THE INSECT PEST SURVEY BULLETIN
A periodica! rdvisw of entomological conditions throughout the Unitod Statsa issusd on the first of each month from March to December, inclusive.
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Volume 7 April 1, 1927 Number 2
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BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND THE STATE ENTOMOLOGICAL AGENCIES COOPERATING
INSECT PEST SURVEY BULLETIN
Vol. 7 April 1, 1927 No. 2
OUTSTANDING ENTOMOLOGICAL FEATURES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR MARCH, 1927.
The chinch bug is reported as having started migration from winter quarters to the wheat fields during the last week in February, in southern Kansas. Mortality was generally low over the Kansas chinch hug belt. Eastward the insect seems to be less abundant in winter quarters than usual. Missouri reports serious numbers only in the counties along the western edge of the State.
Somewhat intense infestations of the green bug are reported from the region north of Dallas and Fort Worth, Tex. , extending from Love County westward to Cotton County and northward to Kingfisher County in Oklahoma.
Thousands of acres of winter wheat have been destroyed by the false wireworms around Syracuse, Kans. Damage by this insect is also reported from Jennings and Salina, in the same State.
One of the noteworthy entomological events of the month was the launching of the extensive control campaign against the European corn borer.
The pea aphid is appearing in threatening numbers in alfalfa fields in parts of Oklahoma.
The green apple aphid began to hatch in the Winchester section of Virginia on March 14, and at Blacksburg on March 23.
By March 23, the apple grain aphid was abundant in ^he Blacksburg section of Virginia. It was observed in rather threatening numbers in Morgan County, Illinois, on March 16, and eggs of this insect began hatching the same week in central Missouri,
The first rosy apple aphid was observed in the Winchester section of Virginia on March 18 and in the Blacksburg section on March 14.
The strawberry weevil is reported as unusually abundant and doing Serious damage in the Chadbourn section of North Carolina. The weevils began entering the fields on March 7, and egg laying started on March 13.
The Florida flower thrips has bean severely damaging beans in the Okeechobee district of Florida,
The first adult of the boll weevil was collected from the field on March 14 in Florida; 3.88 per cent of the adults in the hibernation cages at Gainesville had emerged by February 28. No emergence has yet been observed in
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Louisi&©&-g In the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas weevils were active
in January, feeding on the growth from last year's stalks.
The cotton flea was emerging in rather large numbers about the middle of March in the experimental hibernation quarters at the Texas Station.
The sugarcane borer passed the winter much more successfully than it did the winter of 1925-26 in the Louisiana sugarcane section. Pupation in the field began in the first week of February, and the first moths appeared March 3. This is a month earlier than they appeared in 1926.
One of the most severe infestations by the buffalo gnat ever recorded in the State of Mississippi was at its height during the early part of March this year. This insect was so abundant thait in Yazoo County about 70 head of horses and mules were killed. The outbreak extends from the Delta backward to from 5 to 10 miles from the river.
CEREAL AND FORAG-E-CROP INSECTS
Texas
Oklahoma
Illinois
Missouri
Missouri
Kansas
WHEAT
CUTV70RMS (Noctuidae)
F* L» Thomas (March 21): 'The cutworms, especially the greasy cutworm, have been unusually injurious over a rather large area in south- central Texas. A species, samples of which have not "been received, has been reported as damaging wheat and oats in several counties in the northwestern part of the State.
PALE "7ESTERN CUTWORM (Porosagro tis orthogonia Morr. )
C. E* Sanborn (March 18): The pale western cutworm, which has been more or less injurious in the northwestern part of the State, es- pecially to wheat, is becoming more general in its appearance and less severe in attack.
HESSIAN FLY (Phytophaga destructor Say)
J. H. Bigger (March 21): Slight infestation in fall sown wheat, but heavy infestation in volunteer wheat. Probably a great increase in infestation by the' spring brood.
L. Haseman (March .10): With our ten-year Hessian fly experiment drawn to a close with last summer's harvest we are not continuing as an important station project the ten or a dozen experimental seeding plats throughout the State, and we have had little opportunit; of making a survey since wheat harvest. However, those records showed the Hessian fly at a very low ebb without any real danger of the pest causing harm to the coming wheat crop. (March 25): There is no indication that the pest will be of any importance on the coming wheat crop.
CHINCH BUG- (Blissus leucp-pterus Say)
L. Haseman (March 10): Chinch bugs went into the winter in large numbers in a number of counties along the western edge of the State, through the north-central part of the State and along the east-central portion, but the unusual rainfall during the fall and early winter months has been very favorable for the pest. Unless a drought develops we are not expecting any real epidemic and in case of drought the destructive infestations will, we believe, be confined to scattered counties or two individual farms. (March 25): In central Missouri the bugs were scarce in winter quarters.
J. W_ McColloch (March 21): Surveys show that the chinch bugs
are very numerous in the grassland; and there has been little
mortality during the winter. Migration to the wheat fields has
occurred in some areas. On February 22, bugs were flying in southern
Kansas.
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GREEN BUG- (Toxoiotera graminum Bond.)
Mississippi R. ¥. Earned (March 28): About March 16, A. L. Hamner spent 30 minutes searching for the green "bug in an oat field at A. & M. College, Miss. , out none were found.
Missouri I. Haseman (March 10): We have made no '-heat survey, and the green hug has not "been reported "by any growers.
Oklahoma C. E. Sanborn (March 18): The green hug is increasing its "boundary line of infestation. Data from both Federal and State entomolo- gists indicate that its heaviest infestation lies in the country north of Dallas and Fort Worth, Tex. A great deal of small grain has already been plowed under because of damage by the green bug. The infestation in Oklahoma lies north and ^est^ard from the infestation in Texas, extending from within Love County west- ward to within Cotton County, thence northward into Kingfisher County. Very recently parasites have been noticed. Indications are that the i testation "-ill become rather severe before para- sites can develop to such an extent as to bring it under subjection
PLAINS FALSE WIREWORM- (Eleodes opaca Say)
Kansas J. W.McColloch (March 20): Reports of false wireworm injury to ,,7heat have been received during the past two ^eeks from Quinter, Jennings, Syracuse, and Salina. At Syracuse thousands of acres of wheat have been destroyed. All reports are from areas where there was little rain last fall and where much of the seed failed to germinate.
CORN
EUROPEAN CORN 30 PER (Pyrausta nubilalis Kbn. )
The $10,000,000 European corn borer campaini began March 14, The infested area now includes about 60,000,000 acres.
The purpose of the campaign is to clean up the borer as far as possible in the infested area and to present the serious damage to the corn crop in Illinois, Iowa, and other Corn Belt States that -ould result from its farther spread. In the clean- up, the cornstalks either will be gathered and burned or plowed under cleanly, care being taken not to clrag any debris to the surface afterwards. Corn stubble ,T,ill be destroyed ,T7ith a stubble pulverizer. All cornstalks, pieces of cornstalks, and corncobs around barnyards and feed-lots will be cleaned up and burned. The plan is to pay the farmers for ™ork that is done over and above their normal farming operations at a rate not to exceed $2 per acre for field corn and not to exceed $1 per acre for S'-eet corn.
The following are the couities in which the clean-up will be conducted: Indiana: DeKalb and Steuben Counties; and selected townships in Allen , LaGrange, Moble, and Whitley Counties.
Michigan : Bay, Branch, Calhoun, Genesee, Hillsdale, Huron,
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Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe,
Oakland, Sanilac, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Glair, Tuscola,
Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties; and selected townships in Kalamazoo
and St. Joseph Counties.
Ohio: Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Cra-wford, Cuyahoga,
Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Harrison, Henry, Huron,
Jgfferson, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Ottawa, Paulding,
Fortage, Futnara, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull,
Wayne, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot; and selected townships in Allen,
Hardin, Holmes, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Tuscarawas, and Van
Wert Counties.
Pennsylvania: Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, Mercer,
Venango, and Warren Counties,
New York: Selected townships in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie,
and Niagara Counties.
DINGY CUTWOEM (Feltia subgothica Haw. )
D. B. Whelan (March 15): This cutworm has been reported both from McCook, Redwillow County, and from St. Paul, Howard County, where it was found in corn ears left in the field all winter,
HE3PERIIDAS
Nebraska D. B. Whelan (March 15): From Eustis, Frontier County, some
specimens of a hesperiid larva were sent, together with a portion of corn ^hich was badly riddled by its burrows. Our correspondent states that about two-thirds of the stalks were affected in this way.
G-RAPS COLASPIS ( Col asms brunnea Fab. )
Illinois J. H. Bigger (March 21): Severe losses expected "co corn on red
clover land. Wet season might minimize this damage. Large numbers of larvae went into hibernation successfully. .
ALFALFA
Nebraska
PEA APHID (Illinois pi si Kalt. )
Oklahoma C. S. Rude (March 18): This pest is very numerous in Roger Mills, Woodward, and Woods Counties. As yet the damage is not severe.
C. E. Sanborn (March 18): There is a rather serious infestation of the pea aphid on alfalfa in Woodward, Ellis, Woods, and Roger Mills Counties of this State. This pest is not ordinarily con- trolled in Oklahoma by any insect parasite but is generally quite suddenly controlled by a disease. The disease is not yet prevalent. It generally comes after several weeks of warm weather. I right add that the pea aphid also attacks sweet clover in this State to a very marked extent although the latter lias never been damaged beyond recovery. In many instances alfalfa has been damaged be- yond recuperation.
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J. R. Horton (I.iarch 19): Unusually abundant in '7ood~ard County, although I have not seen specimens, I am quite sure it is the pea aphid.
CLOVES
I 5SSER CLOVER-LEAF WEEVIL (Phytonomus nigrirostris Fab.)
Illinois J. H, Bigger (March 21): Severe damage to clover buds and seed crop expected this spring. Large numbers of adults survived the winter.
CLOVER LEAF WEEVIL (Hyp era punctata Fab. )
Illinois J. H. Bigger (March 21): Little severe damage expected this season. Fe^ survived severe fall weather and rains. Some slight damage if "•e have very favorable weather.
FRUIT INSECTS
APPLE
APPLE APHID (Aphis -omi De£. )
Virginia 7. J. Schoene (March 23): According to Dr. "7. S. Hough, the green aphids began to hatch in the Winchester section on March 14. L. R. Cagle reports that the first green aphids vere observed at Blacksburg on March 23. The green aphids are abundant.
Mississippi R. W« Harned (March 30): Attacking satsuma at Moss Point, Miss. De terminations made by A. L, Hamner.
APPLE GRAIN APHID (Rhopaiosiphum prunifoliae Fitch)
Virginia *T. J. Schoene (March 23): Ont aphids are abundant*
Illinois J. H. Bigger (March 21): Barring very unfavorable weather, severe damage is probable in the early season. Observed in large numbers first in Morgan County March 16.
Missouri L. Baseman (March 25): Eggs began hatching March 15 to SO. Much more abundant than last ye?ir at the same time though in central Missouri not so abundant as during severe epidemics.
ROSY APPLE APHID (Anur aphis rosans Baker)
Virginia W. J. Schoene (March 23): According to Dr. ~. S. Bough, the
first rosy aphids ^ere observed in the "'"inches ter section March 18. L. P. Cagle reports that "she rosy - 9 vere observed at Blacksburg on March 14. The rosy aphids are present in very small numbers.
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CODLING MOTH (C^rpocapsa pomonella L. )
Illinois J, H. Bigger (March 21): Severe damage expected. Low winter mortality. Large rrumbers in hibernation.
EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR (Malacosoma americana Fab. )
Massachusetts A* I. Bourne (March 16): It appears that the tent caterpillars are fully as numerous as a year ago, which will mean a heavy infestation throughout practically the entire State, Campaigns have "been started, interesting hoys and girls clubs, boy scouts, etc., to collect and destroy the overwintering egg masses, and the program stimulated by a few well chosen prizes offered by various agricultural societies has awakened a very gratifying response on the part of the boys and girls. Already many thous- ands of egg masses have been collected and destroyed. It is planned to continue this ™ork clear up to the time of the hatch- ing of the eggs. Just ^hat effect this '-'ill have upon the later infestation is of course merely a matter of conjecture. In fact, we can not be sure that it will exert any .great amount of influence upon the heavy infestation which is statewide. We will be able, in the course of another month, to report to you more definitely on this point.
Arkansas
Washington
Pennsylvania
Missouri
Missouri
Nebraska
'". J. Baerg (March 19): The caterpillars hatched about four or five days ago. The infestation will probably be moderate.
FRUIT TREE LEAP ROLLER (Archips argyrospila Walker)
R. L. Webster (March 29): Examination of leaf roller egg masses by Mr. Spuler in Spokane Valley showed that there r'as no damage or any severe outbreak in 1927. Not enough live eggs found to ^arrant continuation of oil spray wash there*
SPRING CANKER "ORM (Paleacrita vemata Peck. )
H# N» Worthley (March 21): Moderate numbers seen on road from Butler to G-reensburg on the evening of March 11. Observed on window panes of hotel in Franklin (Venango County), March 17.
L. Haseman (March 25): Male moths attracted to lights March 1 to 15. An occasional specimen was observed,
ROSE LSAFHOPPER (Empoa rosae L. )
L. Haseman (March 25): Very abundant though still in their winter harbors. Observed, however, in blue grass harbors March 1 to 10.
BUFFALO TREEHOFPER (Ceresa bubalus Fab. ) D, B. Whelen (March 15): A portion of a young apple tree
LIBRARY STATE PLANT BOARD
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covered with old injury "by this insect ^as received.
SAN JOSS SCALE (AsjDidiotus perniciosus Corns t. )
Massachusetts A. I. Bourne (March 16): The San Jose scale, which for a few
years seemed to he increasing to some extent, has very largely • subsided as a pest of prime importance. "Thile it is still present, it is not causing any anxiety* Apparently a very general use of oil sprays made necessary by the rapid spread of the European red mite throughout Massachusetts lias automatically controlled the situation, as regards the San Jose scale.
Missouri
Nebraska
Massachusetts
California
Mississippi
L. Haseman (March 10): This pest continues to be at a lo"" ebb with a tendency through central Missouri to pick up in numbers. Our fruit growers have it completely under control in all commercial orchard centers.
OYSTER- SHELL SCALE (Lepidopsaohes ulmi L. )
D. 3. Whelan (March 15): A badly infested specimen of a pest on a pole bark was sent from Howells, Colfax County.
EUROPEAN RED MITE (Pqratetranychus pilosus Can. & Fanz. )
A. I. Bourne (March IS): There seems to be a heavy infestation of the European red mite throughout practically all sections of the State. This, of course, i£ based on the evidence of the overwintering eggs. Although many growers secured good control by the use. of oil sprays a year ago, there seems to have been sufficient increase over the State as a ""hole so that reinfes- tation took place quite rapidly.
PEAR
PEAR LEAP BLISTER MITE (Eriophyes pyri Pgst. )
T. D. Urbahns (March 22): The blister mite Eriophyes pyri ,TTas active under the bud scales, and eggs were being deposited on pear at Penryn. (March 29): The pear leaf blister mite has caused considerable damage to pear buds in the Sacramento, Napa , and Suisun Counties on account of the mild winter ter. The mites continued active under the bud scales. Spraying in full cluster bud is just beginning.
plui
RUSTY PLUM APHID (Hvsteroneura setariae Thos. )
R, W# Harned (March 28): 'The first complaint in regard to the Southern plum or roisty hroT*na aphis this year accompanied by
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specimens came from the property of G. C Coats at Meridian, Miss. , on March 22. Plum trees were reported to be heavily infested. (Determination by A» L. Hamner). (March 30): Attacking plum at Picayune, Miss.
CHERRY
WESTERN PISTOL CASS BEARER (Coleophora sacramenta Heinrich)
California T„ D, Urbahns (March 22): On March 4 the pistol case bearer,
Coleonhcra sacr amenta, was observed migrating from t^igs to the buds and beginning its feeding.
GRAPE
GRAPE LEAFHOPPSR (Erythroneura comes Say)
Missouri L. Haseman (March 25): Very abundant though still in their -inter
harbors. Observed, however, in blue grass harbors March 1 to 10.
C IT. H U S AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS
SPIRAEA APHID (Aphis spiraecola Patch)
Florida J. R, Watson (March 19): Aphis spiraecola Patch has not yet
recovered from the freezes of January which killed all tender growth on the citrus trees. They are, however, rapidly increasing in numbers and, unless checked by their fungus disease, indications point to considerable damage later.
DESTRUCTOR SCALE (Aspidiotus destructor Signoret)
Haiti G. N, Wolcott (March 11): A very serious outbreak of Aspidiotus
destructor, occurred at Cayes, Haiti, on coconut palms. This ^as reported several months ago by Dr. K. D. Barker as a dying of the palms; and, ^hen recently investigated, the yellowing of the fronds and dying of some of the trees was found to be entirely due to a heavy infestation oy this scale. Few parasites or predators, which are usually present, were noted on these palms. The scale had also spread to banana and Mammea am eric ana trees.
ALSURODIDAE
Texas F. L. Thomas (February 17): White fly pupae have been received
from San Benito. This is the first information of the occurrence of this insect in the Valley that has come to my attention.
Oklahoma
-oui siana
Mississippi
Florida
California
Mississippi
California
Mi ssissippi
Louisiana
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IRUCK-CROP INSECTS
MISCELLANEOUS FEEDERS
CUTWORMS (Noctuidae )
C. S. Sanborn (March 18): Cutworms, especially common garden cutworms, are being reported as more prevalent this spring than u sual .
G. H. Bradley (March 26); A species of cutworm has been very bad in my garden this past month, destroying peas, lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes. This garden was all plants!' to corn last year and was kept fairly well cultivated. One of my neigh- bors who had some cabbage planted reports that cutworms destroyed, every plant that he had.
SOUTHERN GREEN STINK BUG (Nezara viridula L. )
R. W. Harned (March 30) : Although many complaints in regard to the southern green plant bug have been received during the past few weeks, only one lot of specimens has been sent to this office. These specimens came from Peoria in Amite County on March 21.
APHIIDAE
J. R. Watson (March 19): Aphid s have been unusually abundant on truck crops during the past few weeks. Mustard, turnips, radishes, and peas have suffered severely, cabbages and lettuce to a lesser extent.
WESTERN SPOTTED CUCUMBER BEETLE (Diabrotica soror Lee. )
T. D. Ur banns (March 22); Has been active in fields of vegeta- bles-gardens on warm days throughout the winter in the Santa Clara Valley.
TURNIP WEEVIL (Listroderes obli^uus Gyll.)
R. W. Harned (March 30) : Adult specimens of Listroderes obli- Quus were received from Laurel, on March 23, where they were reported as feeding upon collard plants.
T. D. Ur banns (March 22): The Australian tomato weevil was active in the various larval stages throughout the winter months in the San Francisco Bay region on turnips, spinach, and carrots.
TURNIP APHID (P.hopal o siphum pseudobrassicae Davis)
R. W. Harned (March 30) : Attacking turnips at Yazoo City and Anguilla. Determination made by A. L. Hamner.
THRIPS (Thysanoptera) W. E. Hinds (March 14); Exceedingly abundant on many fpod plants up to the end of February but heavy rains and temperatures down to freezing have reduced their numbers materially.
Louisiana
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RED SPIDER (Tetranychus bimaculatus Harv. )
¥. E. Hinds (March ik) : Red spiders were exceedingly abundant on many food plants UP to the end of February but heavy rains and temperatures down to freezing have reduced their numbers materially.
PEPPER
PEPPER WEEVIL (jnthonomus ougcnii Cano. )
California R. R. McLean (March 25) : Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano,. is doing considerable damage in several fields around Vista and Bonsall in San Diego County.
CABEAGE
CABBaGE aPHID (Brevicoryne brassicae L. )
Mississippi R. "7. Earned (March 30) : Attacking cabbage and collard at
Hazlehurst and Yazoo City. Determination made by A. L. Hamner.
HaRLEKUII! BUG (Murgantia histrionica Hahm.)
Mississippi R. 7. Harned (March 30) : The harlcQuin cabbage bug seems to be Quite abundant in all parts of the State at the present time. Specimens have been received during the last for? days from Bel- zoni , Collins, Peoria, and Yazoo City. Winter turnips seem to be the crop most heavily attacked at this season. A few com- plaints are received in regard to these insects on collards and cabbage .
i.nssourx
POTATO
POTATO LSaFHOPPER (Emppasca fabae Harris)
L. Haseman (March 25): Very abundant though still in their winter harbors. Observed, hoover, in blue grass harbors March 1-10.
STRAY73ERRY
FIELD CRICKETS (Gryllus assimilis Fab.)
Mississippi R. W. Harned (March 30) : Complaints have been received recent- ly from Laurel, Picayune, and V.iggins, in regard to serious dam- age caused to strawberries by crickets. (Specimens from Laurel were determined bjr J. M. Langston as Gryllus assimilis Fab. )
Louisiana W. E. Hinds (March lk) : Crickets are reported in several local-
ities as injuring the fruit of strawberries where the plants, have been mulched heavily during the winter.
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STRAWBERRY ROOT APHID Ucis forte si Weed. )
Mississippi R, '7. Harried (March 30) : .attacking strawberry at Picayune and Cleveland. Determination made by ft.. L. Eamner.
STRAWBERRY WEEVIL (Anthoncmus signatus Say)
North ". A. Thomas (March 21): This insect is unusually abundant at
Carolina Chadbourn this season and is doing serious damage to fields of
berries where no control measures have been employed. The weevils began entering the fields on March 7 and fed heavily on developing buds before beginning egg deposition on March Ij. They are now generally distributed on most farms on the " -sec tion. Twentyone active weevils were collected on a single plant early last week.
sorau&s (oinsciD^)
Mississippi R. U. Earned (March 30) : On March 2k County Agent Jas. H. Price
Pascagoula, wrote as follows : {,These pill-hugs or sowbugs are
literally eating vp our strawberries. One lady told me this morning that she had been able to get but one strawberry for
over a week. I have a few myself and it is very hard to get a berry without a hole eaten in it and most of them are from one- half to three-fourths eaten. "
SLUGS (Species undetermined)
Mississippi R. 71. Earned (March 30): Slugs were reported as causing damage to strawberries in Fike County, on March ik.
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FLORIDA FLOWER THRIF3 (Frankliniella tritici bispiuosa Morgan)
Florida J. P.. Watson (March 19) : The flower thrips, Frankliniella
tritici bisioinosa. has been severely damaging beans 'in the Okeechobee district.
SOUTHERN * IELD-CR OP I If S B C T S
COT TOM BOLL WEEVIL (,-uithonomus .standi s Fob. )
Florida E. F. Grossman through 3. .MBerger- ("'\rch 19): Thcvgh '.. number of
weevils probably haa alreaay emerged iro.n their natural hiberna- tion Quarters, the first weevil "as trapped in the open field rch ik. 10 date 3.88 per cent of the 2o,3-!7 weevils placed in hibernation cages at Gainesville last fall have emerged since uary 2S, when the first weevils to emerge were removed from the cages.
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jouisiana 77. 3. Hinds (March Ik) : Fo boll weevils have emerged as yet
from hibernation ca-res at Baton Rouge.
L. Haseman (March 10): This pest attracted no attention on our southern cotton growing farms the past two or three seasons.
F. L. Thomas (March 21): Boll weevils were active in January in the hibernation cages. They have been feeding on cotton which is growing from last year's stalks in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. I understand that much of this cotton will be left to grow a crop this year, and as a result we are expecting much complaint from boll weevil injury.
COTTOIT FLEA (rsallus seriatus Reut . )
F. L. Thomas (March 15): The number of cotton flea hoppers which have emerged or hatched from each lot of 100 plants, from first emergence up to above date, inclusive, is given below.
1927 1926
College Station G-oatweed 796 26.
Cot ton 5 °
Ragweed H -
Hor senettle - 0
Corpus Christ i Goat weed l6
Cotton -0
Hor senettle 1
San Antonio G-oatweed 248
Cotton 1
Hor senettle 3
Ragweed 6
Tvovlt> Goat weed 2
Cotton 0
Ragweed 0
TJeslaco Cot ton 1
Ragweed 21
TTharton Hor senettle iS
Date of first emergence at College Station: February lo. The much larger number of cotton flea hoppers emerging from goat weed at College Station in 1927 is net considered as especially signi- ficant at this time, but is probably a result of more favorable weather conditions for hatching of the eggs.
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SJC-aRZ^ZE
SUGARCANE 3GRER (Diatraea sacch.ralis Fac. )
Louisiana W. E. Hinds ("arch 14) : tfith regard to the sugarcane borer hiber-
nation, we have found during the past few weeks a very large num- ber of full-grown larvae in the stalks of cane, corn, etc. The survival is very much heavier than it was a year ago. Pupation began in the field during the first week of February and the first moth emerging out of doors was taken in our cages March 3. This is at least a month earlier than moths became active here in 1926. This indicates a strong probability of six generations of sugarcane borers this season where we had only five in I92S.
FOREST A N D SHaDZ-TRES INSECTS
MI SCELLAFZQUS ZZZLZR S
A SCALE III SECT (Lecaniodiasois sp. )
Nebraska M. H. Swenk (February 1): A scale insect, identified for us
in November, 1926, as Lecaniodiaspis sp. , probably celtidis Cockerell, by Harold Morrison of the Bureau of Entomology, has been repeatedly complained of during January, 1927. as well as clnring the fall of 192o, by residents of Grand Island, Hall County. Cur attention was first drawn to this infestation by the Hall County agricultural agent in Sent ember, 1925- Elm, hackberry, and locust trees are the ones chiefly affected, and many of these have been killed during 1926 because of the severe attack of this scale.
Pis soles s?.
Mississippi R. "7. Earned (March 23): Complaints of serious injury to Cedrus deodora plants by insects tentatively determined as Ficsoc'es sp. have been received during the past week from Jackson, Zeridan, and Ziggins.
COTTONY CUSHION SCaLE (Icerya purchasi Mask.)
Louisiana 77. E. Hinds (March 14): The cottony cushion scale has been
reported from Lake Charles, Covington, and Edgar d sections of the State. The eggs are now hatching and the crawlers are abundant.
' ITE- ZKSD TUSSOCK MOTH (Hemerocamwa leuco stigma S.& A.)
Ohio ->. '.'. Mendenhall (March S) :, "."hit e -marked tussock moth egg
masses are ^uite plentiful on the street trees in many of the tens and cities in the southern section of the State.
3aG7:0PM (Thyridopt eryx erhemer aef ormi s Haw. )
Ohio 2. W. Mendehhall (March S) : I find tho bags of the bagworm
very plentiful on the street trees of the cities and towns in the section of the State south of Columbus.
Kansas -J. "7. McColloch (March 1C) : The cedars are said to be covered
with, the bags of this insect at C-renola.
G E E E N HOUSE AND 0 R IT A M EN111
PLANT S
MISCELLANEOUS PEPPERS
A CURCULIONID (Pachylobius picivorus Germ. )
Mississippi P. '7. Harned (March 2S) : Clay Lyle found ornamental conifers
growing in yards at Prentiss, seriously attacked by the pine bark weevil. (Determination made by J. M. Langston. )
&3$ aPHID (Dilachrus thu.jafolia Theob}
Mississippi P. 7*. Harned (March J)Q): Complaints and specimens of aphids
collected on arborvitae - plants have been received from Grenada, Hollandale, Tupelo, and Meridian, during the last fev: days, all of which have been identified by A. L. Hamner as this species.
T7IHB1IBEMS (Melanotus sp. )
Kansas J. 7*. McColloch (March k) : T7ireworms have caused considerable
damage to tomato plants in a large greenhouse at V/ichita.
AIT iiPHID (Macro si plum rosaefol?um Theob. )
Mississippi P. '7. Harned (March J>Q) : Attacking rose at McComb and Yazoo
City. Determination made by A. L. Hamner.
INSECTS ATTACKING DOMESTIC ANIMALS
HCGS
FLEAS (Siphonaptera)
Nebraska Don S. Phelan (March lo) : A farmer living at Scribner, Dodge
County, reports being bothered by fleas in hog barns.
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MTJLFS AFP E0RS5S
BUFFALO GNAT (Simulium pecuarum liley)
Mississippi R. v.". Harned (February 26): ,'e are having a serious outbreak of the "buffalo gnats in parts of Uississippi. (riarch 2S) : On
March 5, Dr. J. F. Barnett, a -ell-known veterinarian in Yazoo County, wrote as follows: "',7e have had the buffalo gnat here for several days. I had more calls than I could fill for two or three days until I could get the owners ox stock to spray and grease the animals. They thought the animals had colic and in a fe-j hours the animals were in such condition that I could do them no good. At first they roll and sQuat and act like they have colic. Some swell and at first there is a little rise in temperature, "but in two or three hours the heart is affected and the pulse can not be felt. They get in a stupor or coma, run against objects, and soon fall dead. Most of the animals were dead or past doing anything ^or them by the time I could get to them. I was able to save Quite a number where I reached them before the pulse was too weak and the temperature subnormal. I used raw linseed oil and stimulants such as carbonate of ammo- nia, aromatic spirits of ammonia, and camphor in whiskey. During the cold snap the gnats disappeared, but now that it is warm again they are plentiful in places. It seems that the wind carries them and they appear and disappear. Since the peo- ple are spraying and greasing no cattle are dying. Some farmers use smokers. I have been practicing here for ?5 years and I believe they v;ere worse this time than ever before. Some 50 to 75 head died in this county from gnats. Mules and horses are af- fected more than cattle and other animals. "
Chesley Hines, Inspector for the State Plant Board with head- Quarters at Yazoo City, made some investigation in regard to the buffalo gnat and reported as follows: "Although the mats '--ere mighty bad in the delta proper, there v.-as a greater loss of mules and horses in the locality of Eden west of Zeiglersville which is from 5 to 10 miles from the river and in the hills. In this particular locality, I have learned from reliable sources that 25 head of mules and horses died. One man in this part of the county lost seven out of the 3 males he had. Another man living about k miles east of Yazoo City in the hills lost the only two mules he had. I would say that the total number of mules and horses lost in the county would be around 65 or 70. "
All kinds of stoe£ seem to be attacked by the gnat, but I have not heard of any dying except mules and horses and more mules than horses. I noticed several cows with their udders covered with blood caused from the bites of the gnats.
I have made special inquiry as to the condition of the ani- mals that succumbed from the bite:, of the gnats and from all indications the healthy ones were affected as severely as the poorly cared for. The gnats attack the animals under the belly, as well as along the legs. Some few have advanced the
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idea that the gnats get into the nose and ears of the animals and kill them that way, hut I have "been unable to find them around these parts to amount to anything. They undoubtedly poison the animals and at the same time weaken them "by suck- ing the "blood. as hut few if any die after the first few days of the outer eak, it looks as though the animals may "become im- mune to the poison to a certain extent after they get used to it.
The people are using various concoctions to keep the gnats off, either "buying them prepared or making them themselves. .-ill use some kind of a mixture of oil and tar. They use various stimulant remedies after the mules have gotten down. * was in the delta yesterday and the gnats were as thick as they were "before the cold spell. I was in Madison Thursday and inquired ahout them. They had not noticed any there yet.
On liarch 28 another correspondent at Webb in Tallahatchie County wrote that the buffalo gnats were "getting bad in this section. "
INSECTS INFESTING HOUSES AND
P B. E M I S E S
TERMITES
Kansas J. 77. McColloch (March 21): Reports of injury have been
received as follows:
February 21. "oodwork in a dwelling at Clay Center has been honeycombed.
March 3- Severe damage is reported of the wood-
work in a house and garage at Osborne.
March 11. Termite injury is reported in a public
building at Lawrence.
P077DER-POST BEETLE (Lyctus spp. )
Kansas J. T7. McColloch (March IS): Severe damage to the oak flooring
in a dwelling is reported at Sal ina.
HOUSE FLY (M-a sea domestica L. )
Haiti G. N VJolcott (March 11) : House flies are extremely abundant in
Cayes and have been so every time I have been there. This is in contrast with their ordinary rarity elsewhere in the '/"est Indies. I do not know "hy house flies should be abundant in Cayes, although there is no Question about it, expecially in the bar of the International hotel.
Missouri J. "7. McColloch (March 25): The first adults abserved on wing
outdoors on liarch 1 to 10 at Columbia.
UNIVERSITY OF FLOPinA
fiuimmniinii
3 1262 09244 5492 "
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FIRS aNT (Solenor>sis geminata Fab . )
Mississippi R. 7;\ Harned (March 30) : These ants are also very common in
f loner and vegetable gardens in this State and often viciously sting people when they are gathering flowers or vegetables, a number of complaints have been received from gardeners in re- gard to this species recently. (Determined by M. R. Smith.)
AN ANT (Camponotus herculeanu sl< subgp.pennsvlvanicuspeg. )
Mississippi R. ',7. Harned (March 30) : Specimens of this ant have been re-
ceived from Yazoo City and Merigold where they were causing trouble to property cmers. No &l tawere received to indicate whether or not the ants v;ere infesting houses. (Eeterminedby M. R. Smith. )
AN ANT (Camponotus caryae subsp. rasilis TTheeler)
Mississippi R. '7. _ Harned (l,|arch 30): This ant has been received frcm
Biloxi , i'asccgoula, and Starkville, where it was found infest- ing houses. It normally nests outdoors in cavities in the branches of trees or in insect galls. At Starkville, the en- trance to their nests was several small cracks around the win- dow casing of a bed room. The workers have been noted in this house since last summer. At the time the house was visited, alate males and females were appearing in large numbers on the window sills. The owner stated that the ants had given no trouble around the dining room or kitchen. Specimens found in other houses in this vicinity were noted to feed on sugar and to forage most commonly in dark places. (Determination made by M. R. Smith. )
IKSECTS INJURIOUS TC STORED
PRODUCTS
INDIAN-MEAL MOTH (Plodia interwunctella Hbn. )
Nebraska Don B. 7,helan (March l6): A produce company in York, York
County, reports much trouble with this pest getting into chick feed, corn-meal, walnuts, and cookies.