SSS Gh aS. ENT 2566 Pibrary of the Museum COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS, The gift of Lhe onlemotoqueal | € ouch ot Ontario. 0. Hor, ii Mad, 21 U9 Sept 1863, ee eee -ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY _ OF ONTARIO, Morr THE YEAR 1882. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly. ee i Borontees | TT ROBINSON, 5 JORDAN STREET. PRINTED BY C. BLACKE eae tae FRCP Trek PS a Se : =} be, Bae ay ate ft “ 3 ‘i ae Witty apes -2> con easpnabee-aoeene 38 36 Hiterest Gn Hark "acveoant --2......-eineereeeenect .- ---.- 0b eee ee 9 O01 Engraving—received for electrotypes of cuts ....... 2... ........eeeee ee 3.25 & $1,378 02 Disbursements. Canadian Entomologist : printing, paper, stationery, etc............... $390 32 Dibrary +2. .2. cc. 00 cde os-nnese oon on fns ens eeeeene en ROSE Aye ee 317 17 Expenses of Report for 1881,-including engraving, electrotypes and woodcuts........ » WeROeM B Chidio de OLS EMR oF BURG EL. baiRolosieebien..6sbee 291 95 Annual vote to Editor and Secretary-Treasurer................2.......... _ 175 00 Renahe ce, fen. -figcen-s( ds delgecteer gees S.- cetpemoLt..ed!. ia. nce geee 80 00 TnsG@ranee 5}. <>< penis. b-xkoshe- tes talecd. tee gotesiarb2.adt.gorleinee Aes 12 00 Sundries: postage, €t¢ ........2..scsece see see beeen ee ebeweeseecee Lessee 5 88 55 60 Balantes cs. nancce- ab2-baih- tte: potiscuiebeeet.edh: ah siete Ca aed 55 98 $1,378 02 We certify that we have examined the above with bsoks and vouchers, and found the same correct. Balance in Bank and Secretary’s hands, fifty-five dollars and ninety-eight cents. CHaRLes CHAPMAN, H. B. Bocx, f mirieney. Entomological Society Rooms, London, Ontario. August 19th, 1882. The report of the Montreal Branch was submitted and read to the meeting :— MONTREAL BRANCH OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. The Ninth Annual General Meeting of this Branch was held on Tuesday, 16th May, 1882, at eight o’clock p.m., at the residence of H. H. Lyman, Esq., President. The following report was read and adopted :— REPORT. In presenting their Ninth Annual Report, your Council would congratulate the members on the continued prosperity of the Society, and the undiminished interest manifested by all in the study of our chosen branch of Natural Science. We have held eight pleasant and instructive meetings during the year and three new members have been added to our list. We have, however, lost by resignation an old and valued member, Mr. Robert Jack, of Chateauguay Basin, who has always felt a deep interest in our success, and manifested it in many ways. Six original papers have been read during the year, as follows :— 1. Notes on some Species of Hymenoptera occurring at Montreal, ky F. B. Caulfield. 2. On Instinct in Insects, by G. J. Bowles. 8. The Pickled Fruit Fly (Drosophila ampelophila), Loew, by G. J. Bowles. 4. On the Genera Hepialus and Sthenopis in Canada, by G. J. Bowles. 5. Notes on the Genus Callimorpha in the Museums of Boston, by H. H. Lyman. © . List of Lepidoptera collected by Dr. Bell, of the Geological Survey, in 1881, as Sault Ste. Marie, etc., by H. H. Lyman. Also a selected paper by H. H. Lyman, entitled ‘‘ Insects as Medicine.” Our library has been increased by a valuable donation of books, reports, etc., from the parent Society in London, Ontariv, for which the cordial thanks of this Branch are justly due. We have also received ‘“‘ Psyche’’ for the current year, but have not ex- pended any of the funds in books. The whole respectfully submitted, or) H. H. Lyman, President, _ Montreal, 16th May, 1882. - The following were then elected to office for the ensuing year :-— H. H. Lyman, President (re-elected); W. Couper, Vice-President (re-elected); G. J. Bowles, Secretary and Curator (re-elected). Council—F. B. Caulfield, J. G. Jack, and EK. D. Wintle. Adjourned. Gro. Jno. Bowes, Secretary. The election of officers then took place, when the following gentlemen were duly elected : President, Wm. Saunders, London; Vice-President, G. J. Bowles, Montreal ; Secretary-Treasurer and Librarian, E. Baynes Reed, London. Council—Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, Port Hope ; J. Fletcher, Ottawa; Rev. F. W: Fyles, Cowansville ; W. Couper, Montreal ; J. M. Denton, London; J. Alston Moffatt, Hamilton; W. H. Harrington, Ottawa. Editor of Canadian Entomologist, Wm. Saunders. Editing Committee—Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, J. M. Denton, E. B. Reed. Auditors—H. B. Bock and C. Chapman, London. The President then delivered his annual address, for which he was unanimously tendered a vote of thanks, together with a request to publish it in the Canadian Entomologist. / ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. GenTLEMEN,—F or the first time in the history of our Society, we meet within the _ limits of the Province of Quebec. Although belonging to Ontario, and sustained in our work mainly by the liberal aid granted us by the Government of Ontario, our sphere of usefulness extends throughout the length and breadth of this great Dominion, and also across the lines into the United States. We have long had an active Branch of our Society in Montreal, comprising members who have materially aided in the advance- ment of Entomological Science, and now at this particular juncture, when so large a body of distinguished scientists were to honour Montreal with their presence, and among them many noted Entomologists, no time, it was thought, could be more opportune than this in which to hold the Annual Meeting of our Society, and by the kind permis- sion of the Hon. S. C. Wood, Commissioner of Agriculture for the Province of Ontario, we are privileged to meet here on this occasion. During the past season that dreaded pest, the Hessian Fly, has prevailed to a con- siderable extent in Ontario. My attention was first called to it this season during the last week in July, when the grain was ripening. On visiting the wheat fie!ds in the vicinity of London, I found the insect very prevalent, and in some instances I believe the injury to the crop must have been fully twenty per cent. The affected stalks were lying on the ground, and the grain in the heads imperfectly developed; on pulling these they would often break at the point where the insect had been at work, that is, about the base of the first or second joint. On examining the affected stalks, the insect was found to be in what is known as the puparium or flax-seed state, from the resemblance which it bears in this condition to a grain of flax-seed. ‘lhe attention of farmers was drawn to the depredations of the insect by a communication to the press, and information sought as to the extent of the evil. From letters received from various sections of the Proy- ince, it is evident that the insect prevails over an extended area, and that the sum total of the loss entailed on the agricultural community in Ontario from this cause would figure up to a large sum, probably hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 1876 and 1877 this insect appeared in considerable force, and seriously injured the wheat crop in many parts.of our Province, but since that time we have enjoyed comparative immunity from it until now. The Hessian Fly belongs to the order of Diptera, or two-winged insects, and is. about one-tenth of an inch long, with dusky transparent wings fringed with fine hairs There are two broods during the year. The flies which appear in the autumn, deposit their eggs, from one to twenty or more, on a plant in the cavities between the ridges of the blades or between the stalk and sheathing base near the roots of the young fall wheat. These hatch in four or five days into tiny grubs, soft, smooth and shining, which work their way down thé leaf to the base of the sheath, about the crown of the root. Here they fasten themselves head downwards to the tender stalk, live upon the sap, and gra- dually become imbedded more or less in the substance of the stalk. When once located the larva moves no more, but growing rapidly, soon becomes plump, and when mature is about one-sixth of an inch long, greenish, and semi-transparent; before long it changes to the flax-seed state, in which condition it remains throughout the winter. Early in spring the flies are produced, which deposit their eggs about the first or second joint of the stalk, where they pass through their several stages, assuming the flax-seed state a few weeks before the wheat ripens, from which the flies hatch in August and September. The effects of the presence of this insect in the young fall wheat is to weaken the plants, which become unhealthy, turn yellow and sometimes die. Often there is a gall- like swelling or enlargement of the stalk near the base, in and about which the insects will be found. The unhealthy plants contrast strongly with the rich green of the vigor- ous uninjured grain. The late brood may be easily found by separating the leaf from the stalk of the young wheat in October or November ; the early brood, as already stated, in the reclining stalks, which, when very numerous. makes the hen appear as if “lodged” in patches. Various measures have been recommended for the destruction of this insect. Some have advised the immediate threshing of the wheat and the burning of the straw; but since most of the insects are left in the stubble this would be labour lost. Tearing up the stubble with a cultivator immediately after harvest, and raking it into heaps and burning it, is another suggestion; but this involves much labour at atime when the farmer is extremely busy, and during the process many of the insects would necessarily be shaken out of the stalks and escape. Burning the stubble in the field where prac- ticable is a much wiser course ; but it must be borne in mind that this process involves the destruction of the friendly parasites which feed upon the enemy, as well as the enemy itself. In my address to you two years ago, I expressed the opinion that we were almost wholly indebted for such immunity as we enjoy from destructive insects to the insect parasites which destroy them. Subsequent experience has confirmed this view, and any measure which involves the destruction of these useful friends should be adopted with caution. Iam happy to state that from specimens reared within the past few days, I find that a large proportion of the Hessian Fly is being destroyed by para- sites this season. Late sowing has been much recommended, and the results seem to " prove that on the whole this is the most practicable remedy—to defer sowing until about the 20th of September, by which time most of the flies will have disappeared. Late sowing, however, has the disadvantage that the plants not being so well established, are not as well fitted to withstand the severe weather of the winter. High culture is advan- tageous, as the luxuriant growth which the young wheat makes under such circum. stances will enable it better to withstand the weakening effects of the grubs. Among the other measures recommended are pasturing the wheat fields with sheep, and the application of lime to the young wheat to kill the larve. During the past few weeks I have examined the roots of a number of sickly-looking grape vines about Loridon, Ontario, and have found the root-inhabiting form of the Phyl- loxera vastatrix. the dreaded scourge of the vine in Europe, in considerable numbers on the young rootlets, and have been able to clearly trace the diseased condition of those vines to that cause. I am convinced that this insect prevails to a greater extent than may at first be suspected throughout our Province, and that it is inflicting material injury, for besides having found it common about London, I have satisfactory evidence of its pres- ence in the neighbourhood of Grimsby, where many vines are reported as diseased, and have also found it recently injuring the vines at Paris, There are no symptoms which indicate the first onset of this insect. It is only after the Phylloxera has destroyed a large portion of the réots, that the vine assumes a sickly aspect, becoming stunted in its growth and yellow in the foliage. On examining the roots of a vine so affected, most of the small rootlets—through which the vine draws the chief part of its nourishment—are found dead, and with many small knots and swellings on them. Ifa few freshly formed, jiving rootlets can be found, which may in such cases be looked for about the crown of _the vine, these minute lice will usually be seen clustering upon them, often surrounded by groups of their eggs, and causing little swellings thereon. But it frequently happens that when the vines have reached this depleted condition, no insects can be found; they have entirely left them, and traversing the interlacing roots of other vines, found their way to richer pastures. This insect occurs in two very different forms; in one, known as the gall-inhabit- ing type, it is found upon the vine leaves, producing in June, July and August globular or cup-shaped galls of varying sizes, of a greenish red or yellowish colour, with their outer surface uneven and somewhat woolly. The enlargement is on the under side of the leaf, and if one is cut into, it will be found to contain from one to four orange coloured, wingless lice, and a large number of very minute, oval, pale yellow eggs, with some newly hatched lice. Soon the gall becomes too thickly populated, when the sur- _ plus lice wander off through its partly opened mouth on the upper side of the leaf, and establish themselves on the same leaf or on adjoining leaves, where the irritation occa- sioned by their punctures causes the formation of new galls, within which the lice mature and increase. These galls are quite common, especially on leaves of the Clinton and other thin-leaved varieties, also on the wild grape ; they sometimes occur in such abun- dance as to cause the leaves to turn brown and fall prematurely from the vine, and instances are recorded of defoliation from this cause. Late in the season, as the leaves become less succulent, the lice either perish or seek other quarters, and some of them find their way to the roots of the vines and establish themselves as already described, where, with their change of habit, there follows a slight difference in their appearance. During the winter they remain torpid, renewing their activity in the spring. As the summer advances, a portion of the root lice acquire wings, when they issue from the ground, and rising in the air, they fly or are carried with the wind to neighbouring vine- yards, where they deposit their eggs on the under side of the leaves, among their downy hairs, beneath the loosened bark of the branches and trunk, or in crevices of the ground about the base of the vine. The complete life history of this insect, which is extremely interesting and curious, may be found in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Reports on the In- sects of Missouri, by Prof. C. V. Riley. | The gall-inhabiting type of this insect may he subdued by picking off the infested leaves and destroying them, but the root inhabiting type is a much more difficult form to deal with. Various applications to the soil have been recommended, such as bisulp- hide of carbon, and carbolic acid diluted with water and poured into holes made in the > 10 ———— soil about the roots; soot, lime and ashes have also been suggested, strewed around the vines. Several species of predaceous insects prey on this louse. A small fly, an un- determined species of Diplosis, deposits its eggs within the gall, in which the larval and. pupal stages of this insect are also passed. The larva of this friendly species, although destitute of legs, is very active, and groping about within the hollow of the gall, seizes on the young lice as hatched and sucks them dry. I have found no evidence of its attacking the parent lice, the newly born and tender progeny being more to its taste,. and in sufficient abundance to furnish it with a constant supply of fresh food. In some ~ instances one larva, in others two are found in a single gall, but im no instance have I found living lice with the chrysalids, an evidence that its beneficial work is completed before this change takes place. An active mite, Tyroglyphus phyllowera, the larva of a Syrphus fly, Mipiza radicans, also the larva of a small dull-coloured Lady-bird, a species. of Scymnus, all aid in keeping in subjection the root-inhabiting form. Most of our American vines are much more vigorous than the European sorts, and hence are likely to endure the inroads of this insect much better. As the insect is native to our country, our vines must have always been subject more or less to its attacks, and hence probably have developed a hardier constitution, with greater capacity for endur- ance or resistance. Last year I observed on some Concord vines evidences of unhealthi- ness, which I now believe arose from the presence of Phylloxera; this season most of them seem to have recovered their natural vigour. This inspires the hope that some of our vines may be able to endure the presence of this pest without very serious injury or loss. During the month of July I received from Prof. J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist- of New York, specimens of parasitized egg of the Gooseberry Sawfly, Nematus ventricosus, which he kindly sent me for the purpose of enabling me to introduce the parasite into Canada. ‘This parasite is a very minute four-winged fly, probably Trichogramma pretiosa,. with very delicate fringed wings. Some of these I placed while still unhatched near to eggs of the Sawfly recently laid on currant leaves. It is sincerely hoped that the effort for their introduction into Ontario will be successful, as they seem to do their work very thoroughly, every egg in the examples sent me being parasitized. The presence of the parasit2 may be detected by the discoloration of the egg, which becomes brown. Recently I have received from a correspondent in Oakville, Mr. M. Felan, some ex- amples of the destructive work of Systena frontalis, on grape vine leaves. This beeile,, although very generally distributed, has not, as far as I know, ever been recorded before as destructive or noxious. In this instance it seems to be quite local in its abundance, as my correspondent informs me that they are not found on his neighbour’s vines, al-- though very abundant and destructive on his own, eating the green tissues of the leaf on the upper side and causing it to wither. Examples of what appears to be a new disease on the pea have lately been brought. to my notice from several localities, under the impression that it was caused by an in- sect. The disease manifests itself in a series of white fleshy swellings at short intervals. along the fibrous roots, varying in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to one-eight of an inch or more in diameter, irregular in form, and ofa solid fleshy structure. Microscopical examination has convinced me that it is a fungus growth in the production of which in- sects play no part. It appears to have the effect of stunting the growth of the plants. and lessening the crop. The short fruit crop this year, after the abundant promise of the spring, has been by many attributed to the work of insects, but this I am satisfied is an error, for while in many instances a small amount of injury has been done by insects, the main causes of the failure must be looked for elsewhere. Insects are important agents in the fertili- zation of fruit blossoms, and at the time of the abundant blossoming of the past season. wet weather prevailed with an unusually low temperature, which prevented the insects then on the wing from visiting the flowers; the low prevailing temperature may have also interfered with the proper maturing of the fertilizing agent, while the frequent rains washed away from the opening flowers much of the pollen as formed. To these causes combined may probably be attributed the lack of fertilization of the blossoms. Following Il 0 SSS eS a ea SS eee EEE ees this unfavourable weather, and doubtless induced and fostered by it, a species of minute fungus attacked the leaves of the apple, extending over a large portion of their surface, and often down the leaf-stalk to their base, causing a dark brown discoloration. The same fungus attacked the young fruit also, deforming a considerable proportion of the few specimens which were to be found, and these attacks resulted in a withering and curling of the leaves; the young fruit became stunted and deformed, and in many instances much of the foliage dropped to the ground. The effect of thisinjury, even at this advan- ced period in the season, is still to be seen in the sparseness of the foliage on many of the trees, in the discoloration of the leaves and the stunted growth of the branches. It is difficult to anticipate with any certainty the effect of this disease on the fruit crop of next year, but since as arule any interruption to the healthy growth of a tree leads to the more abundant production of fruit buds, it is probable that with a favourable season, we may have a very abundant yield in 1883. California has for some years past been shipping fruits from her abundant surplus to all parts of the continent, and her favoured climate furnished conditions under which pears, apples, plums and grapes prospered to an extent unknown elsewhere, and for many years almost free from the insect pests which in other fruit-growing regions levy so heavy a tax on the growers. But this exemption could not be expected to be perman- ent. The Codlin Moth made its appearance there in 1874, and ever since then has been increasing to an alarming extent, the climate favouring its propagation with a rapidity unknown in less favoured districts, so that there are three, and in some instances four broods in a season. They attack the pears and quinces, as well as the apples, and de- stroy and disfigure a large quantity of fruit. California fruit growers are also suffering from the Phylloxera, Pear-tree Slug, Red Spider, Tussock Moth Caterpiller, the Currant Borer, a native Tent Caterpiller, Clisiocampa constricta, and a number of species of bark lice or scale insects, which attack apple, pear, peach, plum, orange, lemon, fig and olive trees, being found alike on the bark, foliage and fruit, and which multiply with amazing rapidity. Recognizing the vast importance of the fruit crop to the State, the most stringent measures are being enacted for the purpose of subduing these pests. An Act was passed by the State Legislature in March, 1881, in the interests of Horticulture and Viticulture, providing for the appointment of a State Board of Commissioners, one from each of the large fruit-growing districts, with almost unlimited powers to restrain, seize, or prohibit the importation of anything and everything likely to aid in distributing these insect pests—any suspected vines, vine cuttings, empty fruit boxes or other material likely to spread insects or contagion, and any willful violation of the quarantine regu- lations of this Board is considered a misdemeanor and punishable with a fine of from $25 to $100. These Commissioners are also charged with the duty of preparing rules to be observed by fruit growers for the extermination of insects, and suitable powers are given them to enforce the carrying out of these rules. In reference to the Codlin Moth, every apple grower is compelled to scrape the rough bark off his apple trees every spring, to collect and burn the scrapings, and apply, after scraping, an alkaline wash—the constituent parts of which are specified—to the tree. All boxes in which apples, pears or quinces have been stored or shipped are required to be dipped in boiling water con- taining a pound of commercial potash to each 25 gallons, for at least two minutes. ‘These measures look to the destruction of the pupa. But, further, bands of cloth or paper of a specified width must be fastened around each apple, pear and quince tree, be- fore the fiiteenth day of May in each year, and examined every seventh day afterwards throughout the season, and all larve or pupze destroyed. Precautionary and remedial measures are being enforced in reference to many other destructive insects, and any lax- ity or omission on the part of fruit growers in carrying out the instructions of the Commissioners is punishable by fine. The chief officer of the Commission is required to visit, examine and report upon the fruit growing interests in the various sections of the State, appoint resident inspectors for each county to enforce the regulations adopted by the Commisson, and to experiment on the best methods of subduing insects and dis- eases destructive to fruits, and disseminate the information so obtained. For the carry- _ ing out of these objects an appropriation is made by the State of ten thousand dollars a _ year. 12 Those interested in Economic Entomology will, Iam sure, watch with much interest the effect of such vigorous legislation, and if measures of this character can be success- fully enforced there, why not elsewhere ? There seems to be a necessity for the general adoption of some stringent measures which would prevent the careless and lazy from mak- ing their grounds the breeding places of noxious insects which prey upon and destroy the crops of their more thrifty neighbours. I have the honour to be, Yours very sincerely, Wm. SAuNDERS. There being no further business, the meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario was then adjourned. The meeting then resolved itself into an informal gathering of the Entomological members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, then in session in the city of Montreal. On motion, Mr. W. Saunders and Mr. E. B. Reed were requested to act as Chairman and Secretary respectively of the meeting. Some discussion took place respecting the Entomological Club ofthe A. A. A. §., when it was moved by Dr. Hagen, and seconded, and duly carried : Resolved,—That Prof. J. A. Lintner be requested to take the necessary steps to call further meetings of the Entomologists present at this session of the Association, at such times and places as might be determined upon, and also to provide for similar meetings for Entomological discussions at the future gatherings of the Association. PEA FUNGUS. Mr. Geo. McCloskie, of Princeton, N. J., asked for some information about a peculiar fungus-like growth on pea roots, referred to in Mr. Saunders’ address. The Chairman gave it as his opinion that it was a fungus. Samples were shown exhibiting the pea as affected by this disease. COTTON WORMS. Mr. Jas. Fletcher asked if there was any further information respecting the habits of the Cotton Worm Moth, Aletia argillacea, he believing that from its frequent occurrence in Ontario in such a perfect condition, it must breed in Canada; he was aware that the larva had never been found here and that Prof. Riley had in his able paper on this moth, expressed his conviction that the moth did not breed in Canada. Prof. Riley stated that so far as he knew from repeated observations and experiments, the cotton plant, Gossypium, was the only food plant of this insect ; he thought that the peculiar formation of close-fitting scales of the wings would account for the apparently fresh condition of the moths found in Ontario, and he believed that the insect possessed ample powers to fly such a distance as that from the Southern States to Canada. There might be a probability that the insect bred in the Northern States, but he was still of the opinion that the moth was a purely Southern species. Dr. Hoy stated that he had found in Wisconsin a specimen of the moth at the end of August, with the fore and hind wing on one side of the body in a deformed and crippled _ state, evidently showing thatit must have very recently emerged from the chrysalis. He also stated that a female moth had been captured near his residence about the middle of June. He thought the insect must breed in the North sometimes. ’ Prof. Comstock confirmed Dr. Hoy’s statement as to the finding of the crippled moth, but thought, however, that the moth generally bred in the South. Prof. Fernald said he had seen fresh specimens taken in September, in Maine. The Chairman said that occasionaly fresh moths and butterflies might be captured in 13 entirely new localities, but that generally some probable reason could be given for their appearance ; as, for instance, he remembered that many years ago two fresh specimens of Huptoieta columbina had been found at St. Catharines, Ont., a place where they had never before or since been observed, but that they had probably found their way there among the large number of fruit and other trees imported from the States; still, how- ever, no such probable reason had been suggested for the appearance of the Cotton Worm Moth in Ontario, in such frequent numbers and at so many different localities. The matter was one of great interest. Mr. Fletcher said he hoped the members would continue their observations of this insect, the larva of which, if found in Canada, would probably feed on some Malvaceous plant. Prof. J. A. Cook stated that from the European larch he had taken about 250 cocoons of Samia Columbia, and found among them one peculiar cocoon, very similar to that of Columbia, which eventually produced a cecropza. Dr. Jewett thought it was probably a case of hybridism, as he himself had taken hybrids of (Flovert and cecropia. Dr. Hagen had seen cocoons of cecropia so similar to those of Columbia that it would be very hard to discriminate between them. Dr. Hagen also gave a very interesting account of an expedition to the Northwestern Territories from which, in company with Prof. Henshaw, he had just returned. In the north of Washington Territory he found the forests and country generally in splendid condition, and comparatively free from any insect pests. In other parts he had found the Yellow Pines most seriously affected by the attacks of Pieris marsupia (?), large tracts of forests being entirely devastated—and large trees being attacked as well as the younger ones. The Butterfly appeared there last year for the first time—eggs were found on July 24th. The larva has the habit of dropping from the trees by a thread, a peculiarity only noticeable in a very few of the Rhopalocere. A tree once attacked never seems to regover, and the only way to check the ravages of the insect is to cut down those trees affected. In Montana the cattle feed out all the year round on the “ bunch” grass, which is of inestimable value to that country. A curious fact to be noticed is that wherever timothy and blue grass is introduced it seems to kill out the bunch grass, so that the advance of civilization may in fact entirely alter the economy of the country. The grasses do not seem to be troubled as yet with any pests. The Colorado potato bug is merely known in certain localities. The fruit trees are troubled only by flies and ants, so that the territory is nearly free from noxious pests. Prof. Henshaw said the expedition was one of great interest. A curious feature was the late hours at which insects appeared to feed, many of them after sundown. Papalio machaon was found in great numbers. Carabide were found in dry places, whereas in the Hast they usually preferred moist situations. The genus Callopteryx was also found. This was especially noticeable as it had never been known to occur west of the Rocky Mountains. After this a considerable time was spent in informal discussion and examination of - interesting specimens brought by members from various parts of the continent, and the meeting then adjourned. 14 POPOWIEA Rie? SPE RS OCR CNET OPO HO Gat. ENTOMOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS. THe Sovurnern Caspace Butrerrty—Pieris protodice. By W. Saunpers, Lonpon, Onrario. In figure 1 we have represented the male, and in figure 2 the female of the Southern Cabbage Butterfly, an insect by no means confined to the South, although much more abundant there than in the more northerly portions of America. This insect enjoys a wide geographical distribution, extending south-west as far as Texas, west to Mis- sourl, north-west to the Red River, and alongtheeast from Connecticut to the Southern Atlantic States. A few years ago it was not uncommon around Lon- don, and occasionally quite plentiful about the shore wen 4 of Lake Erie at Port Stanley; but of late years it caine has become a rare insect with us, and we have not met with a specimen on the wing for several years. The English Cabbage Butterfly, Pieris rape, seems to have taken its place entirely. The butterfly is a very pretty one, as will be seen by the figures. The ground colour in both sexes is white, with black spots and black and dusky markings which are much more numerous in the female than in the male. Although so yare in Ontario that it has never, as far as we know, been reported as injurious, it is frequently very destructive to the south of us. According to Mr. Riley, it is abundant in Missouri, and often proves exceedingly injurious, sometimes destroying in a single district thousands of dollars worth of cab- bages. The caterpillar when full grown (figure 3, a), is about an inch and a quarter long, of a bluish-green colour, with four longitud- inal yellow stripes and many black dots ; when first hatched it is of an orange colour with a black head. The chrysalis, shown at b in the figure, is about seven-tenths of an inch long, of a light bluish-grey colour speckled with black, with the ridges and prominences edged with buff or flesh-colour, and having larger black dots. The insect hybernates in the chrysalis state, and where common may be found on the wing during the months of July, August and September. Tae Great Leoparp More—Ecpantheria scribonia Stoll. The larva of this insect is comparatively abundant in the autumn throughout most of the Northern United States and in many parts of Canada. It is found feeding on various species of plants, but most commonly on the wild Sunflower, Helianthus decape- talus. Itis about two and a half inches long, with a shining black head shaded with reddish on the sides, and a brownish black body. Hach segment has an irregular trans- verse row of tubercles from which spring tufts of rigid shining black hairs, while the 15 — spaces between each segment from the fourth to the tenth inclusive are banded with red, the bands being widest and most conspicuous from the sixth to the ninth inclusive. These bands are a striking feature in the appearance of the caterpillar, especially when it is coiled up as shown in figure 4 (after Riley). The colour of the under side varies from reddish to yellowish brown, feet reddish, prolegs brown, thickly clothed with short hairs. This larva attains its full growth in the autumn and hybernates during the winter under logs, the loose bark of decaying trees, or other suit- able hiding places. By the genial warmth of spring it is aroused from its torpid condition and feeds for a few days on grass, or almost any other green thing it may meet with. It then constructs a loose cocoon, within which it enters the chrysalis state. The chrysalis is black with a beautiful bloom on its surface, which is easily rubbed off; ithasa flattened projection at its hinder extremity, which is tipped with a few bristles. After remaining about a fortnight in the pupa state, it appears as a unique and very beautiful moth.. In figure 5 (after Riley) a represents the female, bthe male. The wings are white, ringed, streaked and spotted with dark brown as shown in the figure. The thorax has ten or twelve black spots with a bluish white centre ; the upper portion of the body is steel blue, streaked along the middle and sides with yellow or orange ; legs white, ringed with black at the extremities. The male differs from the female mainly in his smaller size and narrower abdomen. Tur Potypxemus Mota—YVelea Polyphemus. The caterpillar of this insect is also known as the American Silk Worm, in consequence of its having been exten- sively reared for the sake of its silk. When full grown the larva presents the appearance shown in figure 6, is over three inches in length, with a very thick body. It is of a handsome light yel- lowish-green colour, with seven oblique pale yel- lowish lines on each side 16 of the body; the segments, which have the spaces between them deeply indented, are each adorned with six tubercles, which are sometimes tinted with orange and have a small silvery spot on the middle, and from each one of which arise a few hairs. The head and anterior feet are pale brown, the spiracles pale orange, and the terminal seg- ment bordered by an angular band resembling the letter V, of a purplish-brown colour. When mature the caterpillar proceeds to spin its cocoon within an enclosure usually —\€ made by drawing together some of the leaves ~\ of the tree it has fed upon, some of which are ai >> a ; a firmly fastened to the exterior of the structure. The cocoon, fig. 7,is a tough pod-like structure, nearly oval in form and of a brownish-white \ \ hie colour, and within it the larva changes to an \ | oval chrysalis of a chestnut brown colour, re- presented in fig. 8. © Usually the cocoons drop to the ground with the fall of the leaves, and in this state the insect passes the winter. Late in May or early in June the prisoner bursts its prison house, when there is revealed a large and most beautiful moth, the male of which is well shown in fig. 9, the female in fig. 10. The antenne are feathered in both sexes, but more widely so in the male than in the female. The wings, which measure, when expanded, from five to six inches across, are of a rich buff or ochre yellow colour, sometimes inclining to pale grey or cream colour, and sometimes assuming a deeper, almost brown colour. Towards the base of the wings they are crossed by an irregular pale white band, margined with red ; towards the outer margin is a stripe of pale purplish white, bordered within by one of deep, rich brown. Near the middle of each wing is a transparent eye-like spot, with a slender line across the centre ; those on the front wings are largest, nearly round, mar- gined with yellow, and edged outside with black. On the hinder wings the spots are more eye-like in shape, are margined with yellow, with a line of black edged with blue above, and the whole set in a large oval patch of rich brownish-black, the widest portion of the patch being above the eye-spot, where also it is sprinkled with bluish atoms. The front edge of the fore wings is grey. Fig. 9. , Setiggl 17 Fig. 10 This lovely creature flies only at night, and when on the wing is of such a size that it is often mistaken in the dusk for a bat. Within a few days the female deposits her eggs, glueing them singly to the under side of the leaves, usually one only on a leaf, but occasionally two or even three may be found on the same leaf. The egg is about one-tenth of an inch in diameter, slightly convex above and below, the convex portions whitish, and the nearly cylindrical sides brown. Each female will lay from two to three hundred eggs, which hatch in ten or twelve days. This insect is subject to the attack of many foes, particularly while in the larval state. A large number fall a prey to insectivorous birds, and they also have insect enemies. A large ichneumon fly, Ophion macrurum, see fig. 11, is a special and danger- ous foe. This active creature may often be seen in summer on the wing, searching among the leaves of shrubs and trees for her prey. When found she watches her oppor- tunity, and places quickly upon the skin of her vic- tim a small oval white egg, securely fastened by a small quantity of glutinous substance attached to it. This is repeated until eight or ten eggs are placed, which in a few days hatch, when the tiny worms pierce through the skin of the caterpillar and begin to feed on the fatty portions within. The = — Polyphemus caterpillar continues to feed and grow, ALF SS and usually lives long enough to make its cocoon, as when, consumed by the parasites, it dies; in the meantime the ichneumons, having cdmpleted their | growth, change to chrysalids within the cocoon, i ee | eee and in the following summer, in place of the hand- iF some moth there issues a crop of ichneumon flies. a It is also subject to the attacks of another parasite, re a tachina fly. Should the insect ever appear in Fic. i sufficient numbers to prove troublesome, it can be readily subdued by hand-picking. This larva feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs, such as plum, oak, hickory, elm, basswood, walnut, maple, butternut, hazel, rose, &c. As this moth has been found to be easily propagated, extensive experiments have been tried with the view ‘of producing silk for commercial purposes from the cocoons. The silk is rather coarser than that of the common silk worm, Bombyx mori, has a con- tinuous thread and can be readily unwound. A measure of success has attended these 2 (D.) 18 ¢ efforts, but not sufficient, it appears, to secure their continuance, and we know of no one now raising these larvee for the purpose of obtaining silk for commerce. The insect has. also been introduced into France with a similar object, but with what success we have not learned. A NEW APPLE TREE PEST. By Cuartes R. Dopez, Wasuineton, D. C. As if the apple tree with its sixty or more insect enemies were not sufficiently afflicted, a distant relative of the Canker-worm has been making itself so notorious in Georgia, as to give apprehension of the total destruction of apple orchards in the locality infested. The insect complained of is Eugonia subsignaria Pack., a measuring worm which at times has been a veritable nuisance upon shade trees in New York and Phila- delphia. . In pursuance of my duties as a Special Agent of the Census Office (in the fruit in- terest), and through subsequent correspondence, the following facts were obtained from Mr. Adam Davenport, of Fannin County, in the state named. In his first communica- tion, received some months since, it is stated that the worm made its appearance upon Rich Mountain, a spur of the Blue Ridge, about four years ago, attacking forest and fruit trees ; and that it had since spread over a large area, doing great damage. Apple trees in June last were as destitute of leaves as in mid-winter, the fruit growing to the size of marbles and falling off. A late communication—with the replies to a series of questions—shows the de- struction to be even worse than at first reported. I give Mr. Davenport’s own words :— ‘“The insect made its appearance four years ago upon Rich Mountain, since which time it has been spreading in a northern semi-circle, ati the rate of about fifteen miles a year. It is by far the most interesting insect that has plagued this country since the first white settlement. So wonderfully prolific that in two years it literally covered every tree, bush and shrub, and with the exception of a few varieties, stripped them of — their leaves. “The egg hatches about the first of May, and the caterpillar, which is dark brown, lives about forty days, transforms to a chrysalis, lives in this state about ten days, and emerges a milk-white miller. For two weeks before the first transformation the fall of their excreta, in the woods, resembles a gentle shower of rain, and from its abundance tinges the streams a dark green hue. I have seen trees that had been stripped of their foliage, entirely wrapped up in their silken webs, resembling, when covered with dew, a wrapping of canvas. They constitute a great feast for all insectivorous birds and ani- mals; itis said that even cattle and sheep eat them with great greed. ‘They have an instinetive way of protecting themselves by losing their hold upon the limb, at the slightest touch, and swinging by their web in the air. For this reason they are easily shaken off into sheets and destroyed. However, they are so numerous, this remedy is worth nothing except in keeping them off very small trees. This instinct is not lost ee o ee, tne Vy r 3 after leaving the caterpillar state, for if a bird alights upon a tree above the millers, they suddenly drop like a shower of snow to the ground for protection.” In the Practical Entomologist, volume 1, page 57, an anonymous writer gives an account of this insect’s attacks on elms in Philadelphia. Dr. Packard, in his Mono- eraph of the Geometrid Moths, page 528, mentions only elm as a food plant ; but Prof. Thomas, in his second Illinois Report, page 248, says: ‘‘I have not noticed them feed- ing upon that tree, but have twice found them feeding upon apple, upon the leaves of which I have reared them to the perfect insect. In neither case were they numerous.” Prof. Comstock makes brief mention of the insect in his recent report as United States — Entomologist, quoting Mr. Davenport, as above, to the effect that the worms were de- stroying forests of hickory and chestnut, and were damaging fruit, trees. This state- — ment doubtless refers to the season of 1880. re 19 / The infested district in Georgia is not less than sixty miles long by forty wide, and embraces Union County on the east, Gilmer on the west, and Polk County, Tennessee, onthe north. They have been injurious two years, but in the summer of 1881 they were most destructive. It is stated in the Practical Entomologist that the eggs are deposited in masses of fifty upon the limbs of the tree. A piece of apple bark before me presents an irregular patch over three inches long, and one-fourth to one-half inch broad, the eggs closely crowding upon each other. As there are many hundreds, they have doubtless been de- posited by a number of moths, which attests the truth of Mr. Davenports’s statement regarding their falling in showers like snow. They are deposited for the most part on the under side of the limbs on the top of the trees, and not only upon the bark, but the tufts of moss are covered by clusters of them. The eggs are smooth, dull, irregularly ovoid, slightly flattened upon the sides, -rounded at the bottom, while the top is depressed, with a whitish rim or edge, forming a perfect oval ring; colour yellowish brown, resembling brown glue; length of examples before me, 04 inch; width, lying upon the flattened side, ‘03 inch; thickness, or smal- lest diameter, ‘02 inch. They are deposited in curved or straight rows of a dozen or more (or less), these lines forming masses often of many hundreds. The name Eugonia subsignaria, is given on the authority of Mr. Davenport, sup- ported by his descriptions in answer to my questions, as I have had no means of-deter- mining the species. There is no doubt in my mind, however, of the insect’s identity. Tue Hop-Vine Borer. The casual reader, calling to mind only the half dozen hop-vines usually seen about the kitchen garden, or trailing upon some farm out-building, can hardly realize the pos- sible losses to hop growers by insects. According to the last census (for 1879) New York State alone had over 39,000 acres in hop yards, producing nearly 22,000,000 lbs. of hops, which, at an average of 28c. per lb., would aggregate a value of over $6,000,000. Bearing these figures in mind, with an annual loss of 10 per cent. from only one insect —the hop borer—(and 25 to 50 per cent. of injury has been reported) a loss of $600,000 would result in this single State. With such a destructive agent in the hop field, is it not a little singular that there is little or nothing ‘‘in the books” on the subject, and that the pest is in all probability an unknown and undescribed species? Iam not able to give its name—Prof. Comstock writes me he is working it up—but as I have accumulated a mass of interesting data on the subject in my census work, I deem it proper to make known now the experience of intelligent growers in different sections of the country, for the benefit of those who have not yet learned how to fight the pest, leaving thé scientific name and details of habits and natural history to be. supplied hereafter. The only mention that I can find of an insect boring into the crown of the hop plant, in the manner set forth by numerous correspondents, occurs on page 33 of the _ Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario for 1872, by Rev. C. J.S. Bethune. As an appendix to his paper on Hop Insects, he gives descriptions of an unknown larve feeding “upon the crown of the root,” and which he was unable to rear. The size of the larve and the general points of description agree so well with the unscientific de- scriptions given by my correspondents, the growers, that I unhesitatingly pronounce them to be the destructive hop borers, which are the subject of this paper. The pest has been known to cultivators of the hop for many years—indeed it is re- -ported from Oneida County that it has always been known in the locality—and other hop growing districts have felt its presence for longer or shorter periods. In Juneau County, Wisconsin, it was first noticed in 1867, while the observer in Waupaca County had not noticed it prior to 1881. The percentage of destruction varies in different sec- tions from almost nothing—where kept under control, or yards are new—to 25, 50, and even a greater percentage where the yards are old, badly infested, or not looked after. These facts lead a New York grower to state, in his opinion, that it is best to abandon _ yards after six or eight years’ culture, and change to new ground, for “grubs will get 20 into a yard after two or three years, gradually increase, and in eight or ten years spoil the yard.’’ Other growers contend that only the yards of the ignorant and shiftless are ever damaged to any extent by the borer. I shall not attempt to give a description of the larva here, further than to say that all correspondents agree in the statement that it is an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half in length, and three-sixteenths to one-fourth inch in diameter at maturity, whitish or light gray in colour with a dark head. | As soon as the vines start from the ground in May and June, and when but a few inches high, the mother insect begins the attack by depositing her eggs upon them. The subsequent injury is thus described by Mr. Pierpont, a large grower of Ontario County :— ‘‘The warm sun hatching the egg deposited in the head of the hop vine, soon after it is out of the ground, it soon becomes a lively worm about one-fourth of an inch in length, subsisting upon the sap of the ‘vine. It leaves the head of the vine soon after hatching, enters the ground, bores to the centre of the vine and works up an inch or two, finally locatmg where the vine starts from the crown, eating at this point and at the crown until the vine is nearly or quite destroyed, and the crown weakened by water getting in, causing decay, and finally the destruction of the entire hill.” Another report states that the insect begins work in the latter part of June by eating into the tender vines where they start from the old crown or bed root; and unless pre- vented, will eat the vine entirely off, thus destroying the crop; ‘‘many times they poison the root so that the whole hill dies.” Old yards die from this cause more than any other, as the borer prevails more in old than in newer ones. Another grower states that the damage commences about the last of May or first of June, when ‘‘ the head of the vine will appear slightly bent or curved, if compared with sound ones. The grub, after feeding a little time in the heart of the head drops to the ground and makes its way into the heart of the vine below the surface of the ground, working deeper as it grows larger. The vine wilts and finally dies.’’ There is great diversity of opinion among growers as to the best means of ridding a yard of these pests. A few take for granted that there is no remedy, leaving skunks to carry on the warfare alone; and right here it may be stated that growers east and west speak most favourably of the friendly offices of this much despised animal in the hop yard. Salt is mentioned by many growers as aremedy. It is put on after the vine has become somewhat toughened, from middle to last of June, salt on the tender new stalks killing them in a short time. Lime, ashes, sulphur, etc., are also recommended, but doubtless do little real good. Some growers emulate the skunks by digging out the grubs, often doing more damage than the pests themselves. Mr. Pierpont says an experienced tyer of hops can tell at a glance the head contain- ing a worm, which is crushed in an instant, but this process can only be practiced for a few days, as the worms leave the head soon after hatching. Next to the crushing process a useful remedy is to hill the hops as soon as possible and give the yara thorough, cultivation. The hilling causes fibrous roots to put out above the operations of the srub and save to some extent the crop. . The most detailed statement of experience, and it seems to me the best remedial agency or means of prevention, is furnished by Mr. J. F. Clark, a grower of Otsego © county, New York, who writes as follows: ) When the vines are well up the poles, and at the first hoeing about the last of May or first of June, the dirt should be carefully worked away from the vine by the hoe; all the dirt remaining between the vines must be carefully worked out with a sharpened stick, so that all the vines will be ‘left bare as low down as where they leave the bed root; thus they become toughened by the weather, and are not so attractive to the grub. Immediately after this operation, a good handful of the following compost should be applied directly around the root and vine: Take equal parts of salt, quickime and hen-manure; place the lime on the floor first, and throw on water enough to thoroughly slack it; immediately spread the salt on top, following with the hen-manure. When the lime is well slacked, mix the whole thoroughly, and in a couple of weeks it will be ready for use, as above. Do not hill up the hops until the latter part of July or first of 21 - August, and the yard wlll not suffer any from grubs, but will remain clean and free _ from weeds the remainder of the season. When yards are hilled earlier than stated _ above, the grub sometimes works in them more than in late hilled ones. , 2 To return to the skunks. They seem to have acquired the digging-out process to perfection—far better than the hop grower—as they are able to dig around the hills without the least injury to the vines. In Juneau county, Wisconsin, this little fellow— with an appetite for juicy grubs only equalled in degree by the pungency of his perfume —is the only positive remedy, as he works about the hop-hills or roots, cleaning out the _ worms in a few nights. One grower says: ‘‘1 have seen ten acres where not a dozen hills would escape their little noses.” It is worthy of note that in a majority of cases the growers report the borer as the most injurious insect in the hop yard, not excepting the hop-aphis. THE PICKLED FRUIT FLY—Drosophila Ampelophila (Lozw). By G. J. Bowzes, Monrreat. In August, 1879, I met with a small Dipterous fly, Drosophila ampelophila Loew, in considerable numbers, and as the subject is of interest to entomologists, I give the b a Fig. 12.—Drosophila ampelophila: Fly and Wing. Fig. 13.—Drosophila ampelophila. 2 Magnified 10 diameters. a, Larva; 6b, Pupa. Magnified 7 diameters. result of my observations. I have to thank Professor Hagen, of Cambridge, for the _. determination of the species and other information, and also Professor Lintner, of - Albany, for a copy of his article in the Country Gentleman of 1st January, 1880, on this insect, and from which I have largely drawn. With regard to the genus, Professor Lintner says: ‘‘ Twenty-five North American species of Drosophila are catalogued, which have all, with the exception of three species - common to Europe and America, been described by Dr. Loew, the distinguished Prus- sian Dipterist, and Mr. Walker, of the British Museum. They have not been studied by our American entomologists, and consequently nothing is known of their habits. I find no reference to a single determined species by any of our writers.” In the American Naturalist, vol. 2, page 641, an unknown species of Drosophila is noticed as infesting apples, preferring the earlier varieties. The larve penetrate the interior of the apple in every direction, and if there are several working together, render it quite unfit for use. Dr. Packard, in his Guide, page 415, figures an unknown species as the ‘‘Apple Fly,” which is believed to be the above species. Mr. Walsh, in vol. 2 of the Practical Entomologist, also gives a brief notice of a larva supposed to be that of a species of Drosophila, and which also was injurious to an apple crop in Vermont to the extent of about half its value, by boring the fruit in every direction. Professor Lintner further says: ‘‘ The different species of Drosophila vary consider- ably in their habits, as we learn from European writers ; and, indeed, the same species seems often to occur under apparently quite different conditions. The larve of the _ European D. cellaris occur in fermented liquids in cellars, as wine, cider, vinegar and beer, and also in decayed potatoes. D. aceti Kol. infests decayed fruits. ts larve occupy about eight weeks in attaining their growth, and their pupal state lasts for 22 ten or twelve days. The flies appear in May and June. JD. funebris has been reared from pupa taken from mushrooms. It is sometimes known as the vinegar fly. Another -- European species, D. flava, is stated by Curtis to mine the leaves of turnips, raising blister-like elevations on their upper surface.” The present species, D. ampelophila, is described by Loew in Centuria Secunda (Dipt. Amer. Sept. indigena), No. 99, page 101. It is exceedingly common (Professor Hagen states) in the southern parts of Middle Europe and in Southern Africa, but the only localities given for it in America, in Loew and Osten Sacken’s Catalogue, are the district of Columbia and Cuba. Professor Lintner, however, has bred it in New York; it also occurs in Pennsylvania, and now Montreal must be added to the list. I also think, from observations made in Quebec, that it, or an allied species, is found there. At any rate, this immense area of distribution for such an insignificant insect is very remarkable. Like the other species of this genus, and so many other dipterous insects, the larva of ampelophila feeds on decaying or fermenting vegetable matter. Professor Lintner bred it from pickled plums; in Pennsylvania it fed on decaying peaches, and I found | it in pickled raspberries. An earthenware jar had been nearly filled with this fruit and vinegar, prepared by the good housewife for the purpose of making that favourite drink (in Canada at least) called raspberry vinegar. On opening the jar about ten days after- wards (16th August, 1879) it was found to be swarming with the larve and cocoons of the insect. Hundreds of the larve were crawling on the sides of the jar and the under side of the cover, while pupze were found abundantly, singly and in clusters, particularly where the cover touched the top of the jar. The short time required for the production of so many individuals was surprising. I half filled a covered tumbler with the pickled raspberries and larve, and they continued to produce flies for several weeks. I regret not having more attentively observed the exact time required for the different stages, and can only say that its growth from the egg must be very rapid, and its pupal state does uot last longer than ten or twelve days. The larvee (fig. 13 a) when full grown, are nearly one-fourth of an inch long, some- - what tapering towards the head, which is small; and are sparsely covered with minute hairs, particularly on the divisions of the segments. They have no feet, but can travel quite rapidly on glass, seeming to retain their hold by a glutinous condition of the skin, and moving by extending and contracting their bodies. ‘They seemed to exist with ease either in the vinegar or the air, moving through the former in search of food, and some- times coming out of it, and either resting or moving about on the glass sides of the vessel. Their bodies were quite transparent, and under the microscope their internal organs could easily be seen. At both ends of their bodies are curious projections or tubercles, which are also seen in the pupa. The puparium (fig. 13 b) is about three-sixteenths of a inch long, oval in shape, and yeliowish-brown in colour, with the tubercles at head and tail before referred to. The fly (fig. 12) measures about one-eighth of an inch in length, with a large rounded thorax, long legs, and broad iridescent wings. The whole insect is yellowish in colour, and very hairy, even to the proboscis. Some of the hairs on the head bear three or four branches. The wing forms a very beautiful object for the microscope. 3 Last year the flies were attracted to some raspberry wine in process of fermentation, hovering about the jars and alighting upon the corks, evidently seeking for an opening through which they might pass to lay their eggs. It is doubtless in this way that fruit is attacked by this or some allied species, The minute fly effects an entrance beneath a not closely-fitting lid, and deposits its eggs on the fruit, or upon the side of the jar, wheuce the young “larve make they way to the fruit, or find their sustenance in the liquid. : During the past summer I was desirous of again testing the matter. Sy as % PY) Se extent. Such varieties as Concord, Hartford Prolific, Moore’s Early, and Rogers’ Hybrids 64 are rarely injured by this leaf-inhabiting form of the insect. The number of eggs ina single gall will vary from fifty to four or five hundred, according to the size of it ; there are several generations of the lice dur- ing the season, and they continue to extend the sphere of their operations during the greater part of the summer. Late in the season, as the leaves become less succulent, the lice seek other quar- ters and many of them find their way to the roots of the vines, and there establish themselves on the smaller rootlets. By the end of September, the galls are usually deserted. In figure 74 we have this type of the insect illus- trated ; a shows a front view of the young louse, and 6 a back view of the same ; ¢ the egg, d a section of one of the galls, e a swollen tendril ; f, g, h, mature egg-bearing gall lice, lateral, dor- sal, and ventral views ; 7, antenna, and Fig. 76. 7 the two-jointed tarsus. When on the roots, the lice subsist also by suction, and their punctures result in abnormal swellings on the young rootlets, as shown at a in figure 77. These eventually decay, and this decay is not confined to the swollen portions, but involves the adjacent. tissue, and thus the insects are induced to betake themselves to fresh portions of the living roots, until at last the larger ones become involved, and they, too, literally waste away. In figure 77 we have the root-inhabiting type, Hadicicola, illustrated: a, roots of Clinton vine, showing swellings; 6, young louse as it appears when hibernating ; c, d, antenna and leg of same; e, f, g, represent the more mature lice. It is also further illustrated in fig. 78, where a shows a healthy root, 6 one on which the lice are working, c root which is decaying and has heen deserted by them; ddd indicates how the lice are found on the larger roots; e, female pupa, seen from above; f, the same from below ; g, winged female, dorsal view ; h, the same, ventral view ; 2, the antenna of the winged insect ; 7, wingless female laying eggs on the roots, while & indi- cates how the punctures of the lice cause the larger roots to rot. Most of these figures are highly magnified ; the short lines or dots at the side showing the natural size. . During the first year of the insect’s presence the outward manifestations of the disease are very slight, although the fibrous roots may at this time be covered with the little swellings; but if the at- tack is severe, the second year the leaves assume a sickly yellowish cast, and the usual vigorous yearly growth of cane is much reduced. This is not to be wondered at when we consider the immense number of tiny mouths which are busily at work in all directions sucking the sap and thus depriving the leaves of their only means of subsistence. After a time the vine becomes more ‘debilitated and eventually dies, but before this takes place, the lice, having little or no healthy tissues to work on, cannot find sufficient sap for their sustenance, hence they leave the dying vine and seek for food elsewhere—either wandering about under the ground among the interlacing roots of adjacent vines, or crawling over the surface in search of more healthy material to feedon. During the winter many of them remain torpid, and at that season assume a dull brownish colour, so like that of the roots to which they are attached that they are difficult todiscover. They have then the appearance shown at 6 in figure 77. With the renewal of growth in the spring, the young lice cast their coats, rapidly increase in size, and appear as shown at ¢, /, g, in the figure ; soon they begin to deposit eggs, these eggs hatch, and the young shortly become also egg-laying mothers like the first, and like them also remain wingless. After several generations of these egg-bearing lice have been pro- duced, a number of individuals about the middle of summer acquire wings. These also, are all females, and they issue from the ground, and rising in the air, fly or are carried with the wind to neighbouring vineyards, where they deposit eggs on the underside of the leaves among their downy hairs, beneath the loosened bark of the branches and trunk, or in crevices of the ground about the base of the vine. Occasionally individual root lice abandon their underground habits and form galls on the leaves. The complete life history of this insect is very curious and interesting, but would occupy too much space to fully detail here. Those desirous of pursuing this portion of the subject further, and of informing themselves as to the different modifications of form assumed by this insect in the course of its development will find the desired information given with much minuteness of detail in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Reports on the Insects of Missouri, by C. V. Riley. Remedies: This is an extremely difficult insect to subdue, and various means for the purpose have been suggested, none of which appear to be entirely satisfactory. Flood- ing the vineyards where practicable seems to be more successful than any other measure, but the submergence must be total and prolonged to the extent of from twenty-five to ihive bid Hi hor Kid ‘ Se ax f TES : iD oS =——— Fig, . 78, 66 thirty days ; it should be undertaken in September or October, when it is said that the root lice will be drowned, and the vines come out uninjured. Bisulphide of carbon is claimed by some to be an efficient remedy ; it is introduced into the soil by means of an augur with a hollow shank, into which this liquid is poured ; several holes are made about each vine, and two or three ounces of the liquid poured into each hole. Being extremely offensive in odor and very volatile, its vapour penetrates the soil in every direction, and is said to kill the lice without injuring the vines. This sub- stance should be handled with caution, as its vapour is very inflammable and explosive. Carbolic acid mixed with water, in the proportion of one part of acid to fifty or one hundred parts of water, has also been used with advantage, poured into two or three holes made around the base of each vine with an iron bar to the depth of a foot or more. Soot is also recommended, to be strewed around the vines. It is stated that the insect is less injurious to vines grown on sandy soil ; also to those grown on lands impregnated with salt. Since large numbers of these insects, both winged and wingless, are known to crawl over the surface of the ground in August and September, it has been suggested to sprinkle the ground about the vines at this period with quicklime, ashes, sulphur, salt or other substances destructive to insect life. The application of fertilizers rich in potash and ammonia have been found useful, such as ashes mixed with stable manure or sal- ammoniac. A simple remedy for the gall-inhabiting type is to pluck the leaves as soon as they show signs of the galls, and destroy them. . Several species of predaceous insects prey on this louse. A black species of Thrips with white fringed wings deposits its eggs within the gall, which, when hatched, produce larve of a blood red colour, which play sad havoc among the lice. The larva of a Syrphus fly, Pepiza radicum, which feeds on the root louse of the apple, see figure 79, has also been found attacking the Phylloxera. Another useful friend is a small mite, Tyroglyphus phylloxera, P. & R., see (Fig. 80), which attacks and destroys the lice, and Fig. 79. Fig. 80. associated with this is sometimes found another species, Holophora arctata, Riley, of a very curious form, reminding one of a mussel. In (Fig. 81), this minute friend is repre- sented highly magnified in the different forms assumed by it. These lice are also preyed on by the larve of a Scymnus, a small dull coloured lady bird; also by several other species of the lady-bird family, and by the larvee of lace-wing flies. To guard against its introduction ss into new vineyards, the roots of young oi vines should be carefully examined Hees before planting, and if knots and lice are found upon them, these latter may be destroyed by immersing the roots in hot soap suds or tobacco water. | Our native American vines are found to withstand the attacks of this insect much better than do those of European origin, hence by grafting the more susceptible varieties ai ———————