from the Rose Manufacturing Company, of New York, known as sulfo-
tobacco soaps. Also two brands made by the above company were
sent me by the Division, viz, a soda and a potash tobacco soap. These
two packages seem not to be the same grade of goods the company at
present manufacture, as.evidenced by the difference in strength shown
by my tests. The samples sent by the Rose Company were a plain
and scented soda soap and ascented potash soap. Thesample of Wolt’s
soap was received from the Milwaukee Soap Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

It is a stiff soda soap strongly scented with tobacco and very offensive

to handle. The potash soaps above mentioned were much softer than
the soda soaps. They all dissolved readily at 100° Fah., and the Rose
soaps remained in solution, but the Wolf's soap solidifies the whole so-
lution even when very weak, forming a jelly-like mass. This is a very
objectionable point if this soap is desired to be used as spray, as it
necessitates heating every time before using.

On Cabbage Worms.

The two samples received from the Division were thoroughly tested
on both species previously mentioned in this report. The solutions
were made of different strengths up to 4 ounces to 1 pint of water, at
which strength the soda soap destroyed slowly but thoroughly all larvee
of both species, and the potash soap was sure death to all larvee which
came in contact with it. These solutions improved with age as did all
the soap solutions.

A6

Of the samples received direct from the Rose Company the plain and
scented soda soap were of the same strength, the only difference being
that the scented soap is much more pleasant to handle. This and the
potash soap were of about equal strength and destroyed readily all
larve where thoroughly applied in solution of 1 ounce to 1 pint of water.

These soap solutions were used in a large number of tests which were
duplicated several times, and in the strength stated gave good satis-
faction, and are, I think, among the best liquid, non-poisonous appli-
cations I have ever used.

Wolf’s soap, in solution of 2 ounces to 1 pint of water, did fairly good
execution, but was not safe at that strength. In most of the tests it
was used 4 ounces to 1 pint of water, at which strength it was sufficient
to destroy all worms. After standing for two or three weeks the jelly
formed by this soap when first dissolved breaks up into liquid, and its
destructive power seems to be enhanced.

On Cabbage Plant-lice.

The Wolf’s soap and the two samples received from the Division were
used on the lice in several strengths, and one-half ounce to 1 pint was
perfectly efficient, destroying all lice immediately. The samples re-
ceived from the Rose Company direct were not used on lice, but their
efficiency on rape and brassice would indicate that they would bear
still greater dilution. :

The circular of the Rose Company is, I think, quite misleading where
they state that the essential principle of their soaps is a gum taken
from tobacco in an aériform condition and condensed ina vacuum. The
only destructive principle which I am aware is contained in tobacco is
a liquid alkaloid (never solid) known as nicotine. It is my opinion
that the destructive effect of all these soaps, when used on the bodies
of worms or soft insects, is entirely due to the caustic principle of the
alkalies used. Potash, being the strongest alkali, will, I think, give best
results where used in equal quantity with other alkalies. I proved to
my entire satisfaction that none of these soaps are poisonous when
eaten on the food plant. Of course, insects will not eat them readily.
(A sample of carbolic-acid soap was used in various strengths without
any results whatever.)

i
i

SEVERAL REMEDIES IMPORTED FROM LONDON.

These were used only on Cabbage worms. The results were entirely
unsatisfactory.

The whole series of tests were conducted in breeding cages. The
quantities used were double what directions advised, and the tests were
repeated several times: Moore’s compound, in solutions of one-half
ounce to 1 ouncein 1 pint of water: Only two worms killed after several
triais. Fir-tree oil solutions of 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls in 1 pint of water:

47

During repeated tests two worms were killed. Gishurst, in solutions of
1 to 2 ounces in 1 pint of water: This sickened many worms, but only
three were destroyed. Bridgeford’s Antiseptic, used pure, sickened the
worms and destroyed several.

These remedies were entirely worthless. They are of foreign manu-
facture, and are not specially recommended for cabbage worms, but are
advertised as insecticides of great merit; hence my notion of testing
them on cabbage worms.

REPORT ON OHIO INSECTS.
By WILLIAM B. ALwoop, Special Agent.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

COLUMBUS, OHIO, October 21, 1856.
DeAR Sir: I forward to-day a few pages of notes on insects observed during the
few months I have been at work.
Yours, very truly,

WM. B. ALWOOD.
Prot: ©. °V.. RILEY;

U. S. Entomologist.

THE STRAWBERRY LEAF-BEETLE.
(Paria aterrima.)

This insect began about the middle of August to feed upon the foliage
of the strawberry beds in the University garden. It was first noticed
upon the old beds, but soon spread to the new ones, and has done con-
siderable damage, in some places completely riddling the leaves with
its minute round holes. At the present date (October 12) it is yet
busily at work.

THE STRAWBERRY ROOT-BORER.
(Graphops pubescens.)

Since the 1st of September the larva of this beetle has been doing
considerable damage to the strawberry beds, attacking both old and
new beds, and in some spots destroying as many as 10 per cent. of the
plants. The grubs are found in numbers varying from two to eight per
plant either in ornear the roots. They work all the way from the crown
to the lower part of the roots, eating in slight channels, which are left
full of chips and castings. The grubs never, so far as I have noticed,
bury themselves deeply in the fleshy part of the root, but prefer to work
along the sides. Frequently a dead plant may be taken up whose roots
show their work plainly, yet none of the larve are present in it. Ex-
amination of the soil around the plant will, however, reveal the little
fellows. I have observed a great number in position feeding. Up to
date (oeteher 20) no pup have been found.

ke

ET eer

|

49
THE STRAWBERRY CROWN-BORER.
(Tyloderma fragarie.)

This insect has done slight damage to one old bed. I have notin a
single instance observed them in young beds.

THE PLANTAIN CURCULIO.
(acrops sp.)

This insect was received from Medina County, the first specimens ar-
riving July 21. With them came several specimens of plantain which
were so thoroughly tunneled by the little grub that they had died.
There were from two to six grubs in a single plant, and they completely
exhausted the fleshy portion of the root. From this lot, received July
21, several adult beetles issued August 7. These were left in the cage
several days, and I think must have deposited eggs on fresh plantain
growing in the cage, as several days later, when examining this cage
preparatory to cleaning it up, I found several young larvee in the fresh
plantain I had put in the cage on receiving first supply. These were
observed closely. They pupated August 25 and issued September 3 to
4. Another lot of specimens was received August 6, placed in a differ-
ent cage, began pupating 16th and issued 25th to 29th of August. From
the account of the gentleman sending them they were quite destructive
over a limited area.

A NEW OAT FLY.

(Oscinis ? sp.)

This insect was discovered while visiting the northern part of Union
County, some 50 miles from Columbus, to investigate another insect
which had appeared in the wheat. (This insect proved to be Meromyza
americana, and was confined to a very limited area, though it took
the plants clean so far as it went.) The date of this visit was June
15, and the farmers had first noticed the attack upon the oats about
June 9. The oat plants were 6 to 8 inches high and where attacked
appeared as though a fire hadswept over them just low enough to scorch
the upper blades. Eggs and larvie were both present at this time as
described in my letters. The injury was confined to spots of several
rods in dimension, but several fields in the neighboriood were affected.
At my last visit, June 25, [ estimated the damage to be about 40 per
cent. in spots affected. A quantity of the plants were brought home
and placed in breeding cage. On June 20 the first imagos, two in
number, issued. From this cage they issued afterwards almost daily
until July 7.

On my second visit I also brought home material in which larve and
pup were quite abundant, but found no eggs. [lies issued from this
batch in great numbers up to July 12.

17528—No. 13——4

50
THE CABBAGE PLANT-LOUSE.
(Aphis brassice L.)

This insect was quite troublesome this season from about the Ist of
August to 1st of September. After the latter date they could only be
found in seattering colonies. During the worst period of attack they
were So plentiful as to nearly ruin many plants.

I mention them more for the purpose of speaking of the insects which
preyed upon them than anything else.

Of these the larve of the Syrphus flies (two species were reared) were
the most persistent and literally swept the lice off by thousands. It
was very interesting to watch these blind maggots in their work of de-
struction. There were also present the larve of Lady-birds and Lace-
winged flies. These, however, did not do anything like the execution
of the first-named insects. I noticed where lice were very numerous
that a large per cent. became winged, while on other portions of the field
it seemed that a much larger per cent. were apterous.

CABBAGE WORMS.
(Plusia brassice and Pieris rape.)

August 3 a few larvae of brassice were noticed in a patch of a
couple of acres of Cabbage where rape were already quite abundant and
doing considerable injury. They were so few that it was hardly thought
possible they could do much harm the present year. On this date the
rape as above stated were already numerous and doing much harm.
A series of experiments was at once begun looking towards their de-
struction. However, many of this brood pupated, and from the 10th to
the 15th of August I never saw the rape butterfly so abundant as they
were over the cabbage beds in the University garden. These deposited
their eggs in great abundance, and after several days disappeared.
Among the first brood of worms (rape) I had noticed a few larve af-
fected by Apanteles glomeratus, and also several pupz which had been
stung by Pteromalus puparum. These did not appear to be abundant,
but probably many were not noticed. As this second brood of rape
developed it was hardly possible to find a larve not affected by one of
these parasites. A. glomeratus was most abundant, as. it stings the
young larve, but should one be so fortunate as to escape this insect, P.
puparum was sure to find it. I noticed that the last named always
stings the larva just before it makes the last molt or immediately after
the pupa is formed. So well did these parasites do their work, that
after the large brood of butterflies previously mentioned not an adult
was seen except that now and then a straggling individual would sail
over the field. In all of my experiments in boxes, during which I con-

ae en ee ee

51

fined a great many worms for days ata time, not a healthy pupa of
rape was formed.

Neither of these parasites nor any other affected the Plusia in the
least. |

About August 20 the Plusias began to appear in greater numbers,
not formidable as yet, but so numerous that I began to collect them in
separate cages for experiment. [From this time on until the Ist of
October this insect multiplied at an astonishing rate. About the mid-
dle of September a late bed of cabbage, of perhaps a little more than
one acre, which had almost escaped rape, was found to be literally alive
with these larve, from ten to forty or fifty being found on a single
plant. They destroyed it very rapidly, until the gardener put a man
under my direction to kill them, which was done very successfully.
The moth was not observed to move about at all during daytime, but
was frequently found hidden among the leaves of the plant. When
disturbed it flew rapidly in a zigzag manner and soon alighted.

It deposits its eggs irregularly over the lower side of the leaf, vary-
ing from a few in number to twelve or twenty. This habit makes it a
worse enemy, in my estimation, than rape, as they deposit their eggs
singly, and never in my observations do they happen to get so many
on one plant as brassice does. The latter, from my observations, is
much the more prolific, and is also more hardy.

THE CORN APHIS.
(Aphis maidis.)

The only injury I have ever known to be done by this insect occurred
this year, about 6 miles northeast of this city. A gentleman planted
his corn early in May. The weather was quite favorable, and it came
up promptly and looked well for a few days, and then began to turn
yellow and wither away. On examining he found what he rightly
called a ‘small louse” in great abundance, and associated with it a
great many small ants. He could not conclude that the louse was the
cause of injury, so laid it to the ants. The injury became so great in a
few days that he concluded to plant the field all over again, which he
did with a two-horse check-row planter. This planting was taken the
same as the first, and the field again planted over. This last planting
was not much injured, and with the remnants of first two plantings
made quite a crop. On the 11th of July, being in the neighborhood,
my attention was called to the field. I still found the Aphis present
in considerable numbers, but the corn was doing fairly well. A large
number of insects were examined, yet none but apterous forms were
observed. The first field is black-loam bottom-land, extending partly up
on upland, lying beside a creek of considerable size; it is well drained,
and the soil is loose and friable.

52
THE CLOVER-SEED MIDGE.
(Cecidomyia leguminicola.)

Quite serious complaints came to me concerning this insect, princi-
pally from counties lying north of the central portion of the State. It
was not noticed at all in this vicinity, and so far as I know has never
been found here or in the southern part of the State. Last year it was
quite destructive in the same region reported from this year. 7

Definite facts as to extent of injury were not to be obtained, yet good
farmers reported it as destroying a large part of the crop in their sec-
tions.

THE MAY BEETLE.

(Lachnosterna fusca.)

The larva of this beetle has destroyed a large portion of the sward
on the university campus during the present summer. The attack
began some three years ago and has become worse each year, until this
season a large part of the lawn was left bare and brown, not even the
first growth of bluegrass coming to maturity. From the spots where
attack is most severe the sod can be rolled up in bundles. Clover is
not injured and is consequently spreading spontaneously over the lawn.
Examinations frequently showed as many as a dozen grubs to the square
foot. There were three broods plainly to be noted; the two-year and
one year were the most numerous, there being comparatively few grubs
from eggs laid the past spring.

A large number of examinations showed no case of disease. Grubs
began descending to winter quarters about September 20, but October
20 there are yet quite a number to be found. They were reported at
work in lawns and strawberry gardens from many localities around the
city, but were nowhere so numerous as here.

PTEROMALUS PUPARUM AND APANTELES GLOMERATUS.

A few observations on these two parasites may be of interest. Many
specimens of each were bred. P. puparum issued on an average in fif-
teen days from date of ovipositing. From one pupa of the Cabbage
Worm I bred fifty-two flies and from another one hundred and eleven.
These last issued in just sixteen days from the time the females ovi-
posited. This I considered a remarkable number to issue from one
pupa, but of the fact there is not the possibility of adoubt. I observed
three of the females ovipositing in one larva on the afternoon of August
24. These I watched for some time, intending to take the larva when
they had done with it, but as they were still at work late in the after-
noon I marked the spot and visited it the next morning to find a pupa
formed. From this issued the (lies, as noted above. In two instances

53

-

where I disturbed females the flies hatched ten and twelve in number,
respectively, and were all females.

I was not able to take the females of A. glomeratus in the act of ovi
positing, as they seem very sly. Several times I thought I caught them
in the act, but was not sure. After pupating they were eight to ten
days before issuing. They issued from twenty to possibly fifty in num-
ber, although I was never positive of breeding more than thirty-eight
from one specimen.

This parasite did much more good than P. puparum, as it seemed to
get the first chance.

APANTELES CONGREGATUS.

This insect was very destructive to the Sphingid larve on tomatoes.
There were no less than four species of these worms, of which Macro-
sila quinque-maculata was most abundant. All were attacked, scarcely
any escaping. I took one hundred and eighty cocoons from the body
of one worm.

A RECORD OF SOME EXPERIMENTS RELATING TO THE
EFFECT OF THE PUNCTURE OF SOME HEMIPTEROUS IN-
SECTS UPON SHRUBS, FRUITS, AND GRAINS, 1886. |

By F. M. WEBSTER, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

La FAYETTE, IND., October 15, 1886.
Sir: I herewith give results of my experiments with Hemiptera, principally Lygus
pratensis L. :
F. M. WEBSTER.
Profe@. Vc RILEY,

U.S. Entomologist.

The object of the following experiments was to determine the effect

of the punctures, or the withdrawing of sap from shrubs, the juices
from berries, and the milk from ripening grain; and if possible to settle
the point as to whether or not these Hemiptera, in thus partaking of
their food, eject a poisonous saliva into the wounds which they neces-
sarily produce, and thereby cause the death of the punctured object.
_ All insects were confined upon these shrubs, fruits, and grains by
means of a sack of Swiss muslin, drawn over the object and tied, the
stem being protected from undue pressure by cotton placed in the
mouth of the sack.

EXPERIMENT 1.
Pecilocapsus quadrivittatus.

May 22, a number of adults were confined upon two or three inches
of terminal portions of a young pear shoot.

Result.—Within one week the shoot withered, and afterwards the
leaves and buds died, and turned black as far down as the muslin sack
extended, but below that point no effect was noticeable. Later, after
the insects had also perished, new leaves were put forth within the sack.

EXPERIMENT 2.
Lygus pratensis L.
May 20, placed adults on shoots of Concord grape.

Result.—May 28, no effect could be noticed.

o4

55
EXPERIMENT 3.
Lygus pratensis L.
May 25, confined adults on young shoots of Gooseberry.
Result—May 30, no effect perceptible.
EXPERIMENT 4.
Lygus pratensis L.
Tried same experiment as No. 3, leaving adults on shoots for twenty

days.
Results. —Same as in the preceding. Insects all dead,

EXPERIMENT 5.
Lygus pratensis L.

June 25, placed twelve adults on young shoots of Pear.

Result.—July 10, both the insects and that portion of the shoot
upon which they were confined were dead. The plant withered and
turned black, as in Experiment No. 2, but in this case died.

EXPERIMENT 6,
Lygus pratensis L.

May 21, placed a number of larvie on a Charles Downing strawberry
which was just turning to the white color which precedes the final red
or ripe color.

tesult.—May 28, berry fully ripe and uninjured, Not “ buttoned.”
Several Jarvze dead, and one advanced to pupa.

EXPERIMENT 7.
Tygus pratensis L.

May 25, placed ten pups on nearly full-grown Crescent strawberries,
Results.—May 31, berries no larger than when insects were placed on
them, but are withered and prematurely ripe. No indication of ‘ but-
toning.” Some of pupz dead; others now grown to adults, alive and

active,
EXPERIMENT 8.

Lygus pratensis L.

May 26, placed Jarve on a half-grown Sharpless strawberry.

Result.—June 7, berry not more than half as large as when insects
were placed upon it; withered and black. T ive of the larve now pup
and still alive.

56
EXPERIMENT 9.
Lygus pratensis L.

May 29, placed twelve larve and pupz on three Crescent berries,
varying from less than one-fourth to about one-third grown.

Result.—June 6, all three berries withered up, black, and dead. In
one case only was there any indication that, had the berry continued to
grow rapidly, a buttoned berry might have been formed. A few in-
sects alive and either in pupal or adult stage.

EXPERIMENT 10.
Lygus pratensis L.

May 31, placed twelve larvze on cluster of three Crescents, respect-
ively one-fourth, ne third, and one-half grown. .
Kesult.—June 7, cluster killed.

EXPERIMENT 11.
Lygus pratensis L.

May 31, placed four larve on a one-third grown Crescent.
Result.—June 6, killed also.

EXPERIMENT 12.
Lygus pratensis L.

May 31, placed fourteen larve on a one-third grown Crescent.
Kesult.—June 4, killed.

EXPERIMENT 13.
Lygus pratensis L.

June 1, placed ten larve and pupe on a one-third grown Downing.
Result.—June 5, withered and drying up.

EXPERIMENT 14.
Lygus pratensis L.

June 1, placed nine pupe on a rather more than half-grown Kentucky.

Result.—June 11, this berry made some growth after insects were
confined upon it, and exhibits a tendency to “ button,” which, however,
might or might not be due to the attack of the bugs. At this date the
insects were all dead, although several had reached the adult stage.

EXPERIMENT 15.
Lygus pratensis UL.

June |, placed seventeen pup on a nearly full-grown Kentucky.
RKesult.—June 5, dried up.

57
EXPERIMENT 16.
‘Lygus pratensis L.
June 1, placed six pup on a less than half-grown Kentucky.
Result.—J une 7, killed.

EXPERIMENT 17.

Lygus pratensis L.

June 1, placed six pup on Kentucky of about the same size as the
preceding. .
Result.—June 7, seriously withered.

EXPERIMENT 18.
Lyqus pratensis L.

June 5, placed: five pupe on a one-fourth grown Jersey Queen.
Result.—June 21, berry seriously injured by being dwarfed, and it

'
=
oy
ve

appeared to wither instead of ripen, although the plant was frequently
watered. No indication of “ buttoning.” Insects dead, but they had
____ lived to reach the adult stage.
i
it EXPERIMENT 19.
- | Lygus pratensis L.
ie June 5, placed four pup on Jersey Queen as near as possible like

the one used in Experiment 18.

| Result.—June 21, berry attained nearly full growth, not deformed,
except by a few slight depressions in surface which could not be said
to indicate buttoning. Does not look as fresh and healthy as those
not under experiment. Bugs dead, but as adults.

EXPERIMENT 20.
Tygus pratensis UL.

a June 5, placed three pup on Jersey Queen of same size as the pre-
| ceeding.

Result.—June 14, berry smooth, ripened in normal condition, and
seems uninjured. The insect escaped from this after being confined
upon it for about one week.

EXPERIMENT 21.
Lygus pratensis L.

June 5, four larve had, for several days previous, been clustered
upon a Jersey Queen about the size of those used in the three preced-
ing experiments. These bugs are now confined upon the berry.

58

Result.—June 21, being ripened in perfect condition, so far as form
and freshness are concerned. Was a very little smaller than No. 20.
Insects all dead, except one, which was in last larval stage.

-NotTEe.—During June, 1885, three larve, to all appearances of the
same species as the preceding, took up their abode on a full-grown ~
Crescent and remained there, voluntarily, until the latter was fully
ripe, the young bugs being observed to feed upon the juices. No in-
jury to the berry was in any way apparent.

EXPERIMENT 22,
_Calocoris rapidus Say.

June 8, confined four adults on as many heads of Fall Wheat, piacing
two insects together upon each two heads of grain, and covering as with
the berries.

Result—June 24, kernels as plump as those ripening freely in the
fields. The insects died some time between the 16th and 24th.

EXPERIMENT 23.
Huschistus jfissilis Uhl.

June 8, placed same number of adults upon wee number of heads of
wheat and in same manner as in Experiment 22
Result—June 24, a few kernels badly shrank but these do not
amount to over 6 per cent. Bugs now dead, but were alive up to the
20th.
EXPERIMENT 24.

Lygus pratensis L.

June 8, placed four adults as in the preceding experiment.

Result.—June 24, kernels do not differ from those grown elsewhere in
the field. One set of insects died on or about the 12th, the others
between 16th and 20th.

EXPERIMENT 25.
Siphonophora avene Fab.

June 8, placed a number of adult females on heads of wheat as in the
preceding. - 5
-Result—June 24, kernels shriveled, discolored, and nearly worthless,

NOTES FROM MISSOURI FOR THE SEASON OF 1886,
By Mary I, MURTFELDT, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,

KIRKWOOD, Mo., December 1, 1886.
Sir: I submit herewith the more important of my notes on the injurious insects of

this locality, for 1886.
MARY E. MURTFELDT.
Pron ©. Vv. hILEY;

U. S. Entomologist.

Climatically the past season was characterized by excess of moisture
during May and June, followed by unusual drought and heat through-
out July and August. That these extremes had a certain effect on the
development of insect life is not to be questioned, and, in a general
way, may be attributed to them the unusual numbers of all sorts of leaf-
feeding and sap-sucking species early in the season, and a correspond-
ing dearth of Lepidoptera and some families of Coleoptera later in the
year. So great was the scarcity of nocturnal Lepidoptera in August
and early September that one might sit evening after evening in a
brightly-lighted room with open windows and not a single moth would
appear.

Tenthredinid larve were especially conspicuous during May and June.
These included not only such familiar pests as the Rose, the Raspberry,
and the Cherry slugs, the Birch and Willow False caterpillars, but sev-
eral species on Ash, Oak, Elder, White-fringe, &c., which I have not
yet reared to the perfect state. A peculiar and interesting species, de-
termined by Professor Riley from the larvee as Lyda cerasi, appeared
in large numbers, in July, on Wild Cherry. ‘This is a gregarious web-
worm, and its colonies covered quite large branches with their brown,
viscid webs, in which were mingled the castings and exuvie, forming,
altogether unsightly and disgusting masses, which greatly disfig ure
the trees. ;

Another species of somewhat unique habit bores the new shoots of
Roses, and for the past two years has proved quite injurious, especially
to Hybrids and Teas. Its effects may be seen, late in June and early
in July, in the blackened stems and withered leaves of the second
growth, and the consequent destruction or prevention of the midsum-
mer blooming. The larva is one-third of an inch in length, when ful]
grown, by about one-twelfth inch in diameter, nearly equal throughout,
except that it tapers abruptly toward the head. Color cream white,

59

60

immaculate. Surface finely wrinkled transversely, but without pilifer-
ous warts or pubescence. Head small, round, amber-yellow with dark-
brown, triangular or V-shaped spot on each side. Anal plate orbicular,
slate-gray. Thoracic legs same color as general surface; prolegs im-
perfectly developed. It bores from the tips of the shoots downward
for an inch and a half or two inches, devouring everything but the
cuticle and packing the frass at the upper end. When full grown it
makes its exit through a round hole which it cuts at the lower end of
~its burrow, and, entering the earth, incloses itself in a tough, silken
cocoon, in which it remains dormant until the following spring. The
single fly which I have thus far succeeded in rearing issued in May, and
is of the same size and very similar in appearance to the common Rose
Slug fly (Selandria rose). Professor Riley says of it that “it appears
to belong to the genus Ardis of the Selandriide.”

Climbing Cutworms were a prominent feature of the entomological
developments of the spring. These attacked the Oaks, Elms, and other
shade trees, as well as Apple, Pear, and Cherry trees and a variety of
vines and shrubs. Among the species detected in their work of de-
struction were Agrotis saucia, A. scandens, A. alternuta and Homohadena
badistriga. The grass under shade and fruit trees would often in the
morning be thickly strewn with leaves and buds that had been severed
during the night. This was especially noticeable under the various
Oaks and Sweet Cherries. On a large, isolated specimen of the latter,
up which a Trumpet vine had climbed, I took early in May a great
number of the larvee of Agrotis alternata. These mottled gray worms
were found during the day extended longitudinally on the trunk, closely
appressed to the stems of the Trumpet vine, where, protected by their
imitative coloring, it would be impossible for an unpracticed eye to de-
tect them and where even birds failed to find them. When ready to
transform they descended to the earth and inclosed themselves in an
ample, tough, dingy-white cocoon, under any slight protection that
might be convenient. I also took this species from crevices of oak-
bark and occasionally found one feeding in a rose.

Canker Worm (Anisopteryx vernata, Peck).—Not for several years has
this pest appeared in such numbers in tbe orchards of this locality
as during the past spring. Nor did the apple trees seem to recover
from the excessive defoliation during the remainder of the season. The
worms were especially numerous on trees around which the soil had
not been stirred for a year or more.

IT noted this year a habit of this insect that has not, to my vee
edge, been previously recorded, viz, that the worms, with great regu-
larity, desert the leaves during the middle of the day and hide in the
forks of the branches and on the trank in crevices and under loose
scales of the bark. As I did not at onee discover this propensity in
these larvie, it puzzled me for some time to account for their scarceness

61

about noon, whereas in the mornings and evenings the foliage would
be crowded with them. Happening one day, while standing under an
apple tree, to detach a loose seale of the bark I was surprised to find
more than a dozen of the worms on the under side stretched out side
by side in a close cluster. An examination of the bark revealed the
fact that almost every scale harbored a larger or smaller company of
the worms. Nor was there any evidence of their having sought these
retreats merely for the purpose of molting, as they were of all sizes and
ages, and besides an examination a few hours later disclosed them rap-
idly looping themselves up into the tree, as though in haste to begin
their nightly banquet. Observation for several successive days estab-
lished the fact of their babitual desertion of the foliage during the hot-
test hours of the day and of their return to it as evening approached.
As the infested trees had not been smoothed for some time, and the
trunks were rather “shaggy,” advantage was taken of this discovery to
have them cleaned about noonday and thousands of the sluggish worms
were thus scraped off with the scales of bark and burned.

The Codling Moth was more than usually destructive to the apple
crop throughout the West, destroying in many localities fully 75 per
cent. of the fruit, and in not one orchard in a hundred were any meas-
ures taken to destroy the pest or prevent its spread.

The Broad-necked Root-borer (Prionus laticollis, Drury) proved con-
siderably destructive to young nursery stock in some parts of the State.
In some sections of young apple trees sent me it was found to have
worked up into the trunk for a distance of 4 or 5 inches.

Leaf-hoppers of various kinds were noticeably abundant during mid-
summer. Of these, two species of Fulgorids, Flata conica, Say, and
Poeciloptera pruinosa, Say, attracted much attention on shrubs and
herbaceous plants, some of which were seriously injured by them.

The former species I observed chiefly on OSage Orange and Lilac.
The larve are scarcely distinguishable from those of P. pruinosa, being
of the same bug-like form and greenish-white color and thickly cov-
ered and surrounded by the white-tufted, sweetish secretion peculiar to
the group. The pupe of the two species differ widely, that of pruinosa
retaining the pale color and flattened form of the larvaaad continuing
to cover itself with the fibrous exudation. The pupe of F£. conica, on the
contrary, assume an angular, humped, somewhat beech-nut-like form, a
grayish-brown color, and a more horny texture, while the white secretion
is limited to two feathery tufts at the tail. The perfect insect of this
Species is a deep yellow-green, and with its broad moth like wings and
crimson eyes it is a beautiful object. Itis always gregarious, but es-
pecially so in its perfect state, and I have often seen shoots of the
Osage Orange crowded with this insect ranged in close ranks for a dis-
tance of 18 inches or 2 feet and presenting a most unique and not unat-
tractive appearance. The pruinosa species is Sonewhat smaller and is

62

also pretty in its powdery suit of pearl-gray and white. It attacks

almost all kinds of vegetation; but was found last summer to be espe-
cially destructive to the foliage and stalks of the Dahlia in one garden
in Kirkwood, injuring the plants beyond recovery. As it inhabits the
under side of the leaves, for the most part, and its punctures cause
these to curl somewhat, it is difficult to reach it with insecticides, but
applications of air-slacked lime and spraying with an infusion of Pyre-
thrum will kill or dislodge it.

Halticus pallicornis is becoming every year more of a pest in this lo-
cality on Clover and many kinds of garden plants. Its punctures cause
the leaves to turn yellow and present an appearance similar to those
infested by Red Spider. }

The Flea-like Negro-bug (Corimelena pulicaria) also this year attacked
Composite and Hollyhocks with great virulence.

Acoloithus falsarius—a congener of the well-known Procris ameri-
cana—appeared on all varieties of the Grape in July in such numbers
as to merit some attention from the economic entomologist. The larvie
are not found in companies feeding in regular ranks, as is the habit
of P. americana, although several are often seen on the same leaf.
This species feeds exclusively on the upper surface, gnawing off the
parenchyma in irregular patches. The handsome little larva, when full
grown, is about three-eighths of an inch in length by rather more than
one-eighth inch in diameter. ‘The form is depressed, almost rectan-
gular. The surface is velvety and prettily checkered in dull orange or
fulvous, yellow, and two or three shades of purple. Medio-dorsal line
fine, interrupted, dark purple, on each side of which is a broad stripe
of orange outlined in pale yellow, the dark color being most intense in
the center of each square, where, under the lens, is situated a little
tuft of silky hairs. The lateral stripe is similar, but contains a larger
proportion of purple. A purple band extends transversely across the
fourth and ninth segments. The depth of this coloring is quite variable,
some larve being very much paler and less distinctly variegated than
others. The under surface and legs are translucent, velvety, white,
with a tinge of green. Head very small, brown and retracted under
the projecting edge of first segment. It incloses itself when ready to
change in a fold of a leaf or between two leaves in a flat flesh-tinted
silken cocoon covered externally with lime-like granulations. The moth
escapes in about two weeks and is dull black with orange collar like P.
americana, but itis considerably smaller than the latter. A slight dust-
ing with Pyrethrum powder caused the larve to drop from the leaves,
and this will probably prove one of the best remedies where this insect
has become unduly abundant.

The Saddle-back Caterpillar (Hmpretia stimulea) is known to feed on a
variety of trees and other plants, out I have seen no record of its oc-
currence on Soft Maple.

63

Late in August of the present year I found quite a colony, probably
ten or twelve, on a single leaf of the above-mentioned tree. They had
but recently hatched, but tiny as they were—not more than an eighth
of an inch in length—they had all the tubercles and other character-
istics of the mature larva, except that the saddle-cloth-like spot was
deep yellow instead of green and the central dorsal spot pinkish-gray.
They had perforated the leaf with small irregular holes. Not thinking
that they would readily loosen their hold on the leaf, I carried it eare-
lessly in my hand, and when I reached the house was much disappointed
to find that but two larvee remained on it. As these thrived and per-
fected their development to the point of inclosing themselves in cocoons,
it is evident that Maple may be included in the list of their food-plants.

The Cottony Maple Scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis). This insect has
not been troublesome in this part of Missouri since 1884; but in and
around Rockford, Lll., l learned that it had been so abundant on the
Soft Maples for three successive seasons as to kill many young trees
outright and greatly injure the older ones. I was told that the side-
walks shaded by these trees became so defiled and slippery from the
exudations of the scale insect that it was difficult and unpleasant to
walk on them. The citizens had consequently conceived a prejudice
against the Soft Maple, and many were being cut down or dug up and
replaced by other trees. |

A new Leaf-bug on Maple (Lygus monachus Uhiler, n. sp.).*—This bug
came under my notice for the first time late in the spring of 1882 in-
festing the growing points of young Soft Maples (Acer dasycarpum).
Most of the insects were at that time mature, but two or three pup
were found, enough to indicate that the leaves of the maple had been
their breeding place. A few specimens were taken, but, as the insect
was not present in sufficient numbers to give it importance as an injuri-
ous species, not much attention was paid toit. During several succeed-
ing springs I occasionally came across a mature specimen—which, from
its exceeding agility, both in running and flying, generally evaded capt-

*Mr. Uhiler has given us the following description of this new Lygwid:

LYGUS MONACHUS n. sp.—Long-oval, pale green or testaceous, coarsely punctate
above, sericeous pubescent. Face convex, highly polished, bald; base of vertex with
a longitudinal impressed line, towards which a similar line runs obliquely each side
from the inner corner of the eyes; antenne sparsely and minutely pubescent, basal
joint thickest, a little longer than the head, tapering at base, second joint thrice as
long as the basal, infuscated and a little enlarged towards the tip, third and fourth
setaceous, together not as long as the second. Pronotum highly polished, convex,
coarsely punctate in transverse wavy lines, each side with a dark brown vitta, or
long spot; lateral margin smooth, callous at base, the humeral ang!es subacute, cal-
losities prominent, convex, almost confluent on the middle; lateral flap of pronotum
irregularly punctate. Pectoral pieces pale, impunctate. Legs pale green, feebly
pubescent; apex of posterior femur usually with one or two fuscous bands, tip of
tarsi and the nails black. Seutellum moderately convex, excavated at base, trans-
versely obsolete-punctate, more or less infuscated. Corium coarsely, transversely
rostrate-punctate, the clavers more or less infuscated, sometimes with all but the

64
ure—but it was not until the present season that the maples were in-
fested to such an extent as to injure and disfigure them.

Just as the leaves were beginning to put forth, close observation re-
vealed the fact that they were all more or less stippled with transparent
spots, some mere dots, others a tenth of an inch or more in diameter,
As the leaves expanded the delicate cuticle of the upper surface would
give way and they presented the appearance of being perforated with
holes and much torn and tattered along the-margin, marring their
beauty for the entire season. If, about the 1st of May, the leaves were
carefully examined, there would be found on the under surface of each
from two or three to a dozen or more very delicate bugs of a very pale
translucent green color, the embryo wing-pads being almost white.
They were further characterized by very long and slender legs, beak
and antenne, body flat and broad oval in outline; head small, eyes rel-
atively large, oblong and bright red-brown in color. The larvz varied
in size from one-twentieth to one-eighth inch in length, and so far as I

could discover there were but two larval molts. Scattered about over
the leaves were small, round, translucent green eggs rather larger than
a Portulaca seed. The pupal form was precisely like the larval, except
in point of size and relative development of the wing-pads. When the
under side of a leaf was turned up for examination the bugs, large and
small, would dart, on their hair like legs, to the reversed surface, mov-
ing with the greatest rapidity and sometimes dropping to the ground
in their evident desire to escape observation. The final transformation
occurred about the middle of May, after which the companies dispersed.
The species is a pretty one, although, from the glassy texture of the en-
tire hemelytra and the general delicacy of coloring, it always has a
somewhat immature appearance.

This bug happily lacks the disagreeable odor so common to the species
of this suborder and which pertains even to most of its closest allies.

Absence from Kirkwood after the middle of May somewhat inter-
rupted my observations on this insect. On my return, early in June,

margins covered with dark brown; corium usualiy with a transverse, dark-brown
are next the posterior border; cuneus long and wide, the incised base fuscous, and the
inner margin brown; membrane pale testaceous, with two or more dark clouded spots,
the inner submargin of the principal areole, a spot at its tip and the base next the
cuneus all more or less fuscous. Venter pale greenish.

Length of body, female, 5™™; to tip of wing covers, 7™™; width of pronotum, 2™™.

Male, length of body, 4™™; to tip of wing covers, 5™™; width of pronotum, 13™™,

This has proved to be a very common insect in various localities.

Mr. Cassino collected numerous specimens around Peabody, Mass. Mr. Bolter sent
to me a pair from Illinois and Missouri; and J have taken it from Alders, Maples, and
many other kinds of small trees and shrubs on Cape Ann, Mass., also near the base of
the White Mountains, and in New Hampshire, and near Quebec, Canada.

Mr. Forbes has also forwarded to me specimens from near Normal, Il.

It resembles Lygus invitus Say, and presents several of the color varieties common to
that species; but it isa much larger insect, of a longer figure, and has a more flattened
upper surface.—P. R. UHLER.

65

only a few of the mature bugs remained among the curled and torn
leaves on which they had developed. Occasionally throughout the sum -
mer a specimen would be met with, as often on the foliage of any other
tree as on maple, but there was no second brood. This species, unlike
Capsus oblineatus, is never to my knowledge found on flowers. It prob-
ably secretes itself early in the season and becomes dormant until the
tollowing spring.

The only remedial applications experimented with were Pyrethrum
powder and air-slacked lime, both of which were measurably effective,
judging by the small scale on which they were tried.

17528—No. 13 —5

APICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS.
By NELSON W. McLAIN, Special Agent.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

The following article is extracted from Mr. McLain’s annual report for 1886, the
major part of which is published in the Annual Report of the Department for that
year.

CL Yen:
PREPARING BEES FOR WINTER.

Bees instinetively begin to make preparations for winter somewhat
earlier in the season than is commonly supposed. In preparing for
winter, as in all other matters relating to bee-keeping, the apiarist should
see to it that the method of management is as nearly as possible in
agreement with the instinct and habits of the bee. When bees build
their combs after their own design, as in box hives, spaces are left be-
tween wide enough to adinit of elongating the cells in order that alarge
share of the winter stores may be placed in the top of the hive, easily
accessible in the severest weather. I find it geod practice to widen the
spaces between the comb-frames near the close of the honey-gathering
season, in order that the bees may, by elongating the cells, place a large
share of the winter store above the cluster.

As soon as the storing of surplus honey is done the condition of every
colony should be examined, the amount and character of the winter
food ascertained, the number of comb-frames, and the size of the apart-
ment should be determined by and adapted to the wants of each colony.
After the supply of winter stores has been equalized among all the colo-
nies, if the supply is insufficient, feeding should be done before the
advent of cold nights.

Bees expected to perform the function of hibernation should not be
too old nor yet too young. Both queen and worker bees should be in
full physical vigor. The bees constituting the colony, when placed in
winter quarters, should be such as are hatched after the midsummer
working season is past, and before the bees cease flying freely in the
fall.

Towards the close of the working season the workers instinctively
cease stimulating the queen for oviproduction ; gradually the bees cease
flying, and the cluster is formed for winter. After the cluster is formed
the colony should remain undisturbed. If the bees are to be packed on
the summer stand the work should be done with care, and without dis-

66

67

turbing the bees, and before the temperature at night reaches the freez-
ing point. Ifthe bees are to be placed in adamp or incellar or winter
repository, great care should be taken not to disturb the cluster when
the hives are removed from tbe summer stand. I have found woolen
quilts or woolen blankets the best covering for winter. Wool, better
than any other material which I have tried, prevents the radiation of
heat, and permits the escape of moisture, thus securing warmth and dry-
ness. Hives should be placed 18 inches above the bottom of the cellar
or winter repository, and in tiering them up one above another it ig
better that they rest on a rack prepared for the hive rather than one
upon another.

My repurt for 1885 covers the period from June 1 to November 25,
when the severity of the weather forbade further out-of-door experi
ments. As nearly all the colonies in the apiary had been subjected to
very frequent, almost daily, disturbance and annoyance incidental to
the experimental purposes for which they had been used, they were,
aimost without exception, in very poor condition for passing into winter
quarters. November 25 I packed twenty colonies for out-door winter-
ing. Notwithstanding the lateness of the season, and the altogether
unsatisfactory condition of the bees when packed, eighteen of the colo-
nies wintered fairly well. These twenty colonies were provided with
dry sawdust packing 8 inches thick on the sides, and covered with a
quilt and dry forest leaves to the depth of 8 inches on top of the frames.
A rim 2 inches wide is placed under the body box of the hive, making
a 2-inch space under the bottom bar of the comb-frames. A covered
tunnel leads from the hive entrance through the packing. This pack-
ing is left on the hive until warm weather is assured, thus guarding
against danger from chilling of the brood when building up the colo-
nies rapidly in early spring. The hive should ineline from back to front
permitting the moisture to flow out at the entrance.

I placed ten colonies in the cellar from which the hive covers were
removed and the frames covered with woolen and cotton quilts. These
were used for observation and experiment during the winter. Hight of
the ten came through the winter alive, but being subjected to a wider
range of temperature, and being very frequently annoyed and disturbed,
their vitality was very low, and the old bees, of which most of these
colonies were composed fell easy victims to spring dwindling.

HIBERNATION.

For the purpose of determining the degree of temperature in a dry
cellar necessary to secure the minimum of functional activity within the
hive during the period of hibernation, I framed comb-frames across each
other at right angles, and into these frames I fitted and fastened combs
filled with choice sealed honey. These were suspended in hives having
glass sides and top, exposing the cluster to view from all sides and from
the top. Removable wooden doors covered the glass.

68

My observations covered a period of ninety days from December 1,
1885, and included a range of temperature from zero to 65° F. The
hives were placed in a dark apartment, and an oil stove with a radiator
was used for heating. Different degrees of temperature were maintained
- for several consecutive hours, and, as occasion required, for consecutive
days, and careful observations were taken.

At a range of temperature from 48° to 52° F.., according to the humid-
ity of the atmosphere in the cellar, bees, according to a rule of nature,
enter into the hibernating state. After repeated trials over a wide
range of temperature, at 41° F. I found the shape of the cluster most
permanent. While that degree of temperature was maintained, little
change in the shape or location of the clusters could be seen, and func-
tional activity on the part of individual bees, and of the whole colony
as well, seemed to have reached the minimum degree of manifestation,
even respiration seemed to be suspended. The change in the form of
the cluster was determined by outline drawings on paper. ‘he colonies
presented substantially the same outline for days together when a uni-
form temperature of 41° was maintained. I placed some colonies in a
darkened building late in the fall of the year, and when the temperature
was 40° F. natural heat on a dry day above ground, the same phenom-
ena were observed.

The temperature of the cellar was lowered by admitting the air through
an outer room, so that no perceptible currents entered the apartment
where the bees were kept. The degree of unrest and activity increased
in proportion as the temperature neared the zero point. Thirty-seven
degrees F’. in a very dry cellar is a danger point, the danger increasing
in proportion as the temperature is lowered or the humidity of the at-
mosphere is increased.

The degree of activity shown by bees when the temperature in the
repository or cellar is 44° F. is not much greater than at 41°, all other
conditions being the same.

At intervals of about one week the bees arouse to activity, the form
of the cluster changes, and after three or four hours of cheerful and
contented humming, having in the mean time appeased their hunger, the
cluster is reformed into a compact body, the humming ceases, respira-
tion becomes slow, profound silence reigns in the hive until change of
temperature or the demands of hunger rouse the bees from the coma
in which they have been bound. The more perfect the conditions for
hibernation the longer the periods of inactivity.

As the activity of bees is not much greater when the temperature
in the cellar or repository is steadily maintained at 44 degrees than it
is at 41 degrees, and as 41 degrees is too near the danger point, I find
it safer to keep the temperature in dry winter repositories, whether
above or below ground, at 44° F., and I find it better that the variation
from the standard degree of 41° F. should be in proportion of 2 degrees
above rather than 1 degree below. If the repository be damp a degree

69

of temperature higher in proportion to the dampness should be main-
tained. The hive should incline from back to front, and the entrance
should be lett wide open.

It has been the practice of many to raise the temperature in winter
repositories in order to stimulate breeding toward the close of the hi-
bernating period. Ihave tried this, and in my experience I find it better
to maintain as nearly as possible an even temperature until the bees
may be safely placed on the summer stands. What is gained in early
breeding is more than lost in the waste of vitality on the part of the
older bees. In the case of bees wintered on the summer stands or ina
clamp, the packing of dry forest leaves, chaff, or sawdust placed above
the quilt should be closely packed about the edges, and should be from
7 to 12 inches in thickness. Indeed it would be difficult to get the
packing above the cluster too deep, provided the ventilation above the
packing is sufficient to carry off moisture.

SPRING DWINDLING.

For preventing spring dwindling, and building up colonies to maxi-
mum strength and efficiency at the beginning of the working season—
for success in honey-producing largely depends on having strong colo-
nies ready for work at the very time when efficient work may be done—
I prepared a bee-food containing the elements essential in brood-rear-
ing. This food is prepared after the following formula:

To 10 pounds of sugar I add half a pint of dairy salt, 2 tablespoonfuls
bicarbonate of soda, 2 tablespoonfuls rye flour, 2 tablespoonfuls finely
powdered bone-ash, and 1 tablespoonful cream tartar. Mix thoroughly,
then add 2 quarts hot water, and stir until thoroughly dissolved, and
let the mixture boil, but only 2 or 3 minutes. I feed this food in the
hive as honey or sirup is usually fed, thereby keeping all the bees at
home to aid in keeping up the temperature in the hive, thus reserving
their vitality for performing the functions of brood-rearing, instead of
speedily wearing out their remaining strength in roaming the fields in
search of the elements essential to larval growth.

The bone ash is prepared by burning dry bones to a white ash, which
I pulverize and sift through a sieve made from fine wire strainer cloth.
As this food is notintended for use until after the bees have had a good
flight in the spring, almost any grade of sugar or dark low-grade honey
may be supplied for brood-rearing.

The rapidity with which a colony consisting of a mere handful of bees
may be built up to full strength and working efficiency by using this
preparation is surprising. Only as much as is needed for immediate
consumption should be frequently supplied, and it should be fed only
to prevent spring dwindling, or when it is desirable to quickly increase
the numerical strength of the colony in anticipation of a honey harvest,
or to recruit the vigor and strength of the colony by rearing young bees
after the working season, and prior to going into winter quarters.

70
BEES VS. FRUIT.

I have, according to your instructions, repeated my experiments of
last year for testing the capacity of bees, under exceptional circum-
stances, to injure fruit; adding such other tests and observations as
the very severe and protracted drought permitted. The house used last
season, 10 feet by 16 feet in size, having sides partly covered with wire
cloth and large screen doors in each end, was used again this year.
Two colonies of Italian bees, two of hybrids, one of Caucasians, and
two of Syrians were confined in this house.

These colonies were without food in their hives and at intervals of ©
three or four days were fed a little sirup for the purpose of keeping up
their vigor and to prevent dying from starvation. A wood-stove was
placed in the house and a high temperature was maintained for a num-
ber of hours each day.

The conditions incident to an unusually severe and protracted drought
were present within and without. The bees were repeatedly brought to
the stages of hunger, thirst, and starvation, the test continuing for 40
days. 3 i 7

Through the favor of Mr. T. T. Lyon, president of the Michigan State
Horticultural Society, I obtained thirteen varieties of choice grapes
from A. G. Gulley, of South Haven. Every inducement and oppor-
tunity was afforded the bees to appease their hunger and thirst by
attacking the fruit which was placed before them. Some of the bunches
of grapes were dipped in sirup and hung in the hives between the
the combs, some placed before the hives on plates, and grapes were
suspended in clusters from the posts and rafters. The bees lapped and
sucked all the sirup from the skins, leaving the berries smooth.

They daily visited the grapes in great numbers and took advantage of
every crack in the epidermis or opening at the stem, appropriating to
their use every drop of juice exuding therefrom, but they made no at-
tempt to grasp the cuticle with their mandibles or claws. I removed the
epidermis carefully from dozens of grapes of various kinds and placed
them on plates before the hives. The bees lapped up all the juice on the
outside of the film surrounding the segments of the grape, leaving this
delicate film dry and shining, but through and beyond this film they
were not able to penetrate. I punctured the skins of grapes of all
kinds by passing needles of various sizes through the grape and placed
these before the bees. The needles used were in size from a fine cam-
bric needle to a packing needle. The amount of juice appropriated
was in proportion to the size of the opening in the skins and the num-
ber of segments of the grape broken. The same was true in the case
of grapes burst from over-ripeness. Bees are not only unable to pene-
trate the epidermis of the grape, but they also appear to be unable,
even when impelled by the direst necessity, to penetrate the film sur-

71

rounding the berry even after the epidermis is removed. Grapes so
prepared without exception laid before the hives until dried up. If
but one segment of a grape be broken by violence or by over-ripeness,
the bees are unable to reach the juice beyond the film separating the
broken from the unbroken segments until further violence or decay
permits an entrance for the tongue. Clusters of sound grapes which I
hung between the comb frames in hives occupied by strong colonies
were unbroken and sound after fifteen days’ exposure in the hives.
The skins were polished smooth, but none were broken. I also stopped
up the entrance to several hives—containing good-sized colonies—in
the apiary and in the wire-covered house, by pushing sound grapes into
the opening, so close together that the bees could not pass through.
By this means the bees were confined to the hives for days in succes-
sion, not being able to break down and remove the grapes, and
although the skins of the grapes next the inside of the hive were pol-
ished smooth none were broken or injured.

The past season furnished an excellent opportunity to observe the
capacity of bees, under so exceptional circumstances, to injure fruit, for
the drought was very exceptional both in duration and severity, and I
was called to several places by fruit-growers to witness the proof that
bees were ‘ tearing open the skins of the grapes ” and otherwise behay-
ing in a manner altogether unworthy of an insect enjoying a wide rep-
utation for virtue and orderly living. In each instance I succeeded in
convincing the fruit-grower that the bees were simply performing the
office of gleaners; that violence from other sources, or over-ripeness
and decay had preceded the bees, and that he would be acting the part
of wisdom in following the example of the bees in gathering the grapes
before further violence, or the action of the elements, rendered them
worthless.

After grapes have been subjected to such violence, or have so far
burst open and decayed as to make it possible for bees to injure them,
and the circumstances are so exceptional as to lead the bees to seek
such food, unless they are speedly gathered they would soon become
worthless if unmolested. During the past season I made many visits
to vineyards, one located near the apiary I visited every day, and my
observations and experience with bees in confinement and those having
free access to the vineyards furnishes abundant proof to convince me
that bees do not and cannot under any circumstances injure sound fruit:
If from any cause the pulp is exposed, such as the attack of birds or
wasps—the most common source of injury—or from the ovipositing of
insects, or bursting of the berry from over-ripeness, and if no other re-
sources are available, the bees appropriate and carry away the juice,
and the extent of the injury depends upon the degree to which the pulp
is exposed, the sweetness of the juice, and the number and necessities
of the bees.

(2
BEE FORAGE.

If excellence in the bee is the chief factor in successful honey produc-
ing, next in logical order is abundant, persistent, and cheap bee-pastur-
age. Abundant pasturage is the amount necessary to satisfy the re-
quirements of the number of colonies kept within a given area. Persist-
ent pasturage is that which contemplates a variety of perennial honey
bearing flora of hardy constitution and rugged habits whose terms of
blooming follow each other in succession continuously from early spring
to late fall, thus lengthening out the season in which bees may gather
surplus honey. Cheap bee-pasturage may be such as is furnished from
natural sources produced in forests or by self-propagating plants grow-
ing in waste places or upon lands of little value and requiring little or
no labor. Or cheap bee-pasturage may be secured by cultivating fruits
and field crops, the blossoms of which are valuable for honey bearing.

As the forests of the country disappear and the waste landsare being
reclaimed, as the necessity for other honey-producing resources is felt, as -
the industry assumes more importance and as the influence of competi-
tion is more sharply felt, great interest is shown in the subject of bee-
pasturage. The number of days in each year in which bees can gather
and store surplus honey will not average, except in exceptionally fa.
vored localities, above thirty or thirty-five days; the remaining time and
energies of the bees being employed in gathering sufficient for the sus-
tenance of the colony, and enforced idleness or non-productiveness. En-
forced idleness, and the consequent waste of time, stores, and energies
sometimes result from a failure of the flowers to secrete nectar, even
though honey-bearing flowers are blooming in abundance, but usually
the reason why the time is so short in which bees are able to store sur-
plus honey is the lack of abundant pasturage. I have not had the time
or the means to devote to bee-forage that the importance of the subject
demands, but I have made a beginning in this department of experi-.
mental work which EF hope to continue. Among all the trees and shrubs
which are cultivated generally throughout the United States by fruit-
growers, the raspberry is commonly conceded to possess more value to”
bee-keepers than any other. A quarter of a mile from this station a
market gardener has 4 acres of raspberries. These bushes continued
to bloom forten days, and during that time, with the exception of two or
three rainy days, a continuous procession of bees could be observed go-
ing and returning to and from the apiary, and a fine showing of honey
was made in the hives and the honey was of superior quality.

On account of the superior quality of its nectar, the ease with which
the plant is propagated, its adaptation to all kinds of soil and its value
as a forage plant for grazing, white clover has, until of late years, stood
without a rival in the estimation of honey-producers. About twenty
years ago Alsike or Swedish clover was introduced into this country,

73

and since then has been thoroughly tested both as a honey plant and
also for hay and pasture for all kinds of stock.

Mr. J. M. Hicks, of Battle Ground, Ind., says: “ Alsike Clover has
no superior as a honey-producing plant, yielding the best and richest
honey known, and as a hay crop it is not surpassed, often producing 3
tons of good hay per acre. The stems and stalks are much finer than
those of common red clover, and cattle, horses, and sheep feast on it,
eating it clean without waste. As a pasture of all kinds of stock it has
no equal. It will grow on all kinds of land, clay, or sandy, and does not
freeze out as easily as red clover. It is quite similar to red clover in
appearance. The first crop each season is the seed crop. The seed is
about one-third the size of red clover and 4 pounds is sufficient to sow
an acre. The bloom is a beautiful pale pink color. I have no hesitancy
in saying that Alsike Clover will produce 500 pounds of the richest and
best honey per acre in a good season. I would recommend every bee-
keeper to sow at least a few acres of Alsike Clover.” Mr. W. Z. Hutch-
jnson, of Rogersville, Mich., says that it will pay to raise Alsike Clover
for honey alone upon land worth $50 per acze.

Mr. C. M. Goodspeed, of Thorn Hill, N. Y., says: ‘I have grown Alsike
on my farm and watched its habits closely. It is very hardy, of extra
quality as hay and a heavy seeder, reaching in rare cases 10 bushels
per acre. In this locality the second growth seldom yields much honey,
but the first growth just swarms with bees for about three weeks, or
from the time the rich blossoms open until the seed is ripe. In my lo-
cality it begins to yield honey shortly after white clover and continues
well into the bass-wood season. It yields twice as much honey as white
or red clover.” Mr. D. A. Jones, of Beeton, Ontario, says: “I think
too much can scarcely be said of Alsike as a hay and honey crop, and
many of our farmers are waking up to the fact that it is to their inter-
est to cultivate it largely in preference to almost any other crop. Red
Clover will soon be a thing of the past, as Alsike seed is now in great
demand, not only for seeding purposes but also for useindyeing. Iam
informed that large quantities are being shipped to Europe for that
use.” Mr. A. I. Root, of Medina, Ohio, and Mr. L. C. Root, of Mohawk,
N. Y., both speak of Alsike as the most valuable variety of clover for
hay and pasturage and recommend its cultivation as being of the first
importance to bee-keepers. ‘Statements testifying to the unequaled
value of Alsike Clover, both for hay and grazing purposes, and as a
most valuable honey-bearing plant, might be indefinitely multiplied. I
cannot too strongly urge the bee-keepers of the United States to pro-
vide abundance of this forage for their bees, both by sowing the seed
on their own premises and also by inducing their neighbors to cultivate
this variety of clover as the best for all purposes.

Sweet Clover (Mellilotus alba) abounds in this locality. This is a
hardy plant, of wondrous persistence, continuing in bloom from about
July 1 until killed by frost. It is adapted to almost any kind of soil.

74

In this part of Illinois 1t grows in rich soil by the wayside, or in de-
serted stone quarries with equal luxuriance. As the plant will grow
without any cultivation in by-ways and waste places, wherever the seed
can obtain a foothold, and is a perennial, it is rightly reckoned among
the number of excellent and cheap bee-forage plants. Sweet Clover will
endure drought well. During the long drought of last season bees in this
neighborhood would have been entirely without resources for many
weeks together had it not been for Sweet Clover. The quality of the
honey is excellent, and under ordinary conditions the yield is altogether
satisfactory. Much apprehension has been felt among farmers lest it
become a noxious weed. Observing how readily the seed is carried
in the mud on wagon wheels and horses’ feet in the spring, when the
roads are bad and the entire space in the highways is used for travel,

belief has obtained that the fields would soon be invaded. Careful ©

and continuous observation of the facts for five years past has convinced
me that fears of trouble from this source are groundless. In but one
instance have I seen Sweet Clover invade a plowed field, and that was
for a distance of 3 rods on both sides of an old road leading into the
field and the seed had been carried in on wagon wheels. This plant
being a biennial is easily exterminated when desirable. I would recom-
mend bee-keepers to provide abundance of this forage by scattering the
seed in waste places and by the roadside. Sweet Clover is much more
sightly and useful, and less objectionable, in every way, than the weeds
which ordinarily cover the roadsides.

Pleurisy-Root (Asclepias tuberosa) is a honey-bearing plant indigenous
to nearly all parts of the United States, but its growth has not been
encouraged for the reason that its value to the honey-producer has not
been generally known. Theplantis a perennial; the top dies and rots,
anew growth springing up each year. It is commonly regarded asa
harmless prairie weed. The deep red blossoms hang in clusters. The
plant is very hardy and of a rugged growth, growing luxuriantly in all
kinds of soil. The honey is of the finest quality both as to color and
flavor. Mr. James Heddon, of Dowagiac, Mich., speaking of Pleurisy,
says: ‘‘ If there is any plant, to the growing of which good land may be
exclusively devoted for the sole purpose of honey production, I think it
is this; I would rather have one acre of it than three of Sweet Clover.
It blooms through July and the first half of August, and bees never
desert Pleurisy for bass-wood or anything else. The blossoms always
look bright and fresh, and yield honey continuously in wet and dry
weather. Bees work on it in the rain,and during the excessive drought
of the past season it did not cease to secrete nectar in abundance.” I
have had some observation and experience with the plant, and, having
secured seed, I expect to test it in different kinds of soil next season.

For two years past I have cultivated a plot of Motherwort (Leonurus
cardiaca), and I prize it highly as a honey plant. Bees work on it con-
tinually all day, and every day, unless it is raining quite hard. The

ss
os

15

summer of 1885 it continued in bloom six weeks. Last summer it

bloomed but was soon ruined by drought. At the annual meeting of
the North American Bee-Keepers’ Association held in Detroit in De-
cember, 1885, a committee, of which I was a member, was appointed by
the association to investigate the merits of a new plant being cultivated
by Mr. Chapman, of Versailles, N. Y., who was present and repre-
sented that the plant was of unusual value to honey-producers. Being
instructed by you so to do, I met with other members of that committee
at Versailles on the 28th of July. I herewith inclose a copy of the re-
port which I prepared in behalf of that committee, together with a letter
of Mr. A. E. Manum, president of the Vermont Bee-Keepers’ Associa-
tion, which I presented to the North American Bee-Keepers’ Associa-
tion at its annual meeting held in Indianapolis, Ind., October 12, 13, 14,
1886.

My experience with the plants furnished for observation at this sta-
tion was nearly identical with that of Mr. Manum. Fifty-two plants
arrived here by express, fifty-one of which came to maturity. Plants
were furnished to Prof. A. J. Cook, Lansing, Mich.; T. F. Bingham,
Abronia, Mich.; W. F. Clarke, Guelph, Ontario, and Mr. Van Dom,
Omaha, Nebr., each of whom highly recommend it as possessing un-
usual value as a bee-forage plant.

Acer dasycarpum, 63
Acidalia, 26
Acoloithus falsarius, 62
Acridium frontalis, 11
Adelges abieticolens, 21
abietis, 21
Agrotis alternata, 60
scandens, 60
saucia, 60
Alder Flea-beetle, 24
Insects infesting, 20
Leaf-roller, 25
Aletia xylina, 11
Alum water, as an insecticide, 33
Alwood, Wm. B., Report by, 38
Amphydasis cognataria Guen., 29
Food-plant, 29
Larva before last molt, 30
Life-history, 29
Mature larva, 30
Moth, 30
Pupa, 30
Young larva, 30
Anisopteryx vernata, 60
Apanteles congregatus, 53
glomeratus, 50, 52
Aphis maidis, 51
Apicultural experiments, 66
Bee-forage, 72
Bees vs. Fruit, 70
Hibernation, 67
Preparing bees for winter, 66
Spring dwindling, 69
Ardis, 60
Ash Saw-fly, 33
Beech Span-worm, 28
Benzine, 43
Effect of, upon Cabbage-lice, 43
Potato-beetle, 43
Squash-bug, 43
Tomato-worm, 43
Box-elder Plant-louse, 33
Bridgeford’s Antiseptic, 47
Broad-necked Root-borer, 61
Brown Cryptolechia, 27
Bruner, L., Report by, 9, 33
Buhach, 42
Alcoholic extracts, 43
Effect of, upon P. brassicw, 42
Cabbage Butterfly, 34
Cabbage Plant-louse, 50
Worms, 50
Cabera, 25
Calocoris rapidus, 58
Canker-worms, 60
Capsus oblineatus, 65
Cecidomyia leguminicola, 52

eA Dos:

Chinch Bug, 33, 35
Cleft-headed Span-worm, 29
Climbing Cut-worm, 60
Clover-seed Midge, 52
Codling Moth, 61
Colorado Potato Beetle, 33
Corimelena pulicaria, 62
Corn Aphis, 51
Corn-worm, 32
Corycia, 22
Cotton Worm, 10, 11
Cottony Cushion-scale, 7
Cottony Maple Scale, 63
Cryptolechia quercicella, 27

Habits, 28

Larva, 26

Moth, 28

Pupa, 28
Deilinia variolaria, 25

Larva, 26

Moth, 26

Pupa, 26
Doryphora 10-lineata, 33
Dreer’s Insect Terror, 44
Empretia stimulea, 62
Euschistus fissilis, 58
Fir-tree oil, 46
Flata conica, 61
Flea-like Negro-bug, 62
Gelechia oronella, 25

Larva, 25

Moth, 25

Pupa, 25
Gishurst, 47
Grasshoppers, 34
Gray Blister Beetle, 33
Graphops pubescens, 48

Habits, 48
Green-striped Phycid worm, 23
Haltica alni, 24

Beetle, 25

Larva, 24

Pupa, 25
Halticus pallicornis, 62
Hammond’s Slug Shot, 44
Heliothis armigera, 33
Herald, The, 26
Homohadena badistriga, 60
Hyperetis nyssaria, 28

Larva, 29

Moth, 29

Pupa, 29
Icerya purchasi, 7
Ice-water as a remedy, 44
Ichthyuria strigosa, 30

americana, 30

Larva before the last molt, 30

78

\

Ichthyuria—Continued. Pink-striped Willow Span-worm, 25
Larva, after the last molt, 30 Pitch Pine, 21
Moth, 30 Plagiodera scripta, 33
Pupa, 30 Plusia brassicex, 50
Insecticides, Tests with, upon garden insects, 38 Habits of, 51
Insects injurious to forest and shade trees, 7. Plantain Curculio, 49
Kerosene emulsion, 38 Plant-bugs, Effect of puncture, 7
Effect of, upon Cabbage Plant-louse, 39 Pecilocapsus quadrivittatus, 7, 54
Cabbage Worms, 39 Peeciloptera pruinosa Say, 61
White Grub, 39 Post-oak Locust, 17
Formula for, 38 Classification, 18
Lace-winged flies, Larve of, preying upon A. bras- Description, 19
sice, 50 Habits, 18
Lachnosterna fusca, 52 Prionus laticollis, 61
Lady-birds, Larve of, preying upon A. brassi- | Procris americana, 62
ce, 50 Pteromalus puparum, infesting P. rape, 50, 52
Larch Saw-fly, 20 Pulvinaria innumerabilis, 63
Leaf-bug on Maple, A new, 63 Pyrethrum cinerariefolium, 42
_Leaf-hopper, 61 Alcoholic extract, 43
Live-Oak Leaf-roller, 31 Effect of, upon Pieris brassice, 42
Live-Oak Thecla, 31 Pyrethrum, extracts of, 41
Locusts in Texas, 7, 9 Effect of, upon Aphis brassice, 41
Melanoplus atlanis, il Fall Web-worm, 42
angustipennis, 11 Potato-Beetle, 42
robustus, 11 Squash Bugs, 42
Presence of, in different counties, 16 Tomato Worm, 42
Lygus monachus Uhler, n. sp., 63 Red-legged Locust, 36
Lygus pratensis, 54, 55 Remedies imported from London, 46
Lytta cinerea, 33 Riley, C. V., quoted, 60
Macrops sp., 49 Rocky Mountain Locust, 11
Macrosila quinque-maculata, 53 Saddle-back Caterpillar, 62
May Beetle, 52 Scoliopteryx libatrix, 26
Melanoplus atlanis, 11 Habits, 26
angustipennis, 11 Selandria rose, 60
diiferentialis, 11, 33 Siphonophorg avene, 58
femur-rubrum, 33 Sphingid larva on Tomato, 53
spretus, 33 Spruce and Hackmatack Worais, 20
Melanoplus sp., 11 Bud-louse, 21
Eggs, 12 | Caterpillar, 20
Experiments with Paris green upon, 14 cones, new enemy of, 7
Larve, 12 Cone-worm, habits of, 21
Mode of attack, 12 | Strawberry Crown-borer, 49
Remedies, 13 Leaf-beetle, 48
Meromyza americana, 49 Root-borer, 48
Meroptera pravella, 23 Striped Cotton-wood Beetle, 34
Larva, 23 Sulfo-tobacco Soap,45 *
Moth, 23 Syrphus flies, Larve of, preying upon A. brassi-
Pupa, 23 cz, 50 :
Micropus leucopterus, 33 _Tansy water, 44
Moore’s Compound, 46 Tenthredinid larve, 59
Murtfeldt, Miss M. E., Report by, 59 Thecla calamus, 31
Notes from Missouri, 7, 59 flavonius, 31
Norway Spruce, 21 Tobacco Soaps, 45
Oat-fly, A new, 49 effect of, upon Cabbage Plant-lice, 46
Ohio Insects, Report upon, 48 worms, 45
Osage Orange, Flata conica Say, found on, 61 Tomato water, 44
Oscinis? sp., 49 Tortrix fumiferana, 20
Paria aterrima, 48 Tortrix quercifoliana, 31
Phycid caterpillar, 20, 21 Larva, 32
Phycis rubrifasciella, 23 Moth, 32
Pieris rape, 34, 50 Pupa, 3°
Pinipestis renicullela, 21 Tyloderma fragariz, 49
Larva, 22 Webster, F. M., report by, 54
Moth, 22 Willow, Insects infesting, 20
Pupa, 22 Wolf's Vermin Soap, 45

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