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INSECT PEST SURVEY BULLETIN
Vol. 22 April 1, 1942 No. 2
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
THE MORE IMPORTANT RECORDS FOR MARCH
Grasshopper hatching started in parts of Arizona in the latter half of February. In the Yuma district some of the nymphs had reached the third instar by the first week in March. In Nevada egg development was practical- ly complete by the end of March.
Mormon crickets were hatching in the second and third weeks in March in Oregon. During the first week in March the coulee cricket was hatching in parts of Oregon.
Cutworms were doing their usual early season damage as far northward as the Norfolk section of Virginia, and an outbreak of t’he army cutworm was developing in Mason Valley of Nevada.
The sugar beet wireworm was seriously attacking carrots and lettuce in California.
The green bug outbreak reported in the last number of the Bulletin has intensified in Oklahoma and Texas, and reports of heavy infestations have also been received from Mississippi and points in Virginia and Georgia.
The chinch bug passed the winter with but normal mortality in Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma. In Kansas the population is reported to be the heav- iest thus far recorded in that State.
In the eastern third of Kansas the hessian fly has done considerable damage and much more serious damage is anticipated.
.At Clemson College, S. C., rather large numbers of egg masses of Com- stock’s mealybug survived the winter and the dormant spray operations.
Plum curculio adults were observed in the Fort Valley section of Georgia by the middle of March and by the 19th, considerable numbers were appearing.
Pear thrips began emerging in the Willamette Valley of Oregon the first of the month.
Vegetable weevil was damaging garden crops and tobacco plant beds in Florida and garden crops in Mississippi.
Mole crickets were damaging gardens in southeastern Mississippi.
Considerable damage by the carrot rust fly was reported from several parts of western Oregon.
The recently introduced weevil Sitona line at a L. is again attracting attention in the island counties of Washington State. This insect was first discovered, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the spring of 1937- A single specimen of this weevil has also been found at Moscow, Idaho. It is a European pest which occurs in practically all the countries of Europe, in- cluding the British Isles, where on many occasions it seriously defoliates cultivated leguminous plants. In this country it attacks vetch, peas, and alfalfa, and in Europe it is recorded from practically all of the cultivated legumes and a few other plants.
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GENERAL E ..E E D E R S GRASSHOPPERS (Acrididae)
Nevada. G. M. Shogren (March 30): Field examinations of egg beds of Melano-
plus mexicanus (Sauss.) and dif ferentialis (Thos.) show that egg de-
velopment is nearly complete, with segmentation and eye-spot stage com- monly found. >
Arizona. 0. L. Barnes (March 10): Hatching of M. mexicanus began about Febru-
ary 15-20 in Maricopa County. First-, second-, and third-instar nymphs were taken in the Tempe area on March 5» the greater number being in first instar. Only first- instar nymphs taken in alfalfa fields, the more ad- vanced nymphs being swept from sparsely vegetated places. E. E. Russell observed early instar nymphs in the Buckeye area late in February. First- to third-instar nymphs were observed in alfalfa fields and along field margins at several locations in Yuma County on March 2-3 • Hatching in al- falfa fields apparently began a week or 10 days earlier in Yuma than in Maricopa County. Nymphal populations were very low in all areas visited, indicating that only a very small percentage of the eggs had hatched up to March 2-5« No hatched egg pods found in one area in Yuma County, but scattering early instar nymphs indicated that some hatching had occurred. Hatching began at about the normal time, or slightly earlier,
D. K. Scharff "'(March 21): Light hatch of M. mexicanus in progress in
range-land areas in the lower elevations of Cochise and Graham Counties, with hatch. less than 1 percent complete over the area as a whole.
MORMON CRICKET (Anabrus simplex Hald.)
Nevada. J. C. Hamlin (March 28): Hatching began in Sonoma, Mountain range,
south of Winnemucca, during the third week of March, progressed slowly during the succeeding week,' and was more advanced in the lower, drier parts of the several canyons, where hatch ranged from 30 to 47 percent. Hatching had not begun in higher, wet portions of these canyons. Eggs de- posited by the lower of 2 bands of crickets that inhabited the study area (Elbow Canyon) during 1941 showed 30-percent hatch on March 23* Of the 272 unhatched eggs examined, 17 percent were unviable and 43 percent con- tained nearly fully developed embryos, but 40 percent showed little or no embryonic development. The undeveloped eggs are being watched with inter- est, as they may possibly be those deposited after the adult crickets be- gan subsisting on the young succulent Junegrass (Bromus tectorum) , which sprouted early in August following rainy weather, rather than in the fall as usual.
Oregon. L. D. Cowden (March 19): Eggs began hatching on February 13 at Warm
Springs, Wasco County, and on March 8 in Gilliam County.
COULEE CRICKET (Peranabrus scabri colli s Thos.)
Oregon. L. D. Cowden (March 19): Twenty percent of eggs hatched by March 7
on east side of Deschutes River, Wasco County.
EUROPEAN EARWIG (Forficula auricnlaria L.)
Colorado. F. H. Gates (March 24): An infestation, 3 miles from the original
infestation, was observed in an auto camp last fall, near Denver.
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CUTWORMS ( Phalaenidae )
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Reported damaging ca-
mellia buds near Norfolk.
Mississippi. G. L. Bond (March 25): Cutworms are injuring garden plants in
Jackson County.
N. D. Peets (March 25): The black cutworm (Agrotis ypsilon Rott.) is
attacking tomato plants in Lincoln County.
Colorado. C. R. Jones (March 25): A few cutworms are reported*
Nevada. G. G. Schweis (March 23): Outbreak of the arny cutworm (Chorizagrotis
auxiliaris. Grote)reported from Lyon County. • (Det. by C. Heinrich.)
G.M. Shogron (March 30): Infestation of C. auxiliaris reported from
Mason Valley area of Lyon County in the latter part of February. Early in March this infestation spread over approximately 2,000 acres, with average population of about 10 larvae per square foot. Observations on March 20 indicated that this insect was no longer any threat to ’agricultural lands in the vicinity. The last observation noted an average of only 1 larva per square yard. The habitat was principally idle land, predominating plants being Russian- this tie and sagebrush. Indications in Smith Valley, Lyon County, are that an epidemic of A. yppilon may. materialize.
However, as spring cultivation and irrigation oegin, larval concentration may be materially reduced.
SUGAR BEET WIREWORW (Limonius calif ornicus Mann.)
California. M. W. Stone (March 2): At Oxnard, Ventura County, 15 acres of
recently transplanted carrots grown for seed were infested with an average of 7*5 wireworms per carrot. Wilted plants in a 60-acre lettuce planting were infested with an average of 5*3 wireworms per plant. Counts in sev- eral rows showed from 18 to 45 percent of the plants missing.
C. E. Woodworth (March 9): One male recovered from head of broccoli
in a store in Los Angeles area. The insect is in full emergence but not as yet out of the ground locally. .This observation shows clearly a means -of distribution of this pest to a noninfested area* (Det. by M. C. Lane.)
A SCARABAEID (Rhizotrogus solstitialis L.)
New York. A. Boving (February): Larvae received which were occurring in
numbers in a cemetery at Geneva and were seriously damaging the sod. This is a very injurious European species.
JUNE BEETLES (Phyllophaga spp.)
Florida. A. M. Phillips (March 24): Adults found in pecan nursery at Monti-
cello.
CEREAL AND FORAGE-CROP INSECTS WHEAT AND OTHER SMALL GRAINS GREEN BUG (Toxoptera gramlnum Rond.)
Virginia. A. M. Woodside (December 12): In one field in August County, bar-
ley plants were killed over an area 50 feet long and 20 feet wide, but
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the infestation extended only 2 or 3 feet beyond this killed area.
(Det. by P, W. Mason.)
Georgia. T. L. Bissell (March 24) : On March 6, aphids were very scarce in
one oats patch examined. Only 3 aphids found in a 10-minUte search.
No dead plants observed.
Oklahoma. R. G« Dahms (March 24): Causing damage to small grains in Cotton,
Tillman, Comanche, Caddo, and Grady Counties. Volunteer fields of win- ter oats, barley, and wheat showing the most injury. Spring oats' and barley are being infested as the plants emerge and in some cases are being killed in the seedling stage. '
F. A. Fenton (March 25): Apparently an 'increase in spread of infes-
tation. Reports received from Wynn Wood, Garvin County, and Temple, Cotton County. . .
, C. F. Stiles (March 30): GreenSfaugs are occurring in damaging num-
bers in Cotton, Garvin, Marshall, Bryan, and Choctaw Counties. Some of the fields, especially in Bryan County, were destroyed by March 21.
There was a heavy winged northward movement of green bugs in Bryan County on March 19. Barley and oats being damaged as far north as Stillwater, Payne County.
Mississippi. S. L. Calhoun and E. W. Dunnam (March 28): Heavy infestation
observed at Stoneville. .The' cool weather has not been favorable for parasite development, although a few parasitized aphids are present on the most heavily infested plants. Many winged forms of aphids are now in the air.
Texas. ,F. L. Thomas (March): Severe damage by the green bug in Swisher,
Hardeman, Wilbarger, Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Denton, Dallas, Kaufman, Limestone, McLennan, Bosque, Coryell, Lampasas, Burnet, Tom Green,
Taylor,' and Eastland Counties. First time that green bug damage has ever appeared, according to some reporters in west-central part'. Oats have been plowed up and other crops planted. Late wheat is being most severely damaged where it has not yet begun to joint. Infestation light west of Hardeman County. Excess' rain in summer and fall' may have stimulated volunteer wheat and oats. • Dry, cool January, February, and March also favorable for bugs,
E. W. Laake (March 19): Damage to oats in Collin, Cooke, Dallas,
Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hill, Kaufimn, Navarro, Rockwall, and Tarrant Counties has been estimated at 6,800,000 bushels. I am sure that the area infested is far more extensive than indicated. This out- break is definitely the most severe that has occurred since 1907, when the estimated loss was not less than 50,000,000 bushels of oats and wheat in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
K. P. Ewing (March 26); Two hundred acres of oats at Riesel,
McLennan County, are being destroyed.
CHINCH BUG (Blissus leucopterus Say)
Illinois. W. P, Flint (March 24): Wintered in very good condition. Ex-
aminations show less than 2 percent of dead bugs. No movement out of winter quarters.
Kansas. H. R. Bryson (March 24): The largest number of chinch bugs went
into hibernation in the fall of 1941 in the eastern third of Kansas of any year of which there is an authentic record. No evidence that the winter has caused any great mortality. There is reason to believe bugs will be a menace unless environmental conditions inhibit their develop- ment this spring. The heaviest infestation coincides to some extent
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wit h that of the bluestem region.
Oklahoma. R. G, Dahms (March 24) t Winter mortality in southwestern Okla- homa was less than 2 percent in bunchgrass and about 6 percent in sor- ghum stubble. Many bugs left winter quarters on March 15 and some eggs were being laid 1 week later.
HESSIAN FLY (Phytophaga destructor Say)
Kansas. H. R. Bryson (March 24): Planted wheat and volunteer in the east-
ern third of Kansas are heavily infested. Serious injury has already resulted in some localities and greater damage expected than for several years.
ALFALFA
ALFALFA WEEVIL (Hyp era postica Gyll.)
Nevada. G. M. Shogren (March 30): Cold unsettled weather caused adults to
remain inactive and is responsible for withholding of egg hatches.
California. A. E. Michelbacher (March 23): On March 18 in the northwestern part of the San Joaquin Valley the maximum number of larvae per 100 sweeps of the insect net was 268, a great reduction as compared with last year. On March 14, 1941 » as many as 2,734 larvae were collected per 100 sweeps.
SPOTTED CUCUMBER BEETLE (Diabrotica duodecimpunctata F.)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Actively feeding in
alfalfa fields near Norfolk.
PEA APHID (Macrosiphum pi si Kltb..)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Present but rather
scarce in alfalfa in Princess Anne County near Norfolk.
Oregon. G. Ferguson (March 25): Counts in Willamette Valley the first week
of March indicated overwintering in small numbers on fall-planted vetch. Weekly counts indicated a- small population increase during the month.
TARNISHED PLANT BUG (Lygus pratensis oblineatus Say)
Virginia. H. G. Yifalker and L* D. Anderson (March 26): Caught a number today
while sweeping for pea aphids near Norfolk.
ALFALFA CATERPILLAR (Colias eurytheme Bdv.)
California. A. E. Michelbacher (March 18): Very scarce in northwestern
part of San Joaquin Valley. Only 2 larvae taken in the 13 fields sur- veyed; 1 larva parasitized by Apanteles.
FRUIT INSECTS
FLAT HEADED APPLE TREE BORER ( Chrysobothris femorata Oliv.)
Rhode Island. B. Eddy (March 24): Present in considerable numbers in old
apple orchard at Cranston on March 6.
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SAN JOSE SCALE (Aspidiotus perniciosus Comst.)
Illinois. S. C. Chandler (March 4): Counts made for week ended March 4
in southern Illinois show from 21 to 64 percent of scale dead, which is not more than normal mortality.
Mississippi. C. Lyle, et al. (March 25): Infestations on peach trees were
reported from Jasper, Holmes, Tate, and Tunica Counties, as well as from the Jackson district and the southwestern counties, especially on unsprayed trees*
Arizona. F. H. Parker (March 19): Found in Tempe area on roses, apple
trees, and plum trees but no severe infestation.
APPLE
CODLING MOTH (Carpocapsa pomonella L.)
New York. D. W. Hamilton (March 27): Early dry fall of 1941 in Poughkeepsie
provided ideal conditions for winter hibernation of larvae. Number of larvae in hibernation at least normal. Mortality counts of. overwintering larvae made on March 25 showed 16.6 percent dead in one orchard and 12 percent in another.
Illinois. W. P* Flint (March 24): Examination in various parts of Illinois
show somewhat conflicting results regarding 'winter kill of .codling moth, with dead or killed ranging from 15 to 50 percent. The survival will be about normal, and, with the number of larvae that went to winter, quarters, it appears that the spring brood will be very large.
EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR (Mala cosoma americana F.)
Mississippi. C. Lyle and J. G. Hester (March 25): Many webs observed on
black cherry and peach in Choctaw, Webster, and Oktibbeha Counties today. Apparently more numerous than in 1941.
Texas. R. K. Fletcher (March 20): Observed on apple and plum in Brazos
County .
FRUIT TREE LEAF ROLLER (Cacoecia argyrospila Walk.)
Wisconsin. J. A. Callenbach (March 23): In Crawford County egg masses are
numerous, although the infestation is somewhat spotty. Infestation greatest in recent years. However, there was 25 percent parasitization last year and this is expected to increase.
APHIDS .(Aphiidae)
Mississippi, D. W. Grimes (March 25): Infestations of Sriosoma lanigerum
(Hausm.) on young apple trees in one locality in Holmes County.
California. A. E. Michelbacher (March 23): At Watsonville on March 19, in
a region where Aphelinus mali Hald. has been established, about 1 percent of woolly apple aphids were found parasitized.
Wisconsin. J. A. Callenbach (March 23): Eggs of the apple grain aphid (Rho-
pal os ip hum prunifoliae Fitch) and green apple aphid (Aphis pomi Deg.) are exceedingly scarce in Crawford County.
j
COMSTOCK'S MEALYBUG (Pseudococcus comstocki Kuw.)
South Carolina. W. M« Upholt (March 23): In Clemson rather large numbers of
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egg masses survived the winter and dormant sprays. They are more uniformly distributed over the orchard than usual.
PEACH
PLUM CURCULIO (Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst,)
Georgia. 0. I. Snapp (March 20) : Plum curculio adults began to appear on
peach trees from hibernation at Fort Valley, in central Georgia, on March 16. There were scattered open Elberta and Riley (first blooming varieties) blooms when the first plum curculios were jarred from peach trees on March 16 and, although 75 percent of the Elberta blooms were open on March 19, the curculios had not appeared from hibernation in large numbers by that date. Mortality of field-reared and fed adults in hibernation last winter was rather high, with survival of 11.2 and 75*3 percent, respectively.
SPOTTED CUCUMBER BEETLE (Diabrotica duodecimpunctata F.)
Georgia. 0. I. Snapp (March 19): In Fort Valley adults are appearing from
hibernation, a number having been jarred from peach trees today. These insects feed on flowers and young leaves of peach trees early in the spring.
PEACH BORER (Conopia exitiosa Say)
Mississippi. D. W. Grimes and J» Milton (March 25): Peach-tree borers mod-
erately abundant in Humphreys County and the Jackson district in trees that were not treated last fall.
Colorado.' F. A. Fenton' (March 25): Borers have been reported from Muskogee
and Hominy.
WALNUT SCALE ( Aspidiotus juglans-regiae Comst.)
Texas. R. K. Fletcher (March 20): Heavily infesting peaches in Travis
County, on March 2.
PEAR
PEAR THRIPS (Taeniothrips inconsequens Uzel)
Oregon. S. C. Jones (March 25): First thrips to emerge on March 6 in
Marion County, near Salem. Peak of emergence has now been reached. In- dications are that there will be considerable damage in the Willamette Valley.
RASPBERRY
TREE CRICKETS (Oecanthus spp.)
Illinois. S. C. Chandler (March 24): In Pulaski County 90 percent of canes
show one or more series of egg punctures.
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PECAN
PECAN NUT CASEBEARSR (Acrobasis caryae Grote)
Florida. A. M. Phillips (March 25): At Monticello larvae were active on
March 17 and were feeding on the open buds on March 23»
HICKORY SHUCK WORM (Laspeyresia caryana Fitch) .
Florida. A. M. Phillips (March 17): Adults emerged today from caged ma-
terial at Monticello laboratory.
OBSCURE SCALE (Chrysomphalus obscurus Comst.)
Mississippi. C. Lyle, et al. (March 25): Reported abundant on unsprayed
pecan trees in Humphreys, Holmes, and Yazoo Counties. .
. ■ CITRUS
CALIFORNIA RED SCALE (Aonidiella aurantii Mask.).
Arizona.. C. D. Lebert (March 10): In the Phoenix-Tempe area 6 small infes-
tations were found on euonymus, sour orange, pyracantha, citrus, and rose. All dooryard infestations confined to a comparatively few host plants.
SPIREA APHID (Aphis spiraecola Patch.)
Florida. J. R. Watson (March 23): Owing to low winter temperature, citrus
trees have just started to put out new flushes of growth, with very little injury so far from the green citrus aphid.
W. Mathis (March 20) j Spotted infestations were found near Fort Pierce, with numerous blood-red ladybeetles feeding on them.
CITRUS WHITEFLY (Dialeurodes citri Ashm.)
Mississippi. J. Milton (March 21); Observed in Hinds County in large num- bers on Ligustrum plants today.
PINEAPPLE
PINEAPPLE MEALYBUG (Pseudococcus brevipes Ckll.)
Florida. W. Mathis (January 20): Observed in a planting near Boynton and
were attended by numbers of the ant Pheidole floridans Emery var.
TRUCK-CROP INSECTS VEGETABLE WEEVIL (Listroderes obliquus Klug)
Florida. J. R. Watson (March 23):. Specimens received from Blountstown, Calhoun County, where it was reported seriously damaging gardens.
F. S. Chamberlin (March 24): Abundant in Gadsden County since De-
cember 1, and has been noted especially in turnip fields. At present to- bacco plant beds are becoming infested.
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Mississippi. C. Lyle, et al. (March 25): Reports of injury to turnip,
mustard, and other vegetables received from Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, and Sunflower Counties.
CUCUMBER BEETLES (Diabrotica spp.)
Georgia. T, L. Bissell (March 23).: An adult spotted cucumber beetle (D.
duodecimpunctata F.) observed today on wing.
Oregon. G. Ferguson (March 25): Adult D. soror Lee. found in Willamette
Valley during the past week; first record this spring.
California. M. W. Stone (March l): D. soror and D. bait eat a Lee. abundant
in all fields at Oxnard, Ventura County, and causing extensive damage to young beets*
FLEA BEETLES (Halticinae)
Mississippi. D. W. Grimes (March 25): Observed in Holmes County on very
small turnip and mustard plants.
STRAWBERRY FRUITWORM ( Cnephasia longana Haw.)
Oregon. R. G. Rosenstiel (March 25): At Salem overwintering larvae of the
omnivorous leaf tier are being dispersed by wind in considerable numbers. No larval mines have been found.
SEED-CORN MAGGOT ( Hylemya cili crura Rond.)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Adults observed at
Norfolk as rather abundant in fields containing decaying organic matter.
MOLE CRICKETS ( Scapteriscus sop.)
Mississippi. G. L. Bond (March 25): Causing some damage to gardens in south-
eastern counties .
GARDEN SLUG (Agriolimax agrestis L.)
Oregon. B. G. Thompson (March 2): In the Willamette Valley larger gray gar- den slug s are attacking leguminous crops. Eggs are now' being laid in considerable numbers.
POTATO
COLORADO POTATO BEETLE (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say)
Florida. A. M. Phillips (March 25): Adults observed feeding on potato
plants at Monticello today.
Mississippi. S. L. Calhoun and E. W. Dunnam (March 12): At Leland on
March 12 one beetle was unearthed in a garden.
TOMATO PIN" /OEM (Keif cria lyc oner sice 11a Busck)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Abundant during latter
part of November and December in greenhouse tomatoes at Norfolk. However,
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state PLANT ***©
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removal of the old plants followed by a' heavy fumigation with Cyanogas 12 days later, and the careful hand picking of infested leaves, has nearly eradicated this pest from the spring crop set in this greenhouse about the middle of January.
CABBAGE
IMPORTED CABBAGE WORM (Pieris rapae L.)'
Mississippi. N. D. Pe'ets .(March ‘25): Some damage observed in Copiah and
Lincoln Counties in March* •
APHIDS (Aphiidae)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L.D. Anderson (March 26): Cabbage aphids are
again increasing in some cabbage, seed kale, and cut-over fields of kale and collar ds at Norfolk*
Mississippi. C. Lyle, et al. (March 25)* Plant lice reported injuring col- lards in Holmes County, turnips in Forrest County, turnips and mustard in Harrison County, and spireas in Lincoln County.
v ... '
HARLEQUIN BUG (Murgantia histrionica Hahn)_
’ Mississippi. J. Milton (March 16): Infestation in a cabbage-plant bed in
Warren County observed today,
• > • CARROTS
; CARROT RUST FLY (Psilarosae F.)
Oregon. J. C. Davis (March 25): Attacking carrots at Rainier. Additional
reports of damage received' from- several parts of western Oregon.
SWEETPOTATO
SWEETPOTATO WEEVIL (Cylas formicarius F.)
Georgia. B. M. Gaddis (April 1): Weevils discovered in Brooks County on
February 10 by a State inspector.
Mississippi. T. F. McGehee (March 25): Infestations are very light in Han-
cock and Harrison Counties.
SPINACH AND KALE
GREEN PEACH APHID (Myzus persicae Sulz.)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Spinach aphids rather
scarce but a few found in large overwintered spinach and kale fields at Norfolk.
California. J. Wilcox and A. F. Howland (February 25): Spinach aphid abun- dant on leaves being cut for market at Coachella. (Det. by P. W. Mason.)
ONION THRIPS (Thrips tabaci Lind.)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March 26): Young and adults
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(possibly onion thrips) observed feeding in kale and alfalfa fields near Norfolk.
STRAWBERRY
COMMON RED SPIDER (Tetranychus sp.)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L. D. Anderson (March): Rather abundant in
some strawberry fields in Princess Anne County near Norfolk and scarce or absent in others.
A WEEVIL ( Pachnaeus sp.)
Florida. J. R. Watson (March 23): Observed in Dade County, injuring roots
of strawberry plants.
A BEETLE (Blapstinus spp.)
California. J. Wilcox and A. F. Howland (February 12): Damaging straw-
berries at Oceanside, where it has not been reported previously. About 50 percent of the berries being harvested now in a 40-acre field have one or more small holes or scars caused apparently by feeding of these beetles. Other nearby fields reported similar damage. (Det. by R. E. Blackwelder.)
PEPPER
PEPPER WEEVIL (Anthonomus eugenii Cano)
California. R. E. Campbell and J. C. Elmore (March 16): Examination of
nightshade plants in a 3-acre plot in the vicinity of fields where pep- pers will be planted this season shows populations ranging from 0 to 52 active weevils per plant. Compared to previous observations, this indi- cates a large enough winter carry-over to cause a heavy infestation.
TOBACCO
MOLE CRICKETS (Scapteriscus spp.)
Florida. F. S. Chamberlin (March 24) Sufficiently abundant in tobacco plant beds in Gadsden County to require control measures.
COTTON INSECTS BOLL WEEVIL (Anthonomus grandis Boh.)
Florida. C. S. Rude (March 7): Active weevils observed in hibernation cages
at Gainesville early in the week.
Louisiana. R. C. Gaines, et al. (March 30): Examinations of surface trash
during March indicated that boll weevils are approximately one-third as numerous now in northeastern Louisiana as they were at this time in 1941 » but are more numerous than during any of the previous 6 years.
Texas. A. J. Chapman, et al. (March 28): More numerous this year than during
the same period in the last 2 years.
COTTON FLEA HOPPER (Psallus seriatus Reut.)
Texas . R. K. Fletcher (March 13) : In Brazos County a first-instar nymph was
observed on Oenothera laciniata.
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FOREST AND SHADE-TREE 1 -ft SECT. S' ' CANKER-WORMS (Geometridae)
Ohio* N. F. Howard (March): At Columbus wingless females began ascending
trees on February 28 and .in: a,.few„ days both males and females we re numerous.
Indiana. J. J, Davis (March 25) 5 Spring cankerworms (Raleacrita vernata Pecki began emerging the middle- of March 'and a heavy infestation throughout most of the northern half of the State is anticipated.- :
Illinois. W. P. Flint (March 24): Cankerworm moths began ascending tree
trunks on February 3 in central Illinois and large numbers were observed early in March. . *■
Kansas. H. R. Bryson (March 22): Males abundant at lights today. Became
active late In January. ; : ' - ’ ' ' /
Texas. E. W« Laake (March 26): Very abundant in Dallas County.
W. S. McGregor (March 13) : P. vernata observed in Brazos County today.
BOXELDER
BOXELDER :BUG (Leptocoris trivittatus Say)
Indiana. J. J. Davis (March 25): Never more abundant, judging from last
month's numerous inquiries. In some cities boxelder trees are such nuisances as to warrant removal.
Maryland. E. N. Cory (March): Reports of boxelder bug from Baltimore on
March 3 and 12; from Pocomoke City, ..Salisbury, and Garrison on March 12 j from Flyndon on Jfarch 16; and from Berlin on February 24.
Nebraska. H. D. Tate (March 21) i Reports .of house infestations received from Madison and Furnas Counties on March 6 and 14 » respectively.
Colorado. C. R. Jones (March 25.) V Boxelder bugs reported.
Utah. G. F. Kncwlton (March 23): Causing household annoyance at Springville
and Logan.*'- : ; a ' •
: , ' .* " *- / . ’j y . ?- *; * • ♦ ; ••
. IKS-ECT S AFFECTING GREENHOUS E AND ORNAMEN T.i L PLANTS BLACK VINE WEEVIL (Brachyrhinus sulcatus F.)
California. E. 0. Essig (March 23): Observed on roots of tuberous begonias
in Marin County. (Det. by P. C. Ting.) Was misdetermined as B. rugoso- striatus Goeze in the March 1, 1942, issue of The Insect Pest Survey Bul- letin (v« 22:10).
GREENHOUSE WHITEFLY ' ( T rial eur odes vaporariorum Westw.)
Virginia. H. G. Walker and L* D. Anderson (March 26): Rather abundant on
cantaloups, potatoes, and tomatoes in experimental greenhouse near Norfolk.
COTTONY-CUSHION SCALE ' ( Icerya purchasi Mask . )
• / . : ; \ ‘ : . .. * • : • * ' * •
Alabama. J. M. Robinson (March 6): Reported bn spirea at 'Enterprise on
December 3* • !
Mississippi. J. P. Kislanko (March 25) : Observed on pittosporum plant in
Forrest County. " .
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Texas, R. K. Fletcher (March 13): Observed today in Harris County, pro-
ducing a light infestation on ornamental shrubs.
A SCALE INSECT (Solenococcus koebelei Ckll.)
Oklahoma. F. A. Fenton (March 25): Reported from Oklahoma City on Bu-
melia lanuginosa.
GREENHOUSE STONE CRICKET (Tachycines asynamorus Adel.)
Colorado. F. H. Gates (March 24)* Infestation observed in greenhouses on March 24 • Known locally as Japanese cricket.
ARBORVITAE
AN APHID ( Cinara tu.jafilina Del G.)
Mississippi. J, Milton (March 25): These large brown plant lice are caus-
ing some damage in the Jackson district.
AZALEA
AZALEA SCALE (Eriococcus azaleae Const.)
Mississippi. C. Lyle (March 25): Reported in one locality in Harrison
County in the latter part of February.
CAMELLIA
TEA SCALE (Fiorinia theae Green)
Mississippi* C. Lyle, et al, (March 25): Infestation reports from Amite,
Lauderdale, and Warren Counties between March 5 and 21. Reported abundant in Lincoln, Pike, and Walthall Counties.
CAMPHOR
AVOCADO RED MITE (Paratetranychus yothersi McG.)
Florida. J. R. Watson (March 23): Heavily infesting camphor trees in the
Gainesville section.
GLADIOLUS
GLADIOLUS THRIPS (Taeniothrips simplex Morison)
Florida. J. R. Watson (March 23): Common, especially where control was not
undertaken, and has been quite destructive in Lee County; less so in Pinellas County,
LILAC
OYSTERSHELL SCALE (Lepidosaphes ulmi L.)
Nebraska. H. D. Tate (March 11): Request for control data on lilac from
Lincoln County today.
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OLEANDER - : -
POLKA DOT WASP MOTH (Syntomeida epilais Walk.)
Florida. J. R. Watson (March 23) : No oleander caterpillars have been seen
in Gainesville section. Moths all killed out by cold1 and have not had time to reinfest region from Orlando southward. . ... .... VA. •;
... ... .. . PRIMROSE
A STEEL-BLUE FLEA BEETLE1 (Altica torquata Lee-.) •
Arizona. F. H. Parker (March 18): Steel-blue grapevine flea beetle num-
erous on primroses in a garden at Tempe.
INSEC TS. ATTACKING MAN AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS • •
MAN
MOSQUITOES (Culicinae)
Alabama. J. M. Robinson (March 6): Anopheles punctipennis Say reported at
Florence on February 24 • '• ■ * '
Mississippi. C. Lyle (March 25): Annoyance reported in one locality in
Forrest County.
Washington. C. M. Gjullin (February 28): Large numbers of hibernating
Anopheles sp. and Culex pipiens L. taken in outdoor fruit cellars near Yakima, while a total of only 7 Culex tar sails Coq. were found in 12 cellars inspected*
•California. A. W. Lindquist (March 27): Apparently a new locality and
most northerly record of Orthopodomyia signifera Coq, was taken from an oak-tree hole-on' peak of Bartlett Mountain, 7 miles- from Nice, at an elevation of 4»000 feet. Only one tree hole of six contained Ortho- podomyia, but all six contained Aedes varipalpus Coq.
' BRG7N DOG. TICK. (Rhipic.ephalus sanguineus Latr.)
Indiana, J. J. Davis (March 25): Reported from Culver in -February.
CATTLE
STABLEFLY (Stomoxys calcitrans L.)
Florida. S. W. Simmons (March 24): On March 18 in Seminole and Sarasota
Couhties, adults began to emerge frbm waste celery stripping.* Continu- ing to emerge from uncovered peanut litter in Jackson County, and 300 to 400 would often be found on a car parked in the vicinity.
CATTLE GRUBS ( Hypoderma spp.)
Tennessee. G. M. Bentley (March 28): Heel-fly larvae taken from backs of
cattle at Robertsville .
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Wyoming. B. T. Snipes (March 16): Fairly heavy infestations on untreated
cattle at Sheridan. H. bovis Deg. is most numerous, constituting about 80 percent, and is predominantly in the third instar, with some dropping, while the common cattle grub (H. line at urn de Vill.) repre- sents approximately 20 percent of the grub population, and is found predominantly in the third and late second instars. Cattle treated for grub control are relatively grub free.
HOUSEHOLD AND STORED-PRODUCTS INSECTS
TERMITES (Isoptera)
New Jersey. J. C. Silver (March 10): Migration of Reticulltermes flavipes
Koll. from a heated cellar at Montclair on March 9 indicates the first 194-2 report.
Indiana. J. J. Davis (March 25): Fewer inquiries than usual received re-
garding R. flavipes .
North Carolina. C. H. Hoffman (March 19): In Asheville three termite
• flights in homes reported from March 1 to 17 ♦ One flight reported dur- ing the preceding 2 months.-
Nebraska. H. D. Tate (March 21): Control requests received from Franklin
and Douglas Counties on March 10 and 13, respectively.
Kansas. H. R. Bryson (March 1): Termites active during the warm days.
First observed swarming at Manhattan today.
Nevada. G. G. Schweis (March 23): Subterranean termites caused serious
injuries to two homes in Washoe County.
ANTS (Formicidae)
Mississippi. C. Lyle, et al. (March 25): Argentine ants ( Iridomyrmex hu-
milis Mayr) very annoying in Hinds County. Holmes, Scott, and Tate Counties sent complaints on fire ants (Solenopsis xyloni McCook) , and Monomorium pharaonis L. caused annoyance in Harrison and Forrest Counties.
Nebraska. H. D. Tate (March 21): Specimens of the basement ant (Lasius
inter.jectus Mayr) received from Douglas County on February 28.
Oregon. J. C. Davis (March 25): At Port Orford, Curry County, the black
carpenter ant (Camponotus herculeanus L. var.) was infesting a new house.
ORIENTAL COCKROACH (Blatta orientalis L.)
Nebraska. H. D. Tate (March 14): Specimen received today from Phelps
County for control data.
GERMAN COCKROACH (Blattella germanica L.)
Utah. G. F. Knowlton (March 16): Two infestations at Logan.
DARK MEALWORM (Tenebrio obscurus F.)
Louisiana. W . E. Anderson (March 21): A shipment of alfalfa hay into the
State was infested. Worms found on car floor and between bales.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
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3 1262 09241 5727
CARPET BEETLE (Anthrenus scrophulariae L.)
Rhode Island. B. Eddy (March 23): Black carpet beetle grub$ heavily in- festing house in Cranston. ■ •; •*••• . •
WEBBING CLOTHES MOTH (Tineola biselliella Hum.)
* , ^
• • . ........ *
Wyoming. B. T. Snipes (March 12) t Fairly abundant in several hotel rooms in Torrington. Little damage noticeable but larvae thought to be in- festing carpet. (Det. by C. Heinrich.)
— A WASP (Polistes sp.) . ,
Arizona, C. D. Lebert (March 23): Observed by millions around three houses
in North Phoenix area. ■ Nesting under skirts of fan palms,, under house eaves, and stinging. Very active in constructing, now nests.