Pe Dep ada. NY B.C Car ™ ont reh cn searc R ee he y OT los NOL +h e a x) 2) ort Re eS MUL: Heian TK DOMINION OF CANADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS ~ REPORT FROM THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY FOR THE “Year Ending March 31, 1914 PREPARED BY The Dominion Entomologist. - - - - - - - += --+:+:- C. Gordon Hewitt, D.Sc. 4 ’ ’ . . ‘fs ¥ _ x es ? - > o< a : - . ‘ “ Se “a ay . 5 ~~ . YN - o 4 ~~ ~ a ~ “, . 7 : ’ < b) or 7 i y , ‘ - - > % >) hee rege a «) < | Toron’ Oa Be : . ‘ . a . € a y H » . - o - 4 - - ¥ es igh PTA ce eee Pah! 5 ¢ hee er aN . : n : . vel > Sey a se Sa e F vine = - ! by * SS rh | és re 4 ¢ A ~ mK nt? os. x ' } 7 d - * Fy “y : f tt "pK J , rs 2 , 4 - ae Vac = Oe 5 shes CS aes ; WA tee ae t ye Q rye % 1 whet > " | ) i hey Ie ee 1 J : re See eportof - = am or, Gi ae : e eo “.. ee ; + ey *s wy rs ea rls : _ http:/Avww.archive.org/details/r Soh yx af pir & : j ran : , Fo . ‘a _* eit. 4 X Fo j . ” 4 f by « a wo »°s $ > a i. - 5 GEORGE V. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1915 DOMINION OF CANADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DoMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS REP ORT FROM THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY FOR THE Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1914 PREPARED BY The Dominion Pues ie ae BL i ee C. Gordon Hewitt, D.Sc. 16—55p* 851 OrtTawa. 5 GEORGE V. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1915 REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. BY C. GORDON HEWITT, D.Sc., DOMINION ENTOMOLOGIST. Orrawa, March 31, 1914. J. H. Grispate, Esq., B.Agr., Director, Dominion Experimental Farms, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. Sir,—I have the honour to submit herewith my fifth annual report of the work of the Division of Entomology covering the work beginning April 1, 1913, and ending March 31, 1914. In addition to a brief account of the progress and results of the investigations which have engaged the attention of the staff of the Division, both at headquarters and in the field, reference is also made, for the purposes of record and for the use of other workers, to the depredations of those insects which were unusu- ally abundant and injurious during the year 1913. The greater part of the investigation work is now carried out at the various field or regional laboratories located in different regions of Canada. Naturally, they are situated in the districts where the insects under investigation occur most abundantly. During the year, laboratories were established in three new regions, namely: Strathroy, Ont.; Treesbank, Man.; and Lethbridge, Alta. The following is a list of the field laboratories now established, together with the investigations which are being carried out at each station :— BRIDGETOWN, N.S.—Mr. G. E. Sanders in charge. Investigations on the bionomics of the Brown-tail Moth and its control; introduction of parasites of the Brown-tail and Gipsy Moths; the Bud Moths and Green Fruit Worms of the apple. FREDERICTON, N.B.—Mr. J. D. Tothill in charge. Control work and investigations on the Brown-tail Moth and the introduction and establishment of its parasites and predaceous beetles; investigation of the natural control by parasitic and predaceous insects of the Tent Caterpillar, the Fall Web-worm and Spruce Budworm. COVEY HILL, QUE—Mr. C. E. Petch in charge. Apple insects, especi- ally the Apple Curculio (Anthonomus quadrigibbus); Grasshopper control by bacterial disease (Coccobacillus acridiorum d’Herelle). JORDAN HARBOUR, ONT.—W. A. Ross in charge. Apple Maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella); Apple and other aphids; control of greenhouse pests; control of mill-infesting insects. STRATHROY, ONT.—Mr. H. F. Hudson in charge. Investigation of White Grubs (Lachnosterna spp.) ; Wireworms and insects affecting field crops. TREESBANK, MAN.—Mr. N. Criddle in charge. Investigation of White Grubs (Lachnosterna spp.); and chief insects affecting cereals; Hessian Fly, Wheat Stem Maggots (Oscinis spp.), Wheat Stem Sawfly (Cephus occidentalis) and Grasshoppers. 16—55c* 853 OTTAWA. 854 PXPERIMENTAL FARMS | Oe es ~ LETHBRIDGE, ALTA—Mr. E. H, Bidens. toabares: oa affecting cereals and field crops; injury to winter.wheat involving a | Eelworms. AGASSIZ, B.C.—Mr. R. C. Treherne in charge. Completion of inves ig tion of Strawberry Root Weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus); investigatior Lesser Apple Worm; Budmoths and other insects affecting apple; il (Diplosis tritici?) and Root Maggots. Mr. L. S. McLaine, through the cordial co-operation of Dr. L. O. Howard, | of the Bureau of Entomology of the United States Department of Agriculture, Mr. A. F. Burgess, in charge of the Gipsy and Brown-tail Moth work, was loc the Gipsy Moth Parasite Laboratory, Melrose Highlands, Mass., during the summ for the purpose of collecting caterpillars and breeding out the ean bes shipped to Fredericton, N.B., as will be described later. Apart from the importance of the numerous lines of i inquiry which are bei lowed at the various field stations, the value of this progressive policy has been enced and appreciated in other directions. The officers in charge are able persona visit and advise local agriculturists, to attend and address meetings and, not 1 quently when an outbreak of an insect is reported to us, we are able to have the n 0 immediately investigated to the greater satisfaction of all concerned. A personal from an officer of the department gives far more satisfaction than the receipt of a iL in previous reports, the work of the Division will be considered under following sections :— I. The administration of the Destructive Insect and Pest Act, inchndapaes (a) Inspection and fumigation of imported nursery stock, ete. “Teg (b) Field work against the Brown-tail Moth and parasite work. — 14 i? II. Insects affecting cereals and field crops. IIL. Insects affecting fruit crops. 1V. Insects affecting forest and shade trees. V. Insects affecting domestic animals and man. VI. Insects affecting garden and preeahonse Vil. Apiculture. VIII. Miscellaneous. - I. THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DESTRUCTIVE INSECT AND PES’ ord ey ne eee ‘ee ye 5 AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS. The following amendments to the regulations under the Act have been made by yo Order in Council during the past year :— Ss October 8, 1913.—North Portal, Sask. was declared a port of entry for i mp¢ nursery stock, the importation season being March 15 to May 15 and Ooteban December 7. December 4, 1913.—The following new regulation prohibiting the importatio ’ nursery stock through the mails was passed, to take effect on and after March 1, aa This was necessitated by the impracticability of intercepting mail shipments for the as purposes of inspection and fumigation :— why DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 855 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 18. “ The importation of all nursery stock, including trees, shrubs, plants, vines, grapes, scions, cuttings, or buds, through the mail is prohibited, except- ing greenhouse-grown florists’ stock, cut flowers, herbaceous perennials, and bedding plants, which will be admitted provided that a detailed statement of the contents is attached to such parcels.” This regulation is to take effect on and after the 1st day of March, 1914. The words ‘“ Importations by mail shall be subject to the same regulations” in regulation 3, line 14, are struck out. February 14, 1914—Im order to permit the entry of European nursery stock through the port of St. John, N.B., during the whole of the winter, as the regula- tions did not permit such entry arin the period December 8 to March 14, section 6 was amended to read as follows— 6. “ Nursery stock, not including such stock as is exempt under section 3 of these regulations, originating in Europe, shall be imported only through the ports and with the exception of St. John, N.B., during the periods specified under section 3 for stock requiring fumigation, with the addition of the ports of Halifax, N.S., Sherbrooke, Que., and Montreal, Que., through which ports and also the port of St. John, N.B., such European stock may enter from Sep- tember 15 to May 15. Such European nursery stock, and such other imported vegetation as the minister may determine, entering Canada, shall be exempt from fumigation, but shall be inspected either-at the port of entry or at its destination to which it may be allowed to proceed, but in the latter case it must not be unpacked except in the presence of an inspector.” March 7, 1914.—Owing to the repeated discovery of potatoes imported from Cali- fornia into British Columbia which were infested with the Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zett.), to which reference is made later in this report, this insect was scheduled under section 12 of the regulations, and section 13 was amended to include the state of California among those states and countries from which the importation of potatoes is prohibited. | New PiLant QUARANTINE OR FuMiIGATION STATIONS. The natural growth of the country results in an increase in the quantity of fruit and shade trees, ornamental and other shrubs and plants imported into Canada. To met this increase and to facilitate the importation of such natural products, increased accommodation is being provided for the fumigation and inspection of imported nursery stock. St. John, N.B—At St. John, N.B., a new fumigation and inspection station has been constructed adjoining the Eastern Steamship Company’s wharf. It consists of a large fumigation chamber measuring 25 feet long, 10 feet wide and 8 feet high, an inspection and packing room, a small fumigation chamber of 100 cubic feet capacity, and an office. Niagara Falls, Ont—In order to provide increased accommodation at Niagara Falls, Ont., through which port most of the nursery stock for Ontario enters, an addi- tional station has recently been erected at Montrose, on the Michigan Central Railroad. This building, which measures about 45 feet square, contains two large fumigation chambers, each 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet high, a small fumigation chamber of 100 cubic feet capacity, and an office. In addition, provision is made to permit the inspection of plants. North Portal, Sask.—Previous to 1913, all shipments of nursery stock destined to points in the prairie provinces entered via Winnipeg, which was the port of entry, and were fumigated there. The increase in the amount of nursery stock imported into the OTTAWA. 856 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and the delay necessitated by the routing of shipments of stock from certain of the states exporting trees to Canada, made it desir- able to establish an additional port of entry and plant quarantine station in the West. Accordingly, a new station has been erected at North Portal, Sask., on the Canadian Pacific railroad. This station consists of two fumigation houses, each measuring 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet high, a small fumigation chamber of 100 cubic feet capacity, and an office. The additional facilities so provided will prove a great advant- age to importers of trees residing in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, by, reducing the time taken in transit by shipments of nursery stock. It is hoped that it will encourage further tree planting in these western provinces. INSPECTION AND FUMIGATION OF ImMPporRTED Nursery STOocK. The inspection of all nursery stock from Europe, Japan, and the New England States has been continued, and during the importation season of 1912-18, which closed in May, 1913, over four million trees and plants were inspected. The adjoining table shows the nature of the stock inspected and its destination, according to provinces. The figures given are taken from the reports of the inspectors. : Nursery Srock Inspected during the importation season 1912-13. a = cs ; ou x real i=] . S 3 & 5 48 ag | 8 ees ree a |, 4@]e@| | 4.|\ 3 2 7 aa g z o $ eI “3 2 'o) = 3s m 2 rt | ° 3) =| S 3 — Ay cA Za o fe) = n < | a |e Se) ee —— eS SS ee eee CPMIBTOONUAIN «5 on ices~|< ss cee 14,072 2,731) 106,374 601,170 5, 203i scene a 12} 252,767 Fruit tress............ ae ee 9.6 900) 373 51,975)... caaleee ae eee 1,08 Small\fruite .......<. enna. 3,916 12); 3,660 82,099): .:.../.. apes 100} 5,477 RNG AN AON SS, us| Kaltes. §36 616 9,613 there isl Wau Ak — Sic, Sse sia etay ohn ae i li Unclassified shrubs.-. . 25 otal iae eeete 5,816 2,151 1,975} 59,322) 33,550. 9,031 CECT ei nl ae 194,162). 052.03) °83, 700)" TT 7GSE64) 5 tacee acre ee eee 7; CHONILENE 6, 6 'F5'os ae ge Ly oe Ap | eae oe 2,835 421,222 BOO ees: selene sce Momeds BUOCK is 2a lease xe POE Th) A eee Peeconeerolnscsnedinatescmallsccdansc lo. Grafting stock........|........ 6,600] — .:....] 1,295)" 89:10) [ce ssc ee 12,000 —- | —__. es — ——<—_— | ———_ —_——_ |_____ _____ __ 6S) a a 25 | 226,145 4,259} 163,596] 3,202,289} 7,428) 59,322) 33,€62| 369,101 ‘ The recent institution of inspection services by the respective Governments in various European countries, including Great Britain and Ireland, exporting nursery stock to Canada, and in the New England States and Japan, has resulted in our re- ceiving a much better class of nursery stock, and a marked freedom from insect pests. The discovery of evidences of Brown-tail Moth infestation and the presence of Woolly Aphis and scale insects on imported stock necessitate a constant vigilance on the part of our inspectors. However carefully the inspection of foreign nurseries, or of exported shipments is carried on, those who have had any practical experience in the inspection of nurseries and trees will realize the importance of a-careful second inspection of the plants on arrival. The inspectiva of imported plants is carried on either at the port of entry, usually in the case of small shipments for distant points, or at the destination. During the past year Mr. J. Perrin was appointed an inspector to inspect shipments arriving at Halifax. An approximate record only is kept of the amount of nursery stock fumigated. This exceeds very considerably the amount inspected, as it includes all the nursery stock imported from the United States, which constitutes our chief source of supply. Ovrawa, = DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 857 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 It is most gratifying to observe the increasing quantity of nursery stock imported into the prairie provinces. The number of trees inspected has been given in the pre- vious table. The following figures indicate the amount of nursery stock subject to fumigation that was imported into the prairie provinces alone; practically all of this stock originated in the United States :— / | | ———— Manitoba. Saskatchewan. ina Alberta. Sear TERDEIER TIP UND IS OE oe ooo oo aleicle Oa eee 60,684 29,506 14,462 it 85s LS SS Sao 13,618 7,840 rie 657 Couitin [Ee bL So ye eg oes SaaS ce eee a 98,693 116,732 i ee UDOPT DF UPEET) AR Gee nee ee eas tA Mes Be. decle 8.417 4,360 ENE so. a ase tone es Pra flo y 25,195 127,840 92) 200 ILL AGT... . Sh i eae ee Se ee 8,549 3,339 5,865 215,156 289,617 60,651 These figures not only indicate the proportion of nursery stock fumigated as compared with the quantity inspected (see previous table), but afford strong evidence of the efforts which are being made to make the prairie farms less treeless. ; Fietp WorK AGAINST THE Brown-tTAlL Morn, 1912-13. a NEW BRUNSWICK. During the winter of 1911-12 seven counties were found to be lightly infested with the Brown-tail Moth. Owing to the unfavourable weather con- ditions prevailing in July, 1912, when the moths were flying in the adjoining states, which prevented any invasion of the female moths, and to the careful scouting work during the previous season, an unusally small number of winter webs was collected. The scouting work commenced on November 22, 1912, and terminated on Febru- ary 3, 1913. The field force consisted of eight men, the Dominion and Provincial Governments each employing four men. Mr. J. D. Tothill had charge of the work, assisted by Mr. A. B. Baird. The whole of the area infested in the previous year was scouted, but only eighty-one new winter webs were found and the remains of twenty-seven webs of 1911. Eighty of the new winter webs were found in Charlotte county, and a single nest occurred in Queens county. The distribution of the Brown-tail Moth on the food plants in New Brunswick during the season 1912 was as follows :— PS. ens otiaette we) oecais 6 Se Elm.. ee 2 Amelanchier. 6 Plumas: 1 Thorn. 6 Osis Bdes aac 1 Choke Cherry.. 4 Maple j5.°5- 1 The fact that in Charlotte county 1,812 winter webs were collected in 1911, and only 80 were found in 1912 indicates the value of the thorough scouting work which was carried out, and that were counties in New Brunswick not subject to an annual invasion of moths from the adjoining states during the flying season any unusual increase in the infestation could be checked. In 1913, however, an immense flight of moths took place in July, and the inspection work of the present season (1913-14), of which Mr. L. S. McLaine, with the assistance of Mr. A. B. Baird, has charge, has disclosed a very heavy infestation and a great increase of the infested area. The results of the inspection work of the past winter 1913-14 now being brought to a close will be given in my next annual report. OTTAWA. 858 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 NOVA SCOTIA. ~) 2a Mr. G. E. Sanders had charge of the scouting work in this province during the winter of 1912-13. It was found that the infestation had spread in a an easterly direction, single winter webs being found at Sheffields Mills, Kings county, ~ and Falmouth, Hants county. The number of new infestations, however, was less __ than the previous season. There was an increase in the number of winter webs collected, 11,054 webs being found in an area which included portions of the five counties from Yarmouth to Hants. | The distribution of the winter webs according to food plants in Nova Scotia was_ 4 t ) wsi-— 7 as follows: : . emilee coke ches White: Bicohs 270s" 5 7 i ee er a ak Cie 359 Beech . ow... (cet oe. ve eltira 0s © ie ee HOPI soe es ether ot ee 338 Wild\Gherry.... . «tle cee 2 Plum hte ee eo eee 327 Bldervea.e 7 WG Pear. ors eee a nee 122 Poplar. . as al Oy eee re Oy: 4 | ee me ED Me pers ten. 80 Prunes. Gar ole 0 eget ke ee Mamleca).- fervor eie seo 16 Raspberry. . , tt A | WIG FROSE 2 2 nai a oka openness 14 Fl) ris re 3] tet Rape gta, BEE MERRIE cfr pty sel ch a fs QuINGE sis. 5 .! cone ere les Eyer yete ute a eae p Sweet. Cherry.) skies 460 11 Mr. Sanders continued his investigations on the bionomics of the Brown-tail Moth under Nova Scotia conditions. One of the most serious problems is the drop- ping of the winter webs on to the ground, thus they escape collection. This ‘ winter- drop” is being carefully studied in all its aspects. Winter webs were placed on the ground in different localities and left from December, 1912 to April, 1913. The greatest winter-kill in any of the lots of 25 webs was 7-57 per cent, practically a negligible quantity. Having demonstrated the ability of larve in dropped nests to survive the winter on the ground practically unharmed, experiments were carried out with a view to ascertaining whether such larve could find food on the ground, and whether or not they could successfully reach suitable trees. It was found that they would thrive on the ordinary herbage such as clover, timothy, dandelion, wild straw- berry, ete., for forty-four days, which was a sufficient length of time to enable them to travel 300 feet or more on the ground and reach suitable trees. Altogether, 3,529 young caterpillars out of 5,365 used in the experiments, or 65-7 per cent., found the trees under conditions which unusually occur in the field. This ability to survive in winter webs which drop to the ground before winter explains many cases of re-infection that are otherwise inexplicable. Field observations . showed that the percentage of nests hanging by a single thread and ready to drop | would sometimes be as high as 20 per cent. The results of our scouting work from year to year indicate that the successful control of the Brown-tail Moth is possible by our present methods of thorough scouting were it not for the re-infestations which take place by moths being carried over by the wind from the New England States, — and our present inability to deal with the problem of the dropped nests to which we are giving our attention. . It is satisfactory to find from our scouting work that the infestation of the Brown- tail Moth in the orchards is least in those orchards where spraying is regularly prac- tised. The occurrence of unsprayed orchards, thorn thickets and wild apple, ete., in various infested localities serves to supply a permanent breeding place where artificial | control is difficult. ee er ae . ~ IMPORTATION OF PARASITES OF THE BROWN-TAIL AND Gipsy Morus. : The ultimate control of the Brown-tail Moth must necessarily be a natural one, and while we have, so far, suecessfully held the insect in check by thorough scouting work and the collection of the winter webs, the natural spread of the moth from the Orrawa. —_ ee ee DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 859 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 infected area in the New England States will render such methods less potent in deal- ing with the insect outside the orchard and cultivated areas. Our efforts are directed with a view to keeping the insect in check, so far as is practicable. In my last annual report the preliminary efforts to introduce the native parasites of the Brown-tail and Gipsy Moths into Canada were described. Through the continued courtesy and most welcome co-operation of Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the United States Bureau of Ento- mology, and of his assistant, Mr. A. F. Burgess, in charge of the Gipsy Moth Work, we were able to make more extensive importations of parasites during the summer of 1913. This was made possible by the very kind provision of accommodation at the Gipsy Moth Parasite Laboratory, Melrose Highlands, Mass., for our officer, Mr. L. S. McLaine, who had charge of the work of obtaining the parasitized material. COLLECTION OF PARASITES. The parasites which we were desirous of obtaining were: Apanteles lacteicolor Vier., which infests the hibernating caterpillars of the Brown-tail Moth; and the Tach- inid parasite Compsilura concinnata Meig., which we had successfully introduced into New Brunswick in 1912. These parasites will attack both the Gipsy and Brown-tail eaterpillars, and the caterpillars of several of our native lepidoptera upon which fact the success of work in introducing and establishing them depended. We also desired to.obtain further supplies of the predaceous beetle Calosoma sycophanta, which suc- cessfully withstood the winter of 1912-13 at Fredericton. During the winter of 1912-13, 6,500 parasitized winter webs of the Brown-tail Moth were collected from six localities in Massachussetts, and placed in cold storage. On May 6, they were removed and the young larve were fed in Fiske trays. The first A pan- teles cocoon appeared on June 1. The work of feeding and picking over the trays was an almost intolerable operation on account of the poisonous hairs and great heat. Mr. McLaine and his helpers deserve great credit for the admirable way in which this work was carried on under most trying circumstances. As the cocoons of Apanteles were col- lected they were put into an ice-box until a sufficient number had been obtained to ship to our laboratory at Fredericton, N.B. It was found that the best method of shipping the cocoons was in iced refrigerator boxes by express. The Tachinid parasite OC. con- cinnata was reared from Gipsy Moth caterpillars in preference to Brown-tail Moth cat- erpillars to avoid the hairs of the latter. The caterpillars were collected as near the fifth stage as possible to reduce the labour of feeding. The first collection was made on June 25. In order to facilitate the collection of the caterpillars, trees were burlapped in four localities. The caterpillars were fed in Fiske trays and the first Compsilura puparium was noted on July 2. The following is a summary of the results :— Caterpillars from 6,500 Brown-tail Moth winter webs reared, from which 46,548 cocoons of Apanteles lacteicolor were obtained and forwarded to Frederic- ton, N.B.; a total of 49,119 Gipsy Moth caterpillars from ten localities were fed, from them 5,738 puparia of Compsilura concinnata were obtained and shipped to New Brunswick. Early in June 200 adults of the predaceous beetle Calosoma sycophanta were collected and shipped to New Brunswick. In addition, 975 larve of Calosoma in all stages were collected in various localities and fed in the laboratory until they entered the ground for pupation; they will hibernate at Melrose Highlands and be shipped later to Fredericton, N.B. There were also shipped to New Brunswick 475 cocoons of the parasite Meteorus versicolor Wesm., which is an imported parasite of the Brown-tail Moth, and also parasitizes the caterpillars of the White-marked Tussock Moth and the Fall Webworm. OTTAWA. 860 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 COLONIZATION OF PARASITES. The parasites and predaceous beetles were received and distributed in colonies in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by Mr. J. D. Tothill. The following table gives the location and strength of each of the colonies distributed. All the colonies are strong ones with the exception of the single colony of Meteorus. DISTRIBUTION OF IMPORTED PARASITES AND BEETLES IN 1913. Species. Location of Colony. Size of Colony. Jompsilura CONCINNALA....00.. 2008 cece eeeeereeeesee= Fredericton, N. B........ 1,238 puparia. ers Ye hae 1. ce pre cic's. oie See eet baer Nerepis:. Ni dss.) ee. serene " lee SOMES Se eee eRe ee oe ere St. Stephen, N. B.....:... 1,500 " he ine rey ete AS a5 ce ae ns eee a pe ssa ree a yibelen ULCLECOLOT 2... 6 cod & a sscisinsbicis “id snl Quis elas ey IO ee hittier Ridge, N. B..... 4,4 ts. et Po he aces TA ee no he Basswood Ridge, N. B....| 7,000 cocoons. — re Oe”. | di, se eee cca reo ce bea Peele oe etatetees Nt. stephen, IN: B. f225.5 7,000 OE eee he Tee. ar, Sebo r sone Nerepis; N...B:... j..sesnonbe 3,391 on Ora Nae err Pin eae Ea ee II LSS Cn Bear River, Nase asseeeee 7,000 " Calosoma sycophanta.............0000+ 5 asc teists lara te St. Stephen, N. B......... 100 adults. PEE Eire eer rie were affected and the crops practically ruined. Correspondents who applied kerosene emulsion to the rows of young carrots reported that little loss was occasioned by the maggots. . : Turips.—The oeeurrence of “white-eared” oats in Saskatchewan and Alberta 2a was again reported. It is evident that this injury, which my investigations have shown to be most frequently due, in eastern Canada at least, to the Common Grass __ Thrips (Anaphothrips striatus Osborn), is fairly widespread. In Alberta, Banner oats” were particularly affected; it is usually found that the late-flowering varieties suffer aoe most from Thrips injury.! 4 Root Maacots.—From all parts of the Dominion, reports have been received of the destruction of cabbages, caulifiowers, onions, turnips, radishes, beans, ete., by the different species of Root Maggots (Phorbia spp.). Experiments on their Gonteor have been continued at Ottawa, and Mr. R. C. Treherne has carried on experiments at Agassiz, B.C. As the experimental studies on the control of Phorbia brassice and P. ceparum have been continued each year since 1910, it is hoped that it will be possible to issue a bulletin on the subject during the next twelve months, ane another season’s work. =. pone Wueat Mwwce (Diplosis tritict?).—Mr. Prehbere studied this insect, which was very prevalent at Agassiz, B.C. Particular attention was paid to the occurrence of : the larve in the different varieties of wheat and barley. In 1905 and 1906 the crops : of spring wheat were seriously affected by the midge in the Lower Fraser valley, and- in spite of discontinuing the growing of spring wheat for a year at Agassiz and in the valley in 1907, the insect was again present in 1908. Zl Inyuries TO WINTER WHEAT IN ALBERTA. . : In my last annual report (p. 507) reference was made to the discovery of Eel- worms in injured wheat plants from southern Alberta. Thjs matter was more fully investigated by Mr. E. H. Strickland, our Field Officer in Atberta, during the past summer, and in September I visited the districts where the injuries occurred. The extent of the injuries may be gathered from the following facts which I obtained in certain of the localities visited, which were typical of many others. Mr. W. J. Glass, of Macleod, Alta., one of the best growers of winter wheat, usually obtains an average yield in good seasons of 33 bushels per acre. In the fall of 1912 (August) he seeded ~ 220 acres to winter wheat; cutworms destroyed a portion of the crop, but the greater portion died as a result of the injuries that we are investigating. Accordingly, he ~ reseeded 100 acres to oats, and from 97 acres of winter wheat which was left he thrashed out only 162 bushels. Mr. Becker, of Pincher Station, had 400 acres sown to winter wheat, and in 1913 it averaged about 7 bushels to the acre instead of about 20 bushels. In one section of the infested land, only 150 bushels were thrashed oft 100 acres. Similar losses were reported from this and other districts in southern Alberta. The constant association of Eelworms with young injured plants led us to con- clude in 1912 that they were responsible for the injuries. A further detailed study 1 See Cc. Gordon Hewitt, “ « Sterility. in Oats caused “by Thrips.” Journ. Econ BDat., vol. 7, pp. 211-218, 1 fig., 1 pl., 1914. OrTawa. ae ree Sar ~ ; DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 865 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 during 1913, however, indicated that Eelworms might not be the sole cause of this serious and extensive trouble, and with a view to ascertaining what relation the Eelworms bear to the destruction of the winter wheat, Mr. Strickland is conducting as exhaustive an inquiry as possible into the whole matter. The comparative absence of information concerning the soil-infesting Nematodes of North America increases the difficulties surrounding this study. Dr. Ritzema Bos, Director of the Phyto- pathological Institute, Wageningen, Holland, and the leading European authority on Nematodes affecting plants, has very kindly examined living’ and preserved material which I sent to him. In dead portions of young winter wheat plants he found Eelworms of the genera Cephalobus, Rhabditis and living Anguillide, but he could not find any Nematode worm known as a plant parasite. Dr. J. G. de Man of Ierseke (Zeeland), a well-known specialist in Nematode worms, also kindly examined some of our material. He found neither in the fresh plants nor in the alcoholic material any forms known to be parasitic on plants; a species of Tylenchus allied to T. dubius Butschli, one Dorylaimus allied to the European D. bryophilus de Man, and a num- ber of worms belonging to the genera Cephalobus and Rhabditis were found by him. Dr. Ritzema Bos believes that Cephalobus feeds saprophytically on plants destroyed by other Nematode worms or disease. The occurrence of three kinds of Nemotode -worms in the soil, namely, non-parasitie which normally live in the soil and on the humus it contains, saprophytic which feed on dying decaying vegetation, and truly parasitic, which enter and feed upon the tissue of the living plant, makes the deter- mination of the relationships of the various forms found a matter of unusual ditfti- culty. In addition, a fungus (Fusarium sp.) has been found which may have some relation to the trouble. It is not unlikely that climatic conditions are also concerned in the production of the injuries. These factors may also affect the young wheat plants con- jointly. Whether the injury is caused by one factor or several factors working together ean only be discovered by further study, and we shall continue our investigations during the coming season on the relations of the various species of Nematode worms to the injured plants. III—INSEOTS AFFEOTING FRUIT CROPS. Considerable progress was made in the investigations which are being carried on at the Entomological Field Stations.. I have indicated earlier in this report (pp. 2-3) at what stations the different insects are being studied, and a brief statement of the pro- gress of our studies will now be given. : BupMoTHS oF APPLE IN Nova Scotia. In the spring of 1913 a large amount of the damage to young fruit attributed te frost was due to Budmoth. In’the Annapolis valley, Mr. Sanders has found two species of true Budmoths, the common Eye-spotted Budmoth (Sp:Jonota ocellana), and a large species, Olethreutes consanguinana, was recorded for the first time feeding in apple. The life-histories of both these species have been studied, and the spraying experiments in the orchard of Mr. R. S. Eaton at Kentville, N.S., have been continued. The results of last year’s (1913) spraying experiments cannot be obtained until May (1914), but the 1912 experiments indicated that the spray applied before the blossoms opened gave the greatest benefit of any single spray, killing from 50 to 60 per cent of the Bud- moths. This spray, together with the spray applied after the falling of the blossoms, gave the best results; an increased set of 20 per cent more fruit was secured over that in the check plots. : Orrawa. 866 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS as 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 Fruit-worms IN Nova Scotia. For a number of years fruit-growers have complained of the damage caused by Fruit-worms and their inability to control them owing largely to ignorance of their habits. During 1913, Mr. Sanders continued his studies which were commenced in 1912, and found that instead of one species there were probably about twelve injurious species belonging to the genera Xylina, Calocampa, and Scopelosoma. By far the com- monest species is Xylina bethunei. Their injury to the fruit is responsible for con- verting a large proportion of apples of grades Nos. 1 and 2 to grade No. 3. i. The winter is passed in the adult state, the moths hibernating under rubbish, grass, ete. In the early spring the adults emerge and deposit their eggs on the apple twigs. The eggs hatch in about a fortnight and the caterpillars feed on the leaves and fruit until about midsummer when they drop to the ground and -pupate in the soil. About two months later the moths emerge. In the spraying experiments the most valuable spray for Green Fruit-worm appeared to be that applied after the falling of the blossoms, the usual codling moth spray. Clean cultivation and destruction of rubbish is also an important factor in controlling this pest. The spraying experiments and observations are being continued during the coming season. There is no doubt that when it is realized how the production and the proportion of high grade fruit may be increased, that systematic spraying along the lines of Mr. Sander’s results will be more generally carried out, and for this reason the demonstra- tion work he is doing will prove of inestimable value to the fruit-growers of the prov- ince. Already there are signs of a greater inclination and desire not only to spray but to spray systematically and with knowledge of the objects of spraying. Tue Curcu.ios or PLuM AND APPLE IN QUEBEC. At Covey Hill,. Que., Mr. C. E. Petch continued his studies of the Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) and the Apple Curculio (Anthonomus quadrigibbus) which were commended in 1912. The complete failure of the fruit crop in the district severely handicapped the work. In the orchards in which the work was being carried on, 1,800 trees produced only a peck of apples, and very few plums were gathered from 200 trees. Nevertheless, progress was made in a study of the life-histories of these species, suscep- tibilities of varieties to attack and control measures. AppLE Maacot IN ONTARIO. A third season’s work on the Apple Maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) was carried on by Mr. W. A. Ross. The insect was remarkably scarce, however, and in orchards which had been previously badly infested, considerable difficulty was experienced in securing adults. Most of the work was carried on at Bowmanville, Ont. In addition to further studies on the life-history and habits of the insect the experiments on control measures were continued. These included the testing of a number of soil insecticides, cultivation, the use of poultry, and spraying with sweetened arsenicals. It was found that the insect may remain in the soil in the pupal stage for two years. In July, 1913, flies emerged from 1911 pupx. Healthy 1912 pupx were found which will no doubt emerge in the coming season (1914). Mr. Ross commenced a study of the Aphides affecting fruit in western Ontario where the aphids on apple are particularly injurious to the foilage of young nursery stock and to young apples. The four commonest species on apple are the Apple Aphis (A. pomi); the Grain Aphis [Hydaphis (Siphocoryne) avene]; the Rosy Apple Aphis (A. sorbi); and the Woolly Apple Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera). The Green Peach Aphis (Myzus persicae) was particularly abundant in the fall of 1913. O.PAWA. \ x — ‘ i) Pe ee a ee ee are - ——————————— eee lh ml ee . DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 867 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Fruit Insect Ixvestications IN British CoLuMBIA. Mr. R. C. Treherne concluded his study on the Strawberry Root Weevil (Otzor- hynchus ovatus) commenced in 1912, and a bulletin on the subject is now in the press. Mr. Treherne’s investigations have shown that the control of the Weevil is dependent upon cultural methods and the system of cropping. In addition to making observations on miscellaneous insects affecting fruit, Mr. Treherne commenced a study of the Budmoth (probably Tmetocera ocellana), in the Lower Fraser valley, where this species affects both nursery stock and the flower-buds of older apple trees. IV. INSECTS AFFECTING FOREST AND SHADE TREES. Forest Insect INVESTIGATIONS IN BritisH CoLUMBIA. As frequent reports of serious forest insect depredations in British Columbia had been received during the last few years, and in view of the high commercial value of the merchantable timber in the province, it had been decided that Mr. J. M. Swaine, Assistant Entomologist in charge of Forest Insect Investigations, should make a pre- liminary survey of the forest insect conditions in 1913. A request from the Minister of Lands of British Columbia that such an investigation should take place was received and coincided with our own wishes. Accordingly, we were able to arrange for the work to be carried out in co-operation with the Provincial Forestry Branch, which contri- buted to the investigation by defraying Mr. Swaine’s expenses while in the province. The investigation was confined to regions in the southern portion of the province and Vancouver Island. It was found that an immense amount of valuable timber is being destroyed by various injurious insects. Several outbreaks of Bark-beetles were located and studied, and reports were received of extensive Bark-beetle outbreaks in spruce and pine in regions which could not then be visited. The most extensive injury examined during this summer’s work was to bull pine by the Western Pine Bark-beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis) and the Western @Vhite Pine Bark-beetle (D. monticole) ; and to Western White pine by the Western White Pine Bark-beetle. Many hundreds of trees have been killed by these beetles, and the infestations are still spreading. The Douglas Fir Bark-beetle (D. pseudotsuge) was found killing Douglas fir both in the interior and on Vancouver island. The Sitka Spruce Bark-beetle (Dendroctonus obesus) was found killing the Sitka spruce on Vancouver Island. The Engelmann’s spruce and lodgepole pine were also suffer- ing severely in the Kootenays from Bark-beetle attack. The practical results of this preliminary survey and suggested control measures are embodied in a bulletin now in the press. The destructive bark-beetles are the most serious enemies of British Columbia forests. They can be controlled, fortunately, by modification of lumbering methods, which often involve little expense if applied during the earlier stages of the infesta- tion. In addition to the foregoing work, Mr. Swaine investigated the cause of the dying timber in Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., with a view to advising the Parks Board who are naturally alarmed at the destruction of the trees in this fine park of virgin forest. It was found that the Sitka Spruce Gall Aphis (Chermes sp.) and the West- ern Hemlock Looper (Therina sp.) have caused the death of a number of large trees in the park and in the environs of Vancouver. It is hoped that the investigations which we have commenced on these insects will result in checking this most unfor- tunate destruction. It is proposed to have a field officer stationed in Stanley park during the coming season to make a complete study of the insects responsible for the damage. OTTAWA. 863 PXPERIMENTAL rarus ! _ ae) Tur Forest Tent Carerputar (Malacosoma ee, again defolis areas of poplar, birch, maple, and other deciduous trees, in parts of Eastern ne particularly in Quebee and New Brunswick, and in the Fraser River valley « of Columbia. A bacterial disease destroyed large. numbers of the caterpillars i in easte Ontario last summer, and is expected to play an important part in their. t which is being studied by Mr. Tothill in New Brunswick. A ceircular on Caterpillars was published. ae ; Tue Larcu Sawrty (Nematus erichsonii) is travelling steadily westwa Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. It has already killed large numbers of in Manitoba forests. A further importation of parasitized cocoons of this : was: made from Great Britain, the cocoons having been collected at Ambles i the English Lake district. The cocoons were all placed in a tamarack swam Aweme, in southern Manitoba. In a check lot of the cocoons retained at Ot was found that 68 per cent were parasitized with Mesoleius tenthredinis, Ay albopictus, Microcryptus labraiges and certain Tachinid parasites. : its parasites have abteeen control in many places and have saved the trees from J injury. An extensive outbreak appears to be spreading in the New Brunswick For several years the Eastern Fir Bark-beetle (Ips balsameus) has ki large number of isolated balsam firs in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick forests The Elm Bark-louse (Gossyparia spuria) is still a serious enemy to he Quebee and Ontario. Badly infested trees become unthrifty and gradually die. — Locust Borer (Cyllene robiniae) is killing locust and acacia trees in parts of Onté The larvee excavate tunnels through the wood of living trees and prove a most des' ruc- tive enemy. The Oak-twig Pruner (Hlaphidion villosum) has been reported injurious numbers in southern Quebec. The infested twigs die and fall to the gro and when 1‘ insects are very numerous the appearance of the trees is considera affected. The Bronze Birch-borer (Agrilus anzius) continues to be the most serio enemy of ornamental birches in eastern Ontario. The Poplar Borer (Sopa cat carata) has been very injurious to poplar shade trees. = V—INSECTS AFFECTING DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND MAN. THE CONTROL OF HOUSE FLIES. The campaign against the house fly has been continued with ee Ze and throughout Canada health authorities are convinced of the danger to he involved in the presence of flies. The requests for our circular on “ How to d the Fly Nuisance” from medical officers of health and teachers are numerous | encoura? ing. While the control of flies under city conditions is important and necessary interests of health, the control of flies under rural conditions is also very import especially on account of its intimate connection with the problem of pure milk. — treatment of stable manure which constitutes the chief breeding place of the fly is a serious question from the point of view of the farmer. Agtosay series of experiments were carried out in August and September, 1913, with discovering an insecticide which is not only cheap and efficient, but does not . the fertilizing properties of the manure. A cubic yard of manure was used as as st DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY $< 869 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 and the number of flies emerging from each heap of manure treated or untreated was counted. A full description of the experiments has been published (Journ. Economic Entomloogy, vol. 7, pp. 281-289). The results were as follows :— Number of flies Treatment. - emerged from manure. EVE BEARER Cee ars, ord goss mnie hates loyal on wet cl canichojaron Meee. Nelle ee, eo 13,332 CSTE ATOTy 2 Pe Oye ES eae i CS eI en ee ot nin ee ieee rE 8,042 Iron sulphate .. .. See eee 7,850 Chloride of lime (sur face ‘application). Rae ie ces ete Rete 5,943 Chloride of lime (mixed) .. . oe Selec pee ea 4,627 _ PETIT ER CTINTISIOUIS Es > Somat ere BS ire om ale ae a) oS Scare a) a Pre eee rem Istes “ers 3,481 While kerosene emulsion appeared to give the best results, this may have been due to the greater amount of straw in the experiment and I should prefer the chloride of lime. The treated manure will be tested during the coming season in regard to its fertilizing properties. It may be added that a similar series of experiments was carried out by the Bureau of Entomology of the United States Department of Agriculture. Their experiments conclusively demonstrated the superiority of borax (crude sodium borate) or colemanite (calcium borate) over all other larvicides. This chemical was not tried in our experiments at Ottawa. It was found that 0-62 pound of borax was sufficient to kill all the larve in 10 cubic feet (8 bushels of manure); the dry borax is sprinkled on the manure and washed in with 2 or 3 gallons of water. TREATMENT OF INSECT-INFESTED FLour MILLs. In many parts of Ontario the Mediterranean Flour Moth (Hphestia kuehniella) is responsible for heavy losses in flour and feed mills. Mr. Ross carried on experi- ments on superheating as a method of ridding mills or stores of these insects in preference to fumigation. A mill in Dundas, Ont., in which the meal and flour was found to be alive with the caterpillars, and the moths were flying around in the bins, was selected. It was found that a temperature of 120° F., maintained for at least ten hours, would prove fatal to all eggs, caterpillars, and adults of Hphestia. MISCELLANEOUS. Our inquiries in regard to the distribution of ticks in British Columbia, and especially of Dermacentor venustus on account of its relation to the obscure disease termed “tick paralysis” in children, have been continued, and additional data have been secured. : Following the discovery by Dr. S. Hadwen of the occurrence of the Warble Fly, Hypoderma bovis, in Canada in addition to H. lineata, which had always been regarded as the common North American species, our studies of the Canadian warble flies have been continued, and it has been found that Hypoderma bovis is commonly distributed throughout Canada, in some parts of which warble flies appear to be increasing in number; their control, therefore, demands careful attention, and especially is it necessary to secure co-operative effort among farmers in destroying the warbles in the spring. VI—INSECTS AFFECTING GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE. As opportunities occurred, investigations on greenhouse insects have been carried on by Mr. Gibson at Ottawa, and by Mr. W. A. Ross in Toronto and other places in Ontario. Reference was made in my last report to the injuries of sowbugs. In greenhouses in London, Ont., they attacked the seedlings of sweet peas, Asparagus OrTrTaw a. 870 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 plumosus, Primulas, petunias, and other plants; tender cuttings such as Begonia and Coleus were injured. Three species of these Isopods were found, namely, Oniscus— asellus, Armadillidum vulgare and A. quadrifrons. Mr. Ross has discovered an effective poisoned bait, and finds that one of the most important preventive Measures ‘s cleanliness and the cleaning away of rubbish around the greenhouses. The Bulb— Jin Mite (Rhizoglyphus hyacinthi) was found seriously damaging the bulbs of Easter lilies in London, Ont. At Eglinton the Cattleya Tly (lsosoma orchidearum) was found injuring orchids. In greenhouses, and especially in gardens, the Tarnished Plant-bug (Lygus pratensis) continues to be injurious in Ontario. It is notably r . . . , destructive to asters and chrysanthemums; one Ontario florist estimated the season’s loss on chrysanthemums at $2,000, and ‘on asters at $500. The Chrysan- — themum Fly (Phytomyza chrysanthemi) was injurious im Toronto green- — houses. Mr. Gibson discovered an interesting case of the Variegated Cutworm (Peridroma saucia) destroying carnations by eating out the interiors of the buds. Garden asters in different localities, including Ottawa, have been attacked. and. ee in many cases destroyed by root aphids (Aphis maidi-radicis), which are culti- — vated by ants. The occurrence of root-maggots has been mentioned in a previous section. “s . VII.—APICULTURE. ApicuLTURAL Work AT OTTawa. On November 8, 1912, thirty-five colonics in the apiary were weighed and put into the bee cellar under the farm foreman’s house. Their weights varied from 37 pounds to 66 pounds, average 523 pounds. Average temperature of the cellar in November 49° F.; in December, 45° F.; in January, 424° F.; in February, 433° F.; in March, 474° F.; in April, 483° F. The bees were brought out of the cellar and weighed on April 9. The loss in weight during the winter varied from 7 to 29 pounds per colony, average 15} pounds. Four colonies died in the cellar, one shortly before March 15, the others shortly before April 5. All were foodless, and starva- tion was the immediate cause of death. Their weights were as follows :— Weight after death Size of Hive. Weight Nov. 8. April 5. Lb Lb. Lb. SAVGIIG Oo wtaicy «doe tn Bete 37 24 13 2 SELTAMO .. fo. ote nie saab Rate 47 28 19 TOATAING Lvicicts Fetes sae cee hee 56 27 29 MATT AING: th og Shes slo viene aie 58 29 29 Twelve colonies were wintered out of doors in special wintering cases. These cases were each made to hold four hives, with a space of 2 inches to 3 inches of pack- ing material around the sides and underneath, and 10 inches on top, with a 2 inch air space above, ventilated by holes under the cover. The entrances were 9 inches long aud 14 inches deep, the lengths being reduced during winter by means of a strip of wood revolving on a screw. One of these cases was packed with clover chaff, another with cut straw and the third with shavings. As colonies wintered out-of-doors con- sume more food than those wintered indoors, extra heavy colonies were selected to place in these cases. All survived the winter which, however, was unusually mild. Loss due to bees dying in the snow was not serious. The colonies in the case packed OTTAWA. _ EEE a eo DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 871 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 with shavings came out stronger than those in other cases. The case containing shavings was, however, slightly better protected from wind. In April, each of the twelve colonies had an average of about 10 pounds of stores. In the middle of April breeding was in a more advanced stage than in the colonies wintered in the cellar, and two of the colonies in the case packed with shavings were the strongest in the apiary. The bees were left in the wintering cases until the beginning of June, and during April and early May increased: faster than the unprotected colonies that had been taken from the cellar. One of the colonies in the case packed with shavings swarmed on May 26. Several weak colonies that were found to be queenless 6r to contain unsatisfactory queens were united to others, the total number being thus reduced from 43 to 39. The bees made a good start during April and the first six days of May, collecting nectar from willows and maples. From May 7 till May 30 the weather was cool and often cloudy and dry. Dandelion and fruit bloom yielded very little food, and breed- ing received a check from the 13th to the 20th. Towards the end of May, widespread preparations for swarming, which could only be attributed to the abundance of the melliferous shrubs and trees in bloom on the farm, combined with uncertain weather for gathering, were made, and on May 27 about 80 per cent of the colonies were found to have queen-cells containing eggs and larve. The swarming fever was checked when, the’ weather improving, the bees dis- covered that little nectar could be got. June was a warm and fine month. The first flowers of alsike and white clover were seen on June 6. Unfortunately, a severe drought dried up these plants which are the chief source of honey in this region, and reduced their yield to a fraction of the usual quantity. A serious deficieney of rain continued until August 22. However, the weather for gathering was, on the whole, excellent, and for a period of seventy-six days, from the opening of the clover flow on June 24 until frost cut off the supply from aster and golden rod on September 8, the hives on scales gained steadily in weight. Summary of gain in weight of a moderately strong colony, compiled from daily readings obtained from hives on scales :— Average gain Period. Gain during period per day. Source. June 25-30.. ..... 14 pounds. About 3 pounds. Mainly alsike and white clover. UL Yel Olecs.. s+ - 32 pound. 44 1 pound. « white clover and sweet clover. Aug. 1-30........ 17 " es " “buckwheat and sweet clover. Seis LEG ear 7 " il " Aster and golden rod. 70 | AG epee Che i The above figures are necessarily only approximate, for the records were influenced by several varying factors which it was impossible to control. The total honey crop for 1913 was 1,965 pounds of extracted honey, of which 695 pounds were graded white honey and 1,270 pounds amber or dark honey, and 533 sec- tions, of which 233 were white and 300 amber or dark honey. The average yield per hive from 43 colonies spring count, was therefore 704 pounds, reckoning, as is usually done, a section as equivalent to two pounds of extracted honey. The largest amount of honey taken from a single colony was 163 pounds of extracted honey. This colony consisted of evenly-marked three-banded bees, too excitable to be regarded as pure Italians in the strict sense. The number of colonies was increased during the year from thirty-nine to fifty- three. The bees in the apiary, with the exception of four colonies of Pure Italians, OTTAWA. i . ree f 872 | PXPERIMENTAL Bees Maen vig | : _ containing queens obtained. last year from Bologna, Ttaly, were 4 re Golden Italians, crossed more or less with Blacks. Eight of the que small proportions of black bees. The queens imported from Italy gave s appointing results, which may have been due in some measure to injury cau long journey. : European Foul Brood reappeared in several Watoaias on May 23. Bet date and the end of July diseased larvee’ were observed in sixteen out of t thirty-nine colonies. The six worst cases, in which more than about 100 1 seen to be affected, were treated by the well-known method of shaking the a clean hive, the combs being boiled down. Every colony that manifested ¢ disease was re-queened with a selected Italian. July brought a rection number of affected larye, and in August only very few could be found’ ~~ ~~ European Foul Brood Summary. Slightly | Extensi vely.| : diseased: c. diseased. Colonies consisting entirely of bees showing yellow bands often of varying widths, not including Italians from Italy or pure Goldens Colonies in which bees showing yellow bands were mixed with Diack beers a6. i lia sazeg caves da blle sarah ve eerie eece eee Italians (from Italy). - beta Sidic'oan «eh oP ee en ee eee Preps cic Pure Goldens (queen obtained from Texas)............--eeeeeeeee Reo 0 eA The testing of different strains of Italians and hybrids for peniciSirhes to Ei rope Foul Brood was begun by Mr. Sladen, Assistant Entomologist in charge of ture, and many queens c selected parentage were reared. A temporary ~ bee-m station was established on the Kazabazua plains, about 50 miles north of Ot! Although no colonies of bees could be discovered within 3 miles of this static on Italian queens brought there were mated by local black drones, and the colour of the resulting hybrids was found to be, as expected, darker than that of pure - Itali an Queens of several varieties and. strains of Italians and two pure Carn queens were obtained from Europe and introduced. In September, all weak colonies were united, only selected queens — of choic ce parentage being saved, and the bees were fed with sugar syrup to bring up t weight of the eight-frame colonies to about 60 pounds and the ten-frame colonic to about 70 pounds. The work of uniting and feeding was begun on September and completed, with the exception of a few details, by October 1. On October 29, 3 and 31, sixteen colonies were weighed and packed in shavings i in wintering cases: out-door wintering. Three of these cases were situated in a portion of the ap that has been surrounded with a board fence 6 to 7 feet high to protect. them - wind. ~ eae On November 10 the remaining thirty-seven colonies were weighed | and 5 in the bee cellar. Re At the time of writing, March 28, all the colonies out-of-doors cand “ini seem to be wintering satisfactorily. » Mr. J. I. Beaulne rendered valuable assistance in the Apiary. APiCULTURAL WorK ON THE Brancn FarMs.. During the past year steps were taken to organize the apicultural wor Experimental Farms. In some eases apiaries already existed, in others — purchased and apiaries were started. The following is a summary of reports of apicultural work that have been from the branch Farms. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 873 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 Charlottetown, P.E.I—Two colonies of Italians and three colonies of Black bees were purchased early in the season, and produced 75 pounds of surplus honey. The bees were placed in a room in the cellar of the Superintendent’s residence on December 18. The temperature of the bee cellar was kept as near to 45° F. as possible. All the colonies came out in good condition in the spring of 1914. Kentville, N.S—Five colonies of Black bees were purchased locally early in July. They were so badly damaged in transit that only four weak colonies resulted. About 30 pounds of honey was extracted. A wintering case was made for each colony and the colonies were placed in these, packed in planer shavings on Decem- ber 13. Nappan, N.S.—From ten colonies, spring count, were obtained 1,170 pounds of extracted honey, valued at $140.40, 80 pounds of comb honey, valued at $20, and nine swarms, valued at $72. The greatest yield of extracted honey from a single colony was 205 pounds. White clover and Alsike clover are the principle nectar- yielding plants. Unfortunately, the bees went into the cellar a little short of stores and mice got into the hives, with the result that several colonies were found to be dead in the spring. : Ste. Anne de la Pocattere, Que—Six colonies were purchased and arrived on June 28. They produced 208 pounds of honey and eight swarms. . Cap Rouge, Que—The apiary was established on June 20 with ten colonies of Black bees. The yield of honey amounted to 267 pounds of extracted honey and 52 sections. The honey flow from White clover, the chief honey plant, was of shert duration, and interrupted by frequent rainy days. Eleven colonies were wintered in the cellar under the superintendent’s house, and seem to be in good condition. Brandon, Man.—Eight colonies gathered an average of 303 pounds of honey each and gave twelve swarms. The best colony gathered 68 pounds of honey and threw two swarms on July 4 and 14. Twenty colonies were placed in the basement of the Superintendent’s residence on November 10. Indian Head, Sask—A fresh start with bees was made in June with two small swarms. These were shipped from Ottawa, a distance of over 1,600 miles, in “combless ” wire cages, provided with water and candy. Both colonies swarmed, and an attempt made to winter the four weak and poorly provisioned colonies ended in the loss of two, and the reduction of the others to extreme weakness. Lacombe, Alta.—Two colonies came through the winter satisfactorily and swarmed during the summer of 1913, but the swarms were lost. These colonies were wintered in a root cellar which proved too damp, causing death of both colonies. Invermere, B.C.—Six colonies obtained from Salmon Arm in June produced an average of about 40 pounds each of excellent honey, for which there was a ready local demand. Agassiz, B.C_—In the autumn of 1913, 13 pounds ef mixed honey were extracted. In ihe spring of 1914 there were eight colonies in good condition. Two died, probably from starvation, during the winter, which, though comparatively mild, was very wet. The hives in use are of the Langstroth ten-frame pattern. Sidney, B.C—Ten colonies of bees were purchased from a neighbouring bee- keeper in the autumn of 1913, and were removed to the Farm in the early spring. This is a good region for honey preduetion and good results are hoped for. OTTAWA. 874 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS - 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 VIII—MISCELLANEOUS.. COLLECTIONS. The collection of insects which now constitutes.the National Collection has a= inereased materially during the past year owing to the increase in the staff of the ae Division, and the greater opportunities which are now afforded to secure insects of all orders by the presence of field officers in the various provinces. Mr. Germain — Beaulieu has worked most zealously in dealing with new material and in arranging — 4 berry Fea Se © the collections generally, excellent progress having been made in the arrangement of the Coleoptera. We have continued to name collections of insects for individuals and teaching institutions. In the determination of new material we have again enjoyed the assistance of iS Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the United States Bureau of Entomology, and his scien- — tifie assistants in the Bureau and in the National Museum at Washington, for which assistance we are most grateful, and we would also express our gratitude and indebt- — edness to other specialists who have assisted us during the year. An exhibition of injurious and useful insects was made at the Central Canada Exhibition held at Ottawa in September last. Protection oF Birps. Se z ) As the protection of insectivorous birds has a very direct bearing on the natural eontrol of insect pests, and as such birds are both thoughtlessly and wantonly destroyed in Canada, thereby reducing the numbers of our allies in the control of insect pests, every effort is being made to impress upon farmers, teachers, and others, the import- ance of protecting our native birds. A proposal which I made to the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club for the institution of a practical example of bird protection in~ Ottawa has been adopted and will be put into effect during the coming spring. The Ottawa Improvement Commission have agreed to constitute Rockliffe Park a bird sanctuary and to make and distribute 250 nesting boxes of the Berlepsch pattern in the park. On our part, you have kindly agreed to have 160 Berlepsch nesting boxes distributed on the grounds and in the Botanical Gardens of the Central Experimental Farm. We hope that this will prove a valuable example of the methods to be taken to attract birds to the farm. CORRESPONDENCE, The growth of the work has naturally resulted in an increase in the correspond- ence. The number of letters received from April 1, 1918, to March 31, 1914, was 6,384, and the number of letters sent out during the same period was 7,814, compared with 5,105 letters received and 6,938 letters sent out during the previous fiscal year. TRAVELLING. The direction and supervision of the work has necessitated, as usual, visits to the different provinces during the year. All the fumigation stations have been visited. In June and July a visit was made to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Massachu-— setts. The Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held at Guelph, Ont., in August, and was attended by all the members of the scientifie staff who were able to be present. On September 8, I left Ottawa to visit the field labora- tories in Ontario and Western Canada. In British Columbia I also visited a number of the Indian reserves in order to inspect the progress of our work in the orchards of the Indians which is being carried on by Mr. Tom Wilson. TI left Victoria, B.C., on October 11 for the United States; the Oregon Agricultural College, Corvallis, Ore. was visited on the way to California, where I wished to examine their quarantine OTTAWA. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY 875 SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 methods, ete., and to inquire into the occurrence of the Potato Tuber Moth (Phthori- mea operculella Zett.). The Universities of California and Leland Stanford were also visited. On the return journey two days were spent at Salt Lake City, Utah, for the purpose of looking into the question of the Alfalfa Weevil (Phytonomus murinus Fab.). From December 30 to January 2 the meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Entomological Society of America and the Asso- ciation of Economic Entomologists were attended at Atlanta, Ga. The various officers of the Division have attended meetings throughout the year for the purpose of giving _ addresses and demonstrations. ~ PUBLICATIONS. During the year the officers of the Division, both at headquarters and in the field, have contributed scientific papers to entomological and other journals, embody- ing results of too technical character for publication in bulletin form. More popular articles on the control of various insect pests have been contributed from time to time to agricultural journals and papers. In addition to two bulletins which have been prepared and are now in the press, the following circulars have been published during the year:— “Tent Caterpillars,” by J. M. Swaine, 14 pp., 8 figs. (Entomological Circular No.7.) “ Flea-beetles and their Control,” by Arthur Gibson, 12 pp., 14 figs. (Hntomologi- ‘cal Circular No. 2.) “The Chinch Bug in Ontario,’ by H. F. Hudson, 13 pp., 3 figs. (Hntomological Circular No. 3.) STAFF. With the increase in our work, and its expansion in various directions, an. inerease in the staff of the Division has been necessary, and the following officers have been appointed during the past year:— - Mr. L. S. McLaine, M. Sc., was appointed a field officer in April, 1913. He grad- uated at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass., in 1910, and received his master’s degree in 1912 for research in entomology. Prior to his appointment Mr. MecLaine was acting as Deputy State Nursery Inspector of Massachusetts, and he has therefore had excellent experience in field work in addition to a thorough labora- tory training. During the summer of 1913 he was responsible for the work of secur- ing parasites of the Brown-tail and Gipsy Moths in Massachusetts, and throughout the past winter he has had charge of the field work against the Brown-tail Moth in New Brunswick. Mr. A. E. Kellett was appointed an Artist Assistant in August, 1913. Mr. Kellett studied art for three years in the Armstrong Academy of Arts, Newcastle-on- Tyne, England, and subsequently he served five years’ apprenticeship to process engraving and illustrating. He has, therefore, had an excellent training both in the artistic and technical aspects of illustrating work. After coming to Canada in 1910 Mr. Kellett was employed in Winnipeg as artist and designer. Mr. Joseph Perrin was appointed inspector of imported nursery stock at Hali- fax, N.S. Mr. Perrin has always been a keen entomologist, and has added materially to the knowledge of the lepidoptera of Nova Scotia. The progress and success of our work has been due to the zealous and enthusi- astic manner in-which all the officers of the Division, both at headquarters and in the field, have carried on their work, of which I cannot sufficiently express my apprecia- tion. My especial thanks and acknowledgments are due to my Chief Assistant, Mr. OTTAWA. 876 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS . 5 GEORGE V., A. 1915 Arthur Gibson, who has had charge of the work during my absence. Grateful acknowledgment is also due to the conscientious and satisfactory manner in which the clerical duties have been carried on by Miss J. McInnes, Messrs. J. A. Letour- neau and M. J. Moloughney, with temporary assistance. It is now felt that we are in a better position to render the assistance which is desired by the agriculturists, foresters, and others who suffer from the depredations of insect pests, and that the lines upon which the work is being developed are such as to bring us more directly and readily into contact with those whom it is our privilege to assist in developing — the resources of the country. : I have the honour to be, sir, = Your obedient servant, ©. GORDON HEWITT, * Dominion Entomologist. Orrawa.- INDEX PAGE ee LOE st, SSROrt of the Dominion. 851 Agrilus anxius. sie BO) Cot eae Agrotis ypsilon.. MEAT Titst el civeiinaiehe OOS Anaphothrips striatus . 2 ic. Sore fore ea sce Anthonomus quadrigibbus... .. .. .. 866 Apicultural work at Ottawa... .. Poomrrd at ee G2 2) bl Lipo sci oH 3 IReniEVIILG | IN: Sis ssp sites cee Oo INU StlNes wie Wisc ete acts 873 Ste. Anne de la Pocatiére, Quer acne Sicinisdizeue oo Ue Cap Rouge, Que.. aa mere Obes Brandon, Man. scare ha er -sailia Indian Head, Sask. 5 873 Lacombe, Alta.. 873 bivermere; BiCcss ssa « 873 PALES izing 32 Cre cot ate ch ean Meee aS -Sidney, B.C.. 873 Aphis maidi-radicts.. 2.0... se ae ee 870 oes SEE ON ORS TRAST 866 Aphis sorbi.. SN ear ae atoe aie . 866 SPE PSEBUCEAUTUNT Scrai aie avons o's ss landels hare 866 CMCTITCNION cy) ei. Sid: Yoln lave e's ws ce «2 SOO Apple Maggot.. 866 Army-worm. eSdete copcate 862 Birds, Protection of. Pruett cits: 874 Bronze Birch-borer.. .. 868 Brown-tail Moth— Field Work, 1912-13, New Brunswick. 857 ; Nova Scotia 858 Food Plants. . 857, 858 Importation of Parasites. 858 Collection of Parasites. 859 Colonization of Parasites. . 860 Distribution of Imported Parasites and beetles in 1913. B 860 Apanteles in Nova Scotia. . ; 860 Bruchophagus ol laa : 863 Bruchus pisorum. 863 Budmoths of Apple in Nova Scotia... 865 Bulb Mite... .. .. Svenher abcess 870 Camnula pellucida. akon ae 862 Carroc Hust-Hly.. 2... es 864 Cattleya Fly.. eteete 870 Chrysanthemum Fly.. 870 Clover-seed Chalcid... 863 Coccobacillus acridiorum. 862 Collections. 874 Conotrachelus nenuphar. 866 Correspondence. . 875 Crytohypnus abbreviatus. 863 Curculios of plum and apple in Quebec. 866 Cutworm Investigations in Alberta. 861 Cyllene robiniae. as 868 Dendroctonus brevicomis. 867 monticolae . A 867 pseudotsugae.. 5 867 OBESUS 5 ts it Ae 867 Dermacentor venustus. z 869 Destructive Insect and Pest AoE” Amendments to EE UAROne Noerere 854 Diplosis tritici?.. dhs 864 Douglas Fir Bark- beetle. ats 867 Bastern Fir Bark-beetle.. .. 868 Eelworms. = Pee == 864 Elaphidion ‘villosum. A 868 Elm Bark-louse. i 868 Ephestia kuehniclla. 869 Euxoa ochrogaster. Pare 862 Eye-spotted Bud Moth. 865 Field Laboratories. 853 Forest Insect Investigations in ‘British OUI aron arches o Se aciee feiss lee Stee tite? Entomologist—Con. Forest Tent Caterpillar.. .. .. Formica ulkei. EES Fruit Insect Investigations in British Columbia. 5 ake eke Fruit-worms in Nova Scotia. ateneaata Fumigation Stations, new. Ae RE Fc Gossyparia spuria.. Grain Aphis... .. Bo Vavedhehesial sua crs Grasshopper Coccobacillus. Sis aullator ataelate Greasy (CuEwOrnitius ‘setae . ele Harmologa fumiferana.. OF IC aR Hessian-Fly.. .. Lest ciety cheite Houseflies, Control of. srawecemnsrark Hydaphis Qvende . 5." ad vss ees o. Hyphantria cunea. late Tete eis iets Hypoderma bovis. lineata. sir ea le Insect-infested Flour Mills, treatment of Insects affecting Cereals and Field Crops.. Insects affecting Domestic Animals ‘and Man... Insects affecting "Fruit Crops. . Insects affecting Garden and Green- house... .. s 5 Insects studied at “Field Stations. Ips: DAISAMCUS.. .taetele! sels Tsosoma orchidearum. Sxaets Lachnosterna spp.. .. WATChe Sa wilyiee clin cis cnierees Parasites of.. . Lesser Wheat- stem MagEot. Leucania ee Locust Borer. Locusts— Lesser Peres A Roh eho Pellucid. s Lygus pratensis. AS PE Oe Malacosoma disstr EOE ae char Save Mayetiola destructor. a ate Mediterranean Flour Moth. ADRs Oe Melanoplus atlanis. BIG TIME A Nematus erichsonit. . myeists New Plant Quarantine or ‘Fumigation Ue LON Shr mate cam ateiea ai cea cele oe See Le ie We @ 7 heh ce) eb ie ep te Oo Paltie! | ese 16\) eb se, OO CHER - Nursery Stock— Inspection and See oe Oiereiamats Inspected during 1912-13.. .. .... Oaks MWS ET UNer ane kane Olethreutes consanguinana. Oscinis carbonaria. . Otiorhynchus ovatus. 6 Parasites of Native Insects. . ; Pea Weevil... .. .. Staal ave Peridroma saucia, Rie erehie axt Phorbia brassicae. ceparum.. . Phytomyza chrysanthemt. . Plum Curculio. 0 Poplar Borer. see Porosagrotis corthogonia. ee Psyla rosae. Publications. . oa Red-backed Cutworm. Rhagoletis pomonella. . ye Rhizoglyphus hyacinthi. . Sys Root Maggots... Rosy Apple Aphis.. Saperda calcarata.. . Schizoneura lanigera.. .. . Sitka Spruce Bark-beetle.. Sitka Spruce Gall Aphis.. (Entomology) | 853, Puisbletighei Gore Sowbugs injuring greenhouse plants... Spilonota ocellana.. .. .. «+. +s ow as Spruce Budworm.. Staff, appointments, etc Strawberry Root nigh nie P Tarnished Plant Bug. . MTIDS Tele sid Fee saree Travelling... .. .. Variegated Cutworm . Warble Fly.. .. .. Wireworms. . # 9s a ae oS ral Woolly Apple Aphis... .. 2... . Xylina bethunei.. .. 6... 1. we 7 (Entomology) ek — a Biological & Medical Serials PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET wens UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY