Historic, archived document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.
4 A Ss Re,
tes
» ” %
. a wo :
aos See =
ee :
i) oy:
Vey
Jon
4 i ,
x, 7
) a : a
7 r
| P Fs
yak 4 1 4
q ote Pe S
i Cat @ s
. :f .
6}. a
y Fae «
i ~
:
—
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
BULLETIN No. 32.
REPORTS
|| OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS
|| THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION,
MADE
_ UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.
(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE )
’
e
by
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1894.
ean. tk sae
aT
ay |
iy.
ry 34
| |
|
ifs
ft
it
io
~ Ol in
|
ia
ne
ij
ia
|
a
4 ;
|
)
Ar
)
"
N
ew
te
ae
-
Roe: TESS oC RREN pe
brea
aa! - a, > L
_s 1 rs a =
z
)EPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
Bubuetin No. 32.
REEOR TES
OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS
-. THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION,
oe MADE
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.
(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1894.
a +a » ® .
Pe a i ee ee ; -
*
-
_
om
-
*
~
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., April 14, 1894.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit for publication Bulletin No. 52 of
this Division. It comprises the reports of the field agents of the Divi-
sion for the past year (1893), a summary of which has been included in
my annual report.
Respectfully,
©. V. RILEY,
Entomologist.
Hon. J. STERLING Morton,
Secretary of Agriculture.
ty)
COMEERTS.
er rine RAO MET PAR Sooo yon. 2 cree fe eis Sas bo Debe oe oo ees eee
Ser eNDE INDI SCE = em eae tA ce eo a we Sook wee ee a
REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS IN NEBRASKA AND ADJOINING DISTRICTS
oS Ee SA eS a ee ee ee ------ Lawrence Bruner.-
REPORT ON SOME OF THE INJURIOUS INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA... D. W. Coquillett..
REPORT ON ENTOMOLOGICAL WORK IN OREGON AND CALIFORNIA; NOTES ON
Piel ee CEE TATIONS .. = — 5 200.22. gee an sand Albert Koebele..
Mary E. Murtfeldt..
Se = ae eee baen Herbert Osborn-.
2b Bae eet A. S. Packard..
5
J
BERG Wo aw?
REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS IN THE
PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION.
INTRODUCTION.
For some years past it has been the custom, with the approval of the
Secretary of Agriculture, to bring together in a single bulletin, at the
close of each season, the formal reports of the field agents of the Divi-
sion; thus, Bulletins 22, 25, 26, and 30 of the Division comprise the
reports of the field agents forthe years 1889, 1890, 1891, and 1892. This
present bulletin is a cortinuation of this series. Ali of the field agents
represented in Bulletin ©0, with the exception of Mr. Larrabee, were
continued through the year 1895. All, however, were discontinued
February 15, 1894, and are no longer connected with the Division, with
the exception of Mr. Coquillett, who has been called to Washington and
is now an Office assistant.
Mr. Bruner has reported in the main on the observations made upon
injurious locusts, and judging from these observations there is no reason
to fear serious injury during the year 1894. The occurrence in special
abundance of several injurious insects, including the army worm and
the wheat-head army worm is reported, and a number of new insect
injuries are mentioned.
Mr. Coquillett’s report consists principally of a somewhat detailed
account of several different kinds ofleaf-eating caterpillars which attack
fruit trees and nut trees in California. To this he adds a section on
arseniureted and sulphureted hydrogen as insecticides.
Mr. Koebele presents a few additional observations upon the sub-
ject of the hop plant-louse in the northwest, and some additional facts
regarding the latest importation of beneficial insects from Australia.
Miss Murtfeldt gives a general summary of the injurious insects of
Missouri for the year 1895.
Prof. Osborn, in a like way, reports upon the injurious insects of
Towa for the season, and includes some important observations on the
hatching of the eggs of the horse bot-fly.
Dr. Packard reports the almost complete recovery of the regions in
Maine ravaged in 1878-’87 by the spruce worm, and he includes a
number of new observations upon insects injurious to forest trees.
C. V. R.
7
he Pel oe el
Se, we ae LA ey
w
-
o
j
REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS IN NEBRASKA AND
ADJOINING DISTRICTS.
By LAWRENCE BRUNER, Special Field Agent.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
LINCOLN, NEBR., November 3, 1892.
Sir: I submit herewith a short report upon my investigations among the injurious
insects of Nebraska and adjoining districts during the past summer. While these
pests have not been generally numerous and destructive over the region assigned
me, a few species from among the hosts of these creatures that are ever present have
been sufficiently abundant to commit injury to the crops attacked and to require
special attention on the part of the entomologist and agriculturist. Some of my
time has also been given to a further study of destructive locusts and allied insects
belonging to the order Orthoptera, in which I have been especially interested for
some years. For this purpose three separate trips were made into quite distinct
regions, viz, one to Colorado for the purpose of investigating a local locust outbreak
about the town of Grand Junction, a second to western Nebraska and eastern Wyo-
ming to examine into a reported appearance of the Rocky Mountain locust, and,
lastly, a short tour of inspection through the eastern and central parts of Nebraska
for the purpose of ascertaining exactly how numerous and extensive were the inju-
ries caused by the ‘‘ native ” species of locusts that had been reported as committing
hayoe with various garden truck, small trees, grape-vines, and also in some instances
field crops.
Many of the notes made on other insects than locusts, and in fact some of the lat-
ter also, were obtained in connection with work carried on at the University of
Nebraska or while engaged in field work for this institution. These latter are sub-
mitted herewith as of some possible value to the general public aside from citizens
of the State.
Very respectfully, yours,
LAWRENCE BRUNER.
Ci V. RmEy;
U. S. Entomologist.
LOCUSTS OR **GRASSHOPPERS.”
The past summer again has been noted as one in which the various
species of indigenous locusts were present in overwhelming numbers
over a large area of country. The injuries wrought by these insects
were, therefore, great and widespread. Reports bearing on the subject
were received from a number of correspondents located in this and
adjoining States. The newspapers also contained like reports, from
all of which it becomes quite evident that something definite in the
9
10 REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS.
way of remedying the evil must be done soon if we would expect to
escape future ravages from this source. Many of the common species,
like the red-legged locust (Jelanoplus Jemur-rubrum), the two-striped
locust (Melanoplus bivittatus), and the differential locust (Melanoplus
differentialis), and others of like nature, are becoming more and more
reconciled to ‘‘civilized ways” each succeeding year, and hence are bet-
ter enabled to withstand these conditions than are others. This being
true, they increase proportionately as the area embracing the conditions
under consideration enlarges. Other influences, of course, also either
favor or retard the increase of these particular species, us they do allied
forms; but these influences seem to have less to do with the matter in
their case than in that of the majority of species. They are the “hardy
forms” of the family, and are capable of adapting themselves in their
life struggle to a greater amount of variation in climate, altitude, and
surface configuration. |
Several trips were made during the summer in connection with the
study of our destructive locusts. Besides the time thus spent, some
attention was given the subject here at home. One of these: trips was
made during the latter part of June to western Colorado, where I went to
examine into locust injuries in and about Grand Junction. Although
I reported at the time, I submit the following account of this trip for
your inspection :
A Report on Locust Injuries in the Vicinity of Grand Junction, Colo.—
At the request of the Board of Trade of Grand Junction, I visited that
place during the month of June to examine into a plague of locusts that
were engaged in devastating the region about that city. After spend-
ing a week here I found the conditions to be about as follows: About
four years ago it was observed that grasshoppers were unusually abun-
dant on a piece of waste land near the Grand River, a little south of
the town of Fruita, which is situated about 12 miles west of Grand
Junction. As the ’hoppers had plenty of food and were not destroyed
by parasites or disturbed by the settlers or by birds to a sufficient extent
to reduce their numbers, and having suitable places for the deposition
of their eggs, the result is plain. The winter following the egg-laying
reported was favorable, and the following spring, being likewise favor-
able to the young, resulted in the spreading of the pest to several of the
surrounding farms, where they did some damage to crops and orchards.
Again nothing was done to diminish their numbers or to prevent their
injuries or their spread to new ground. The season was also favorable
to their development, egg-laying, and spreading. The opening of the
third year came, and in course of time the young hatched and began
their work upon the crops over a greatly extended area. Their injury
was quite extensive, in fact, and comprised both field crops and orchards.
This year many thousands of dollars’ worth of property was destroyed
by them. The orchards in particular suffered from their depredations.
As the principal product of the region is fruit, the destruction of fruit
REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS. 11
trees was greatly felt by the settlers who happened to lose by their
attacks. One orchard alone is reported to have suffered to the extent
of $25,000. That this estimate was none too great I can attest from
personally having visited and examined it. The orchard in question is
of 80 acres in extent and composed of thrifty trees, all of bearing
size. Fully one-half of the trees were destroyed by the locusts, which
came by the millions from adjoining fields of alfalfa. They ate off the
leaves and even stripped the smaller twigs of their bark. A great
many other orchards were more or less completely destroyed by the
pest last year. Even with all this amount of injury going on about
them, the inhabitants did but little toward protecting themselves, and
what little fighting they did do was undertaken so late in the year that
it did comparatively little good even in the line of preventing egg depos-
iting. The warfare did not begin until after the “hoppers had attained
their wings and were spreading out over the region preparatory to egg-
laying. Af this time they had mostly left the fields of alfalfa and grain
and were nearly all in the trees composing the various orchards of the
region. Here they remained upon the twigs and branches, feeding upon
the leaves and tender bark of the new growth. In this situation it was
next to impossible to dislodge them or get at them with a remedy.
Some bran and arsenic was used by a few of the settlers in fighting the
pest, but this was handled so carelessly in many instances that not
only were domestic fowls and an occasional larger animal destroyed,
but also nearly all of the native birds of the region that occasionally
add to their insect diet other food were killed. In fact, the only good
feature connected with the use of the bran-arsenic remedy in this par-
ticular instance was the destruction of many rabbits. These latter
were killed by the hundreds and pretty well exterminated in the imme-
diate vicinity of the orchards where the remedy was used.
The present year, the fourth in which these insects have been pres-
ent in this region, I chanced to visit the locality about a week before
the mass of hoppers had attained their growth. I was therefore in
time to do some good for the residents by suggesting and showing them
a more profitable and, at the same time, practical method of warfare
suitable to the particular occasion, viz, the ‘‘ hopper-dozer,” or kerosene
pan. It was ascertained that the majority of the insects were still
confined to the edges of alfalfa and grain fields, or else were to be found
amongst the rank vegetation growing along the edges of irrigating
ditchesand over such grounds as were more or less frequently watered by
the wastefrom these ditches. In such localitiesit wasseen thatthe most
practical remedy that could be employed at this time was the * dozers.”
Accordingly several of these machines were ordered made, and meet-
ings of the farmers and fruit-growers and other interested parties called
for the purpose of discussing the subject preparatory to attacking the
foe. At these meetings, held in both Grand Junction and Fruita,
addresses were delivered outlining the various methods that have been
12 REPORTS OF ‘OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS.
used at various times in the past in different countries and under divers
conditions in fighting the locust pests of the world. In connection
with the remarks made, charts were exhibited showing the differences
among the species committing these injuries against which relief had
been sought. Both the practical remedies, or such as can be applied with
a saving, and the impractical remedies, or such as cost more to apply than
would be the value of the crops intended to be saved, were described
at some length. It is needless to say that I favored the practical rem-
edies, although there were many among the audiences who insisted upon
the adoption of some remedy where there would be little or no outlay of
labor. Nevertheless the “practical” methods were insisted upon by me
since the people were not overburdened with cash to such an extent
that they could afford to go into a series of doubtful experiments at
this late date of the trouble.
Every circumstance seemed to favor the use of the hopper-dozers at
this time.- Prior to my arrival the citizens of Grand Junction had
secured a 10,000-gallon tank of crude petroleum for use in destroying
the hoppers. This, as I afterwards ascertained, was intended to be
used for pouring into the irrigating ditches and allowing it to spread
over the country so as to come in contact (?) with the insects which it
was intended to destroy. In my addresses I insisted that this would
only be throwing the material away and would also destroy the vege-
tation wherever the oil reached, and that the locust would be mostly
left unharmed. We tried the oil in the ’hopper-dozers and were sur-
prised atthe results. It worked much better,if possible, than the refined
oil, and its cost was so very much less, being only 4 cents per gallon
delivered at Grand Junction, that its use in this connection could be
highly recommended. The comparative thickness made it more desira-
ble because of its remaining in the pan to betteradvantage. It could
even be cheapened by adding water to the oil in the pan on the dozers.
There were several species of locusts concerned in the depredations
in and about Grand Junction, as well as at other points in the surround-
ing regions of Colorado. I found Melanoplus atlanis, M. bivittatus,
and M, differentialis in the fieids of the region examined. There were
also several other species very numerous in the valley and upon the
surrounding hills wherever the vegetation was of sufficient size to sup-
port them. One was an undescribed species of Pezotettix, as these
insects have been classed by American writers, Somewhat resembling
M., turnbulli Thos., only with very short and rounded tegmina. Like
M. turnbulli, it seems to be confined chiefly to species of the Chenopo-
diacez, of which the region contains many forms. It is especially
fond of the greasewood (Sarcobates vermicularis). Peculiar enough
was the fact that on my arrival much of the preparation for defense
that was then under way was for the destruction of this Pezotettix,
that did none or very little of the injury that had thus far occurred in
the valley. I have proposed for this species the name Pezotettix cheno-
REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS. 13
podii, and have furnished for publication in Insect Life a more detailed
description than is here given.
Whether or not my visit to the region in question resulted in any
good to the settlers I can not say, for | have not heard from there up
to the date of this writing. If the instructions which I gave and
insisted upon being carried out were followed the valley could be
practically freed from the pest.
In estimating the cost for the extermination of the plague in this
particular region, I believe that it could have been done with an
expenditure not to exceed a couple of thousand dollars in money. Of
course, the labor necessary for the extermination would be quite an
item were it performed solely for the destruction of the “hoppers without
any regard to the saving of crops, and if not done by the settlers them-
selves upon their own and adjoining lands. Some of these figures were
given to the public in my talks above alluded to.
In closing my remarks coucerning this visit to Grand Junction, I
wish simply to add that nature has made the region one of the very
best fruit districts in the country. Climate is favorable, but few insect
pests have been introduced from abroad, and these cannot live in the
changed conditions of the arid climate belonging to the country. Few
of the native insects can ever become injurious on account of the differ-
ences in the food-plants that this change would entail. Lastly, the
grasshopper plague of the past few years is due entirely to careless-
ness on the part of the settlers themselves, and a repetition of such an
occurrence can be prevented by a little watchfulness on their part. A
- little care in the way of cleaning up about the waste lands lying along
the ditches will be all that is necessary.
West Nebraska and Wyoming Trip.—On the 25d of August I left
Lincoln for the western part of this State and eastern Wyoming to
examine into the reported locust injuries in that section of the country.
Stops were made at Sidney, Pine Bluffs, Cheyenne, and the country
lying at the headwaters of Pole and Crow creeks. Over this entire
scope of country the various ‘‘ native species” of Acridians were exceed-
ingly numerous—much more so than ordinarily—and any one who has
collected these insects here knows what such an assertion means.
Judging from the collections made at each of the localities visited, I
have no hesitation in making the statement that fully one-half of the
species common to the country embraced were injuriously numerous.
Some of these had never before been observed by me to occur so plenti-
fully. While but little farming is done in this region, the injury was
nevertheless much felt by the settlers. The ranges were much reduced
in value by these insects, which must have devoured fully one-half of
all the grasses and other forage plants growing upon them. In many
places the vegetation had been eaten so closely that a sheep would
have had a hard time to feed upon the remnants.
In settled districts and where irrigating is resorted to remedies can
be suggested, but upon the high, dry plains of western Nebraska and
14 REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS.
the adjoining portions of Colorado and Wyoming it is impossible to
destroy these locusts by any artificial means known to me. Climatic _
conditions alone must be depended upon for remedying the evil, since
the scope of country that would necessarily have to be covered is too
great to think of stamping out the pest artificially.
Rocky Mountain or Migratory Locust.—The Rocky Mountain or
migratory locust (Melanoplus spretus) has not been reported from any
point in excessive numbers during the past summer so far as I am
at present aware. Stillit seems to have been sufficiently common over
portions of the subpermanent region to warrant our watching its move-
ments. On or about the 18th of August it was reported that grasshop-
pers in considerable numbers were seen in the air at West Point, this
State. Although it is not definitely known to just what species these
hoppers belonged, they were without doubt stragglers of the present
species, since at about the same time it occurred in moderate numbers
here at Lincoln and several neighboring places. In fact, it has been
noticed by me both in the air and on the ground several times during
the summer, as it was also last summer. At no time, however, was it
observed in sufficient numbers to do perceptible injury to crops or
other vegetation, nor were the insects seen to deposit eggs. It did not
appear among the species that caused the observed and reported dam-
ages during the season.
Injuries from * Native” Locusts.—Much injury was done during the
summer by different species of our native locusts that have been very
common at a number of localities in this and adjoining States. Here.
at Lincoln we were obliged to fight them upon the experimental farm;
and from a field of oats of about 50 acres in extent at least 50 bushels
of winged locusts were captured with a hopper-dozer. They were
hatched upon waste land adjoining the farm, and during the dry, hot
weather of August left the weeds and moved into the more inviting
fields. Numerous reports of similar injuries reached me from nearly
every portion of this and adjoining States where farming was carried
onextensively. The species concerned were the common ones usually
engaged in such depredations in this central region, viz, the red-legged,
the two-lined, the differential and the lesser migratory. In some local-
ities all, in others only one or two, of these were concerned in the
injuries. At different localities different ones were present in greatest
force.
As stated above it is quite evident that if the losses occasioned by
these insects do not soon cease, something will have to be done to pre-
vent their further depredations.
OTHER INSECTS.
The Army Worm.—This year has been noted in Nebraska as one in
which the army worm (Leucania wnipuncta) was exceedingly abun-
dant and did much injury to crops in many of the western, northwest-
|
}
1
|
wk
s
REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS. 15
ern, and northern counties. Millet appeared to suffer most, although
late oats and corn in a few instances were injured to some extent.
One of these regions, viz, Ordai, in Valley County, was visited for the
purpose of studying the insect in its work upon the crops. In this
section of country several fields of millet had been almost entirely
destroyed by the worms about a week prior to my visit. Irom the mil-
let the worms moved into adjoining corn fields, at the edges of which
they were fought in two or three instances by means of deep furrows
in which logs were dragged backward and forward. Many of the lar-
ve or caterpillars had already entered the ground and transformed to
chrysalids; but still others remained in the fields hidden away under
garbage of all kinds, or crept about on the ground. Nearly all of
these contained the eggs of Tachina flies upon their heads and thoracic
joints. Flying and walking about the infested fields were large flocks
of Bartram’s sandpiper, red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, meadow-
larks and several other birds that had been attracted by the rich food
supply. These, together with the dipterous parasites, predaceous
eround-beetles, and several wasps, had, I was informed at the time,
destroyed more than three-fourths of the pests, thereby illustrating the
value of these creatures in keeping injurious insects in check.
Reports also reached me of the presence of this insect in hurtful
numbers at the following localities: In Dixon, Holt, Jefferson, Custer,
Valley, and several other counties not definitely stated.
The Wheat-head Army- Worm.—This year for the firsttime I have seen
the larva of Leucania albilinea to recognize it. Whilerunning the hop-
per-dozer on the experimental farm in capturing destructive locusts,
numerous specimens of the caterpillars of this insect were found
mingled with the dead hoppers in the kerosene-oil pans. They were
clinging to the stems of the grain and were knocked down by the
machine as it was dragged through the field. Although quite plenti-
ful, the larvie did not appear todo any appreciable injury in the field
of oats that had been planted to cut for hay. No attempt was made
to breed parasites from the insect, although some specimens were seen
to contain eges of some dipteron upon the thoracicsegments and head.
The Fall Web-worm.—This insect was again quite prominent among
the insect enemies that were present in cities and towns during the
Summer. Especially was this true with respect to its first brood. In
the cities of Omaha and Lincoln it appeared in large numbers, partic.
warly in the former city, where it stripped and covered the branches
of most of the box-elders and some of the other shade trees with its
unsightly webs. So alarmed about its continued presence and further
injuries were many of the citizens that they cut down the trees * to
save them.” In fact, the moths for the second brood issued in large
numbers, laid their eggs and died. These eggs hatched, and the situa-
tion certainly appeared quite critical. For some reason the greater
proportion of the caterpillars of this second brood died or were destroyed
16 REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS.
before they had become half grown. Whether their demise was due to
disease or to the attacks of certain predaceous and parasitic insects, or
both, I have not learned. That they disappeared at this particular
stage of their growth remains a certainty, as I have been assured by
several correspondents who were greatly interested in the subject and
who watched them very closely. In this city also this second brood of
caterpillars was less numerous than the first, and, as in Omaha, they
dwindled from time to time so that comparatively few matured.
The Hight-spotted Forester.—During July reports of injury by this
insect to vineyards reached me. About the second week of the month
a few of the grape-growers in the vicinity of Omaha became so alarmed
about the ravages of the larve of this moth that they asked me to
visit their vineyards at their expense. I did so and found that the cat-
erpillars had been quite numerous and done much damage by devour-
ing the foliage in several of the smaller vineyards. At the time of my
visit (July 13) most of the caterpillars had disappeared; but such as
remained were much infested with the eggs of some Tachina fly. As
many as four to eight of theseeggs were frequently found upon a single
caterpillar. These parasitic flies had evidently been quite abundant
during the reign of the caterpillars.
Some spraying with Paris green and London purple was done with
beneficial results; but most growers ‘trusted in Providence,” and in
this instance, at least, fared fully as well as did those who ‘“ fought.”
The Stalk-borer.—While investigating the ravages of the eight-
spotted forester about Omaha much injury caused by the common
stalk-borer (Gortyna nitela) was also observed. The larve of this
insect seemed exceedingly common, and were working on sweet-corn,
tomatoes, egg-plant, etc., many of the stalks of which were bored into,
causing them to die. In some instances two, occasionally even three,
of the caterpillars were found working in a Single stalk. It is needless
to state that considerable injury resulted from their attacks. As a
remedy I suggested the collecting and burning of all injured stalks
containing larvee.
Unknown Lepidopterous Larva boring in Stalks of Corn.—Uate in
August a specimen of the work of some lepidopterous larva boring in
the stalks of corn was received from Mr. H. 8S. Smith, living uear Pen-
der, this State, with the accompanying letter:
‘“T today send you by mail an insect that is working on the corn to
a considerable extent, and that is at least new tome. It generally works
about the second joint above ground. Have now mostly left the corn—
not over one in twenty still in stalk.”
In a second letter (September 5) he wrote: ‘“‘ Would say that the insects
wanted have almost entirely left the corn. Only succeeded in finding
two, which I send you. Found one that was being eaten by a white
~ maggot that looks like the larva of the common ‘bluebottle.’ There
REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS. 17
are always two holes in the cornstalk, one at each end of where it has
bored the inside out. The injured stalks break off in wind storms.”
The insects had entered the chrysalis stage when received, so that the
larva isunknown to me. It would appear from what Mr. Smith writes
that some of the larve leave the stalks to transform, while others do
not. At any rate, its comparative abundance and boring habits would
indicate that we have in this insect a quite dangerous corn pest. It
certainly will require additional study before we are entirely acquainted
with it in all of its changes and life-history. The only encouragement
that I can now offer is the presence, apparently, of a dipterous parasite
in the “‘ white maggot,” mentioned by Mr. Smith.
Swarms.of a Noctuid Moth.—Large swarms of Noctuid moths appeared
almost simultaneously at many widely separated points in Nebraska
and adjoining regions during apple-blooming time, and a number of
letters were received concerning them. Many of my correspondents
seemed to think they were the codling moth (Carpocapsa pomonelia)
that had issued somewhat prematurely and were simply waiting for the
proper time for oviposition. Consequently, their having taken alarm
could not be wondered at. Judging from the material accompanying
some of the letters, it is supposed that the swarms were chietly made
up of a single species of cutworm moth (Chorizagrotis introferens),
although several other species were represented in some loealities. The
material received varied greatly in size and markings, as could be seen
even from the much-rubbed specimens in question. At the time nothing
was thought of the matter, and none of the insects were saved. A little
later, when the Entomologist requested an investigation of the larval
stages of this species, with its life-history and food-habits, the swarms
of moths had disappeared, their going having been apparently as sud-
den and complete a mystery as was their coming. * Ses OL ae
REPORT ON ENTOMOLOGICAL WORK IN OREGON AND
CALIFORNIA; NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN IMPORTA-
TIONS.
By ALBERT KOEBELE, Special Agent.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
ALAMEDA, CAL., November 8, 1893.
Sir: I herewith submit to you my report of observations during the year. Special
reports on work done in Oregon and Washington upon Phorodon humuli Schrank., and
on the investigation of the condition of predaceous insects sent from Australia dur-
ing my last trip to that country, have been made and forwarded to you. Ishall here
mention only certain additional facts connected with the same and note some other
observations made.
Respectfully, yours,
ALBERT KOEBELE.
©, Vs RILEy, 2.
U. S. Entomologist.
The hop louse, as could plainly be noticed during spring, has not been
so numerous during the present season in Oregon and Washington, owing
to the increase of insects living upon it, as shown by the interesting
letter of September 16, 1893, from Mr. H. J. Miller, of Aurora, Oregon,
as follows:
* * * The hop crop is very light, owing to cold rains in the spring and then
continual dry weather. In the spring when the lice emigrated to the hop the weather
was cold and rainy, and I noticed that the lice on the vines would turn white and
sickly and finally die. No spraying was done, as it was not necessary in this vicin-
ity. A few lice survived the cold weather, and just before picking time the weather
turned sultry, cloudy, and rainy, favorable for development of lice, and it could be
noticed that they increased very fast; but picking time was too close at hand for
them to do any damage.
As to collecting the lice from the plum trees, I have great faith in it, but to make
it successful, farmers for miles around should closely inspect their trees and free them
from vermin. One hop yard seemed to be infested as much as any of those of our
neighbors, but as some of our nearest neighbors had plum trees and did not clean
them, I am sure some of the lice emigrated from their trees to our yard, for they must
be able to travel long distances. The ladybirds increased for a while in the spring,
but as the summer advanced they began to dwindle away, and at picking time were
getting scarce. * * *
1493— Bull. 32——3 33
34 REPURTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS.
A fungous disease appears to have destroyed large numbers during
the early summer. It was only at picking time that the lice became
numerous, aud in consequence the coming season may again show an
increase. As already mentioned, the importance of an early warfare
against the hop louse can not be overestimated. Spraying and hand-
picking should be practiced upon all the plum and prune trees during
the autumn and early spring.
Since the season has been so backward it is not possible for me to
give a list of the most efficient enemies of the hop louse, viz, the
Syrphid flies, and but few of these were observed during my work.
Coccinellide, however, could be seen by the thousands during early
spring. I givea list of those met with in the yards, with notes thereon.
Notes on Ladybirds found in Hop Yards.—The largest number were of
the genus Hippodamia, and it is a difficult matter even for an expert to
define the species when seeing largé numbers together. Hippodamia
convergens Guer. and H. ambigua Lec. were the most numerous in the
hop yards during the early spring and were preying upon various
Aphidids infesting weeds. After devouring all these, they, as well as
all other species, left in all directions and could be found almost any-
where where plant-lice existed. As observed, these insects will also
prey upon Lecanium in its young stages after the most of the Aphidids
have disappeared. H. 13-punctata has been but rarely met with. JH.
spuria Lec. and H. parenthesis Say were more numerous and always
upon plant-lice. Coccinella annectans Crotch is a rare insect that feeds
upon Aphidids as well as upon the young of Lecanium. Coccinella
trifasciata Linn. is an abundant ladybird that is found feeding any-
where upon plant-lice, and as these become rare with the advance
of the season, it readily feeds upon bark-lice. C. transversoguttata
Fab. is one of the largest of this group and was also found in numbers
in the hop yards as long as the plant-lice upon which it preys existed.
The first eggs of any found amongst hop vines belonged to this species.
This was before the yards were plowed, which will destroy nearly, if
not all, the early stages of these valuable insects. Cycloneda sanguinea
Linn. is a very common ladybird and one of the most active in hunting
up the solitary Aphidids. Many colonies of the hop louse under
observation on plum and prune trees were entirely cleaned out by this
beetle and often in a single day. In order to get at the proper results
of the experiments it often becomes necessary to cover the lice treated
with netting on account of this insect. Adalia bipunctata Linn. is only
occasionally found. I have bred the same from larve feeding upon an
Aphidid infesting Crategus at Sisson, Cal. It has also been found near
Alameda, upon orange trees infested with Lecanium.
A. humeralis Say was found feeding upon plant-lice in Oregon and in
California. I found it more often upon plants infested with black
scale. A very common and variable ladybird is Harmonia picta
Rand., which is met with occasionally feeding upon plant-lice. The
“
i
kK
i
ae «Fs
" ¢