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Forty-Sixth Annual Report

OF THE

Entomological Society

OF ONTARIO

1915

nJ^v^'^

v\ian \nsti

\y SEP ;6i.--

(PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE)

PRINTED BY ORDER OF
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

TORONTO :

Printed by A. T. WILGRESS, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty

19 16

Forty-Sixth Annual Report

OF THE

Entomological Society

OF ONTARIO

1915

(PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE)

PRINTED BY ORDER OF

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

TORONTO :
Printed tv A. T. WlivGRESS, Printer to the King's Most Excellent MajevSty

19H

C. Gordon Hewitt, D.Sc, P.R.S.C.
President of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1913-1915.

To His Honour Sm John Strathearx Hendrie, C.V.O., a Lieutenant-Colonel in
the Militia of Canada, etc., etc., etc.,

Lieulcnanl-durernor of ilie Province of Ontario.

May it Please Youk Honour:

The undersigned begs to present, for the consideration of your Honour, the
Eeport of the Entomological Society of Ontario for 1915.

Respectfully submitted,

JAMES S. DUFF,

Minister of Agriculture.

Toronto, 1916.

[••n

CONTENTS

PAGE

Letter of Transmission 5

Officers for 1915-1916 6

Financial Statement 6

List of Members 7

Annual Meeting 9

Report of the Council 9

" " Curator 11

" " Librarian 11

Reports on Insects of the Year: Division No. 1, Ottawa Dist., A. Gibson 11

" 3, Toronto Dist, A. Cosens 14

" 5, Port Hope Dist, F. J. A. Moiuus 17

" 7, Niagara Dist., W. A. Ross 21

Report of the British Columbia Entomological Society 24

" " Montreal Branch 24

" " Toronto Branch 25

" " Nova Scotia Branch 26

" " Delegate to the Royal Society of Canada 27

Insects of the Season in Ontario : L. Caesar 29

The Imported Willow, or Poplar Borer or Curculio: L. Caesau 33

Side Injury and Codling Moth : E. P. Felt 40

The Home of Giortyna Stramentosa: A. F. Wixx 43

Insects of Ste. Anne's, Que., season of 191i5: E. M. Du Pokte 48

The Occurrence of Tychins Picirostris on Clover at Ste. Anne's, Que.: E. M,

Du Porte • 50

Observations on Predaceous and Parasitic Hymenoptera: T. W. Fyles 52

The Leaf-weevil in New York: P. J. Parrott and H. Glasgow 60

The Green Apple Bug in Nova Scotia: W. H. Brittain 65

A Capsid Attacking Apples: H. G. Crawford 79

The Founding of the Science of Cecidology: A. Cosens 88

The Army Cutworm in Southern Alberta: E. H. Strickland 93

Life Zones in Entomology and Their Relation to Crops: H. T. Ferxald 97

Some Notes Regarding Nose and Other Bot Flies: W. Lochhead 102

The Seasonal Prevalence of Hypoderma Bovis in 1915 : S. Hadwen 108

Progress of Entomology in Canada During 1915: C. G. Hewitt 119

The Life History of Chermes Cooleyi in Stanley Park, "B.C.: R. N. Chrystal .. 123

The Cabbage Maggot — Autumn Development in B.C.: R. C. Treherne . .' 130

The Cabbage Maggot in B.C. — Natural Control: R. C. Treherne 140

Control of the Brown-Tail Moth in Nova Scotia: G. E. Sanders 147

The Brown-Tail and Gipsy Moth Situation in Relation to Canada: J. D. Tothill 152
The Work Carried on in the United States Against the Gipsy and Brown-Tail

Moths : A. F. Burgess 153

Locust Control Work with Poisoned Baits in Eastern Canada in 1915:

A. Gibson 156

Leaf-Rollers Attacking Apples : L. Caesau 163

Preliminary List of Canadian Parasitic Insects: R. C. Trkiierxe 178

The Entomological Record 194

Index 231

[4]

FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

Entomological Society of Ontario

1915.

To {lie Honourahle James S. Duff, Minister of Agriculture:

Sir, — I have the honour to present lierowith the Fort3^-sixth Annual Report of
the P]ntomological Society of Ontario, containing the proceedings of the Fifty-
second Annual Meeting, which was held at Ottawa on November 4th and 5t]i, 1915.
This meeting has been generally recognized as one of the most interesting and suc-
cessful in the Society's liistor}', and was attended l)y entomologists from nearly
every province of the Dominion as well as from the United States and South
Africa.

The reports of the various officers and branches of the Societ}', together with
the papers and addresses^ presented at the meeting are embodied in the following
pages.

The Canadian Eniomologist, the Society's monthly journal, lias l)een regularly
issued and has now completed its forty-seventh volume. A special feature of this
volume is the series of papers on Popular and Practical Entomology, whifh have
appeared in each issue throughout the year.

I have the honour to be. Sir,

Your obedient servant,

EDMUND M. WALKEP,

Editor.

Biological Department,

University of Toronto.

[51

Entomological Society of Ontario

OFFICERS FOR 1915-1916

President — Mr. Alrert F. Wixx, Westmount, Que.

Vice-President — Prof. Lawson Caesar, Dept. of Entomology, Ontario Agricultural
College, Guelph.

Secretary-Treasurer — Mr. A. W. Baker, B.S.A., Lecturer in Entomology, O. A. College,
Guelph.

Curator — Mr. G. J. Spexcer. B.S.A., Demonstrator in Entomology, 0. A. College,
Guelph.

Librarian— Rkv. Prof. C. J. S. Betiiuxe, M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S.C., Professor of Ento-
mology and Zoology, O. A. College, Guelph.

Directors — Division No. 1, Mr. Arthur Gibson, Entomological Branch, Dept. of
Agriculture, Ottawa; Division No. 2, Mr. C. E. Graxt, Orillia; Division No. 3, Dr. A.
Cosexs, Parkdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto; Division No. 4, Mr. C. W. Nash, Pro-
vincial Biologist, East Toronto; Division No. 5, Mr. P. J. A. Morris, Peterborough;
Division No. 6, Mr. J. W. Noble, London, Ont. ; Division No. 7, Mr. W. A. Ross, Vine-
land Station, Ont.

Directors (ex-Presidents of the Society) — Rev. Prof. C. J. S. Betiiuxe, M.A., D.C.L.,
F.R.S.C, Guelph; W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C, Ottawa; Prof. John Dearxess, Vice-
Principal Normal School, London; Rev. Thomas W. Fyi.es, D.C.L., F.L.S., Ottawa;
Prof. Wm. Loohhead, B.A., M.S., Macdonald College, Que.; John D. Evans, C.E., Chief
Engineer, Central Ontario Railway, Trenton; Prof. Tennyson D. Jarvis, Grimsiby Beach;
Prof. B. M. Walker, B.A., M.B., F.R.S.C, University of Toronto; C. Gordon Hewitt,
D.Sc, F.R.S.C, Dominion Entomologist, Ottawa.

Editor of ''The Canadian Entomologist" — Prof. E. M. Walker, Toronto.

Delegate to the Royal Society of Canada—Mr. F. J. A. Morris, Peterborough, Ont.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

For the Year Ending October 31st. 1915

Receipts.

Balance, 1913-14 $492 32

Dues 85 50

Subscriptions 439 30

Advertising 42 71

Government grant 500 00

Reports and back numbers... 263 01

Cork and pins 157 99

Bank interest 9 68

Auditor: J. E. Howttt.

$1,990 51

Expenditures.

Cork and pins $129 99

Printing 1,249 01

Expense 27 90

Salaries 250 00

Library 77 35

Annual meeting 86 60

Annual report 112 00

Insurance 26 00

Bank exchange 7 84.

Balance on hand 23 82

$1,990 51

Respectfully submitted,

A. W. Baker.

Secretary-Treasurer.

[6]

LIST OF MEMBERS

Ontario.

QuEnEC.

Addy, Paul H Jordan.

Astwood, J. C Port Arthur.

Auden, K. F Toronto.

Baker, A. W Guelph.

Bicknall, H. E Toronto.

Brimley, J. F. . Bloonifiold.

Burrows, A. R.. Guelph.

Caesar, Prof. L "

Calvert, J. F Ivondon.

Chrystal, R. Neil Ottawa.

Cleeves, A. C Guelph.

Cosens, Dr. A Toronto.

Craigie, E. H "

Crawford, H. G Wilton Grove.

Curran, H Guelph.

Dearness, Prof. J T^ondon.

Doherty, T. K Ottawa.

Duff, G. H Hamilton.

Duncan, R. S Port TIoi)e.

Dunlop, James Woodstock.

Evans, J. D Trenton.

Fouse, C. M Toronto.

Gibson, Arthur Ottawa.

Grant, C. E Orillia.

Grant, L. J. M

Halin, Paul Toronto.

Haight, D. H Sudbur.v.

Hannibal, J Toronto.

Harrington, W. H Ottawa.

Harrison, G. T Thorneloe.

Hewitt, Dr. C. G Ottawa.

Hood, J. R Clifford.

Howitt, Prof. J. E Guelph.

James, F. W Toronto.

James, L. E St. Thomas.

Jarvis. T. D. Grimsby East.

Johnson, G. S Whitlby.

Kilman, A. H Ridgeway.

Kitto, V Ottawa.

Logler, S Toronto.

Marnamara, C Arnprior.

McKechnie, J. B Toronto.

McCready. Prof. S. B Gueli)h.

Morris, F. J. A Peterborough.

Morse, A. E. W Grimsby.

Nash, C. W Toronto.

Noble, J. W Essex.

Peteh, C. E Ottawa.

Prewett. F. J Toronto.

Ross, W. A Vineland.

Russell. J. M Woodstock.

Sanders, G. E Ottawa.

Saxby. J. W Toronto.

Sladen. F. W. L Ottawa.

Smith. Arthur Toronto.

Snazelle, C

Snazelle. Chas Thornloe.

Spenoer, G. J Guelph.

Strickland. E. H Ottawa.

Thompson, W. R London.

Tothill, J. D Ottawa.

Walker, Prof. E. M Toronto.

Watson, Dr. A. H. R Port Hope.

White. James Snelgrove.

Williams. J. B Toronto.

Wood. S. T

Wright, W. H Guelph.

Barwick. E. C Montreal.

Beaulne, J. J Ottawa.

Brainerd, Dwight Montreal.

Burgess, Dr. T. J. W Verdun.

Chapais, J. C St. Denis.

Chagnon, G Montreal.

Clayson, G. H

Corcoran. J. A "

Davis, M. W Westmount.

Dunlop, G. C Montreal.

Du Porte, E. M Macdonald

College.

Germain, Bro Three Rivers.

GrifRn, A Montreal.

Goodcrham, C. B Macdonald

College.

Huard, Rev. V. A Quebec.

Leopold, Rev. Father La Trappe.

Letourneau, F Oka.

Loclihoad. Prof. W Macdonald

College.

Moore, G. A Montreal.

Simms, H. M

Southee, G. A

Winn, A. F Westmount.

ALRKiaA.

Baird, Thomas High River.

Bcntley, Lcttlce Lethbridge.

Carr, F. S Edmonton.

Dod, F. H. Wolley Midnapore.

Mackie, Donald Edmonton.

Moodie, Miss Calgary.

Whitehouse, F. C Red Deer.

Manitoba.

Criddle. Norman Treesbank.

Hippesley, Mrs. W. W Winnipegosis.

Hunter, Dr. A. J Teulon.

Wallis, J. B Winnipeg.

Nova Scotia.

Abbot, Winona Forbes Point.

Allan, E. Chesley Yarmouth.

Baird, W. W Nappan.

P.rittain, Prof. W. H Truro.

Cann, E. Mabel Yarmouth N.

Conrad, Ethel M Halifax.

Craig, I. C Amherst.

Creighton. G Halifax.

De Wolfe, L. A Truro.

Dickey, C. M Kentville.

Distant, Mary S Halifax.

Dustan, A. G Bridgetown.

Gilliatt, F. C Granville

I Centre.

Good. C. A Truro.

(Joodwin. Alberta Stewiacke.

Menrion, Miss C Halifax.

Jennison, Mary Truro.

Lindsay. Harriet E

MacPherson, Dr. Hu.gh . . . Antigonish.

McGregor, Anna Soutli River

Jjako,

[-1

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

Nova Scotia. — Contin ued.

McKay, Dr. A. H Halifax.

Mitchell, Lillie J

Moses, Agnes Brooklyn.

Payne, H. G Granville

Ferry.

Payne, S. H "

Perrin, Joseph Halifax.

Sanders, G. E Bridgetown.

Scott, Prof. J. M Truro.

Shaw, Prof. P. J "

Shipton, J. W Moschelle.

Sinclair, Nellie South River

/ Lake.

Smith, M. Lois Truro.

Spittall, J. P "

Trevoy, Nellie M Brighton.

Wetmore, Ralph Yarmouth.

Whitehead, W. E Kentville.

Whitman, C F. U Lawrencetown.

Williams, CM Nappan.

Young, Ermina . Brighton.

Young, M. E Middleton.

I

Saskatchewan.

Androchowicz, E Humboldt.

Hutchinson, H Starljlanket.

Johnson, G. S Moose Jaw.

McCulloch, A. J Regina.

Neville, S. J Cottonwood.

Willing, Prof. T. N Saskatoon.

British Columbia.

Abbs, A. W Vancouver.

Albriel, T Nakusp.

Anderson, E. M Victoria.

Anderson, J. R "

Bain, T. H N. Vancouver.

Banks, W. W Salmon Arm.

Bird, M. L Vancouver.

Blackmore, C. H Victoria.

Brand, James Vancouver.

Brealey, A Hatzic.

Brett, W. F Armstrong.

Breun, L. A Victoria.

Bryant, T Ladysmith.

Brydon, J. M Victoria.

Bush, A.H Vancouver.

Chapman, C "

Cockle, J. W. ■ Kaslo.

Collins, H. W Grand Forks.

Cunningham, T Vancouver.

Currie, H. B Salmon Arm.

Davidson, J. T Vancouver.

Day, G. 0. Vancouver

Island.
Evans, H. H Okanagan

Centre.

French, P. E Salmon Arm.

Fulton, C Kelowna.

Fulton, G. H Port Haney.

Gavet, D Vancouver.

Gemmel, M Sechelt.

Getchell, F. H Vancouver.

Hadwen, Dr. S Agassiz.

Hanham, A. W Duncan's

Station.

Hill, Tom Vernon.

Hoy, B

Hugh, W Victoria.

Hunt, E. C Creator.

Jackson, W Creston.

Kyte, R. J Notch Hill.

Leach, D. H Salmon Arm.

Lyne, W. H Vancouver.

Matheson, J. B Kelowna.

McCubbing, C Salmon Arm.

McKenzie, K Kelowna.

Middleton, M Nelson.

Mitchell, D Tappin.

Palmer, L. L Vernon.

Palmer, R. M S. Cowichan.

Parham, G. L Invermere.

Reed, E. Baynes Victoria.

Robertson, W. H

Robinson, B. H

Ross, A. H Nelson.

Rowland, A Vancouver.

Ruhman, M Vernon.

Russell, D Ijavington.

Russel, M. W. Kelowna.

Scott, W. E Victoria.

Skinner, E. M

Taylor, L. E Kelowna.

Thornber, H Kamloops.

Tomlinson, A. H Prince Rupert.

Treherne, R. C Agassiz.

Venables, E. P Vernon.

Ward, W. E Vancouver.

Whiting, H. H Rock Creek.

Wilkerson, G. E Victoria.

Wilson, Tom Vancouver.

Winslow, R. M Victoria.

White, E. W Sardis.

HONORARY MEMBERS

Cockerell, Prof. T. D. A.. . Boulder, Col.

Comstock, Prof. J. H Ithaca, N.Y.

Cresson, Ezra T Philadelphia,

Pa
Felt, Dr. B. P Albany, N.Y.

Howard, Dr. L. O. .

Webster, Prof. F. M

WIckham, Prof. H. F...

Washington,

D.C.
<(

Iowa City, la.

LIFE MEMBERS

Bethune, Rev. C. J. S

Professor of Entomology,
Ontario Agricultural
College. Guelph,

Fyles, Rev. Dr. T. W Ottawa.

Reed, E. Baynes

Director of the Meteoro-
logical Station. VJctoriat,

The Entomological Society of Ontario

ANNUAL MEETING

The Fifty-second Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario
was held at Ottawa on Thursday and Friday, November 4th and 5th, 1915. The
President of the Society, Dr. C. Gokdon Hewitt, occupied the chair. Among the
members present were: Dr. H. T. Fernald, Amherst, Mass.; Mr, A. F. Burgess,
Melrose Highlands, Mass.; Professor C. P. Lounsbury, Pretoria, South Africa;
Dr. Hugh Glasgow, Geneva, N.Y.; Eev. T. W. Fyles, Ottawa; Dr. C. G. Hewitt
and Messrs. Arthur Gibson and J. M. Swaine, Entomological Branch, Ottawa;
Messrs. R. C. Treherne, G. E. Sanders, J. D. Tothill, E. H. Strickland, N. Griddle,
G. Beaulieu, W. A. Eoss, J. E. Gareau, C. E. Fetch, R. N. Chrystal, and L. S.
McLaine, Field Officers of the Entomological Branch ; Prof. L. Caesar, Prof. E. J.
Zavitz, and A. W. Bakej, of Guelph; Prof. W. Lochhead, E. M. Duporte and T.
Eankin, of Macdonald College; Prof. W. H. Brittain, Agricultural College, Truro,
N.S.; Tom Wilson, Vancouver, B.C.; F. J. A. Morris, Port Hope, Ont.; A. F.
Winn, Montreal; J. C. Chapais, St. Denis-en-bas, Que.; H. G. Payne, Kentville,
N.S. ; H. G. Crawford, Wilton Grove, Ont.; Eev. Father Leopold and Professor
Letourneau, of La Trappe, Que. ; Chas. MacNamara, Amprior, Ont. : and Sir
James Grant, Prof. E. E. Prince, Dr. T. Torrance, Dr. C. H. Higgins, Dr. F. T.
Shutt, W. T. Macoun, E. H. Campbell, H. T. Gussow, W. Ide, D. Johnson, F. W. L.
Sladen, V. Kitto, A. E. Kellett and J. I. Beaulne, Ottawa.

THUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH— MORNING SESSION.

The President : In opening our' general session, I should like to welcome
you all to Ottawa. This is an unusual meeting for a number of reasons. It is
not the first meeting we have had in Ottawa — but it is an unusual meeting in that
we have here for the first time all the officers of the Entomological Branch.
Secondly, it is an unusual meeting as we have with us, and are honored by the
presence of, Mr. C. P. Lounsbury, the Government Entomologist for the Union of
South Africa. The surpreme nature of his visit prevented the appearance of his
name on the programme, but that will not release him from taking part in our
deliberations. He will probably have something to say later on. I, as President,
did not prepare anything in the nature of an address for this meeting as we have
a rather long programme. In the course of the proceedings I shall probably have
a little to say regarding the progress of our work and of entomology in Canada
generally. We have a certain amount of business to complete before our real
session begins and I will now call upon the Secretary to read the Report of the
Council.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

The Council of the Entomological Society of Ontario begs to present its
report for the year 1914-15.

The Fifty-first Annual Meeting of the Society was held in Toronto on
Thursday and Friday, November 5th and 6th, 1914. The meeting of the Council
was held in the Biological Building of the University of Toronto, and the general

[9]

2 E.S.

10 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

meetings were held at the Eoyal Canadian Institute. The President, Dr. C.
Gordon Hewitt, occupied the chair during the sessions.

The annual meeting of the Council was held on Thursday morning. Numerous
business matters were discussed and a recommendation was made to the Society
that the next annual meeting he held in Ottawa.

On Thursday afternoon the Keports of the Directors on the insects of the
year were read. Dr. Hewitt then delivered the Presidential address on " The Else
and Progress of Applied Entomology in Canada.'' Prof. Caesar then delivered a
paper on the " Insects of the Season in Ontario."

On Thursday evening in the Biological Lecture-room of the University Prof.
J. H. Comstock, of Cornell University, delivered the Public Lecture on the " Habits
of Spiders." The lecture was extremely interesting and was extensively illustrated
with magnificent lantern slides.

The business meeting of the Society was held on Friday morning at 9.30.
The reports of the various officers and branches of the Society were read and
adopted. The remaining time of the morning and afternoon meetings was occupied
with the reading of the following papers :

" The Work of Fabre," Prof. Lochhead, Macdonald College, Que.

"Injurious Insects of Quebec in 1914," Prof. Lochhead. (Eead by title.)

" Injurious Insects of Southern Quebec," Mr. C. E. Petch, Ottawa. (Eead
by title.)

" Outbreak of the Army-worm in Canada in 1914," Mr. Arthur Gibson,
Ottawa.

" The Army-worm in Ontario in 1914," Mr. A. W. Baker, Guelph.

" Mountains and Hills," Dr. Fyles, Ottawa.

*' Variation in colour in the bristles of the Hedgehog Caterpillar, Isia Isabella,"
Mr. Arthur Gibson, Ottawa.

" Locust Control in Eastern Canada," Mr. Arthur Gibson, Ottawa.

" An Imported Eed Spider attacking fruit-trees," Prof. Caesar, Guelph.

" The Entomological Eecord, 1914," Mr. Arthur Gibson, Ottawa.

" Forest and Shade-tree Insects of the Farm," Mr. J. M. Swaine, Ottawa.

" Cherry Fruit-flies," Prof. L. Caesar, Guelph.

The Ca7mdian Eniomolo{]ut, the official orgaD of the Society, has been pub-
lished regularly each month. The forty-sixth volume of the magazine was com-
pleted in December, 1914. It consisted of 446 pages and was extensively illustrated.
This is the largest volume to date.

The Annual Beport of the Society contained the proceedings of the annual
meeting and formed a valuable edition to our entomological literature.

The regular meetings of the Society were reduced in number owing to military
activities at the Ontario Agricultural College. The meetings were chiefly of a
business character, but during the year the following papers were read:

" Some interesting points in the Army-worm Outbreak of 1914," Mr. A. W.
Baker.

" The Study of Entomology," Prof. L. Caesar.

" Laboratory Methods in Collecting, Preserving and Dissecting Insects," Mr.
G. J. Spencer.

The records show that twenty-four new members have been added to the rolls
of the Society during 1914-15. The reports of the branches of the Society for
1913-14 all showed a successful year. It is with much pleasure that the Council
records the formation, due largely to the efforts of Prof. W. H. Brittain, of a
large and flourishing branch of the Society in Nova Scotia.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 11

REPORT OF TI-IE CURATOR.

The collections of the Society have been examined from time to time during
the past year and kept free from museum pests.

With a view to supplying in a small way the sa:d need of Diptera, Hemiptera
and Hymenoptera, special collections were made this summer and, as soon as the
material can be identified and labelled, it will be added to the collections.

Contributions of thc^se orders to the Society collections from members will be
greatly appreciated.

G. Spencer, Curator.

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.

During the year ending October 31st, 1915, seventeen bound volumes have
been added to the library, making the number on the register 2,220. A large
number of imbound pamphlets, bulletins, reports and periodicals have been re-
ceived from authors and publishers and in exchange for The Canadian Entomologist.
No binding has been done during the past year.

Among recent additions to the library may be mentioned the following:
Packard's " Monograph of the Bombycine Moths of North America, Part 3 " ; Sir
G. Hampson's " Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalsenge in the British Museum,'*
Vol. 13 and supplementary vol. 1: Fletcher's "Some Indian Insects"; Slinger-
land and Crosby's "Manual of Fruit Insects"; Pierce's "Genitalia of British
Geometridie."

Reference to the library is constantly being made by the staff and students of
the Biological Departments of the Ontario Agricultural College, and books are
from time to time taken out by members of the Society at a distance. ~

Respectfully submitted,

Charles J. S. Bethune, Librarian.

REPORTS ON INSECTS OF THE YEAR.

Division- No 1, Ottawa District — Arthur Gibson, Entomological Branch,

Ottawa.

Attacking Field Crops.

Locusts. These insects were again vory abundant in eastern Ontario. The
young locusts began to appear towards the end of May, but owing to dull, cool
weather conditions did not become active until the first and second weeks of June.
The Lesser Migratory Locust {2lelanoplus aUanis) was the chief destructive
species. It was accompanied in noticeable numbers by the Pellucid Locust
{Camnula pellucida). These two species are frequently found Avorking together.
Near Bowesville, Ont., where we continued our work on control with poisoned
baits, the insects were present in countless thousands. The crops attacked were
chiefly oats, barley, timothy, buckwheat, clover, tobacco, potatoes, and corn. In

12 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

one instance near Ottawa about 6,000 celery plants were destroyed. On page 156
will be found a brief account of our 1^15 work with poisoned baits.

Cutworms. The two species wliich in 1915 effected most damage in the
Ottawa district are the Common Striped Cutworm {Euxoa tessellata), and the
Dark-sided Cutworm {Euxoa messoria), botli of which were very abundant the
previous season. Vegetable and flowering garden plants were freely attacked.
The former was the chief culprit and destroyed first sowings of beets, carrots,
onions, etc. To a lesser extent the Eed-backed Cutworm {Euxoa ochrogaster)
was also present, being reported specially by vegetable growers. The Kansas grass-
hopper formula (Bran 20 lbs., Paris green 1 lb., molasses 2 quarts, oranges or
lemons 3, water 21/2 gallons*) this year gave excellent results at Ottawa for the
control of cutworms. In one large field of onions the outbreak was stopped im-
mediately. When scattered thinly the 20 lbs. may be used to treat about 3 acres,
the application to be made after sundown. In one field of corn cutworms were
plentiful and an application of the above mixture was made. Further injury was
thus prevented and an examination made around 40* hills by Mr. Bryce, of Mac-
donald College, resulting in the finding of from 1 to 6 dead cutworms near each
hill.

Root Maggots. The three species, viz.. The Cabbage Maggot {Phorbia
hrassicce), the Imported Onion Maggot {Hylemyia antiqua), and the Seed-corn
Maggot (Phorhia fusciceps), were all present in the Ottawa district in 1915, the
two former causing much loss. The latter was reported attacking beans in small
gardens. The Cabbage Maggot was particularly destrucltive to cauliflowers,
cabbages, turnips and radishes. One market gardener near Ottawa reported the
loss of 3,500 early cauliflowers. In continuing our work on the control of this
insect we again demonstrated the value of the one-ply tarred felt paper disc. In
one experiment about 1,600| plants had the discs placed around their stems and
practically the whole crop was protected from maggot attack. The control of these
root maggots is discussed in full in a bulletin which we have just prepared and
which we hope will be available for distribution in the spring of 1916.

The Asparagus Beetles. In September 1906, we found at Ottawa the
larvse of the Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi L.), Until 1915,
this was the only record we had for the district. During the past season, however,
the insect was abundant and destructive, and it was accompanied by the Twelve-
spotted Asparagus Beetle {Crioceris 12-punctata L.). The year 1915 is the
first in which we have found this latter species at Ottawa. The adult beetles were
commonly found in the latter half of August. The larvae of the latter species
were collected from the seeds of asparagus on September 23rd. Grovvers of
asparagus in the Ottawa district should watch for the appearance of these beetle^
in spring and apply the well known reinedies.

The Ash-gray Blister Beetle {Macrohasis unicolor Kirby). Large
numbers of this insect we.re observed in eastern Canada, near Ottawa, and also in
parts of Quebec Province, where locusts had been destructive. In one field of
potatoes which I examined in the latter half of June the beetle was present in
thousands and the vines were conspicuously defoliated. At Bowesville. near
Ottawa, Mr. T. Rankin-found the insect abundant in early July. In addition to
potatoes this blister beetle attacks beans, peas, beets, tomato, clover, etc.

*In preparing the bran mash the bran and Paris green are mixed thoroughly while
dry. The juice of the oranges or lemons is squeezed into the water, and to this is also
added the pulp and peel after cutting into fine bits. The molasses should then be added,
and when dissolved the mixture should be poured on to the dry bran and poison, stirring
the whole constantly so as to dampen the bran thoroughly.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

13

The ]\'ed-iieaded Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis). In the middle of August
this common black flea-beetle was seen at Ottawa to be attacking potatoes, and in
flower gardens asters and chrysanthemums were injured. It was also found on
carrot. It may be easily recognized by the conspicuous red patch on the top of the
head; in length it is about three-sixteenths of an inch. Potato vines which are
properly sprayed to protect them from the Colorado Potato Beetle would, of course,
also be protected from the ravages of the Red-headed Flea Beetle.

Pea Aphis {Macrosifhum pisi). In eastern Ontario a rather serious out-
break of the pea aphis occurred, and from a few places reports of injury by the
Carrot Eust Fly {Psila roses) were received.

Illustrating larva of Dock Sawfly, Ametastegia glahrata {Taxonus
nigrisoma) and its habit of boring into apples in autumn in
which to hibernate. (Original.)

Attacking Fruit Trees.

Aphides. These insects were present in large nnmbers during the season,
many enquiries being received particularly with regard to the species occurring on
plum and apple.

The Oyster-shell Scale (Lepidosaphes uhiii L.) was frequently reported,
but few instances of noticeable damage by the Codling Moth (Ci/dia poinonella),
came to my notice.

The Dock Sawfly (Ametastegia glahrata Fallen). During 1915 this
insect, which in Canadian literature was previously known a.s Taxonus nigrisoma
Nort., was abundant throughout eastern Canada, and its well-known habit of
boring into apples in autumn was complained of. The same injury was noticed at
Ottawa. In 1902, Fletcher* first recorded such injury to apples in Ontario,
which was also in that year observed at Ottawa. The hirva. which is known as the
Dock False-worm, usually feeds on plants of the Dock family. Its habit of boring

*33rd Annual Report of the Ent. Soc. of Ontario.

14 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36

into the soft flesh of apples in autumn to hibernate is shown in figure 1. In one
apple examined in September last two larvae were found. The holes where the
larvae had entered were conspicuous. Several apples were examined and, in one,
three holes occurred close together. An examination of these indicated that the
larva evidently has the habit of boring several holes before finally closing one up
in which to pass the winter. In one case the cavity in the apple was five-eighths
of an inch long by one-eighth of an inch wide. The end was closed up with the
" chewings " made by the larva, no f rass being present. In another instance the
larva had entered to a distance of nine-sixteenths of an inch and in still another
eleven-sixteenths of an inch. In every case the head of the larva was towards the
skin or outside of the apple. The larva was one-half inch in length, dark green
in colour, the sides and centre whitish green; head pale brown, darker brown at
vertex, on either side a conspicuous dark brown spot. In the December, 1915,
number of the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, Eohwer
places the name we knew the insect by, viz., Taxoniis nigrisoma Nort., as a synonym
of the European species, Ametastegia glabrata (Fallen).

Greenhouse and Gakden Plants.

Garden plants of many kinds suffered seriously from the attacks of plant lice,
and in early spring newly set out annuals were cut off by cutworms, the Striped
Cutworm being the most destructive of the species which occurred in 1915,

The Four-lined Leaf Bug {Pcecilocapsus Uneatus Fab.) was abundant in
the district, attacking freely such garden plants as asters, dahlias, etc.

The Eed-headei^ Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis). As already mentioned,
this common flea-beetle was found this year in August attacking asters and
chrysanthemums.

The most interesting greenhouse insect of the year at Ottawa was the oc-
currence of the Chrysanthemum Midge, (Diarthronomyia liypogcm H.Lw.) in one
of the large houses. This insect had doubtless been recently introduced with the
plants from the United States, where it has become recently established. The
Ottawa occurrence is the only record we have of the midge in Canada. Dr. Felt,*
the ISTew York State Entomologist, in writing of the. species in April, 1915, recom-
mends the destruction of badly infested plants by burning. Where the leaves only
show slight infestation many of these may be removed. Fumigation with hydro-
cyanic acid gas would, of course, destroy the midges but would have little or no
effect on the larvae, which work within the leaf tissues.

Division No. 3, Toronto District — A. Cosens.

So far as the writer is concerned, the Entomological season of 1915 opened
April 7th with a trip to the Etobicoke, a small stream that enters Lake Ontario
a few miles west of the city. The banks of this creek are still wooded in many
places, and even yet the Indian significance of the name, " the place of the Alder,"
is peculiarly applicable. The locality was choice, hut a delightfully warm sun
and the lethargy incident to the first tramp of the year made energetic collecting
almost an impossibility. This and the early date serve as an explanation of the
confession that the only insects captured were specimens of Aphodius femoralis
Say., many of which were on the wing.

The excessive rainfall and the low average temperature of the past summer
do not appear to have reduced materially the production of the various forms

*Jour. Econ. Ent, VoL 8, 267.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 15

of insect life. Some orders were relatively poorly represented in the early part
of the seaoon, but later on became normally abundant. With the exception of
the Cabbage-butterfly, other species were not so common as usual, until about
the end of August, when several forms began to appear in larger numbers. At
Mt. Dennis, Oct. 11th, many specimens of Milbert's Tortoise-shell, Vanessa milberti
Godart, were flitting about or resting upon the heads of the large purple aster,
the flower and insect combination adding a pleasing touch of color to the other-
wise rather sombre tints of the frost-touched vegetation. After about the middle
of July the Baltimore, Melitaea phaeton Drury, was fairly plentiful. As a general
rule, both of these species are comparatively rare in this district.

The damage done this year by several injurious insects has been more pro-
nounced than usual.

At the beginning of the season, the webs of the Tent caterpillars were fre-
quently seen on the Choke Cherries and other native trees of the fence rows and
thickets in the vicinity of the city. Erom complaints received from fruit growers,
it would seem that this pest has lost none of its wonted energy, and is still an
important issue from an economic standpoint.

The continuous wet weather is credited by many with the greatly increased
activity of the Carrot Eust Fly, Psila rosae. A gardener of many years' experience,
who had never noticed the pest before, had his crop completely ruined by its
ravages. In some cases the larvae had so tunnelled the carrot that the entire
cortex was destroyed; it was impossible to find a single plant that was not
attacked. For the benefit of others who may have crops similarly affected, I take
the liberty of quoting the directions, kindly sent by Mr. Gibson, for bringing
the insect under control. " Protection against the attack of the insect may be
obtained, early in the season, at the time the plants are thinned out, by spraying
with the ordinary kerosene emulsion, diluted one part in nine of water. Where
carrots are stored in sand for winter use, the larvae leave the roots and pupate
in the soil. In spring, of course, such sand in which the puparia occur shoulc^
be removed and buried in a deep hole or thrown into a pond. It is wise to
use land next year in which the carrots were not grown during the present season."

Sawfly larvae were received from Mr. Blakely, of the Parks Department,
who reported that they were damaging the California poplars in the eastern
part of the city. Several trees were attacked by them, and the leaves badly
eaten. These larvge^ have a ground colour of yellow, broken by two pairs of
lateral rows of black spots. In the upper series, these are irregularly circular
in outline; in the lower, while of nearly the same shape, they are much smaller.
The vertex of the head is black, shading to a deep brown at the front and sides.
All the mouth-parts are yellow, with the exception of the mandibles, which are
black. A black spot covers the dorsal portion of the last segment. The whole
body bears a covering of long light-yellow hairs. The larvae are gregarious feeders.
Mr. S. A. Eohwer, Washington, to whom specimens were sent, writing under
date of Sept. 27th, replied as follows:

" Yours of the 25th instant reached me this morning. The sawfly larvae that
you sent cocooned en route, but I do not cloubt in the least that it is Trichiocampus
viminalis (Fallen), a species that is treated under the name of Aulacomerus
lutescens by Lintner in the fourth report of the State Entomologist of New York,
pages 44-46. As far as I am aware, this is the first report of this species being
of economic importance. The larvfe cocoon in the leaves, or the cocoon is attached
along the trunk of the tree. Lintner found two generations, and this is probably

16 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

— ■ ■ ■ ■ — ■- ■ , , — — ^ - iirf

the last. The best control measures to be adopted would be the raking up and
burning of the leaves.^'

The Lesser Bud-moth, Recurvaria nanella. Larvee of this Europeon species
were found in numbers at Toronto, on a pear tree; and an apple tree in an
adjoining lot had all the leaves rolled up by the larvee. The species was deter-
mined by Mr. August Busck. The insect is discussed at length in Bull. 113 of
the United States Department of Agriculture.

A large percentage of the grasshoppers, examined during September, were
found to be parasitized by " hair snakes " of either the genus Gordius or Mermis,
the latter being more numerous. The Eed-legged Grasshopper, Melanoplus femar-
rubruni Be G., was the favorite host in this district. It would seem a reasonable
conjecture that the wet season has had, in this case, a deterring effect on the
production of the grasshoppers by furnishing more suitable conditions for the
development of this parasite, but the dexterity with which the infected specimens
evaded a net has given me grave cause to doubt the efficiency of this check. At
least it seemed impossible to distinguish parasitized from unparasitized forms
by any lessened activity on the part of the former.

Throughout July, the unusually wet weather must have produced ideal con-
ditions for the maturing of aphids, as these insects were forced upon the attention
at all times. Many different species of plants were infested, the spiraeas and roses
of the city gardens were often seriously injured by them, and even the burdocks
and lamb's quarters, of the vacant lots, were not immume from their attacks.
Masses of a small black species surrounded the stems and leaf petioles of the
common nasturtium, in many cases killing the smaller plants. Another variety
established colonies on the flower clusters of the honeysuckles, and destroyed the
majority of the unopened buds. Especially in the case of infected roses, a num-
ber of different remedies were applied. Some growers apparently had implicit
faith in the effectiveness of an " absent " treatment, and did nothing at all, to
the detriment of their own and their neighbor's plants. Others were firmly con-
vinced that spraying with cold water was all that was necessary, while a few sub-
stituted a solution of nicotine. This last method appeared to give universal satis-
faction wherever it had been properly tried. One gardener did, however, assure
me that his bushes had developed a particularly hardy variety of aphid that refused
to succumb even to the nicotine application.

A very interesting root gall was collected early in the spring by Prof. J. H.
Faull, University of Toronto. The galls, which are produced on the roots of the
False Solomon's Seal, Maianthemum canadense, Desf., consist of elongated swel-
lings, from 8-12 mm. in length, and 2-3 mm. in diameter. They are circular in
cross-section, and fairly regular in shape, tapering gradually at each end to the
size of the normal rootlet. As the specimens were immature when secured, it
was necessary to keep them under moist conditions for several weeks. This may
account for the fact that only four producers were secured from a dozen galls.
The insects were sent to Dr. E. P. Felt, Albany, N. Y., who has pronounced them
a new species, and is describing them under the name Dasyneura torontoensis.
The only information that we possess, concerning the life histories of the adults,
is that they emerge late in June. The light color of the insects would seem
to indicate that the greater part of their existence is spent underground.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17

Division No. 5, Port Hope District — Francis J. A. Morris.

An active collector of Lepidoptera in Port Hope, Mr. H. L. Bowers, has
now moved to Oshawa and reports an unprofitable season's work due to bad
weather and unfamiliarity with his surroundings. He writes:

I collected pretty steadily until Jime 15tli, but took few specimens, Oshawa being a
poorer hunting ground than Port Hope. Extreme wet seemed to keep insect pests in the
background. " Pieris rapae," owing to spread of wild mustard, seems on the increase;
in September the fields were white with them; milkweed butterflies were more numerous
than last year; other butterflies were scarce; such scarcity has been remarkable the
last two or three seasons. During 1912 I could have taken hundreds of Vanessa J-album,
but have seen few since. Tent caterpillars, both American and forest, were more numer-
ous this year than last. Many orchards around Oshawa were completely defoliated. I
was interested to see how much these were parasitized, and out of 100 cocoons, I did not
find one thus suffering. Pistol case-<bearer of the apple was very plentiful. I noticed
many apple trees badly infested with aphids. The tendency to allow wild apple, cherry
and plum to grow unchecked has a great tendency to render means taken by progressive
orchard-men to keep down insect pests, largely abortive. Practically all of the wild apple
trees that I have seen around Oshawa have been heavily infested with the Oyster-shell
scale. In September, I saw many cherry trees near Newtonville badly eaten by pear-tree
slug (Selandria cerasi). The caterpillars of certain species of Cramhiis were very
numerous in meadows. I noticed the maple trees in Oshawa badly infested with Pigeon
Horn Tail, which oviposited continuously from August 3rd to September 15th; Thalessa
lunator was also plentiful. Hemlocks on the main street were badly infested with
Tortrix -fxiniferana. Some horse-chestnuts were badly eaten by tussock caterpillars.
The Promethea moth, found very scarce at Port Hope (one cocoon in six years), seems
plentiful here. I took Phigalia titea, April 13th; Orthofidonia vestaliata were plentiful
for several weeks; Drepana arcuata, May 30th; Sphinx ccrisyi, June 13th; Thecla
liparops, July 18th. I have identified some of the captures made last year, and the
following is a list of those made at Port Hope, which have some interest. I believe they
are all fairly scarce: —

m

Sphinx cerisyi. Catocala vidua.

Diphthera fallax. Raphia pater.

Hyperaeschra georgica. Semiophora opacifrons.

Fcntonia marthesia. Sewiophora tenehrifera.

Galgula hepara. Hydriomena ruberata (Mrivataf) .

Catocala innul)ens. Thecla edioardsii.

Dr. "Watson of Port Hope reports the cutworm locally troublesome on cabbage
and cauliflower.

Mr. Duncan, of the Department of Agriculture in Port Hope, says the Potato
Beetle was very prevalent and that he noticed in several places the Friendly
Perillus at work destroying the larvae. Aphids were not so abundant. He was
called to look at an apple orchard near Orono that was overrun by Tent caterpillars.
It was ten or twelve acres in extent, and most of the trees were denuded of
foliage and bore no fruit, except in the one corner that he was able to save by
spraying with arsenate of lead. Some idea of the numbers of these creatures
could be gathered from a sack that he saw slung over a branch in the orchard:
ex pede Herculem — in the folds of the sack he counted over fifty cocoons. His
recollection is that both species of caterpillar were equally numerous. The orchard
was a well-kept one and had not been attacked in 1914. This, again, points in the
same direction as Mr, Bowers' note. There were doubtless rich breeding grounds
along some nearby fences the year before, or even that same season, but the
larvae ran out of food and like many another young innocent crept into the apple
orchard. The canker worm was also prevalent in the orchard.

The school collections of insects, Mr. Duncan says, were up to average and
a few collections were extensive and well arranged. In the Peterborough Col-
legiate 30 or 40 of these come in annually and I often find specimens of great

18 THE EEPOET OP THE No. 36

interest among them. This year the families of American Silk-worm moths and of
Sphingidae were remarkably well represented. Among the latter was a very beauti-
ful specimen of the Nessus {Ampldon nessus).

For the amateur collector the summer of 1915 was far from favourable. The
bright days of May and June were nearly all marred by cold winds. This kept
the sun-loving species inactive, and made your director's favourite field of collecting
comparatively barren. This feature was specially noticeable in the second week
of June and again after a spell of wet weather at the end of June. The early
mornings were bright and promised well, but by noon quite a chill wind from the
east had sprung up and the results of several all-day tramps were on the whole
disappointing. In two years' residence in Peterborough it has been impossible
for me to collect through the month of July, owing to work in Toronto. Next
season this work will probably not he incumbent, and I have great hopes of
watching more closely the insect visitors to blossoms during June and July in
my new neighborhood. So far my observations have been chiefly confined to
bark, sap, fungus and foliage.

Very early in May the tent caterpillars again made their appearance about
Peterborough in large numbers. The city authorities set apart a small sum
of money and had some men go round the residential streets within the limits,
cutting off infected limbs and destroying some of the apple trees and wild plums
on waste grounds and in hedges where the pest abounded. This work seemed
fairly effective in saving shade trees about the city, but it did not strike at the
root of the evil as Mr. Bowers points out. I had the curiosity one day to count
the webs (very populous webs) beyond the limits on a stretch of lane about
equal in length to two blocks of city street. They numbered over 100; choke-
cherry, pin-cherry, wild plum, apple, and hawthorn, all affording food and shelter
to myriads of both the forest and the apple tent caterpillar.

Early in May I paid a visit to the alder swamp hetween Peterborough and
Best's where the varieties of Chrysomela reported last season had been found.
These were all present once more, the differences from normal being apparently
quite constant. In the middle of May where some cedar groves had been chopped
down, I took several specimens of Callidium aereum on a cedar- trunk. At the
end of May I captured some interesting beetles in hawthorn blossom; these
included Cyrtophorus verrucosus, Molorchus limaculatus, CalUmoxys sanguino-
lentus, Acmceops proteus, Leptura capitata, and L. sex-maculata ; Orsodachna atra;
and Malachms ceneus. This last was new to me, though a single specimen was
taken near Port Hope this year by Dr. Watson, It is very abundant in the
neighborhood of Peterborough. The collection made by pupils at our collegiate,
I notice, are rarely without it. Last season I saw fifteen or twenty at the end
of June on the blossoming heads of meadow grass; and this season I captured
over a hundred from a single hawthorn on Aylmer Street without apparently
reducing the number of guests at the banquet. This beetle is interesting to the
systematist. It is described hy Le Conte and Horn as introduced from the West
coast and is, moreover, sui generis in Eastern America. The family occupies a
space hetween the Lampyridge and the Cleridse. I think the only other member
of the family known to me is a Gollops, a very pretty little beetle (also frequenting
blossoms) that I have captured occasionally — once at Guelph, when I was out
with Mr. Caesar.

In the first week of June at Jubilee Point on the north shore of Eice Lake
I captured two specimens of an Agrilus, steel-blue, with white marginal marks
on the metasternum and abdomen, feeding on hazel leaves; and on Spook Island

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19

where I paddled over in the hopes of locating a colony of Chrysomela scalaris, var.
pnirsa, I discovered nearly all the foliage on the island fretted into holes by
millions of Brachys ovata on oak, ccrosa on basswood and grapevine. About the
middle of the month I spent a day at Hastings, and saw for the first time
immense numbers of the larvae of the Jumping Sumach beetle (Blepharida rhois) ;
they were feeding on the fragrant or Canada Sumach. -This shrub I have seen
in three places only, on the north shore of the upper Eideau, in August, where
the imago of this beetle was abundant; on the cliffs below the Whirlpool Eapids,
Niagara, where no trace of either larva or imago could be seen; and here at
last, June, 1915, where hibernated imagoes were occasional and larvae in great
abundance. The larva is one of the most disgusting sights in the insect world.
It is covered with what appears to be liquid excrementitious matter. This is
smeared so thickly over its surface as to give it a deformed lumpy appearance.
The insect glistens with this slime much as the larva of the saw-fly, known as the
Pear-tree Slug. Though the sumach grows, a low and upright shrub, in open
pastures, and the insect feeds in broad daylight, exposed on the upper surface of
the leaves, yet the fiercest rays of noontide sun seem to have no effect on its slimy
coat; it neither evaporates nor cakes. Without imputing a fairly high aesthetic
sense to insectivorous birds, we must suppose this creature to be just about as
savoury a morsel as it looks; the soft, helpless, sluggish infant of a larva is just
as immune as the hard-shelled, leaping and flying beetle.

On June 13th I captured a newly emerged specimen of the Elder-borer,
Desmocerus palliatus, south-east of Peterborough. This is the earliest record I
have made for the insect in our latitude; they became abundant in the last week
of June. About the 10th of July I captured six in Niagara Glen and as late as
the first week of August one in the neighborhood of Owen Sound. About the
middle of June in some felled and decayed elms lying on the edge of a poplar
swamp I found breeding several specimens of Pliysocnemum hrevilineum. These
were settling in the sunshine on the prostrate trunks, or sheltering from the
east wind in crevices and under loose flakes of bark. It was there and then that I
found the first specimen of the Elm Saperda {Saperda tridentata) I have ever
taken on its food tree. As the net result of two visits to this collecting ground
I will list the more interesting captures made :

*t> &'

Physocnemum hrevilineum (elm) 25

Saperda tridentata (elm) 14

**Tetropium cinnamopterum (white pine) 1

**HopIosia ntihila (basswood) 1

Callidium antennatum (cedar) 1

Pachyta monticola (thimble-berry blossom) 6

Leptura proxima (thimble-berry blossom) 2

**L. chrysocoma (thimble-berry blossom) 1

L. 6-maculata (thimble-berry blossom) 1

Rhagium lineaium, (hemlock trunk) 1 '

Clerus thoracicus var. rufiventris 19

(wood piles) abundant

Melanophila fnlvoguttata (newly felled hemlock) ... .abundant
Anthaxia ceneogaster (fleabane blossoms in hemlock swamp)

abundant
Xenorhipis hrendeli (basswood stumps) abundant

20 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

Besides these, seven or eight other species of Leptura were noted and ten
other genera of cerambycid. In the latter part of June, larvae, pupas, and imagines
of the very handsome Ladybird {Anatis 15-punctata) were found in great num-
bers on leaves of elder, ash, butternut, basswood and maple. About one-fifth of
these were of the normal form, the rest were of the variety mali, in which the
elytral spots are "eyed" with a narrow halo paler than the ground color. This
mention of varieties recalls a point of interest in connection with an insect taken
in 1914, but not identified by me till after our last meeting. The insect is the
Staphylinid Oxyporus, but as my report is a long one I will omit the note, as I
have done with similar notes on Hoplosia nubila and Pogonochcerus mixtus.
The note is mainly of systematic interest.

At the end of June I went down to Port Hope a few days before reporting
for duty in Toronto. While there I visited a hardwood four miles north of the
town, where axe and saw had been busy in the winter. Again I will save space
by listing the more interesting captures made:

Neoclytus erythrocephalus (dead twigs of hawthorn and

maple) 3

Arrhopalus fidminans (under bark, stump of butternut) .... 1

*Calloides nohilis (under chip of oak) 1

*Centrodera decolorata (maple stump) 1

Elaphidion villosum (oak stump) 1

^Pogonochcerus mixtus (pine trunk) 1

*Goes oculatus (willow foliage) 1

The last beetle in this list was captured on the old home farm of Mr. John
Hume. There is a swamp here just below a high ridge of land to the north, and
where the willows are thick two streams flow out from the swamp, one about the size
of a field drain, the other rather larger; the smaller flows south-east, the larger
south-west. In the w'illows here I noticed a number of wasps flying to the stems.
The stems proved to be covered with recent bore-holes, from which was exuding
dark pulp. It was evidently the pungent smell of fermenting sap that had brought
the wasps, and while I was investigating, several butterflies hovered or settled
about the bores and two beetles (Gaurotes cyanipennis) were taken feeding at
them. Presently I discovered a pair of weevils, with a large white patch near
the apex of the elytra, resting on a stem a foot or two above the bores. It was
Cryptorhyncus lapathi ('as I have since learned from Mr. Caesar).* I was unable
to see any insect emerge from the tunnels, nor did I notice any ovipositing.
Soon after. Dr. Watson came out with me and we captured over 20 of these
curculios. Next day I had to go to Toronto as an associate examiner. This
was about the 3rd of July. Dr. Watson visited the place about four times in
the next five weeks and never failed to find several of these creatures on the
willow. At Thanksgiving I visited the same place and also followed the larger
stream for half a mile south-west. No insects were to be found .on the trees, and
though I took some infested stems home with me, I could find no trace of eggs.
There were several larvae, but I could not identify them for eertain. One looked
like the larva of Saperda concolor. The willow worst-bored appeared to be Salix
discolor. Trees of Salix nigra seemed immune and also those of a species I could
not identify — the leaves broad and not very long, rugose with veins on the upper
side and downy beneath. The foliage was partly shrivelled in October and there
seems to be much intergrading among the willows, which makes identification un-

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 21

satisfactory except in the blossoming season. The boring was worst at the base and
seldom extended further up than eight or nine feet. Stems less than 21/2 inches
in diameter were seldom, if ever, touched. Those of 5 inches in diameter seemed
the favorite resort, and occasionally stems eight and nine inches in diameter
were badly bored, but not trees of greater thickness than this. The damage was
observed over more than a mile of country between south and north, and half a
mile between east and west. In the Avest area the willows were riddled with
holes, and trees that had five or six stems growing out from the roots had (nearly
all) lost some of these, either snapped off above by the wind or broken down by
their own weight at the base. More than once in crossing the stream I broke
off a thick stem by simply bearing on it with my hand. On returning to Peter-
borough after Thanksgiving I went through twenty or thirty collections of insects
made by pupils of the school, and in one located a single specimen of the beetle.
So far I have not found any damage to willows in our neighborhood.

While I was in Toronto (between July 3 and July 24) Dr. Watson captured
a large number of Urographis fasciaia on a felled oak as well as on a neighboring
woodpile of the same material. On the log he saw also, but failed to capture, some
specimens of Ncoclytus e.rntlirocepliahis. They are extremely quick in their move-
ments, especially during hot sunshine. Two days snatched from the holocaust of
July, I managed to spend at Queenston and made a number of interesting captures
between there and Niagara Glen, mostly about blossoms of Xew .Jersey Tea. I
have a list of these but will not trespass further on your time and patience.

*Toxotus cyUndricollis (foliage of hazel) 1

Plagioiiolus speciosits (foliage) 1

Oherea himaculata (raspberry) 1

**Strangalia luteicornis (New Jersey Tea) 3

*Leptura suhhamata (New Jersey Tea, all male) 4

**Lepfura cordifera (New Jersey Tea) •>

**Leptura (sp. ? dehiscens New Jersey Tea) 2

Tricliius, 2 species (flowers) ;ibuiul;mt

Macrohasis unicoJor (vetch) abundant

3 species of Crypioccphalus (foliage) abundant

Evpogonius suhannatvs (bas-swood) abundant '

Early in August I took another specimen of Eup. suharmalii.s, always on
basswood; and throughout August in the Algonquin Park found Lepiura canadensis
common — none of them males.

On returning to Peterborough in September, I found the climbing nasturtium
on our verandah-railing badly infested with larva' of Pieri<t rapa'. In a few
minutes I picked about 100 off the leaves over a space of about six feet. On each
of the two following days I gathered almost as many. I suspect they came from
a vacant field, nearly opposite, in which charlock lias been allowed to grow. They
were succeeded in October by black aphids from a neighbor's dahlias. These
multiplied so on a thick stem that had twined about the verandah post that it
resembled a ship's mast coiled round with a spiral of tarred rope.

Division No. 7, Niagaea Disteict — William A. Eoss.

As Mr. Caesar in his report on " Insects of the Season in Ontario " will no
doubt refer to most of the common pests found in the Niagara district, I shall
confine my attention to a few insects which were of special interest to me.

22 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

Apple Aphids. The three species, Aphis sorb I, Apliis pomi. and Aj?Jiis
avence, were again abundant. Some young apple orchards were very heavily in-
fested with A. pomi, but in bearing orchards A. sorhi was, as usual, the chief
depredator.

In connection with the summer hosts of A. sorhi it was found that the migrant
forms readily colonized three species of Plantago — P. lanceolata, P. major and P.
rugelii, and that as many as eleven generations of the aphid may develop on these
weeds. Both in the insectary and in the fields P. lanceolata, common rib grass,
appeared to be the favorite host.

The Pear Psylla {Psylla pyricola). At the Vineland Experimental Farm
gratifying results in the control of this insect were obtained. In one experiment
infested trees were sprayed, after the cluster buds had burst, with lime sulphur
wash, testing 1,030 specific gravity. In a second experiment, of course with
different trees, lime sulphur diluted to summer strength in tobacco water (1 lb.
tobacco refuse in 2 gallons of water) was used and the application was made just
after the blossoms had fallen. The results given by these two treatments can best
be stated by quoting from notes made on May 22nd : " Exp. No. 1. Results good —
very few nymphs are present on the trees. Exp. No. 2. Eesults practically 100
per cent, effective — only one living nymph found. Check. Psyllas are numerous
on unsprayed trees."

Lesser Peach Tree Borer {Aegeria pictipes). Early in the season many
complaints were received from fruit growers regarding a " worm " which bored into
the trunk and large branches of peach trees and produced gumming. On looking
into this matteo* it was found that in practically all cases the gumming was
primarily caused not by the " worm " but by the peach tree canker fungus. The
" worm," the lesser peach borer, was, however, very much in evidence in the
cankered areas and by its work aggravated and greatly increased the wounds. I
should mention here that I found the borer in all old cankers which I examined,
and that I took as many as six larvae from one injured area.

The adults of the lesser peach borer commenced to emerge towards the end of
May and the maximum emergence appeared to take place during mid-July, judging
by the large number of empty pupal skins found protruding from the trees at
that time.

Cherry Aphis (Myzus cerasi). Last spring there was a serious outbreak of
this plant louse on sweet cherries in different parts of the Niagara district. In a
Vineland orchard, which I had under observation, the young shoots were injured
so severely that by the latter part of July most of the tender foliage was dead. The
fruit in this same orchard was small, ripened irregularly and much of it was
covered with honey dew and honey dew fungus. In fact so much damage was
done to the fruit that most of the crop was left on the trees.

Mr. Howard Curran, my assistant, sprayed two infested trees with whale oil
soap, 1 lb. to 4 gallons of water, and destroyed in the neighborhood of 99 per cent.
of the aphids.

The Easpberry Byturus {Byturus unicolor). This insect is rarely trouble-
some in Ontario. However, during May it was present in a large raspberry planta-
tion near Jordan in sufficiently large numbers to give a great deal of anxiety to tlie
grower. The beetle destroyed many of the flower buds by eating into them. It
also fed on and skeletonized the tender foliage, especially the. foliage near the
flower buds.

The owner of the raspberry bushes sprayed them with arsenate of lead and

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 23

apparently got good results, because wlieu 1 visited his place later on I found com-
paratively few beetles on the bushes.

The Easpberry Sawfly (Monophadnoides ruhi). This pest was very
troublesome last year, but I regret to say it was much more destructive this season.
Two large raspbexry plantations near Vineland were very badly infested and on
many of the bushes all that was left of the foliage was the petioles and leaf ribs.

The raspberry sawfly is readily controlled by spraying with; arsenate of lead,
but as the insect is not regularly injurious the fruit grower seldom thinks of
applying the remedy until it is too late.

The Privet Plant Louse (Rhopalosiphum ligustri). This greenish-yellow
aphid was again very abundant on privet and as a result of its depredations
several beautiful hedges were partially defoliated.

/ Last year I referred to this insect with some doubt as the European species
Rhopalosiphum ligustri. However, there is no longer any question in regard to its
identity, as my determination was confirmed by Prof. Theobald, of London TJni-
versit}', England, who kindly examined some specimens which were sent to him.

Before coming to this meeting I had occasion to examine, an infested privet
hedge, and I was greatly interested to find three kinds of males present, viz. :
winged, wingless and forms intermediate between alate and apterous. This would
seem to suggest that the male of R. ligustri is in an unstable condition and that it
is gradually changing from the primitive to the specialized form, i.e., from alate
to apterous.

The Asparagus Beetle Parasite {Tetrastichus asparagi). Early in June
this interesting chalcid, heretofore unrecorded in Canada, was found destroying
the eggs of the asparagus beetle {Crioceris asparagi L.) at Vineland Station.

Tetrastichus has a very curious life history. The female by means of a sharp
ovipositor pierces the egg of the asparagus beetle and deposits within it her own
eggs (from three to nine in number according to dissections which I made). In
due course, the beetle egg, its viability unaffected, hatches, and Ihe grub grows to
maturity. The chalcid eggs in the meantime hatch and the parasites apparently
nourish themselves on the body fluids of their host without appreciably interfering
with its development. The full-grown asparagus grub enters the soil and forms
the pupal cell, but proceeds no further because at this stage it is wholly consumed
by the chalcid larvse. The parasites then pupate within their host's cell and later
emerge as adults.

The adult Tetrastichus is a voracious feeder on the eggs of the asparagus
beetle and in this capacity the insect is really of greater economic importance than
in the role of a parasite. In support of this statement I may mention that early
in June asparagus beetles and their eggs were exceedingly abundant on the
asparagus plants at the Vineland Experimental Farm, but the hungry chalcids
destroyed so many eggs that very few grubs hatched out — less than one per cent.,
I should say. Later on when the parasites were not so plentiful a larger per-
centage of the beetle eggs hatched.

In feeding the chalcid stands on the egg, plunges her ovipositor into it, and
energetically works the ovipositor up and down usually for three or four minutes.
She then steps back, applies her mouth parts to the puncture and feeds on the egg
contents. If the first prodding does not render sufficient food available the oper-
ation may be repeated. In fact I noticed one chalcid attack an egg no less than
four times.

24 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

There are apparently two broods of this insect in the Niagara district. Adults
of what I took to be the first generation were very abundant during early June, but
by June 28th they had all disappeared. Second brood " flies " emerged late in
July and were found on the asparagus plants until the latter part of August.
This generation was much smaller in number than the first.

EEPOET OF THE BEITISH COLUMBIA ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Teeherne : As Secretary of the British Columbia Entomological Society,
a branch of this Society, I may say that our membership stands at about seventy at
the present time. About thirty of these can be considered active members, those
that are engaged in recording insects from different parts of the province, and who
are anxious to receive information of a more technical character, such as is re-
corded in The Canadian Entomologist. The remainder are mostly farmers and
fruitgrowers of a better type who are interested in the control of insect pests.
We have an interesting development that occurred during the past year in the
formation of sub-branches, Victoria and Vancouver. The Vancouver sub-branch
are holding monthly meetings during the winter, turning in their reports to what
they call the parent Society, that is to say, the Entomological Society of British
Columbia. The membership has been affected on account of the war, several of
our men having gone overseas, and our Society has decided to continue their pay-
ments out of their own funds. We have published up to date seven bulletins
during the past three and one-half years. At the present time many recent
members, members that are not particularly interested in the Society, are dropping
out, and the result is that with those that are members we are getting on a more
level basis in that we have men that are more keenly interested in the Society, and
I think that in a year or two the Entomological Society of Ontario will find a very
active, strong Society in the West.

Dr. Hewitt: The Society has listened with much interest to Mr. Treherne.
We all know that the formation of the Branch out there is entirely due to Mr.
Treheme's personal efforts and the support he has received from men like Mr.
Wilson, who is with us to-day, Mr. Day, and others, and it is very satisfactory to
think of the strong branch the Society has out there. We will now have the report
of the Montreal Branch.

EEPOET OP THE MONTEEAL BEANCH.

The 42nd annual meeting of the Montreal Branch was held at 32 Springfield
Ave., Westpaount, on Saturday evening, May 15th, 1915.

The Secretary read the report of the Council as follows:

The Branch has held, during the season of 1914-15, nine monthly meetings,
the average attendance being over six.

We record, with deep regret, the death of our late member Mr. Henry H.
Lyman, who had been an active member since 1875, and had occupied all the
executive offices of our Society at one time or another. By his will, his large and
valuable collection of Lepidoptera and other insects, and his fine entomological
library, are now housed in the Eedpath Museum' of McGWll University. This is

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25

now being carefully put into order and when funds become available it should
rapidly become one of the most important insect collections in Canada, and of great
assistance to students of insect life^ By the terms of Mr. Lyman's will the Pres-
ident and Secretary of this Branch are desired to be associated with the Professor
of Zoology of McGill University, as members of a committee to manage the bequest.
The papers read at the meetings during the year were as follows :

1. Annual Address of the President A. F. Winn.

2. Electrical Fuses Attacked by Larvae of Dermestes lardarius Geo. A. Moore.

3. The American Tortoise Shell Butterfly, Vanessa milberti

Godard A. F. Winn.

4. Saldidae, or Shore Bugs Geo. A. Moore.

5. Studies in the Genus Phaeocyma G. Chagnon.

6. The Geometrid Genus Nyctobia Hulst A. F. Winn.

7. The Coloration of Insects A. F. Winn.

8. The Coloration of Exotic Butterflies G. C. Clayson.

9. The Colors Seen in Hemiptera Geo. A. Moore.

10. Address on Annual Meeting Prof. Lochhead.

11. Illustrated Talk on " Work of Entomological Division A. Gibson.

12. Notes on the Cause of the Blue Coloration of the Blue

Lycaenids H. M. Simms.

13. Report of the Annual Meeting of the Quebec Society for the

Protection of Plants Geo. A. Moore.

Besides the regular papers read Mr. Winn exhibited the list of Quebec Diptera
which had been compiled with the assistance of Mr. Beaulieu, and had been edited
by Mr, Johnson of Boston.

Our January meeting was honored by a visit from Prof. Lochhead, of
Macdonald College, with threiC students.

Wr also had a visit from Mr. Arthur Gibson, Assistant Dominion Ento-
mologist, at our February meeting. He gave a lantern-illustrated talk upon the
work being done at the different entomological laboratories in Canada.

At this latter meeting Mr. Simms illustrated the blue coloration of the
Lycaenids, by means of a spectroscope.

Our March meeting was made more interesting by a series of microscope
slides being shown.

The report of the Treasurer showed a balance of $82.34 on hand.

Mr. H. M. Simms, one of our members, has enlisted for Overseas service in the
great European war.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :

President A. F. Winn.

Vice-President G. Chagnon.

Secretary-Treasurer Geo. A. Moore.

Librarian G. Chagnon.

Council Messrs. G. A. Southee, G. H. Clayson, E. C.

Babwick, H. M. Simms.

Geo. a. Moore,

Sec.-Treas.

EEPOET OF THE TORONTO BEANCH.

The nineteenth annual meeting of the Toronto Branch was held in the
Biological Building on Thursday, October 14th, 1915, the chair being occupied by
the President, Dr. Cosens.
3 E.s.

26 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and approved, the
report of the Council and financial report were presented and adopted.

Eight regular meetings, not including the annual meeting, were held during
the season 1914-15, at which the average attendance remained about the same as in
past years.

The following list comprises the papers read during the season:

Oct. 9. " Insect Aliens, Desirable and Otherwise," Illustrated with specimens. Dr.

A. Cosens.
Nov. 19. " A Trip to Point Pelee." Mr. C. W. Nash, Provincial Biologist.
Dec. 10. " Crickets," illustrated by specimens. Dr. E. M. Walker.
Jan. 14. " Some Entomological Notes in North Dakota," illustrated by specimens. Mr,

F, J. Prewett.
Feb. 10. " Two Months in New Brunswick," with lantern illustrations. Mr. E. Home

Craigie.
Mar. 25. " Types of Neuroptera," illustrated by specimens. Dr. A. Cosens.
April 29. " Blood-sucking Flies," with lantern illustrations. Dr. E. M. Walker.

At the meeting held May 20th, Dr. Walker exhibited a collection of beetles
intended for the Royal Ontario Museum ; Mr. Hanniball, a living homed toad from
Texas, and Dr. XJosens, galls and producers of the genus Rhodites.

A successful field meeting was held at Mount Dennis on May 29th.

During the season four new members had been elected, two had gone to the
Jront, and one had resigned.

The financial report showed a balance on hand of $13.90.

A paper was read by Dr. Cosens upon ''' The Founding of the Science of
Cecidology," after which the election of officers for the coming season took place.

The election resulted as follows :

President Db. E. M. Walkeb.

Vice-President E. Hoene Cbaigie.

Secretary-Treasurer S. Loonsu, 1244 St. Clair Ave., Toronto.

Librarian H. E. Bicknell.

Council .'Dr. A. Cosens, C. A. Snazelle, C. W. Nash, J.

i Hannibaix.

Respectfully submitted,

E. HoRNB Cbaigie,

Secretary.

THE NOVA SCOTIA BRANCH.

The President: We are very pleased to learn, as announced in the report of
the Council, of the fonnation in Nova Scotia of an Entomological Society, which
has become affiliated as a branch of the Ontario Entomological Society, and I
should like to take this opportunity of congratulating Prof. Brittain and his asso-
ciates in the energetic way in which he has collected together the scattered units
who have entomological leanings in that Province. We shall be glad to hear from
Prof. Brittain, if he has not a formal report, a few words in regard to the Society.

Prof. Brittain: Though I did not prepare any formal report, I am pleased
to be able to say that in July last we held an organization meeting and succeeded
in forming a very flourishing branch of the Ontario Entomological Society.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

We were fortunate enough to have the support of Dr. A. H. MacKay, Super-
intendent of Education; Mr. L. A. DeWolfe, Director of Rural Education; several
of the provincial school, inspectors and others. All of these men have shown the
deepest interest in the work of the Society, and with their help we have been able
to enlist the support of a large number of teachers throughout the Province, many
of whom have already done some collecting and otherwise shown an interest in
entomological work.

I have also had the heartiest assistance and encouragement from Mr. George
E. Sanders, Field Officer of the Dominion Entomological Branch. In all these,
together with the inspectors and ex-inspectors of the Dominion and Provincial
Entomological Branches, we have a very good nucleus- for the establishment of a
strong and vigorous society.

At the present time we have a paid-up membership of forty-one members, and
I confidently hope and expect that before the winter has passed, we will have
doubled that number.

The President: I am sure the members have listened to this extempore
report with very great pleasure. It is a matter of regret that while there used to
be a branch in the City of Quebec, we have not had a branch there for many years,
at least as long as I have been in this country, although we now have in the Pro-
vince of Quebec the Society for the Protection of Plants from Insect Pests and
Plant Diseases, which, in a way, takes the place of a Provincial Entomological
Society. At the same time, I think there is room for greater activity in the Pro-
vince of Quebec in the matter of entomology. We have a faitliful friend in Mr.
Chapais, who, I think, should try and work up the interest of the Entomological
Society in the Province of Quebec. Before proceeding further I should mention
that letters of regret have been received from the following people on account of
their inability to attend the meeting: Mr. Grodge Davidson, Provincial Botanist
of British Columbia; The Eev. Abbe Iluard, Provincial Entomologist of Quebec;
Prof. J. M. Aldrich; Prof. G. A.' Dean; Dr. W. E. Britton, State Entomologist of
Connecticut ; and then, in addition, we had promises to be present from the follow-
ing members of the Society and gentlemen who intended to be present: Dr. Felt,
but he has had an urgent call to Long Island ; Dr. Walker, who has been unable to
come on account of his academic duties, and Dr. Bethune, who was not able to
make the trip and who had lectures to attend to. Dr. Howard was to give our
public address, but he is unable to come owing to the fact that he met with an
accident. We also should have had with us Prof. Willing, Assistant Professor of
Natural History at the University of Saskatchewan, but illness has prevented him
from coming.

PEPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO TO THE
ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

I have the honor of presenting the following report of the work of the Ontario
Entomological Society for the year 1914-15.

The past year vras a very successful one. The active membership continues
to increase, and the Society has now a relatively large number of trained workers
engaged in the investigation of the many insect problems that arise yearly in every
province. The presence of these new members has a stimulating influence on the
general work of the Society. They are young men. mostly graduates of the agri-

28 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36

cultural colleges, and filled with the enthusiasm of youth and eager to advance the
interests of their profession. As a matter of fact the entomological interests of
the Dominion are now, to a large extent, in their keeping.

Another feature of recent entomological work is the appearance of an in-
creasing amount of investigation that might fairly be classed as high grade. This
result may be attributed to the fact that our younger entomologists have the
advantages of a scientific training and are thus able to undertake problems beyond
the power of their predecessors.

Much of the credit for the vigorous condition of the Society must be assigned
to its active President, Dr. C. G. Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist, who presided
most worthily at the fifty-first annual meeting held in Toronto on the 5th and 6th
of November last. This meeting was well attended, and many valuable papers
were presented. Considerable discussion took place on various subjects of im-
portance, particularly on the outbreak of the Army-worm in Canada in 1914.

Following is a list of the chief papers and addresses :

"Applied Entomology in Canada: Its Rise and Progress," the address of the President,

Dr. C. G. Hewitt.
"The Habits of Spiders" (illustrated), by Prof. J. H. Comstock, Cornell University.
" Jean Henri Fabre, the French Entomologist," by Prof. W. Lochhead, Macdonald

College, P.Q.
" Insects of the Season," by Prof. L. Csesar, A. Gibson, W. Lochhead, A, Cosens, J. A.

Morris, W. A. Ross, C. E. Grant, and C. E. Petch.
" The 1914 Outbreak of the Army Worm in Canada," (by A. Gibson.
" The Army Worm in Ontario in 1914," by A. W. Baker, O.A.C.
" Mountains and Hills," by Dr. T. W. Fyles, Ottawa.

" Experiments with Poisoned Bran Baits for Locust Control," by A. Gibson, Ottawa.
"An Imported Red Spider Attacking Fruit Trees," by Prof. L. Caesar.
" Cherry Fruit Flies," by Prof. L. Caesar.

" Control of Forest and Shade Tree Insects of the Farm," by J. M. Swaine, Ottawa.
" Variation in the Hedgehog Caterpillar," by A. Gibson.

The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly journal of the Society, continues to
maintain its high reputation and its wide circulation in spite of the increased sub-
scription price. The 46th volume, completed in December last, is the largest and
most fully illustrated that has yet been published.

During the year 1914 and since the last meeting of the Royal Society, the
Ontario Entomological Society lost two of its best known members. Mr. H. H.
Lyman perished in the disaster to the " Empress of Ireland " on the 29th of May —
a few days after he had presented his report as delegate of this Society. Dr.
William Saunders, ex-Director of the Dominion Experimental Farms and one of
the charter members of this Society, died at his home in London on Sept. 13th.
In his Presidential Address at the Annual Meeting in Toronto, Dr. Hewitt spoke
very feelingly of the loss of these two highly esteemed members and ex-presidents
of our Society, and paid a high tribute to their memories. Besides, our worthy
and revered member. Rev. Dr. Bethune, who knew both very intimately for
many years, has written notes of high appreciation in the 45th Annual Report.

W. Lochhead, Delegate.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 29

INSECTS OF THE SEASON IN ONTARIO.
L. Caesar, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph.

The past season with its abnormal amount of rainfall has been much more
favorable for the development of plant diseases, both fungous and bacterial, than
of insect pests.

Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella). The most interesting thing about
the Codling Moth was that in the Niagara district, where the amount of injury
done by the second brood is usually very much greater than by the first, this year
for the first time in my axperience things were just reversed, the second brood
being remarkably small, though the first brood was about as abundant as usual.
Probably the excessive moisture was the chief reason for this, though other factors
may also have been at work.

Plum Curculio {Conotrachelus nenuphar). This insect also was apparently
less abundant than usual, although the fruit in neglected apple orchards suffered a
great deal of injury both from spring and fall attacks. On some trees nearly
every apple was deformed.

San Jose Scale (Aspidiotus pernidosus) . The season of 1914 with its dry
summer and long open fall was remarkably favorable for the increase of San Jose
Scale. This was not true in 1915, for this year, so far as my observation enables
me to judge, the increase has been less rapid than usual. This spring was also
favorable for good results from careful spraying. With a single application we
were able to destroy almost every scale in an old orchard that would otherwise
have been nearly all dead by now. Lime-sulphur, strength 1.035, was used on one
part of the orchard ; Soluble sulphur, strength 121/2 lbs. to 40 imperial gallons, on
another part, and Scalecide 1 to 15 on a third. All were about equally satisfactory
this year.

Blister Mite [Eriopliyes pyri). For some unexplained reason the increase
of Blister Mite, even in unsprayed orchards, the last two or three years has been
very slight; in fact some trees seem to have fewer leaves infested than three
years ago.

Leaf-Rollers [Tortrix {Cacmia) rosaceana, T. argyrospila and T. semiferana].
(See p. 163.)

Capsids Attacking Apples (Neurocolpus nuhilus, Paracalocoris colon,
Lygidea mendax and Ileterocordylus malinus). All four of these Capsids were
found on apple trees but not all in any one orchard.. Lygidea mendax was found
in the greatest number of orcliards, but Neurocolpus nuhilus has apparently been
the most destructive. It was sometimes found with Lygidea mendax, but in other
orchards was the only species present. Heterocordylus malinus apparently did
almost no harm and was much more common on hawthorns than on apples.
Paracalocoris colon was also scarce. Lygus invitus is abundant in the Province
but has not yet been found attacking appies or pears. Mr. Crawford's paper gives
an account of our work on N eurocolpus nuhilus.

Tent-Caterpillars (Malacosoma americana and M. disstria). These cater-
pillars still destructive in the eastern half of the Province, though Mr. E. P.
Bradt, the district representative at Morrisburg, informs me that a large per-
centage, apparently 50 per cent., of the eggs failed to hatch and fully 50 per cent,
of the caterpillars died before reaching maturity. There has been a gradual
decrease the last two years in the numbers of both species down east, but this is not
true of the western part of the Province, into wliich they are gradually spreading.

30 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

^ -*

M. americana is now ver}- abundant, at least as far west as St. Thomas. It has
not yet, however, so far as I couicl see, become numerous in the extreme western
counties. Around Guelph there are many &gg masses this year, and, therefore,
prospects for a severe infestation next year. M. disstria west of Toronto does not
seem to be nearly so abundant as M. americana.

Fall Canker-worm (AlsopJiila pometaria). Throughout a considerable
stretch of territory from Grimsby west, including Hamilton and Dundas, the Fall
Canker-worm is very numerous and destructive. It is also very abundant in some
forests in Norfolk County where the American elms, basswood, wild cherry, blue
beech, birch and oaks were either partly or entirely defoliated. Elms suffered
most. Maples were not so severely attacked as the other trees mentioned. Several
other kinds of loopers were also prevalent on these trees, but not in nearly so
large numbers as the Fall Canker-worm.

Pear Psylla (Psylla pyricoJa). Early in the season it looked as if pears
were going to be much infested by this insect, as adults and eggs were abundant.
However, the cold weather of May destrayed all but a very few. By autumn a few
orchards were again badly infested.

Aphids. On apple trees there were many aphids this spring up to a few days
before the blossoms were ready to burst. They then almost completely disappeared
in all the orchards that I had an opportunity to examine, so that apple trees
suffered very little from any of the leaf and fruit infesting aphids.

The Woolly Aphis {Scliizonewm lanigera) in some districts was abundant,
especially on young shoots in late summer and autumn. On cherry trees at Guelph
the Black Aphis {Myzus cerasi) was very conspicnous and much more numerous
than for many years past. It was also very troublesome in the Niagara district.

When moderately early peas were just beginning to bloom in Norfolk County
hundreds of acres of them grown for the canning factories were threatened with
destruction through the abundance of the Pea Aphis {Macrosiphum pisi) on the
blossoms and new growth. Fortunately there came several days of very hot
weathei with occasional heavy downpours of rain and almost all the aphids dis-
appeared. Sufficient damage, however, had been done to lessen the yield con-
siderably and in some fields almost to destroy the crop. The Pea Aphis has done
more damage the last few years in Ontario than it formerly did.

Peach Borer {Sanninoidea exitiosa). Many complaints have been coming
in of injuries from this borer, particularly from those districts where peaches have
only recently been grown to any appreciable extent. I suspected at first that the
gum oozing out of the trunks of the trees as the result of winter injury was being
mistaken for the work of the borer, but my observations this year in Norfolk
County showed that such was not necessarily the case, as nearly every tree in some
orchards was attacked by from 1 to 20 or more borers. We have done some pre-
liminary work on the control of this pest, and in this connection have also worked
out fairly well its life history for this Province. It will be interesting to some to
learn that adults appeared in Norfolk County as early as July 15th and continued
up into September. One female in Niagara was seen on September 11th.

LesseIr Peach Borer {Aegeria pictipes). The numerous cankers on peach
trees in many orchards in the Niagara district have given ideal conditions for the
increase of this insect, so that it is to-day very prevalent in that district. Control
measures under the circumstances are not easy.

EosE Chafer (Macrodactylus subspinosus) . Near Fonthill several vineyards
had almost every grape cluster destroyed by this pest. I visited the district as
soon as informed of the trouble, but it was then too late to do anything as the

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 31

beetles had already begun to disappear. Several acres of, waste sandy land lying
alongside the infested vineyards showed ideal conditions for bringing about just
such an outbreak.

Imported Red Spider (Tetranychus pilosus). This spider was found as far
east this year as Trenton. It continues to do considerable injury, especially to
European plums.. Some trees, however, that were badly infested last year were
only lightly attacked this year. Moreover, in some apple orchards trees heavily
infested just before bloom were comparatively lightly infested a couple of weeks
later. It is very probable that weather conditions have a very important part in
the control of this pest as of so many others.

Grape-vine Flea-beetle {Haltica chahjhea) . There were again many com-
plaints of injury from this beetle, especially in the Niagara district.

Grape Leaf-hopper {Typhlocyba comes). This insect was very abundant
in the Niagara district. Eed grapes were, so far as I observed, much worse attacked
than blue. The foliage on many of the former in September was so brown from
injuries that one would expect the fruit at picking time to be inferior in quality.
I have had no opportunity to test whether this was so.

Raspberry Saw-fly {Monophadnus rubi). This raspberry pest is very wide-
spread in the Province and has the last few years been doing more damage than
usual. One large raspberry plantation near Vineland was almost completely de-
foliated by it this year.

Imported Currant-Borer {Aegeria tipuliformis) . Almost every currant
plantation is infested by this borer. In some cases a very large number of the
canes are found to be attacked.

Glassy Cutworm {Hadena devastatnx). Last autumn at our annual meet-
ing I reported that some fields of wheat had been badly injured by this cutworm.
The caterpillars in November last varied in length from about I/2 to 1 inch ; hence
we expected these over-wintering caterpillars, where numerous, to do much damage.
As soon as growth began in spring reports started to come in of fields of wheat and
barley being attacked. Several fields of wheat were almost ruined by the severity
of the attacks. A few Army- worms, but only a very few, were found among the
cutworms. As the Glassy Cutworm works under the surface of the soil farmers
were advised to use the poisoned bran, harrowing it into the soil in the evening.
I did not receive any reliable accounts of the degi'ee of success obtained. About
the usual number of reports of damage by other kinds of cutworms here and there
throughout the Province were received.

Strawberry Weevil (Anthonomus signatus). A few more complaints than
usual were sent in of injuries from these insects.

Imported Onion Maggot (Pegomyia ceparum). It is worth recording that
in the great onion marshes of Kent County I ccaild scarcely find a root maggot
when visiting the district this summer. Growers tell me they are never troubled
by it. This is strange, because onions have been grown on these marshes for at
least fifteen years, and, as the Onion Maggot is a very troublesome pest in many
parts of the Province, one would expect it to do even more damage in the marshes
where onions are grown on a larger scale tban anywhere else in Ontario.

Slugs. In Oxford County the district representative stated that Slugs were
so abundant this spring that some farmers claimed they were destroying the corn
just as it was coming or had come through the ground.

Millipedes. Last year, but more especially this year, Millipedes were very
abundant and several correspondents asked for methods of destroying them. Some
work was done in testing different substances. Of these tobacco seemed the most

32 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

satisfactory, although it was not a complete success. The Millipedes are repelled
by it and, where they come into close contact with a moderately strong solution,
are slowly killed. Dusting tobacco refuse thickly over the garden where they are
troublesome and then watering it well with the hose once or twice a day for a few
days seems about the best method, and the least dangerous to the plants. It is
probable that placing decaying fruits or other decaying vegetable matter here and
thexe in little heaps among infested) plants and then pouring scalding water over
such traps daily would gradually do a great deal to free the garden of the
Millipedes. They are very fond of collecting under such decaying refuse and roam
around in the dark so freely that they would be very likely to find the baits.

Spittle Bugs {C ercopidce) . This seems to have been a remarkably favorable
year for the multiplication of Spittle Bugs. Complaints of the great numbers of
froth masses on the grass came in from Clarksburg, Mount Forest, Eidgeway,
Thornton, Oakville and several other districts. A few pasture fields near Oakville
were so badly infested that the farmers, fearing injury to stock if they fed on the
infested grass, mowed the pastures and destroyed the cut grass.

A Sarcophagid Attacking the Forest Tent-Caterpillar (Sarcopliaga
aldrichia Parker). In 1914, while engaged in some investigation work in the
County of Dundas, I observed that many of the pup^ of the Forest Tent Cater-
pillar were parasitized by what I considered to be the larvae of a Tachinid Fly.
On further examination at Mountain, Kempton and Morrisburg I estimated that
close to 90 per cent, of all the pupae contained what seemed to be this same larva.
About 30 of the cocoons were gathered and brought to Guelph, though it was nearly
two weeks before I reached there. On my arrival the cocoons were all transferred
to a pint jar, in the bottom of which an inch or so of sand was first placed. The
jar then was covered with cheesecloth. In May, 1915, I happened to glance at the
jar and to my surprise found seven dead and one living Sarcophagid. These Dr.
J. M. Aldrich kindly identified for me. He states " The species is one which
Mr. E. E. Parker now has in manuscript as Sarcopliaga aldj-icliia, n.sp. His article
is completed and, I thinlr, is deposited with the Boston Society of IsTatural History
for publication, but I am not quite sure on that point. I will send him a quotation
from your letter if you do not mind, as it indicates a considerable economic im-
portance for the species which is widespread, occurring in the Puget Sound region."

If I am correct in my opinion that the death of the pupae was due to the
larva of this insect and not to disease, we have here a very good example of what
seems to have been only comparatively recently fully admitted, namely, the true
parasitic habits of some Sarcophagids.

Phorocera Doryphor^. In June Prof. T. D. Jarvis called the attention of
my assistant, Mr. A. H.. Cowan, to the white eggs on the back of Colorado potato
beetles at Grimsby. Mr. Cowan reported to me and on my suggestion reared a few
adults and captured a few more that were attempting to lay eggs. Dr. Aldrich
identified all these as Phorocera dorypliorce, a parasite that, as he says, has been
bred repeatedly from this host.

Mr. Cowan made the following observations : " Eggs begin to be laid in June.
At first they seem to be laid only on adult beetles, but later to some extent on the
slugs. From June 18th to July 13th eggs were found mostly on the beetles, ^
to 14 of the beetles being affected. Early in July some were found on larvae also,
but always on nearly full-grown larvag. The total time from Qg^ to adult fly would
appear to be about one month. On September 15th the eggs and adult flies were
again found at Vineland."

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33

At Simcoe I observed on several occasions what was probably this same
Tachinid attempting to lay eggs on full-grown larvae of Colorado potato beetle.

Poplar Sawfly (Trichiocampus viminalis, Fallen (?)). On September 28th
the Parks Commissioner of Toronto sent me a few Sawfly larvae that were, attack-
ing the foliage of Carolina poplar in the City and asked for the name of the insect
and the method of control. On looking over the list of insects given by Dr. Felt
in the New York Museum Memoir 8 as attacking poplars I found that the des-
cription given there of the larvse of Trichiocampus viminalis. Fallen, agreed very
closely with the larvae I had received." The latter were, when full gro^vn, nearly
one inch in length, orange-yellow in color, though some had a decided greenish
tinii The head and caudal plates were black, and on each side of the body were
two rows of distinct black spots, the spots in the upper or subdorsal row being three
or four times as large as those in the lower or stigmatal row. On the back and sides
were numerous white hairs arising in thin tufts from numerous tubercular-like
areas on each segment. These hairs were not more than 14 as long as the width of
the body.

I wrote to the owner of the infested trees for further information on the
habits of the insect. The following extract is taken from his reply:

" The caterpillars were green at first, changing to yellow as they grew larger,
. apparently being full grown by the time they had eaten a full sized leaf. They
were all side by side on the under side of the leaf tight together, eating from the
edge away from the stalk towards it. That is to say, their heads were away from
the stalk and they kept getting towards the stalk as the leaf was eaten away.
Some of them grew faster than others, or seemed to, and as the leaf narrowed down
they dropped off, thus leaving the smaller ones to finish the leaf. When I first
noticed them they were small and green, and I should say there were about twenty
on a leaf. It was full on the outside edge with all lying the same way, heads from
the stalk of the leaf, the middle ones parallel with the thick membrane of the leaf,
that is the continuation of the stalk. After dropping off the leaf they crawled all
over the board fence and up the side of the house everywhere off the ground looking
for holes in the fence. They went into every hole or crack they could find. The
fence was covered with them. Into some overalls that were hanging on the line
they got and when found were in a cocoon. Every leaf that they were on was
completely eaten except the stalk,' and the continuation of it right to the point. I
notice that it is not a leaf here and there, as all the leaves on some branches are
eaten and othexs not touched. I should say they have been on about l-20th of the
branches of the trees and eaten them. As there are six trees about 35 feet high,
you may guess the number ^of them. I can only say there were thousands. I killed
thousands myself with a broom on the fence."

THE IMPORTED WILLOW AND POPLAR BORER OR CURCULIO.

{Cryptorhynchits lapathi L.).

L. Caesar, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph.

About the middle of August I was requested to investigate the injury done
by a borer to willows and poplars in the eastern part of Toronto Island. I visited
the district on August 21st and again September 8th. On the latter occasion

34

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

J. E. Howitt, Professor of Botany, kindly accompanied Ine to assist in the identifica-
tion of the species of willows and poplars that were attacked and also of those
that were immune.

The insect in question was, as suspected, the Imported Willow and Poplar
Borer or Curculio. The total damage done on the island was not large but was
sufficient to convince the Superintendent of Parks that if the insect were to spread
throughout the island and attack all kinds of willows and poplars, it would des-
troy tile beauty and attractiveness of Toronto's favorite summer resort. One can
easily understand why he should feel alarmed when we consider that about 90
per cent, of the trees on this island consist of willows and poplars, because these
are the chief kinds that will thrive in its light, sandy, moist soil.

My observations showed me that before I could suggest the right means of
control it would be necessary to know two things : first, at what time infested
trees should be cut down and burned to destrov the maximum number of the

Willow Curculio: two adults, a pupa and full-grown larva.
(All about natural size.)

insects; second, what species or varieties of willow and poplar, if any, were
exempt from attack. If the latter species were known they could henceforth be
substituted for the kinds subject to attack.

On looking over the literature on this insect I found that to satisfy myself
on these points I should have to devote whatever time could be spared this autumn
to finding out whether the borer differed in Ontario in any important respects
from the accounts given by Kirkland, Jack, "Webster, Chittenden, Felt and others.
The following are the results of my investigations:

Length of Time the Beetle has been" in the Province and Present

Distribution.

This beetle, which is known to be a native of Europe and of parts of Asia,
and which is supposed to have been imported into the United States about the
year 1880, was not, so far as I have been able to discover, found in Ontario until
the year 1906. That year Mr. Cosens took it at High Park, Toronto, and Prof.
E. J. Zavitz at Eidgeway and Beamsville. These discoveries in three widely
separated localities lead me to believe that it must have been in the Province

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35

several years earlier. Up to the present time I have records of its presence at
the following additional places : St. Catharines, Grimsby Beach, Grimsby, Winona,
Fruitland, Guelph, Elmira, Willow Grove near London, Toronto Island, Port
Hope, Trenton, Hillier (Prince Edward County) and Montreal (Quebec).

There has been very little opportunity to examine other parts of the Province,
but the above localities show a very wide distribution throughout the Province,
especially along the great waterway on the south. It is apparently, however, not
yet all over the Province, because I have been in several localities where there
seemed to be no evidence of its work, and Dr. E. M. Walker tells me that he
has not seen any evidence of injury from it at Lake Simcoe. Montreal, near
which Mr. Swaine reports its presence, seems to be the only place it has been
seen in Canada east of the Province of Ontario, though very likely it is present
in several localities but has not been noticed.

Host Plants.

In Europe this insect attacks several species of willows and poplars and also
a few species of birches and alders, including our common alder (Alnus incana).

In the United States a perusal of the writings of Jack, Kirkland, Webster,
Chittenden, and Felt, show that scarcely any species or variety of poplar or
willow, whether native or imported, is entirely exempt and that the birches {Betula
pumila and B. nigra) are also occasionally attacked. I do not remember seeing
any definite record of its having been found in alders.

In Ontario I have devoted every opportunity I could get to discovering the
host plants and the degree of infestation of each. Prof. Howitt has assisted me
greatly in determining the species whenever I was in doubt. I find that the insect
prefers Balm of Gilead {Populus candicans) and Balsam Poplar (Populus halsami-
fera) to any other variety of poplar, but that it is sometimes quite abundant in
Carolina Poplars, especially where the above species are not present. At Guelph
the Balm of Gilead is severely infested in a small clump of poplars on the College
grounds, but the other poplars in this clump, consisting of the Carolina, ^Vllite,
Large-toothed and Lombardy species, are untouched. By the edges of a woods not
far away from the College the Balsam Poplars are much injured by the pest, but
the American iVspens alongside them are uninjured. The same was true of the
aspens near infested Scrub Willows in the swamps.

Of the willows the worst infested are our native Scrub WiDows found so
abundantly along streams. A tree willow, whose species could not be determined
at this season of the year, was also severely attacked. This willow grows 25 feet
or more in height, has not so large spreading branches as the Golden or "Wliite
Willow {Salix alba) or the Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) but has much more
slender and drooping branchlets and smaller, more delicate leaves. It is evidently
a native species. One ornamental Weeping Willow in a lawn at Winona was
killed by this borer last year. It was the dark-bark type of Weeping Willow,
apparently an imported tree. Of the other willows we have not seen more than
a very light infestation on the Crack Willow, and the White Willow has been
entirely uninjured, as also the Glossy Willow (Salix lucida). There are not
many Babylonian Willows to be found, but so far they too have been uninjured
wherever examined.

Comparing what we have observed in Ontario with what has been written
of the host plants in the United States, it seems quite clear that Balm of Gilead,
Balsam Poplar, and our native Scrub Willows, along with one or two native

36

THE REPOET OF THE

No. se

tree willows, are the favorite food plants. Next to these would appear to be the
Carolina Poplar {Populus deltoides).

No alders were found infested even when in the midst of infested scrub'
willows. Birches have also appeared to be exempt in Ontario.

Nature of the Injury.

The photographs show sufficiently well the sort of injury done. It is all
caused by the larvae. These work both in the sapwood and heartwood in older
trees and in the heartwood of very small trees. The borers seem to prefer the base
of the smaller trees, but they are found on larger trees as high as 15 feet or

Cross section of a young poplar and of a larger willow tree, near

the base, showing the work of the borers. (About

natural size.)

Longitudinal section of a poplar tree, showing tunnels made by the
larvae. (Slightly reduced.)

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37

more. In old trees with rough bark they usually work in the Lower branches
instead of in the base of the trunk. Often there are so many tunnels, especially
towards the base of the tree, that it is weakened and easily broken down by a
strono- wind. It is quite common to see Scrub Willows killed and also small
poplars. The swellings on the bark of poplars where the larvae have entered,
and also the exit holes, cause the trees to look unsightly, and these, along with
the castings around them composed of small tissues of wood from the tunnels,
dust and faeces, easily reveal the presence of the insects. The total number of
trees destroyed in the Province must be large, but the Scrub Willows are of very
little value and, though the Balm of Gilead and Balsam Poplars are of much
more importance, they can scarcely rank among our valuable trees. Fortunately
not many Carolina Poplars seem to have been killed yet. These are good shade
and landscape trees and their loss would be deplorable.

Life History.

Adults. — The adult is a snout beetle, stout, about one-quarter inch long,
black, wnth the body and legs mottled with light pinkish or grayish white scales.
These scales are so abundant on the sides of the prothorax and also on the anal
third of the wings as to cause these parts to be pale pink or white. The upper
surface of the body is rough, being coarsely and deeply punctured, and having
longitudinal furrows on the elytra. The rough appearance is increased by the
presence of a few tufts of black scales scattered here and there over the thorax
and elytra.

I do not know how early the adults begin to appear. In willows at St.
Catharines examined about June 20th, 1914, the larvae seemed full grown but
no pupas were seen. As Kirkland estimates the pupal stage at about 18 days,
it is probable that adults would have been found last year on these trees early in
July. Mr. F. Morris found many adults on willows near Port Hope the first
week in July, 1915. I have captured a few in August in previous years. By
September 8th, 1915, by far the majority seemed to have emerged at Toronto
Island but they still continued to appear this year all the first half of October,
the weather being warm. An examination on October 33rd showed a few live adults
still in their burrows in poplars, also some pupae that looked healthy and four larvae,
but three of the latter were dead. The fourth looked healthy but, when handled,
did not move, so may also have been dead. In all the accounts I have read it
seems to be assumed that very few adults are to be seen in the spring. Kirkland
found one which he remarked was " probably an overwintered specimen." But
the adults in May are not nearly so few in number in Ontario as one would expect
from the different accounts of the insect given. Three of my nursery inspectors
each captured, several specimens and saw others this last May on poplars and
willows in the nursery rows. There w-ere a few also on apple trees in adjoining
rows. It is not known whether these passed the winter in the trees as adults,
pupae or larvae, or whether they emerged in autumn and wintered over under
shelter. The important point is that there was a considerable number of adults
found at that time of the year, indicating that many others also were probably
present. The adults in autumn hide on cold days but appear on the trees when
the weather is warm. They feed on the juices exuding from injuries at the
points of exit, also upon the young twigs, where they seem to prefer the neighbor-
hood of leaf scars, in which the small feeding punctures are often seen. These
punctures, however, may also be found in various other parts of the tree and
sometimes even on the bark of dead fallen branches. In breeding cases I fed

38 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

them on pieces of ripe apples and peaches, both of which they relished greatly. I
do not know the length of life of these autnmn adults, but five specimens caught
in September were still alive almost a month later when I removed them from
the cages. The last adults were seen in the open on October 11th. One found
then was ovipositing.

Eggs. — Oviposition probably begins early in August, but with the very limited
time at my disposal the first adult I could find doing this was on September 29th.
After that date I saw several both in the cages and outside. It is very probable
the beetles found in May oviposit in spring, as in Europe, eggs are laid both
in autumn and in spring. The eggs are laid, as one would expect, at such
places on the tree as we find the injuries later. Sometimes this may be at the
base of a bud or small branch, but on the Balm of Gilead trees under observation
and also in the cages it was just as commonly on the internodes, sometimes where
there was a small rupture in the bark, sometimes where there was no rupture.
About one hundred egg punctures in all were observed and several ovipositions.
Before laying the Qgg the female eats a small hole, usually easily visible to the
eye, through the bark to the full depth of her proboscis; at the bottom of this she
makes one, two or three cavities. Where there are more than one they are a
little distance apart from each other. Then she turns around, inserts her pro-
truded ovipositor into the hole and lays an egg in each cavity. The making of
the hole and laying of the Qgg is a slow process. I observed one which had
already been at work some time when noticed and from the time she was first
seen until the eggs were laid was a little over thirty minutes. One female was
observed after laying the egg to turn around and insert her beak into the hole
many times as if putting in small particles of bark. The eggs are pale trans-
lucent whitish, oval, about 1.5 mm. long and a little more than half as wide as
long. Each female probably lays many eggs. One about to oviposit was dis-'
sected and only three mature eggs were found in the ovaries, all the others being
much smaller.

It is hard to say how long it takes the eggs to hatch. As stated the first
oviposition was observed on September S9th, but an examination from time to
time of egg punctures at Guelph revealed no larva until October 7th. On October
25th, fourteen egg punctures on a Balm of Gilead were examined and in five
of these sound unhatched eggs were seen, in five others tiny living larvae, and
in the remaining four hatched eggs but no larvse. All previous examinations
showed more unhatched eggs than larvae on all trees.

Larvce. — The freshly hatched larva is white, curved, and has a brown head.
Full-grown larvae are, as shown in the photograph, stout, about half an incli
long, white, curved and have a brown head and no legs.

The young larvae found were in every case very near where the eggs had
been deposited, and had not eaten their way through the bark. They appeared
to be settled down comfortably for the winter. Only in one case was there any
evidence of a larva having reached the cambium, and that one was doubtful.

The discovery of so large a percentage of healthy eggs along with these tiny
larvte would suggest that the winter is probably passed in the egg stage as well
as the larval. We saw above that it is apparently passed also either in the adult
or pupal stage or both, with a slight possibility of there being some full-grown
larvse too remaining over in the burrows.

A study of the burrows shows that in spring the larva?' work obliouely
into the sapwood, throwing out many castings at first as they do so. When thev
have gone in some depth the entrance appears to become closed, at least in poplars,

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39

by a callous growth, referred to above. Once iu the wood the burrows run
nearly straight. The total length of a burrow is from 21^ to 4 inches. In spring
the larvae clearly grow very rapidly, as by the end of June they are about full
grown in many cases. When this stage is reached they evidently turn back in
their tunnels and enlarge them either to the place of entrance or else to some
more convenient exit. They then return to the far end of the burrow, make a
little chamber for pupating, then with head toward the exit change into a white
pupa. The adult works its way out through the tunnel enlarged by the larva.

Means of DisTRiBuxioisr.

The insects have been widely distributed by shipping out poplars and willows
from infested nurseries. The tiny larvae or eggs in these in the spring would
easily escape notice. In addition to this means there seems no doubt that the
adults fly about from place to place. They have large under wings well adapted
for this purpose. Flight is probably late in the evening or at night, as I have
never seen an adult fly when observing them during the day.

Methods of Control.

In most cases no effort will be made to control or prevent injury from the
pest, but in parks like Toronto Island, control measures are very necessary. It
was my intention to suggest that ail infested trees be cut down in the winter and
burned early in spring, but since learning from my inspectors of the discovery
of a considerable number of adults in May which very probably lays eggs, I have
thought it wise to suggest that the cutting down and burning should not be
done until the first or second week in June, so that all the insects might then
be caught in the larval stage. This should lessen the numbers of the insect
greatly. Then to avoid future loss in these places I think that the willows most
exempt from attack, viz.: the Wliite Willow (Salix alba), one of our largest and
ibest willows, and possibly the Glossy Willow {Salix lucida) should be planted
instead of those removed. Also White Poplar and Aspen Poplar might be sub-
stituted for the Balm of Gilead, Balsam Poplar, and even for Carolina Poplar.
Of course if Soft Maples, Dogwoods or other suitable trees or shrubs will thrive
in these places, they would be preferable to any of the above. I should be very
pleased to have further suggestions from anyone present.

The President: I am sure we have all listened with much pleasure to Mr.
Caesar's two excellent papers. They are now open for discussion. We are pleased
to see with us to-day Professor Zavitz, the Provincial Forester of Ontario, and
he has no doubt something interesting to say regarding the papers just read.

Prof. E. J. Zavitz : Mr. Chairman, I came here to obtain information, and this
beetle to which Professor Caesar has been referring is naturally of interest to
foresters. I first saw it in the Niagara District near Ridgeway, working in the
scrub willows. This season, in visiting that district early in the summer (it is a
favorite collecting ground) I found that these willows had been entirely killed.

I think the chief danger from this insect is to our Carolina Poplar (Poptihis
deltoxdes Marsh) which, to my mind, is the most important poplar from the
foresters' standpoint. We were beginning to think that the Carolina poplar would
be a very important tree in sand planting and in fact we are using considerable
numbers in Norfolk County. I regret to find that this insect is working in
that tree. Apart from the willow holts or basket willows, the damage to willows
will be small. We use the other willows to a very small extent in forest planting.

40 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

The chief injury from the standpoint of the forester will likely be to the
poplars and especially the Carolina Poplar.

The President: Perhaps Mr. Swaine would like to make a few remarks in
this connection,

Mr. Swaine: Mr. Chairman, I have had very little opportunity to study
this beetle in Canada. Some years ago in Ithaca it was very common in the
basket willow in the plantations there and did considerable damage. In Canada
I have found it only near Ste. Anne's and it was there in the common scrub willows
and not very abundant. I have not had it sent in in the last three or four years
in any numbers from any part of Canada except Ontario and southern Quebec,
and very few reports have been received. Mr. Caesar's account was very interest-
ing, indeed; the life-history is just as I remember it on the different occasions
I have studied it, and the control measures usually given are not very effective;
it is a very difficult matter to control this beetle. On the smaller willows no
special effort to save any particular tree is worth while and the destruction of
the infested trees is perhaps the only effective method. Only a few of the willows
that are affected are worth saving.

Mr. Winn: Professor Caesar mentions the keeping of the beetle alive on
apple or peach. I may say he very kindly sent me ten specimens of the beetle
to show what it looked like in order that I might recognize it if I ever found it
alive. After a couple of days I turned the specimens out on a blotting pad and
pinned two or three, then noticed that instead of there being ten there were only
nine. The tenth was still alive and had crawled away. This I secured and
placed in a tin box and after again taking it out three weeks later, apparently
dead, it recovered. This, shows how long the insect can live without food being
given it, and how dangerous the insect might be when capable of living through
a like shortage under natural conditions.

Prof. Caesar : One of the points that I would like very much to get informa-
tion on is whether any person has found the adults of this beetle in the spring.
It seems to be taken for granted in the U. S. literature on this pest that it does not
pass the winter as an adult, and that there are no eggs laid in the spring, but
the fact that we could find a considerable number of them in nurseries suggests
that egg-laying in the spring is very probable.

Mr. Swaine: The specimens that I took at Ste. Anne's were, I think, all
taken in the fall. This is some years ago, so I am not quite certain on this point,
but believe that they were taken in the fall.

The President: I have no doubt that if any of the members get further
information in regard to this beetle hibernating in the adult form they will advise
Professor Caesar of the fact, and we will now proceed to the next paper.

Dr. Felt's paper was read by Mr. Gibson.

SIDE INJURY AND CODLING MOTH.^

E. P. Felt, Albany, N.Y.

This type of injury has been unusually abundant in the western part of New
York State for the past four years. It appears to have been figured and des-
cribed first by John W. Lloyd" in 1907 (Bui. 114, 111. Agr. Exp't Sta.). He,
however, attributed the damage to the work of the second brood.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 41

Investigations the past season established the connection between late-hatching
first brood larvae and this type of injury. Many codling moth eggs are laid in
the lake region the latter part of June and early in July on the fruit. The
young larva3 hatching from these eggs enter the exposed, smooth surface of the
developing apple and excavate a shallow gallery having a radius of approximately
1/16 of an inch. This is probably a manifestation of the leaf-mining habit of
the young larvs, recorded by a number of observers, in relation to those hatching
from eggs deposited upon the foliage. A few days after entering the fruit many
of the larvae desert the initial point of injury and make their way to the blossom
eijd. The impulse to desert a perfectly satisfactory shelter and brave the dangers
of migration to the blossom end can hardly be explained as other than inherited
and an outcome of the same unrest which, under other conditions, leads the larva
to forsake the leaf mines and search for fruit. The attempt to enter the apple
once more is frequently a failure on sprayed trees, owing to the poison deposited
in the calyx cup in the after blossoming treatment. Unfortunately, so far as
the apple grower is concerned, the young codling moth larva does not perish
until the characteristic mark has been made on what should be an unblemished
surface.

Eecords made during the past four years by Mr. L. F. Strickland, Horti-
cultural Inspector of the New York State Department of Agriculture, show that
as much as 20 per cent, of the fruit may be affected in this manner. Investiga-
tions by the speaker last summer indicate a somewhat general prevalence of such
conditions along the south shore of Lake Ontario. In one orchard at Newfane,
9 to 12 per cent, of the total crop on three sprayed plots bore this side blemish,
while in an Orleans county orchard similar plots showed from 25 to 35 per cent,
side injury. The unsprayed or check plots in these two orchards had from 30 to
37 per cent, respectively, of the apples thus affected. It should be stated in
this connection that very little "side injury" is to be found in Hudson Valley
orchards.

The somewhat general limitation of this type of work to the vicinity of a
large body of water leads us to believe that this variation in habit may be
caused by local climatic modifications. There is on record a statement by Cordley
to the effect that eggs are not deposited when the evening temperature falls much
below 60° F. In this connection some interesting data has been published by
Sanderson (N. H. Agr. Exp't. Sta., 19th-20th Eep'ts., 1908, p. 406). He finds
that if evenings be cool, eg^ laying will sometimes be deferred for several days,
and states that from June 9th to 15th, 1906, he was able to secure eggs but after
that the evenings were cool until the latter part of the month and no eggs were
obtained until June 28th. Again, in 1907, "no eggs were found until June 22nd
* * * * though moths had been emerging since the 10th." An examination
of records made the past four years by Mr. Strickland shows a fairly close
connection between this type of injury and the rise of daily minimum tem-
peratures above 60° F. The damage referred to above occurs mostly the last of
June and the first half of July, and so far as records go, is preceded by a period
of low temperatures which probably inhibit the crepuscular or nocturnal activities
of the moth, and then with the rise of minimum temperatures above 60° F. we
have the deposition of eggs and the development of side injury.

The low minimum temperatures from about the time the moths begin to emerge
till the latter part of June, do not materially hinder the development of the apple
and, as a consequence, when oviposition is possible the fruit is some size, smooth,
and from observations in the orchard, appears to be more attractive to the moths

4 E.S.

42 THE EEPOKT OF THE No. 36

, . -_ < ^

as a place of oviposition than the foliage. Two, three and even four eggs were
to be found upon apples here and there, though this would hardly he an average,
and more than three-fourths of the eggs found were upon the fruit. This is
the reverse of conditions recorded earlier by Messrs. Ball, 'Card, Pettit and
Sanderson.

It will perhaps suffice to state in this connection that in the Hudson Valley,
where "side injury " is comparatively rare, temperature records show no such
prolonged periods after emergence of the moths begins where daily minimum
temperatures fall below 60° F.

The '" side injury " phase of the codling moth problem has a very practical
bearing, since experiments conducted the past season show it to be extremely
difficult, if not impracticable, to reduce damage of this character to a negligible
quantity by one season's work. It happened that two of the experimental orchards
mentioned above were very badly infested and in one, although the spraying was
distinctly above the average, 25 to SQ per cent, of the fruit in certain plots
showed the familiar side blemish. This was due largely to the fact that the
injury was caused by newly hatched larvse attacking the poorly, necessarily so,
protected surface of the rapidly growing apple. These eggs, it is evident, were
deposited by moths developing from hibernating larvaB, consequently this serious
'' side injury " was the logical development in a badly infested orchard when climatic
conditions compel a late deposition of eggs, many of which may be placed on the
fruit. This danger, in our estimation, is ample justification for urging thorough
and annual sprayings of bearing orchards whether the trees happen to be fruiting
or not. There are in most orchards, even if there is no crop, enough scattering
apples to carry to maturity a number of codling moths, ignoring, if you please,
the fact that Headlee and Jackson observed larvae which developed to full size
in water sprouts.

It is noteworthy in this connection that the experimental orchard of last
season, not badly affected by " side injury," was sprayed annually and presumably
thoroughly, even when not in fruit. The same was true of some other orchards
where there was very little codling moth injury. That this comparative immunity
could not be attributed entirely to accident was evidenced by the fact that just
across a roadway from the orchard showing almost no injury, trees were found with
75 per cent, of the apples on the ground wormy.

The President: This paper of Dr. Felt's is of great interest to those who
are engaged in fruit insect investigations, particularly insects affecting the apple.
The Codling Moth damage, of course, is usually internal and quite serious, but
on the other hand it is a kind of damage which, even if slight, may produce a
blemish on the outside of the apple, which is very serious from the fruit grower's
point of view, in view of the fact that it degrades his fruit. You may have a very
fine apple, which ordinarily would rank as ISTo. 1, but through some blemish pro-
duced in this way by the Codling Moth it is degraded to No. 3. This proves to be
very serious in the case of. the large fruit grower. In Nova Scotia, Mr. Sanders
is making a study of a somewhat similar injury caused by the Budmoth, which
also reduces the quality of the apple by a blemish of much the same nature as
the one caused by the Codling Moth. I think it might be well to mention here
that in his investigations Mr. Sanders found that there was injury being caused
by another insect imported frOm Europe, and he sent me the other day a photo-
graph of the injury caused by this insect, the Lesser Budmoth, Recurvaria nanella.
As a number of men here have been working on insects affecting apples and fruit
generally I have no doubt that they will have something to say in regard to Dr.
Felt's paper.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43

Prof. Caesar: In regard to the matter of side-worms, I may say that every
persons who endeavors to spray thoroughly for Codling Moth finds that far the
greatest trouble is to prevent the worms from entering the side of the apple,
especially if there are two broods and if it is the first season the orchard has
been sprayed.. I do not know anything about the influence of temperature on
this questions of side-worms, but I do know that in Ontario side-worm injury
is abundant hoth on high land and on low land.

Mr. Gibson: Mr. Chairman, I should like to remark that in Dr. Cosens'
report which he sent as Director, he makes a brief mention of the occurrence
of the Lesser Budmoth on pear trees in Toronto, and he also mentions that it was
quite abundant on an apple tree. This insect is treated of in a bulletin published
by the U. S. Bureau of Entomology.

The President: If there is no further discussion on this paper we will
proceed to the next by Mr. Winn.

THE HOME OF GORTYNA STRAMENTOSA
Albert F. Winn, Westmount, Que.

This moth is one to which but little space has been devoted in our literature,
but being a typically Canadian insect, perhaps you will pardon a longer and more
rambling paper than intended for the meeting.

In Vol. XXXII, pp. 61-63 of the Canadian Entomologist, Mr. J. A. Moffat,
late curator of our Society, published a copy of Guenee's description of the moth,
an enlarged half-tone cut of it and some remarks on its occurrence. This was
followed in the same volume by a note on p. 119 by Mr. Grote, and a reply on p.
133 by Mr. Moffat. The species has again been figured by Sir George Ilampson in
Vol. ix of the Phahvnida^ of the British Museum, plate 138, to which we will
refer elsewhere. From Mr. Moffat's article we quote the following: " Stramentosa
has been taken regularly at Montreal for years past by collectors connected with
the Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario there, apparently none know-
ing of its existence there except themselves. Mr. Brainerd int-ends to make a
vigorous effort to discover its foodplant next season. '•

Although over fifteen years have elapsed since this was written and we had
already been hunting over ten years, the search for its foodplant and consequent
laying bare of the life history has been carried on faithfully and well by various
members of our Branch, and at last it has fallen to my lot to have the pleasure of
entirely solving the mystery of its hiding-place. It is not necessary to particularize
the members who have tried to locate it and failed; practically all of us interested
in Lepidoptera have searched our Mountain for infested plants possibly tenanted
by stramentosa, and we had a few years ago the aid of Mr. Henry Bird for a couple
of days; but although we were actually within a few feet of scores of larvt?, they
were not detected. It is doubtful if any other Canadian insect has had so much
time and thought expended on its habits and life history, and as successive seasons
closed with the flight of the moths around our street lamps in the fall, and oc-
casional captives on flower heads, we began to feel certain that no visible clue could
be hoped for in the plant and that nothing but sheer luck would ever disclose the
secret, but we kept on pulling up and splitting down all sorts of possible and some
impossible plants. *

44 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

On the afternoon of September 13th, 1914, while walking along a path on our
Western Mountain, near the ski-grounds, looking for edible fungi rather than for
insects, I found a stramentosa, resting on a leaf of the rattle-snake root (Nahalus
racemosus) and a minute later disturbed another on a plant of the same species.
This plant was given a tug and it broke off short, but the root was easily dug up
and was evidently bored. On going back to the first plant, it was also found to
have been attacked. Things began to look interesting and mushrooms were put
aside for another day. By tramping among the plants and beating them with a
stick, a number of the moths were disturbed, either dropping to the ground or fly-
ing a short distance and hiding. Among the hundreds of plants in the neighbor-
hood a plant here and there was pulled up and most of them showed they had been
bored, and we felt so sure that the long-sought for plant had been stumbled across
that a supply of seeds was sent to Mr. Bird so that he might have a supply of plants
in Tiis " garden of borers " at Eye, N.Y., ready for the larvae that would follow
another season.

Early this June, when the larvae of the borers were beginning their work
in burdock, thistle, cicuta, iris, etc., the same locality was visited, but the JSTabalus
plants were hardly visible above ground and those dug up showed no sign of attack.
We concluded that we were too early, for the moth being later in appearing than
ihost of the borers, it seemed possible that the egg was also later in hatching. The
next visit was three weeks later and the plants were about two feet high, but the
most careful search failed to find any trouble. Something had evidently gone
wrong with our discovery of the previous fall and stramentosa was still surrounded
by a mystery. One thing was very certain, however, namely, that if I had dis-
turbed a dozen or so of the moths there must have been in the neighborhood scores
or hundreds that were not seen, and as the number of examples seen about the
lights each year was about uniform, there must be a lot of larvse^. close at hand. If
they were not in Nabalus, they must be in something else growing commonly there.
iFortunately I was in a clear patch on a hillside and could get a sort of bird's-eye
view of the tangle of weeds and undergrowth. A plant was noticed that we had
seen In many places on Mount Eoyal Park and an isolated clump was selected.
There was no wilted top nor brown leaf to indicate attack, but on splitting the
longest stem down from the top, a boring was struck about a foot from the ground
and a section containing the little larva was quickly boxed. Other plants were
similarly treated but nothing was found, and it looked as if our day's take was
going to be only one larva. Something suggested that we were again off the track,
so we opened our box, removed the larva from its boring and had a good look at it.
It was seen to belong to a different genuS' — Papaipema, probably P. cataphracta,
and such it proved to be. This in itself was rather a discovery, as the insect, though
common enough in Ottawa and elsewhere, is seldom found with us, and it seemed
remarkable that the very first stem selected to be split open should have contained
a larva, which prevented my continuing the process down to the ground, which is
the simplest way of locating boring larvee in their earliex stages. We could not
recollect ever having pulled up a clump of this plant on any previous occasion and
as we looked at the erect stems with their perfect foliage surmounted by the forming
seed pods, which later on rattle merrily when touched, it seemed incredible that
they should be bored; and yet, that little cataphracta had been in one stem,
equally perfect externally. A cluster of stems coming* from one root was grasped
and given a tug. Up it came, and after giving it a shake, a fine fat larva about
11/4 inches long was seen shuffling back into its burrow. As we were extricating
hira. another dropped to the ground and was secured. This surely was our quarry

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45

at last. Another clump was pulled up, two more larvae and so on, as many as eight
being taken in one clump and no blanks, every clump seemed to be attacked.
Other plants noticed here and there on the way home were examined and proved to
harbour larvae in their roots. There was, henceforth, no shadow of doubt as to the
home of the stramentosa. But what was the plant's name? I tried to determine
it by Gray's Manual of Botany, but was misled by the square stem in trying to
locate it among the members of the Mint family. A specimen was sent to the
Dominion Botanist and Mr. Adams kindly determined it as belonging to the genus
Scrophularia, but did not like to state the species owing to the absence of flowers.
'On referring to Britton and Brown's Botany, our plant was easily recognized by
the cut and description as being S. leporella — the hare figwort — but to make
doubly sure, the original description was turned up in Vol. 33, p. 317, Bulletin
of Torrey Botanical Club (1896) — so stramentosa may be given the common name
of the " Fig-wort borer."

As I was leaving town for my holidays within a few days, the bulk of the larvge
and roots were packed up and sent to Mr. Bird, only a few being kept as I felt sure
that on my return any desired quantity of full-grown larvae could be secured and
that the pupae would be likewise found in due season. Mr. Bird was away on a
Papaipema hunt in Illinois when the package arrived, but his son looked after it
and was successful in obtaining the imagos and so quickly that we might almost
suspect that he used an incubator in his anxiety to get the first bred stramentosa.
On my return I found several larvae had pupated, while the rest died of starvation
owing to the drying up of the roots. A series of wet days and other contingencies
prevented my getting any time to visit my hunting-ground till Saturday, August
20th, by which time it was supposed all would be in pupa. In the first clump
selected a larva was found and evidence that there had been another, so I proceeded
to get out my entrenching tool and began scraping away the earth carefully. At
a depth of about two inches a fine yellowish-brown pupa lay exposed, wriggling
about in a very lively fashion as if not at all appreciating being disturbed. Pro-
ceeding to a nearby clump resulted in two more — then six, which is the most found
under one plant, and in the course of three-quarters of an hour, thirty had been
boxed. Reluctantly we were compelled to stop, as the drizzling rain which had
been falling was becoming heavier and the vegetation was decidedly moist to work
among. The pupae were all found in the same situation as the first, namely not
over two inches below the surface, invariably on their sides, without any cocoon or
cell and wriggling much when disturbed. All were within a foot's radius from
middle of root. The question occurred: how would the moths emerge from those
earthy homes? Would they force their way through the soil or would instinct tell
the pupffi to come to the surface ? Having brought home a supply of soil from the
woods a layer was put in two breeding cages, 18 pupfc were placed in one cage and
12 in the other, all in a horizontal position, and were covered with about two inches
of soil and on top was an inch or more of the prepared fibre, sold by the florist for
growing bulbs. This I find an excellent material for keeping burying pupae moist
enough without inducing mold. Two days later the question was answered.
Seventeen of the pupae were visible, some, were on their sides, but most of them
were nearly vertical, tail up. To what extent the crcmastcr aids the tunneling
process was not ascextained, but its structure is suggestive that it might be useful.

On August 30th my first moth appeared. The following evening I went
straight from the office to the woods but it was nearly 6.30 when the ground was
reached and four pupae were all that were secured in what remained of the daylight.
The next Saturday afternoon, September 4th, Ava> warm and bright, rather too

46 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

warm in fact for digging operations. Pupse were found nearer the surface and two
sticking up on end, cremaster up, as in the cages. Collecting at this date, though
successful, is difficult, for the digging implement is almost sure to injure about as
many pupas as it unearths sound ones, so after cutting in two or dinting over
twenty a piece of wood was substituted. It was not much improvement as the
extra force required to use it bruised the pupae instead of cutting them in two.
On returning home it was found that twenty-six sound pupge was the result of the
outing. But this was not all, for two larvae were found, one evidently sickly, the
other full-grown and well below the ground ready to pupate. One empty pupa
shell was also picked up and the plant above searched for the moth. Whether it
was this one or another I disturbed during my search cannot be said, but happening
to look down a moth was seen running along among the leaves on the ground and
took r'efuge under one of them. When disturbed, she ran off and finally hid under
another leaf — the performance exactly resembling that of A7uphipyra tragopogonis
which in England has earned for itself the common name of The Mouse. Several
other moths had by now emerged in the cages and many pupse were \darkening
up in color, betokening early emergence. In doing this one escaped and fell to
the floor, without attempting to use its wings, and immediately scurried about on
the floor in search of a hiding place. It was noticed that the moths in the cages
all appeared to try to squeeze themselves as close into the dark corners as possible,
often remaining two or three days without altering their relative positions. It is,
of course, possible that during the night they may have flown or moved about and
returned to their post before morning, but the habit of secreting themselves by day
is evident.

Having a supply of living moths the next point was to secure eggs, and not
having any experience in getting bred specimens of Noctuids to mate in captivity,
I tried every plan I have ever used in the case of moths belonging to other families,
but was unable to get a pairing among themselves, and freshly emerged females
placed on the inside of screen doors and taken into the woods failed to " asseanble "
any flown males. Finally a large skeleton box, about thirty inches each way,
covered with netting, was put in the garden, with stems of several figwort plants
stuck vertically in the ground, as well as the cuttings of such perennials as were in
flowers and some twigs and leaves smeared with sugaring mixture.. After feeding
all the moths forcibly, they were turned into the moth paradise. Two days later,
success was attained, one moth having selected a blue-bell, and in the axil of the
leaf deposited a cluster of eight eggs, irregularly placed, while lower down on the
same stem were about ten eggs in a crooked line, the lowest barely an inch from
the ground, and the moth was hiding under the lowest leaf which was drooping and
provided a suitable shelter. The moth was brought indoors and placed in a breed-
ing cage with cuttings of figwort and blue-bell steans, but e^ddently they were not
attractive-looking, for the moth would not use them, but placed eggs in all sorts of
places in^ corners, on the glass door, loose on the bottom and most curiously on and
in the empty pupa cases of its own kind. It was hoped, by observing where eggs
were laid in confinement, that the habits in nature would be indicated, but the
results were unsatisfactory. In no case did it seem as if the eggs were placed
otherwise than as a sort of makeshift, although the use of the axil of leaf and inside
of pupa cases hinted that they would probably be concealed, that is thrust in some-
where; which might have been presupposed. However, knowing what the eggs
looked like, and armed with a reading glass, we proceeded to the hillside the next
Saturday afternoon and looked over the plants from the ground to the top seed-
vessels. The inside of the latter were very carefully examined, as well as the little

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47

cluster of leaves closely pressed together at the foot of the plants ready for next
year's growth. Nothing was found, and it looked as if the old saying about looking
for a needle in a hay-stack might be revised to cover looking for a moth's egg on a
mountain. Next day I was in a different place, but seeing some of the figwort,
pulled up a clump just to see whether it had been attacked. It had — very much so.
All of a sudden it occured to me that the natural place for eggs to be deposited to
secure a ready access to food supply in spring had been overlooked, and that the
habit of the female running on the ground should have been a sufficient clue. As is
the case with many tall perennials that are bored, there remains of the previous
year's stem a little tube extending a few inches above ground and forming a natural
tunnel straight to the roots. Hastily, but carefully, with a penknife this was split
open and four eggs were revealed. Others were found, as many as twelve in one case,
and some of them were so slightly attached that many others may have dropped
down the hole. This, of course, may not be the only place the female selects, but it
satisfied me that in 1915 a good deal had been found out about the home of
strain ciitosa. There is one brood per annum, the egg hibernates, the larva feeds
wholly in the roots of the figwort, matures about the middle of J uly to August 10th,
the pupa lies beneath the plant about two inches below the surface, bores its way
to the surface tail first, the moth, emerging, tumbles the pupa over, and climbs
very rapidly up the plant's stem, stops, holds its soft wings by its sides for eight to
ten minutes, then when about half expanded, suddenly flaps them together over
the back like a butterfly at rest, and remains in that position till the wings are
fully developed, or about half an hour. The wings are then lowered, and the moth
crawls into a corner and stays there. How long it takes for the wings to become
dry enough for flight was not ascertained. Most of the moths emerged between
five p.m. and eight p.m. No parasites were observed, but indoors the wriggling
pupaj proved enticing to a pair of mice, and one of my small cages having a cotton
netting in front was entered, with the result that there was a round hole in the
net and the chrysalids went away inside the mice. They were evidently relished,
for next night a trap caught one mouse and the following night the other. This
suggests that field mice may greatly reduce the number of pupae after they come
up and wriggle about on tlie surface of the ground. The moth most closely allied
to the figwort borer — G. immanis, the hop-vine borer — is said to be considered as a
particularly choice delicacy by skunks (Can. Ent., XIV, 93-9'5), one hop-grower
stating that he had seen ten acres where not a dozen hills had escaped their little
noses. It may be that the absence of this odoriferous mammal from the neighbor-
hood of Montreal has given stramentosa a chance to increase in the land.

Detailed descriptions of the various stages will be published shortly by my
good friend, Mr. Bird, as in view of his wonderful knowledge of the life histories
of the boring Noctuids, it seemed more in the interests of science that the making
of descriptions and comparisons should come from his pen than from mine.

The President : We are very pleased to have Mr. Wjnn's paper, and I should
like to thank him for the specimens of this interesting moth which he has placed
in our National Collection here. It has been said to me by a keen external observer
of the activities of this Society for many years that there is a preponderance of
economic papers in our programme, and that this is not as it used to be, that in the
old days there were more papers of a purely scientific character by such men as
Mr. Winn, who are not professional entomologists but who follow entomology as
their chief hobby. For that reason we are especially pleased to have Mr. Winn's
paper. It would be a very bad day for the Society when papers of such a nature
cease to appear in our proceedings, and for that reason also we shall look forward

48 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

to hearing a number of other papers by our old friends who are not professional
entomologists, such as Dr. Eyles' paper this afternoon and Mr, Morris' paper to-
morrow. The paper is now open for discussion.

Mr. Gibson: The study of these Lepidopterous boring larvae such as Mr.
Winn has told us about is one which has always given great pleasure to those who
are interested in rearing the larvae of our moths. We have not, as yet, found this
insect at Ottawa, but now that we know more about the larvae and what they feed
upon we hope that we may be able to find the species. The chief boring larva of
this family which occurs in the Ottawa district is called the Burdock Borer,
Papaipema cataphracta. This is quite a pest, some years attacking soft-stemmed
flowering plants, such as dahlia, lily, etc., and in addition, of course, it occurs in
burdock and thistle. I am very glad to know that Mr. Winn has donated specimens
for the collections here.

Sir James Grant: Mr. President, I should like to make a few observations.
I am happy to inform you that after a very careful survey of the Dominion of
Canada, from Victoria on the Pacific to Halifax on the Atlantic, through the
whole of Central Canada and Few Ontario, that the work of this Entomological
Society has proved of great practical value to Canada in the Department of Public
Health. The information that you have given to our people on the part played
by the house-fly as carriers of disease has conserved very materially the life of the
people of Canada. Those house-flies play, as you know, a very important part in
the dissemination of tuberculosis from sputum. There is now, I am happy to
inform you, as you will find in my report recently presented to the Canadian
Public Health Association at Toronto, a reduction in the past fifteen years of fully
twenty-five per cent, in the number of cases of tuberculosis. I have lately gone
through whole sections of Central Canada where fifteen years ago the disease was
very common, indeed, hundreds of cases in nearly every direction. To-day, with
difiiculty, in those sections can you discover a solitary case of tuberculosis, and I
am happy to inform this Association that if they continue the good work they have
done in the past in the preservation of health by similar measures, and by the
destruction of the house-fly, I am confident that the next ten or fifteen years will
bring about a reduction of this disease of fully fifty per cent. The head of the
Pasteur Institute, Paris, France, has recently announced that throughout the whole
of Europe there is now a reduction of fully twenty-five) per cent., and I am very
glad, indeed, to have accepted your kind, invitation to attend this meeting to thank
you and the members of this Association, for the active part taken in instructing
our people, as to the vast importance of the destruction of this house-fly, which is
undoubtedly very instrumental in the production of the death rate from tuberculosis.

Dr. Hewitt: We are very pleased to have Sir James Grant with us and I
hope that he will attend as many sessions as he can and hear other papers of
interest.

INSECTS OP STE. ANNE'S, QUE., SEASON OF 1915.

E. Melville DuPorte, Macdonald College, Que.

During the past season there were outbreaks of several injurious insects at
Ste. Anne's and the surrounding country, the most important of which are dis-
cussed below.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49

Grains and Clovers.

The Feit Fly (Oscinis carhonaria) along with the Wheat Stem Maggot
{Meromyza americana) caused appreciable injury to small grains. These insects
which have not, at least within recent years, been destructive in this region were
more plentiful than usual.

Hessian Fly injury was observed by Mr. P. I. Bryce in the experimental
plots at Macdonald College. Hitherto these plots have been free from this pest.
As the plots worst affected were in the neighborhood of a manure pile it is prac-
tically certain that the insects were brought in with the manure.

The more important insects of the clover during the season were the Clover
Seed Chalcid (Bruchophagus funehris), The Lesser Leaf Weevil {Phytonomus
nigirostris). The Clover Mite {Bryobia pratensis), The Pea Aphis
(Macrosiphum pisi), and Tychkis picirostris. The Seed Chalcid was quite des-
tructive during the seasons of 1913 and 1914. The injury due to it was not so
marked during the season under discussion, but its work was supplemented by
that of the Lesser Clover-leaf Weevil, the larvae of which destroyed a fair pro-
portion of the red clover seed. The Clover Mite was quite abundant in the latter
part of the season.

Locusts. The locust outbreak was very severe in the Province of Quebec
during the past season. Not only forage and field crops, but some garden crops
were severely injured. The species most numerous and causing most injury at
Ste. Anne's was the red-legged locust (Melanoplus femur-ruhrum) . M. hivittatus
was also quite numerous. At Macdonald College the poisoned bran mash, Kansas
formula, was used to protect the experimental plots. For some reason the
mortality among the locusts was not as high as expected. The incursion of locusts
from neighboring untreated fields increased the difficulty of controlling the pest
and for this reason strong emphasis should be laid on co-operation among farmers
in combatting these insects.

Field and Garden Crops.

Cutworms. Another very serious outbreak of cutworms occurred in parts
of the Province, causing considsrable injury to garden and field crops. At Ste.
Anne's the species responsible for most of the injury was the striped cutworm
{Euxoa tessellata), but a few white cutworms and red-backed cutworms were also
found. Several parasites of these insects were actively at work, and the relatively
small number of moths observed holds out some hope that the cutworms will be
less destructive next year.

Boot Maggots. Both the cabbage root maggot (Chortophila Irassicce) and
the seed corn maggot {Chortophila fusciceps) were the cause of much injury to
cruciferous crops. In some turnip fields a large proportion of the plants was
destroyed by the seed corn maggot even after the tops were practically full grown
and the roots had attained a fair size. The carrot rust fly (Psila rosce) was more
injurious than usual this year, causing considerable loss in small kitchen gardens.

The Beet-Leaf Miner (Chortophila vicina) was injurious at Ste. Annes to
mangels, beets and spinach. Complaints were received also from other parts of the
Province.

The Hop Flea-Beetle {PsylUodes punctulata). Beets and mangels were
badly attacked by this insect in the early part of the season. It was the only flea-
beetle which occurred in very large numbers at Ste. Anne's.

50 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

The growing of parsnip seed for the first time at Macdonald College intro-
duced there a new pest, the Parsnip Weh-Worm {Depressaria lieracliana), which
greatly reduced the yield of seed. This insect is always present in the wild carrot
at Ste. Anne's but has not before given us any trouble.

Oechard and Small Fkuits.

The Plum Slug (Eriocampoides limacina) was very destructive during 1913
and 1914, and judging by the number of adults which emerged last spring and the
number of eggs laid, I expected a severe outbreak this season. The eggs, however,
were so effectively parasitized by the chalcid Pentartliron minutum that it was not
even necessary to spray for the slug.

The Budmoth {Tmetocera ocellana) continues to be injurious in various
parts of the Province, especially in poorly kept orchards. Its parasites were at
work, Pentarthron minutum being most active. Experiments on the control of
the budmoth larvae indicated that they could be kept in check by the application of
two sprays, one three days before the blossoms open, the other shortly after the
petals fall. It was also found that lead arsenate at the rate of 21/2 lbs. per 100
gallons of spray, applied at the end of June while the eggs are on the leaf, will
destroy a very large proportion of the newly hatched larvae.

The Cigar Case Bearer {Coleophora fletcherella) was present on unsprayed
trees but gave no trouble in well kept orchards.

The work of the Buffalo Tree-Hopper was very evident in some orchards.
In a young orchard of about 4,000 trees, not far from Ste. Anne's, this insect has
dwarfed and deformed several of the trees to such an extent that they are practi-
cally valueless.

Among the insects injurious to small fruits the more important were the
Currant Saw Flt^ the Raspberry Saw Fly, and the imported Currant Borer.

THE OCCUPEENCE OF TYCHIUS PICIEOSTEIS ON" CLOYEE AT

STE. ANNE'S, QUE.

E. Melville DuPorte, Macdonald College, Que.

Last May I noticed that the leaves of red clover which forms a cover crop in
an orchard at Ste. Anne's were being destroyed by a small snout beetle. This
insect was present in large numbers feeding gregariously on the leaves, in many
caJses upwards of twenty being found on a single leaf. On being disturbed the
weevils readily " feigned death " and fell to the ground. Specimens sent to the
United States Bureau of Entomology were identified as Tychius picirostris by
Mr. E. A. Schwarz.

Later in the season, as soon as the clover came into bloom, the insects deserted
the leaves and attacked the flower heads in which they remained throughout the
season. My latest record is dated September 28th.

The weevil was found in practically all fields of common red and mammoth
red clover in the neighborhood of Ste. Anne's, but did not seem to attack other
varieties.

The adult beetle is a small curculio about 2.25 mm. long and 1 mm. broad.
The interspaces of the elytra are thickly clothed with narrow, hair-like, procumbent

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

51

scales, the elytral strife are naked. The ventral side of the body bears somewhat
broader scales. Pronotum punctate; not much narrower than the elytra; its
length about equal to its greatest breadth; narrowed in front; the scales on the
pronotum and also on the legs are similar to those on the elytra. The head is
sparsely clothed. with fine hairs; the beak is about as long again as the head and
clothed at its basal end with scales like those of the elytra.

The scales of the elytra and prothorax give the weevil a pale olive green colour,
but they are rubbed off as the insect gets oldex, leaving the elytra and pronotum
bare so that the insect gradually assumes a dark brown colour.

Tychius picirostris is not an indigenous form, but has been introduced from
Europe where it attacks the flower heads of red clover, plantain and Genista. It
has not before been recorded as injurious in North America though I learn from

Tychius picirostris on clover leaf. (Original.)

Professor Y. M. Webster that it has been collected at Ithaca and Oswego, N. Y.,
and at Framingham, Mass. I have ob^^orved it at Ste. Anne's for several years,
but not before in sufficiently large numbers to be regarded as injurious.

The President: Mr. DuPorte is to ho congratulated on lii.-^ account of his
season's work, which indicates how very active he lias been and to what good
purpose he has directed his attention. We hero have been particularly interested
in his observations on Tychiu.t /jiViro.s^n,-?. this new ])ost of clover, and probably
Mr. Gibson has some remarks to make about tliis.

53 THE EEPOKT OF THE No. 36

Mr. Gibson: We have a specimen in the collection which may possibly be
this species and which is from Brockville. We have not, however, examined it
carefully enough to be certain. I was glad to hear of the eastern occurrence of
the Hop Elea-beetle, which Mr, DuPorte referred to.

Prof. Lochhead: I would like to remark in regard to Mr. DuPorte's papers
that I had not much time to give to the work done by Mr. DuPorte, who is a
member of the Biology staff of Macdonald College as investigator under the
Dominion Federal Agricultural Institution Act. He has done a great deal of
work of which this is a small fraction, and he has other more elaborate work at
hand. It is especially in the line of anatomical work that his investigations are
valuable. I know of no person in Canada who is more adept or more patient in
the unravelling of minute anatomy than Mr. DuPorte, and we may expect to
hear of some of his investigations a little later. He had the honour of presenting
a paper to the Koyal Society last year, and I feel sure that Mr. DuPorte will
favor us year after year with his attendance and give an account of his work.

The President: If there is no further discussion I think we will conclude
this morning's session.

THUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th— AFTERNOON" SESSION.

The President: We are to begin the afternoon session with a paper by
Dr. Fyles. Dr. Fyles needs no introduction to the Entomological Society. He
is the oldest member among us, and when he said last year that the paper he
presented would be probably the last I well remember disputing the fact with
him, and apparently my own prophecy has proved correct in that we are to
enjoy another paper by Dr. Fyles entitled " Observations Upon Some of tlie
Predaceous and Parasitic Hymenoptera."

OBSERVATIONS UPON SOME OF THE PREDACEOUS AND PARASITIC

HYMENOPTERA.

Rev. Dr. Fyles, Ottaw^a.

One day in summer, I was sitting under the verandah of a friend's house,
at Hull, when I noticed a specimen of Pelopceus cementarius Drury, exploring
some webs that had escaped the notice of the mistress of the dwelling. The
creature was in search of spiders, wherewith to provision the mud castles that
it was building for its young. This incident suggested the subject of my paper.

The question entered my mind. How can I obtain a supply of the mud
structures for use in the preparation of the article? I bethought me that boys
are privileged, and can go where older persons cannot, without being regarded
as intruders, so I asked the aid of one of Baden Powell's hoy scouts, and not
in vain; for next day he obtained for me an ample supply of the castles, from
an unused attic of a neighboring house.

Pelopceus cementarius has practised the business of pottery from the creation
of the world that now is. Its instinct impels and guides it, and its work is
accurately done, according to its need.

I have watched the insect preparing material for its building.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53

In the grounds of the late Mr. Quartus Bliss, at Compton, in the eastern
townships, there was a horse-trough hewn out of a huge basswood log. The
water was supplied by a spring, and its overliow escaped at one end of the trough,
through a circular cut, and formed a puddle in the clay ground. One day, when
on a visit to Mr. Bliss, I saw a number of mud-wasps at this puddle gathering
soil, tempering it with their mandibles, and then flying away with pellets of
the cement.

The cells brought to me were in masses, and probably numbered two hundred.
They reminded me of dirty peanuts jammed together. Within each was a long
oval chamber, at one end of which were the remains of the spiders on which the
inmate had fed. Next to these was a hard cap, rough and rounded on the out-
side, and concave and polished on the inside. Attached to this was a case, yield-
ing to the touch, and somewhat brittle, but strengthened by a fine silken covering,
which I found could be peeled off.

The case was semi-transparent. The form of the waxen larva, free and
unattached, could be seen through it. Examined through a glass it appeared
to be formed of a like silken texture as its covering, but smoothed and compacted
by a vehicle that resembled glue or varnish.

W

y/ah si^e.

Grub of Pelopceus cementarius (Drury) in the month of November.

As the case was complete, and the remains of the spiders on the outside of
it, its occupant must have ceased to feed.

The perfect Pelopceus is a grim object, very active, very forbidding. Its
" frightfulness " is its protection. It seems to say, " You let me alone, and I'll
let you alone." In reality it is one of our insect friends.

I think three spiders for each would be a low estimate for the provision made
in the cells brought to me. That would give 600 spiders collected in the im-
mediate vicinity of the house in which the cells were found. Now, when you
call to mind how prolific the female spider is, you will be able to form a faint
idea of the terrible and disgusting plague from which the mud-wasps preserve us.

But the spiders have their use in the economy of nature. Are there no
counter checks against the undue increase of the mud-wasps? Yes, several
ichneumon-flies have been recorded as preying upon them; for instance, Cri/ptus
junceus Cresson (Am. Ent, Vol. I, p. 137).

Some years ago, I had a batch of Pelopfeus cells in my study window. One
day, when the wasps were breaking from their domiciles, I found a specimen of
Sarcophaga prcedator Zabriski in the window. I can only account for its presence
by supposing that it came from one of the mud cells. If my surmise is right,
how cnn wc account for the presence of intruders sucli as this in the mud castles

54 THE KEPOET OF THE No. 36

of the wasp ? I think that Prof. W, S. Blatchley, in " Woodland Idyls/' pages
206-9, has supplied an answer. He tells that he saw an ichneumon light upon a
spider, that a wasp was carrying of, and deposit an ^gg in it.

Zahriski found S. pradator in the nests of Vespa maculata Linn., and Vespa
germanica Pabr., insects of widely different nesting habits. Has it a wider choice
of domiciles? It may have.

The Digger Wasps should be numbered among our insect friends.

One summer day, a few years ago, I was walking in the beautiful cemetery
at St. Joseph de Levis when I came to a bare and unused portion of ground.
The soil was light yet not friable. It seemed to be just suitable for the operations
of Bembex fasciatus Fab. About a score of these insects were in sight, some of
them sinking shafts in the ground; others storing their shafts already completed
with Blue-bottle flies.

It must be told here that a considerable tract of Government land lies near
the burial ground which I have spoken of; and that some of the dwellers in the
vicinity were guilty of the reprehensible practice of carting their garbage out to
this waste laud, and leaving it there uncovered. It was not surprising that
31ow-flies were plentiful in the neighborhood, and that Digger Wasps and Carrion
Settles Avere plentiful there, too.

I once saw Ammophila communis Cresson, staggering along with a cater-
pillar larger than itself, and then burying it in a hole previously prepared.

The monarch of our Canadian ichneumons is undoubtedly Thalessa atrafa Fab.

On the ITtli of June, 1899, the Quebec Branch of the Entomological Society,
which was then in a flourishing condition, held a field day in the grounds of Mr.
Harper Wade, of JSTew Liverpool, Quebec. Mr. Wade's house is on a bluff over-
looking the St. Lawrence. Behind it is an extensive lawn bordered by ornamental
trees and shrubs. At the time of our visit a huge maple log had been sawn
into blocks of stove length, ready for the splitting; but the owner had placed
them here and there, under the trees, for rustic seats. On approaching one of
these I found several female specimens of atrata in the act of depositing their eggs,
while others of the species were darting about in the vicinity. Each block had
its visitors of the kind attracted by the larvae of Tremex columha Linn., which
Were tunneling in the wood. But how were the ichneumons attracted? Was it
by some subtile emanation from their victims? Who can say?

There are trees on each side of the street on which I live. A Eed Maple
(Acer ruhimni) is growing a few yards from my door. On the 16th of June,
1912, looking from the portico over this door, I saw an assembly of ten or a
d6^6ti' males of Thalessa lunaior Fabr. The insects were clustered on a spot where
a limb of the tree had been lopt some years before.

' ' There was apparently much agitation amongst them. Before night two fe-
ina:les made their appearance from the wood; and then the males dwindled in
number. Only the two females remained next day.

What attracted the male insects to the spot where the females were about
to show themselves? Was it scent, or sound, or some influence we know not of?

While speaking of the Longtails let me say that some years ago, I took on
the Heights of Levis a Thalessa of great rarity. It is about the size, and of
the same rich sienna-colour as Thalessa lunator Fabr., but very different in its
markings. Instead of the lunettes which are seen on the abdomen of lunator,
there are, on each side of the 3rd, 4th and 5th abdominal segments of the insect
I am speaking of, a bright crome-yellow circle upon a black fascia which passes
round the segment. I presume that this insect is Thalessa norfoni Cresson.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55

Epialthes gigds Walsh, which closely follows the above in our lists, has a
forbidding appearance. Epialthes (Gr.) means a nightmare, one that leaps upon
you. Not a bad name! Decidedly it is better to have the insect preserved in
the cabinet than alive in the bed-chamber.

I have in my collection, amongst many other useful insects, representatives
of twenty-two species of the genus Ichneumon. They attack the Noctuids. I
have seen Ichneumon Icetus Brulle break from the emptied skin of a cut-worm.

The micro-hymenoptera are valuable friends to man. I have here a family
of 103 specimens of Apanteles longicornis Provancher, which fed in one Tussock
caterpillar, and then spun their cocoons around the remainder of their victim.

To show how thoroughly the work of the micro-hymenopterous parasites is
done, and how important it is, in sometimes un-noted directions :

Those who have stood on a Quebec wharf in the blueberry season, and seen
the Saguenay steamhoats discharging their freight, will have noticed the stacks
of rude boxes, made of slabs from the sawmills, and filled with blueberries, landed
there; and they will have witnessed the eagerness with which dealers have made
bids for them. The reflection will have come into their minds, what an important
source of revenue — what a provision of food — the blueberry crop must prove, to the
poor inhabitants of the Chicoutimi and Saguenay wilds, and how serious a loss
to them its failure would be.

In May, 1895, I sent to Mr. Wm. H. A&hmead, a number of galls that I
had found on the blueberry bushes at Levis, and specimens of the flies that I
had raised from them. Mr. Ashmead replied:

" The gall on Vaccinium is my Solenozopheria vaccinii described in 1887
(Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XIV, p. 149).

" The parasite reared from it is my Megorismus nuhilipennis. The gall occurs
abundantly on various species of Vaccinium, in all parts of the country, but the
maker is extremely rare; and the only one known, so far as I know, is my single
type specimen. I took the gall by the hundreds, and have never reared but one
specimen of the gall-maker; all other things reared from it heing parasites. I
have reared several distinct species of micro-hymenoptera from it, although of these
the M. nuhilipe7inis was the most common."

One of the most brilliant little micro-hymenoptera came under my notice in
peculiar circumstances, and has remained a memory and a mystery to me to this
day. The late Mr. Joshua Thompson, of D'Aubigny Villa, Levis, sent to me one
day in July, begging me to come and see his plum trees. The trees were loaded
with half -grown fruit; and a most remarkable invasion of the trees had occurred.
I never witnessed anything like it. There were myriads of tiny h^onenopterons
upon them. I counted as many as thirty on one plum. The females of the
species had their ovipositors thrust deep into the fruit.

I submitted specimens of the insects to Mr. Ashmead and he declared them
to belong to a new species. I named them Torymus thompsoni, and I published
a full description of them in the Thirty-fourth Ann. Eep. of the Ent. Soc. of
Ont., page 10. The type of the species is in my collection in Ottawa.

I had previously raised specimens of Torymus sachenii Ashmead, from
blisters on the leaves of Golden Rod.

In the valuable series of Farmers' Bulletins issued by the Bureau of Ento-
molog}% at "Washington, there appeared lately an article by Mr. F. M. "Webster,
which reminded us of a time when the hearts of men began to fail them for fear
■because of the devastations wrought in their grain fields by the Hessian Fly.
Where this insect comes in its strength — to use the words of 'Mr. Webster —

56 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

"hundreds of thousands of acres of wheat may be either totally, or so badly
injured as to reduce the yield 50 to 75 per cent, and the monetary losses expressed
in dollars would run far up into the millions."

Agriculturists, at the time I have alluded to, were at their wits' end to dis-
cover checks upon the destroyers. The checks came, but they were not of man's
devising. Doubtless, in the beginning of the world that now is, such interruptions
and disturbances in the order of nature, as the Hessian Fly plague —

" Deep in God's foreknowledge lay."

And it was He who brought to bear the minute antagonists of the fly, that
are so well figured in the bulletin I have mentioned, viz.: PoUgnotus hiemalis,
Merisus destructor, Platygaster lierrichii, Bceotomus suhapieriL^.

A bulletin on the Hessian Fly has also been written by Mr. Norman Griddle,
and published by direction of the Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa. In it a full
description of the pest, its life-history, and its operations are given. A reference
to its hymenopterous parasites is also made.

Such investigations as Mr. Webster and Mr. Griddle, and others of our prac-
tical Entomologists, are carrying on, dignify our favorite study, and raise it far
above trivialities and hobbies. In following out the life-histories of our insect
friends and insect foes, and showing how wonderfully they work for the general
good, they —

" Justify the ways of God to man." '

In pointing out the best methods of operating under the vicissitudes of nature,
of remedying evils, and advancing benefits, their work is ennobled, for the are
"workers together with God."

HYMENOPTERA PARASITICA-hICHNEUMONID^ TAKEN IN THE PROVINCE
OF QUEBEC BY THE REV. DR. FYLES.

ICHNEUMONID^.

Ichneumon annuUpes Cresson. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon canadensis Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon cincticornis Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon comes Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon creperus Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon extrematus Cresson. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon flavicornis Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon flavizonatus Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon grandis Brulle. Levis.
Ichneumon insolens Cresson. Levis.
Ichneumon jucundus Brulle. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon Iwtus Brull6. Levis, common.
Ichneumon malacus Say. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon paratus Say. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon pictifrons Cresson. Levis.
Ichneumon promptus Cresson. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon rufiventris Brulle. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon sublatus Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon unifasciatorius Say. Levis, common.
Ichneumon versaMlis Cresson. Levis, common.
Ichneumon wilsoni Cresson. Levis, rare.
Ichneumon xanthropus Ashmead. Levis, rare.
Amblyteles indistinctus Provancher. Levis, rare.
Amblyteles guebecensis Provancher. Levis, rare.
Amblyteles rufizonatus Cresson. Levis, rare.
Amblyteles subrufus Cresson. Levis, common.
Amblyteles saturalis Say. Levis, rare.
Trogus brullei Cresson. Levis, common.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57

Tragus copei Cresson. Levis, common.

Tragus excsorius Brull6. Levis, common.

Tragus fulvipes Cresson. Levis.

Herpestamus hebrus Cresson. Levis, rare.

Trychosis tunicula-rubra Fyles. Levis.

Cryptiis americanus Cresson. Levis, rare.

Cryptus extrematis Cresson. Levis, parasitic in Samia cecropia.

Cryptus rohusttis Cresson. Levis, rare.

Hemiteles mucronatus Provancher. Levis, parasite of Tricataphe levisella Fyles.

Hemiteles utilis Norton. Levis, secondary parasite in Acronycta larvae.

Ophian macrurum Linneus. Levis, parasitic in the Saturnians.

Ophion purgatum Say. Levis, common,

Exachilum juscipenne Norton. Levis, common.

Exochilum mundum Say. Levis, common.

Heteropelma flavicarnis Brulle. Levis, common.

Opheltes glaucopterus Linneus. Levis, parasitic in Cimhex americana.

Paniscus geminatus Say. Levis, common.

Campoplex glaucus Norton. Levis, rare.

Campaplex laticinctus Cresson. Levis, rare.

Exetastes rufofemoratus Provancher. Levis, common.

Exetastes suaveolens Walsh. Levis, rare.

Sphecophorus prcedator Zabriskie. Hull parasitic in nests of Vespa.

Polyblastus guebecensis Provancher. Levis.

Exyston humeralis Davis. Levis, rare.

Bassus tripicticrus Walsh. Levis, rare.

urates amcenus Cresson. Levis.

Arates vicinus Cresson. Iron Hill.

Thalessa atrata Fabricius. New Liverpool.

Thalessa lunatar Fabricius. Sherbrooke, common.

Thalessa nartoni Cresson. Levis, very rare.

Ephialtes gigas Walsh. Levis.

Pimpla annulicarnis Cresson. Levis, rare.

Pimpla conguisitar Say, Levis, common.

Pimpla inquisitar Say. Levis, parasitic on Hylotoma pectoralis.

Pimpla pedalis Cresson. Levis, common.

Pimpla pterelas Say. Levis.

Pimpla tenuicornis Cresson. Levis, rare.

Lampronata americana Cresson. Levis, common,

Lampronota punctulata Cresson. Levis, rare.

Lampronata varia Cresson. Levis, rare.

Xytonamus stigmapterus Say. Levis.

Echthrus abdaminalis Cresson. Levis.

The President: Dr. Fyles, I should like to express on my own behalf and
on behalf of the members here our great appreciation of your address, especially
your peroration and your tribute to those practical entomologists who, in their work
are rather apt to forget that aesthetic and beautiful side of entomology which
you so well express, not only in this but in your previous papers. Your reference
from time to time of discoveries you made fifty years ago make so many of us
here feel how really very young we are, and how much we have to learn from
our predecessors "in entomological investigation and study. I have always felt,
sir, that the papers and addresses which you have given from time to time are
most valuable to us particularly as exponents of good English. I feel that in
the hurried life we lead and the desire that some workers have to get their
information quickly into print, there is a tendency to neglect the form and style
of our English, which, of course, as English-speaking people, we should do every-
thing we can to prevent, and, therefore, for an additional reason your addresses
are more valuable and of practical use to us as examples of the use to which
English can be put. I will not detain the meeting any longer, because there
may be other members who would like to say a few words of appreciation.

Prof. ItOchhead: Mr. President, may I say a few words in addition to
what our Chairman has said regarding the long services of Dr. Fyles in connection
5 E.8.

58

THE EEPOET OF THE

Xo.

36

with work in entomology? I have known Dr. Fyles for over twenty years; I am
sorry I have not known him longer, for I might have been a better man. About
twenty years ago I came into contact with a small number of men older than
myself, I might say a generation older — Dr. Fyles, Dr. Bethune and Dr. Fletcher,
a little younger than these two. I met them all at the Annual Meeting in London,
in 1895 or 1896. These men, I think you will all have observed, have given great
attention to the literary form in which they express themselves. I have said
very frequently in reading over their papers (take the old Entomological Society
Eeports of Dr. Bethune or Dr. Fletcher, for example) that they were masters

Megarhyssa atrata ovipositing on maple, ap-
proximately natural size. Photograph by
Charles Macnamara, Arnprior, Ont.

of English, and we are not keeping up to the standard they set in this respect.
I agree with our Chairman that more attention should be given to the form in
which our reports and papers are prepared. This is not the first paper I have
heard from Dr. Fyles during all that time, for he has seldom been absent from
the meetings. Then in addition, we have had him several times in attendance
at our meetings of the Quebec Society for the Protection of Plants at Macdonald
College. While Dr. Fyles is a strong member of the Ontario Entomolgical Society,
yet I think his heart is in Quebec, where he has laboured so long. While he
cannot come down to our meetings as he used to, yet we always feel that his
heart is with us, and his mind and thoughts are with us at our Annual Meetings.
I hope he will be able to come down for the next meeting. I rise simply to
show my appreciation of the valuable work that Dr. Fyles has done in connection
with the Society.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59

The President : I wish to make a slight alteration in the programme because
of the circumstances. We have with us a gentleman from Arnprior, Mr. Macnamara,
who is rapidly becoming an entomologist — in fact I think he is already an ento-
mologist. He has been making some very interesting observations on certain
insects to which Dr. Fylcs referred, namely, those extraordinary hymenopterous
parasites of the genus Thalessa. Mr, "Macnamara, in addition to being an ento-
mologist, is also a photographer of considerable skill, and has been able to apply
his photographic knowledge to the recording of the oviposition of those extra-
ordinary parasites, some of the most extraordinary parasites we have, and, therefore,
I think it is rather fitting that, although I took upon myself to ask Mr. Macnamara
to read this paper and it is, therefore, not in the programme as the latter had
already been prepared, Mr. Macnamara should give us a brief discussion on his
observations of which he has some photographs.

Mr. Macnamara: You have taken me entirely by surprise. Dr. Hewitt, and
I do not think I have much of interest to say, but I have a few photographs of
one of the ichneumons that the members may care to see. The prints show the
male and female Thalessa, or as the genus is now called, " Megarhyssa" airata;
and the female alone with her extraordinary ovipositor separated to show the
two sheathes and the drill. Other prints, show the tree infested with Tremex
which the M. atrata frequented, and magnified views of the ovipositor, foot and
other parts are given. Perhaps the most interesting views are those of the insect
in the act of ovipositing, with the flexible sheathes curved over her back.

I first observed these insects ovipositing on a maple tree in a small hardwood
grove about the middle of June. They were in considerable numbers, some days
twenty to twenty-five, and continued egg-laying until the middle of September
Avhen they disappeared. As their victim, the Tremex never seems to attack per-
fectly sound wood,' Megarhyssa generally bores into somewhat decayed material,
but it is wonderful that she should be able to drive her ovipositor as she does,
to a depth of five or six inches into wood that we find hard enough to cut with
a chisel or a knife.

Dr. Fyles spoke of the instinct which enables them to discover the tree
tunnelled by the Tremex. Their instinct in this respect is remarkable, but by
no means infallible. The Megarhyssa I observed frequently only on one tree
in a grove of five or six acres, and frequent and careful search failed to discover
them on any other tree in the wood. But in October a large maple nearby,
broken off by a gale, was found to be riddled by Tremex and no Megarhyssa
had ever discovered them.

As Dr. Hewitt has taken me entirely by surprise I hope you will excuse the
crudeness of my remarks, as I have not had time to prepare anything, but
"prol)ably the photographs will prove interesting to some of you.

The President : I think the pliotographs which are going around will prove
my statement that we have with us a photographer-turned entomologist, and those
of you who remember Mr. Macnamara's previous contributions to entomology
in the shape of his account of the habits and some notes on the biology of those
verv small, little-studied creatures. Arhonites, will agree with me that we have
a very ardent entomologist in Mr. Macnamara, and I do not think that he will
need any further introduction or words to back up his election for membership
when his name comes forward, as it will to-morrow.

Prof. Caesar: This photograph of Mr. Macnamara's, showing ovipositing
is extremely good. It is a most wonderful thing to look at this insect ovipositing.

60 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

Time after time I have watched it and tried to get a photograph, but failed at
the last moment. Might I ask that this photograph be published ?

The President: I agree with Professor Caesar that the publication of that
photograph would be most useful.

We will now proceed to the programme. The; next paper is that by Mr.
Parrott and Dr. Glasgow on " The Leaf Weevil (Polydrosus impressifrons Gyll.)
in New York."

THE LEAP- WEEVIL {Polydnisus'' impressifrons Gyll.) IN NEW YOEK.

P. J, Parrott and Hugh Glasgow.

The leaf-weevil which is discussed in this paper is a new and, until the in-
ception of this study, an unrecorded enemy of shade and fruit trees in the United
States. In view of the losses sustained by farming interests in America by intro-
duced insects a newly-discovered species of foreign origin, however unimportant
it is in its original home, is the subject of considerable speculation as well as of
some apprehension until its status as a pest is definitely determined. The follow-
ing notes represent a preliminary account of our studies upon the weevil, which
are perhaps not without interest to those who are especially concerned in matters
dealing with the introduction and spread of noxious insects.

Discovery and Identification of Species.

Our attention was first attracted to this species during the summer of 1906
when large numbers of the beetles were observed in young plantings of willows and
poplars in the vicinity of Geneva. They were present on nearly every tree and
were feeding on the margins of the more succulent leaves. Some days later
specimens of the insect were sent to us by the foreman of a nursery in another
part of Ontario County, N.Y., who reported that the beetles were injuring roses
and apples. As the species was apparently not represented in entomological
collections in this country and it was difficult to secure positive identification,,
specimens of the insects were forwarded to Professor Alfred Giard, The Sorbonne,.
Paris, and to Doctor G. Horvath, The Hungarian National Museum, Budapest,,
both of whom independently classified the beetle as Polydrusus impressifrons Gyll.

Status of the Species in Europe.

In view of the great numbers of the beetle in certain sections of New York,
a perusal of European literature impresses strongly two points on the mind of
the reader: (1) The weevil belongs to a group of insects which contain some
species that are destructive, and (2) the species impressifrons is of little signi-
ficance; and there apparently very little knowledge, if any, as regards its life
history and habits — deficiencies which hold equally for some associated species
that are of considerable importance, and therefore better known, at least by name.
Notwithstanding the seeming lack of detailed data on life histories and habits,
the weevils attacking buds and tender foliage of fruit and shade trees appear to
be more injurious and varied as regards number of species in Europe than is

*This genus is also designated Polydrosus, but W. D. Pierce of the U. S. Bureau of
Entomology has kindly informed us that the foregoing designation is, according to the
rules of nomenclature, to be preferred.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 61

the case in this country. From the standpoint of economic status, two Otiorhyuchid
genera are at this time of special interest — Phyllohius and Polydrusus, which
comprise a number of species of weevils that range from various shades of brown
to bluish-green or golden yellow in colour. Several of these are listed as noxious
insects because of their habit of nibbling young opening buds and then later
attacking the foliage. With plants of horticultural importance as hosts some species
also do considerable harm by gnawing the parts of the blossoms and thus prevent-
ing fructification. According to Zimmerman* the species of these genera are
very similar in appearance and the two groups are distinguished by the character
of the antennal groove. In his discussion he, however, treats the different species
as a whole, considering in the following order Phyllohius argentatus L., Phyl.
maculicornis, Polydrusus sericeus Schall, Phyl. pyri, L., Poly, mollis Stroem.,
Phyl. ohlongus L., and Phyl. viridicollis Fabr. Aside from merely mentioning
the names of the foregoing species and calling attention to errors in the writings of
other authors, very little information is given as to the life histories and bionomics
of the insects. It is to be noted also that impressifrons is not listed, an omission
which would indicate that it was not of sufiBcient importance to be considered
in an economic treatise. Judeich* and Nitsche mention nine species of the genus
Phyllohius and two species of the genus Polydrusus, and make no reference to
impressifrons. The also call attention to the lack of knowledge upon the dif-
ferent insects of the two groups. Die^ Tierischen Feinde by Eeh, which is one
of the latest economic works on European insects, contains a brief account of a
number of species in the genus Phyllohius, and states that of the numerous species
in the genus Polydrusus only a few are so abundant as to be destructive. Four
species are mentioned, but there is no reference to impressifrons. While Nord-
linger,* Kaltenbach° and Hess* discuss other species in either of the two genera,
none of these authors refer to the insect under discussion. In Fauna Austrica,
Redtenbacher' gives a brief description of impressifrons, and states its habitat is
North Germany. Jager' gives its distribution as Germany and France. In 1888*
Schilsky listed the species and states that it is plentiful throughout Germany.
Turning now to England, Eye*" in his work on Brtish Beetles lists a good number
of species of the genera, Phyllohius and Polydrusus, in which impressifrons is
not definitely included. Theobald" in his Insect Pests of Fruit makes no reference
to any species of Polydrusus, but discusses with some detail several Phyllohius
species as Phyl. calcaratus, maculicornis, ohlongus and uniformis. He states that
various leaf weevils are found on all kinds of vegetation and that several species
are common to not only many kinds of fruit but also to various forest trees and
shrubs. Two species more prominent than others on fruit trees and bushes arc
the Green Leaf Weevil {Phyl. maculicornis) and the Oblong Leaf Weevil {Phyl.
ohlongus). The Glaucous Leaf Weevil {Phyl. calcaratus) is also mentioned as
doing serious damage to black currant bushes. It usually occurs on alders and
various low bushes and hedges. With respect to impressifrons Professor Tlieobald

'Zimmerman, Hugo, Die Obstbauschadlinge aus der Familie der Riisselkafer.

'Judeich, J. F., and Nitsche, H., Forstinsektenkunde, Bd. I, pp. 407-411.

*Reh, L., Handbuch der Pflanzenkrankheiten, Bd. 3, p. 539. 1913.

* Nordlinger, H., Die kleinen Feinde der Landwirthschaft, 1855.

•Kaltenbach, J. H., Die Pflanzenfeinde, 1874.

•Hess, W., Die Feinde des Obstbaues, 1892.

'Redtenbacher, Ludwig, Fauna Austrica, Die Kafer, Wlen, 1858.

•Jager, G., Kaferbuch (C. G. Calwer), p. 420.

•Schilsky, J., Systematlsches Verzeichnis der Kafer Deutschlands, 1888.

"Rye, Edward C, British Beetles, 1886.

" Theobald, F. V., Insect Pests of Fruit, 1909.

62 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

informed the senior author in 1914 that he was not familiar with it and no speci-
mens were contained in his museum collections. As the species seemed to be
more numerous in France, Austria and Germany, and desiring to know more
of its present status as an injurious insect, a circular letter soliciting information
on the creature was sent to a goodly numher of European entomologists. The
importance of the species can he judged from excerpts from two letters, one from
France and one from Austria. A. Giard"^ writes that while impressifrons is by
no means rare in the spring upon willow and alder, it is not an important species,
and little is known regarding its ethology. Zimmerman" states that the insect
is not very common in Austria or Germany and occurs on willow and alder.
Injuries to the foliage of fruit trees have not so far heen recorded. Little know-
ledge exists as to its life history and habits.

DiSTEIBUTION IN NeV7 YoEK.

The actual range of distribution of the beetle in the State of New York has
not been determined. The insect has become established in Ontario, Monroe and
Wayne counties, and scattering numbers of the species have heen captured as far
west as Albion, in Orleans county. It is not improhahle that the species occurs
over a larger territory than has been indicated.

Food Plants.

The heetle is apparently an omnivorous feeder, subsisting on the foliage of a
large number of plants, among which there may be listed birch, willow, poplar,
apple and pear as its favorite plants. Scattering individuals have been collected
at various times on elm, rose, linden and black locust, which seemingly were
feeding on these plants, although their presence on them may have been acci-
dental and due to the close proximity of more attractive plants. While specimens
of the beetles, either actively engaged in feeding or in copulation have heen
observed on all of the above plants, it should be noted that none or very few
of the insects have been seen on maple, box elder, horse chestnut, lilac, syringa
or elderberry, although these were growing in considerable numbers near the
preferred hosts.

To determine more closely the preferences of impressifrons, heatings were
made of different plants, and from the collections^ obtained it appears that the
insects seek hirches, willows and poplars in the greatest numhers, and, if the
beetle manifests any "choice among these, preference is given to hirches. In feeding
tests in breeding cages the creatures subsisted on the foliage of these plants as
well as of pear with no apparent choice, and selected the foliage of the foregoing
trees in preference to that of the apple.

Sittings of earth showed that the insect breeds in large numhers on such
varieties as the Pussy Willow (Salix discolor), the Kilmarnock Willow (Salir,
pendula), the Laurel-Leaf Willow {Salix petandra), the Weeping Willow (Salix
bahylonica) , the Wisconsin Willow {Salix dolorosa), and the White Willow (Salix
alha). Larvae in great ahundance were similarly obtained in soil about two
species of birch (Betula populifolia and alha) and the Carolina and Lomhardv
poplars (Populus deltoides, var. carolinensis and P. nigra, var. italica).

"Giard, A., Letter of July 7, 1906.

" Zimmerman, W., Letter of Aug. 7, 1910.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 63

Character of Injury.

As is the case with many associated species in Europe, the damage that
impressifrons causes is two-fold: First, it nibbles the unfolding buds and then
it attacks the foliage, preferring the margins of the leaves. The beetles, while
small in size, are voracious eaters, and the extent of their injury is, broadly
speaking, in proportion to their abundance. Many of tliem confined to a relatively
small feeding area may cause much harm. The numbers of the insect that one
may sometimes observe would suggest at once that they must be doing appreciable
damage. However, it should be recorded that generally the extent of injury seems
to bo greatly disproportionate to the numbers of the creatures. The most con-
spicuous example of their destructive capacity was observed in 1912 in a large
block of willows in a nursery plantation. This was largely composed of the
goat willow [Salix caprea) grafted to such sorts as New American, Eosemary
and Kilmarnock. The latter variety particularly suffered severely as a great many
of the insects attacked the opening buds, so that a goodly percentage of them
were killed while those partially injured produced imperfect clusters of leaves.
The initial injuries were later aggravated by the feeding of the beetles on the
margins of the leaves. The effect of this latter attack is to cause the leaves to
have an uneven outline, and in instances of extreme injury to present a ragged
appearance. So abundant has the insect become in the certain nurseries that
the owners have found it necessary to resort to spraying in order to protect their
willow plantings. So far we have observed no injuries by the beetle to buds of
poplar, birch, apple or pear, and while feeding to an important extent has not been
detected on these trees, an examination of them during June will seldom fail to
find tlie work of the insect on the margins of the leaves. At present impressifrons
derives it importance as a pest from its destructive work in nurseries. In some
plantings where it has become established it is very numerous and will hardly tail
to attract the attention of an ordinary observer. There is no other species of
snout-beetle that, during its active period, so frequently brings itself to your
notice. It is not an uncommon experience to carry the beetles on one's clothes
into the home or to observe them on the window screens of buildings. The fore-
man of one well-known nursery has informed us that aside from the damage
sustained the beetles have become so abundant in plantings of poplar, birch and
willow that they are a source of great annoyance to laborers by flying in their
faces. The abundance of the insect is indicated by the following counts : From
a sample of earth about osier willow two feet square and to the depth of the
spade, ninety-two larvae were collected. From three spadefuls of earth taken near
the l)ase of different kinds of nursery trees the following numbers of larvje res-
pectively were found: Carolina poplar, 37 specimens; Lombardy poplar, 12 speci-
mens: silver-leaf poplar, 12 specimens: birch, 25 specimens: willow, 19 specimens;
American mountain-ash, 17 specimens; European mountain-asli, 1 specimen: apple,
old tree in sod, 1 specimen. A similar quantity of earth, three spadefuls, taken
about five-year-old fruit trees in a mixed planting yielded the following numbers
of insects respectively: apple, 65 specimens; pear, 51 specimens; peach, 35 speci-
mens, and plum 62 specimens. One corner of this orchard was only a little
removed from a row of osier willow. The fact that impressifrons is apparently
of little significance abroad certainly does not warrant the conclusion that it will
prove of no importance in this country. The conditions described justify the
inference that the species is already more abundant and injurious here than in
Europe or more attention would surelv have been devoted to it there.

64 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

Life Histoey and Habits.

The beetles emerge from the ground during the latter part of May and early
June. In 1914, they were first detected on May 26, and during the next few-
days they were mating freely on the foliage. By May 30, eggs were being de-
posited. For the reception of the eggs the insect seeks cracks or crevices in the
ibark, such as spaces tiiat occur when the bark is Loose at stubbed ends of twigs
or branches. Loosened bud scales on twigs or wood, which have been removed by
pruning and allowed to remain on the ground, are also sought by the creatures
for the deposition of eggs. They appear to select any dry cavity in which the
eggs may be inserted, and which occupy positions tliat are exposed to the sun-
light. Eggs have been observed in situations on trees that were ten feet from
the ground, and doubtless they will be found in higher positions. The egg
measures about .2 mm. in width and .5 mm. in length. It is white, cylindrical
and gently rounded at the ends. Its shape seems to be influenced by the accom-
modation of the egg to surrounding surfaces. Eggs occur singly or in masses,
but usually in groups containing from twenty to eighty-five of them. Oviposition
is most active iduring early June. The period of incubation averaged betweeri
twelve and thirteen days with little variation under ordinary conditions. Upon
hatching the young larva wriggles out of its position of concealment in the bark
and falls to the ground. It then seeks a crack in the earth, when it quickly
disappears. The larvae apparently feed on tender roots, and our observations
indicate that they can live exclusively on the roots of willow, poplar and birch.
Doubtless they find subsistence on the root systems of other trees. It has not
been determined that they can live on the subterranean parts of grasses or weeds
which may be growing about the foregoing plants. The larvae transform to pups
during the latter part of April and early May. The pupal cells are considerably
larger than the larvae and are at an average depth of about two inches, although
some of them may be three inches in the soil.

Methods of Control.

The beetles are quite susceptible to arsenical poisons, and should it become
necessary to combat them little or no modification will probably be required in
existing spraying practices. Cultivation, if done with care and at the proper
time, would doubtless prove very destructive to both larvffi and pupas in the soil.

The President: The State of New York certainly is a general stamping
ground for new pests. We have the Hyponomeuta, and now we have this other
Polydrusus which evidently by its abundance seems to be firmly established in
that State. I do not remember whether you mentioned in the paper any sugges-
tion as to how it came in.

Dr. Glasgow: We cannot say with certainty, but probably in earth about
the roots of nursery stock. This is the only way apparently that it could get in.

Mr. Burgess : I would like to ask Dr. Glasgow what success he has had in
its control.

Dr. Glasgow: It is very readily controlled by arsenical poisons.

Mr. Burgess: Do you use arsenate of lead?

Dr. Glasgow: Yes.

Mr. Burgess: At what strength do you use it?

Dr. Glasgow: Commonly at the rate of three or four pounds of the poison
to fifty gallons of water.

Father Leopold: At what time of the year do you use arsenate of lead?

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 65

Db. Glasgow: About the last of May or early in June, or whenever the
beetle becomes abundant to warrant treatment.

The President: If there is no further discussion we will proceed to the
next gaper, which is of great interest, by Professor Brittain, on "Lygus vnvitus
and its control in 1915."

THE GEEEN APPLE BUG {Lygus invitus Say.) IN NOVA SCOTIA.
' W. H. Brittain^ Provincial Entomologist for Nova Scotia.

History.

For a number of years past certain fruit-growers in the Annapolis Valley have
complained of the non-bearing of their Nonpareil trees. These trees would
bloom heavily each year, but would never bear anything like a full crop, yielding^
only a few gnarled apples; or, in many cases, none at all. This trouble was not
entirely confined to Nonpareils, but was more pronounced and by far the most
common in this variety. Others complained that their pears " grew woody " and
were covered with corky, disfiguring scars. This latter trouble was commonly
ascribed to lack of iron in the soil, and liberal applications of iron filings were
frequently applied to correct this condition. Driving nails or spikes into trees was
also practised.

No one appears to have suspected that there was any connection between the
apple and pear trouble, or that either was caused by an insect. In June, 1914, the
writer visited an orchard consii^tin.c: of mature Nonpareils, Kibstons, Gravensteins,
Golden Eussets and several varieties of pears. The owner stated that the Non-
pareils had not had a crop for at least six years, and that the trouble was gradu-
ally spreading to the other varieties. Furthermore, the pears were so badly
affected that a number of them had been cut down. The affected trees were
swarming with the green nymphs of Lygus invitus, and it took very little observa-
tion to show that they were the culprits. Following this, many reports of similar
damage to apples and pears were followed up with a like result, and further in-
vestigations have only tended to confirm our early observations.

Distribution and Spread.

The pest seems to be well distributed throughout the fruit-growing centres
of Nova Scotia, including the counties of Hants, Kings, Annapolis and Digby.
It seems to be more widely distributed on the pears than on the apples, the phrase
" injury to pears only " occurring with considerable frequency in the reports of
the entomological inspectors.

Though experiment has shown that the adults are capable of flying consider-
able distances, as a matter of fact, the pest spreads only slowly from orchard to
orchard. One orchard immediately across the road from a very heavily infested
one, showed few signs of injury. The amount of damage to pears does not seem to
vary much from year to year, but the injury to apples appears to be on the
increase in many localities and spreading from the more susceptible to the less
susceptible varieties.

66 THE EEPORT OF THE ' Xo. 36

Seriousness of the Pest.

Sufficient has already been written to indicate tliat this insect is a very serious
pest of both the apple and pear, but any estimate of the actual damage done
would, of course, be out of the question. However, it is safe to say that it is
one of the most serious insect pests of our orchards. In fact, there can be no doubt
that in orchards where it has become established, we have no pest to compare with
it, either in amount of damage done or in the difficulty of eradication. The pears
in certain orchards have for years been so scarred as to be scarcely merchantable,
and, in not a few apple orchards, the crop of fruit from susceptible varieties has
been greatly reduced or even destroyed. In one orchard visited, only one apple
<;ould be found among ten large Nonpareil trees, due entirely to the work of the
Oreen Apple Bug.

Host Plants.

x\s far as we have determined, the insect only breeds in the apple and pear.
It has been found feeding in the adult stage on plums, but has not been known
to oviposit in that plant. When shaken from the trees the nymphs have been ob-
served to feed upon coucli grass, timothy, red clover, dandelions and other plants
growing beneath the tree, but on reaching the adult stage they again seek the apple
.^nd pear trees for the purpose of feeding and depositing their eggs.

The Insects.

When the insect first appears it is light yellow in color, but as it develops it
becomes green. It somewhat resembles an aphis in appearance and was once de-
scribed by a farmer as a " new kind of long-legged aphis." Others speak of it as
the " horned aphis " on account of its long antennse. The adult is a small, delicate
insect, one quarter of an inch long. It is very pale on first emerging, but later
becomes a combination of light and dark brown. In appearance it resembles quite
closely the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygiis praiensis).

Life History.

The maximum emergence of the nymphs from the egg state coincides with the
opening of the blossoms of the Gravenstein apple, but the beginning of the emerg-
ence is about five or six days earlier. They continue to hatch until the time the
blossom petals fall, when emergence is practically finished. In the season of 1915
the first n}Tnph to emerge was taken on May 24th and the last on June 10, the
period of maximum emergence being from June 1st to June 5th. The duration
of the first nymphal instar is 5.22 days (average of 52 individuals) ; of second,
5.43 days (average of 34 individuals) ; of the third, 6.66 days (average of 34 in-
dividuals) : of the fourth, 6.77 days (average of 24 individuals) ; and of the fifth,
6.83 days (average of 12 individuals).

No nymphs were observed during the past summer after July 7th, all having
completed their transformations by that date. The length of the adult stage varies
greatly, single individuals having been taken in the orchard as late as the first week
in October.

The following table gives the details of tlie life history of twelve individuals,
which were reared from the egg to the adult stage : —

Fig.

Fig.

Plate I —

1 —Orchard heavily infested with
Lygus. Note thickness of the
trees.

2.— State of buds when first bug was
found in the spring.

-Lygus invitus.

Fig. 3.— Injury to young leaves.
Fig 4.— Appearance of mature leaves,
that have been punctured
while young, when held to the
light.
67

68

THE EEPOET OF THE

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1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 69

The duration of the nymphal stage iu our open air insectary corresponds
closely with that in the orchard, as proved by extensive observations, but the life
of the adult insect under natural conditions is much longer than the insectary re-
cords would seem to indicate. Eepeated experiments show that the adults will not
thrive in confinement, but keep flying restlessly about, until they die of exhaustion.
For the first week or ten days after emerging the adults were abundant in the
orchard, but after that they began to die ofE quite rapidly. It was an easy matter
during this time to find a number of dead bugs fastened along the midrib of a single
apple leaf. The bugs have a habit, when about to die, of extruding the caudal ex-
tremity of the alimentary canal, which is covered by a viscid secretion, by means
of which they attach themselves to the leaf.

Though large numbers of bugs died during the latter part of July, there was
no difficulty in finding specimens through the month of August and early Sep-
tember. After that individual specimens could only be located with difficulty. On
August 27th 50 adults were collected, 46 being females and four males ; on August
30th, 50 more were collected, 45 females and five males; on September 3rd, col-
lected 31 specimens, 27 females and four males; September 9th, 10 insects col-
lected, all females, September 13th, 10 more specimens, all females, and on Septem-
ber 17th only two adult females could be found. From that date until October
7th scattering female specimens have been taken.

OVIPOSITION.

The eggs are laid beneath the tender bark of pears and apples, principally the
latter. All attempts to catch the female in the act of oviposition were fruitless,
though many hundreds of females were brought into the laboratory and placed on
apple and pear limbs, or upon apple seedlings beneath jars or wire frames. In no
case was the female observed to oviposit, but after flying around for a few days
dropped to the ground and died. Neither were we able to make any observations
on this point in the orchard, owing to the extreme shyness of the adult insect, and
to the almost continuous Avet weatlier that prevailed at that time. Eggs were found
beneath the bark on July 20th and several times subsequent to that date, which
agreed in every respect with those dissected from the female insect.

H. H. Ejiight,* who observed one female of Lyfjiis invitus in the act of oviposi-
tion, writes of it in these words : —

The female observed to oviposit was first discovered when the ovipositor was in-
serted nearly to its base in a fresh pear shoot of the present year's growth. After
two minutes the ovipositor was withdrawn. The female turned, inspected the hole,
then moved along the branch about two inches. After five minutes she became very
active and proceeded along the branch feeling with antennae and beak. She soon re-
turned to the spot where eggs had been placed before, and, with proboscis to mark the
opening, she raised up, unsheathed the ovipositor, and made the insertion much in the
same manner as observed in the case of apple red bugs. A period of two minutes
elapsed before the ovipositor was withdrawn. Upon examining the branch, it was
found that six eggs had been laid in a space 1 mm. long. The eggs were closely packed
in a double row lying flat just within the cambium layer. Of two eggs measured, the
length is 1.05 mm. by 26 mm. wide.

Habits of Nymphs.

Tlie nymphs of this insect are extremely ehisive in their habits, which prob-
ably explains the fact that, though their injury has been known for many years,
they themselves have never been connected with it until the present time. When

♦Jour, of Economic Entomology, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 296-297,

70 THE EEPOKT OF THE No. 36

disturbed they run rapidly, biding in the axils of the leaves or any place that affords
concealment. When disLurbed suddenly, they often drop, but usually alight on
another branch before reaching the ground. In cases where nymphs fallen to the
ground have been prevented from reascendmg the tree. I)y means of tanglefoot
bands, beneath which they cluster, it has been obser\ed tliat when a person sud-
denly approaches tlie tree, a number of them will drop to the ground. Others have
been observed to drop in this way when approached l\v an enemy or harvestmau.

The young nymphs seem to prefer the young foliage of apple and pear, but
will also puncture the tender shoots. Later they freely attack the blossoms, but
they forsake all other food for the fruit once it has set. Though we have reared
through these insects exclusively on leaves, there is no doubt that the later nymphal
stages prefer fruit, and tliey can only with diificulty be induced to feed on mature
leaves. A favorite place to feed is a cluster of fruit growing closely together and
not having reached the size wdien their own weight pulls the separate fruits apart.
In feeding, the nymphs range quite widely over the tree, especially when not numer-
ous. Every fruit on a very lightly infested pear tree was pierced several times,
showing that several must have been punctured by one insect. This observation was
further confirmed by liberating a number of nymphs beneath a non-infested tree.
The next day the typical injury was present all over the tree. The nymphs were
observed to exhibit predaceous habits on several occasions. At one time a number of
bugs were observed repeatedly thrusting their beaks into three laryas of the green
fruit -worm (Xylina sp.) that had become caught in a tanglefoot band, and con-
tinued to do so until the caterpillars had been sucked completely dry. They will
also on occasions attack man. The writer has been stung in the neck and hand
more than once. I'f left alone the insect will pierce the skin of the hand as many
as tl'.ree times and remain feeding until gorged with blood.

Habits of Adults.

The adults, like the nymphs, are very active. On bright, sunny days they
usually take to flight very readily when disturbed. On dull, cold days they are
more sluggish and sometimes drop to the ground, tliough often they take to flight
after having dropped a short distance. On really hot days the adults fly about con-
siderably, and, standing in a heavily infested orchard, they can be readily observed
flying about in the sunlight.

Since the prevailing opinion is that the pest spreads but slowly in an orchard,
experiments were tried to determine the length of flight of the adults. When liber-
ated the insects fly straight up in the air for a considerable distance, after which
they can be followed by the eye for several yards, as they fly straight off in one
direction. Just how far they fly at any one time it would be difficult to deter-
mine, but individuals have been taken one quarter of a mile from the point of liber-
ation, a few days later.

Like the nymph, the adult may also become predaceous in habit. The writer
observed one with beak inserted full length in a tussock moth larva, and it relin-
quished its hold very reluctantly. It will also pierce the skin of man quite as readily
as the nymph.

The adult Lygus will not feed upon foliage at all readily, preferring a diet of
fruit, and, unlike the nymph, which seems to prefer the apple, the adult seems to
have a preference for the fruit of pears. One case was observed in which a row of
pear trees had been freed of nymphs by spraying. Adjoining this row was a num-
ber of infested apple trees, and as soon as the bugs developed wings, they flew over

Plate II. — Lygus invitus.

Fig. 1. — Injury to blossoms.

Fig. 2.^Final condition of injured blos-
soms.

Fig. 3. — Blossoms and twigs killed b.v
repeated punctures.

Figs. 4 and 5. — Twig punctures.

Fig. 6. — Xymph at work on a young

apple.
Fig. 7. — Fifth stage nymph and young

pear, showing effect of punc--

tures.

71

73 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

and pierced the pears till they were bathed in the sap that oozed from the punc-
tures. In the laboratory, adults have left a fairly ripe, soft apple to feed upon a
hard green pear. All through the season a favorite place for the bugs to feed is
about clusters of apples that have been dwarfed by the Eosy Aphis, and here the
adults can be found, when nowhere else, late in the season. These belated individuals"
also show a preference for over-ripe or even decaying fruit.

'Chabacter and Extent of Injury.

1. Injury to the Apple. — The first evidence of injury is to the tender foliage
in the form of purplish spots upon tlie surface of the leaf, accompanied, in severe
cases, by a slight tendency to curl. To one who is familiar with the work of this
insect, this symptom is most characteristic and makes it possible to detect the pre-
sence of the nymphs at a very early stage, and even when they are present in small
numbers. Six newly hatched nymphs were placed on an apple seedling in the
laboratory, and twenty-four hours later every leaf was spotted with the typical
purplish markings. As the leaves unfold and later reach full size, the discoloration
disappears, -but if affected leaves are held up to the light they will appear to he
pierced through and through with tiny holes. Very severe attacks result in a
ragged, frayed appearance of the leaf. By these symptoms, the former presence of
the bugs on any tree can be detected long after they have completed their trans-
formation and disappeared.

The tender, succulent twigs are also subject to attack, and as the insect with-
draws its beak a drop of clear or amber sap oozes through the bark, marking the
puncture. Later, as the twig increases in size, quite a decided lump may develop
at the point of puncture, accompanied in severe cases by a longitudinal crack.

Ill heavily infested orchards, where the insect may be present in tens of
thousands, the repeated puncturing and withdrawing of the sap goes so far that
affected twigs wilt, the leaves become brown and dry, and finally the whole shoot
dies. Cases where many of the twigs were literally stung to death in this way were
quite common early in the summer. Later the dead twigs dropped off and were
replaced by a strong new growth, which covered up the injury done by the bugs.

As the blossom petals appear and begin to unfold they are quickly attacked
by the young nymphs, which have been frequently observed right inside a blossom
with beak inserted in the pistil. In fact, so numerous were the insects and so per-
sistent their attacks that the blossoms and the blossom pedicels wither and die,
having been sucked quite dry by the nymphs. These dead and dry blossoms remain
on the tree for some time, but break off and fall to the ground before the end of
the season. These facts explain why susceptible varieties may come into bloom year
after year but never set a crop of fruit.

As soon as the young fruit is formed, drops of gum oozing through the skin
show that it also has been punctured by the insect. Later, slightly raised, dis-
colored spots mark the injury, and a large proportion of fruit so injured drops to
the ground in the course of a few days. Apples that are able to cling to the
tree or that remain uninjured until later on in their life, are badly gnarled and
misshapen as a result of the insect's attack. The tissue above the puncture
fails to develop and, as a result of the uneven growth, the apple will be one-sided
with a pronounced depression about the point of puncture, which itself is marked
by a brown, corky scar with ruptured epidermis.

2. Injury to Pears. — Injury to the leaves, stems and blossoms of the pear
resembles that of apple, except that in this case the tissue about the puncture

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73

turns black. Stinging of the young pears does not often result in dropping, as
in the case of apples. The effect of the punctures on the fruit is. however, very
conspicuous, it being covered with hard, granular, corky scars, which are often
split open as in the case of those on tlie apple. Hard, flinty areas extend into the
pulp, making the fruit useless for any purpose whatever.

3. I'XJURY TO Plum. — Injury to the fruit of plums is not uncommon, where
these trees border on affected apples or pears, riums injured by the bugs do not
usually become scarred and twisted, as in the case of apples and pears, though
they may sometimes grow somewhat one-sided. The seat of the injury is usually
at the extremity of the fruit furtliest from the stem. As usual in the case of stone
fruits this injury is marked by the exudation of colorless gum which flows through
the small puncture, sometimes forming a globule and sonxotimos a coil of gum
which finally hardens in .the air.

Feeding Experiments.

In affected orchards large numbers of nymphs are frequently shaken to the
ground by sprays, heavy rains, winds, etc., and in numerous instances these were
observed feeding upon dandelions, couch grass, red clover, and other plants at the
base of the tree. Even when forced to feed on these plants early in the nymphal
life the insects seemed to be able to complete their transformations, but once they
had obtained their wings, they invariably sought the fruit of the apple or pear.

A number of nymphs in their second or third instars were divided into lots
of ten and confined upon a number of i)Iants under cheesecloth bags. The fol-
lowing al)servations were made : —

Grape {Vitis sp.). — ^The nymphs feed readily upon grape, puncturing leaves
and blossom clusters. The tissue surrounding the punctures turns black.

Elm (Uli)vus americana). — The injury to the foliage of the elm was quite
noticeable in dark colored spots, but there was no apparent puncturing of the
twigs.

Maple (Acer saccharum). — The injury to maple leaves was slight. The in-
jury was characterized by small translucent spots.

Sweet Cherry (Pninus aviunh) .— Slight puncturing of leaves and blossoms,
but little apparent injury.

Peach (Prunus persica). — The leaves showed visible punctures and were
slightly curled. Small globules of transparent gum showed where the fruit had
been punctured.

Red Clover (Trifoliiuii re.pens). — Transparent areas on the leaf accompanied
by a gradual fading and wilting of the plant, characterized the injury to red
clover.

Strawberry {Fragaria cliiJotnsis). — Strawberries showed evidence of more
serious injury than any of the plants experimented with. Blossoms and leaves
were so badly punctured that they finally withered and died.

Couch Grass {Agropyron repens). — The blades of couch grass were punc-
tured quite severely, fading in color and showing other evidence of wilting.

Susceptibility of A^arieties. '

Extensive observations regarding the susceptibility of varieties reveals the fact

that of all varieties of apples the Nonpareil is by far the most liable to attack.

In many orchards it is onlv the trees of this variety that appear to suffer at all.

Cases have been observed in which badly attacked Nonpareil trees were surrounded

6 E.s.

U THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

by trees of other varieties apparently untouched. Nevertheless, it seems to be
true that in most cases the bug vi^ill gradually enlarge its field of operation from the
more to the less susceptible sorts. Fruit-growers tell of numberless instances
where the trouble began in their Nonpareil and gradually spread to their other
trees. The following varieties show susceptibility in the order named: — Ribston,
Gravenstein, Golden Eusset, Blenheim, Baldwin and Greening.

Among the varieties of pears attacked the Bartlett shows the highest degree
of susceptibility. So much is this the case, that some have regarded the trouble as
a disease of this variety. Other susceptible varieties are Clapps' Favorite, Bur-
bridge, Maria and Flemish Beauty. Varieties not so susceptible are Louis Bonne,
Bosc, Lawrence, Duchess and D'Anjou.

Conditions Fayoring Increase.

It is difficult to state definitely under what condition this insect flourishes
best, since it is found in orchards treated in every conceivable way. Sprayed and
unsprayed, clean cultivated and sod, well cared for and neglected orchards are all
attacked. It is a notable fact that some of the very Avorst infestations are in
orchards that have received the best of treatment in the way of spraying, fertiliz-
ation and tilth. In most cases, however, such orchards were unduly shaded, in-
sufficiently pruned, or too thickly planted. In two very bad cases the orchard was
cultivated on the strip system, i.e., a strip of clover sod alternated with a clean
cultivated strip. In another case the orchard was part cultivated, part in sod.
Here the trees in sod seemed to show the greatest evidence of injury, but the differ-
ence was not readily detected. On the whole orchards with a thrifty, succulent
growth seemed to suffer most.

As a result of all our observations throughout the infested area, it appears
that the most suitable conditions for the undue increase of this pest are shady
orchards with closely planted, thick growing trees, with a certain amount of herb-
age at their base, but for the most part thrifty and vigorous in other respects.
Nevertheless, these factors are not essential, as the insect is capable of doing in-
jury under a wide range of conditions.

Natural Enemies.

Ants seem to be the only natural enemies that exert any appreciable influence
on the control of this pest. These have been frequently noticed carrying away
nymphs on their jaws. On one occasion, when a number of nymphs were liberated
at the base of the tree, four of them were seized by as many ants and carried off
through the grass to the ant hill, which was distant fifteen feet from the tree.
Spiders also destroy a certain number of nymphs, but it is questionable whether
ants or spiders ever kill enough nymphs to noticeably reduce their numbers. The
ant responsible for this work was determined by Dr. Wheeler as Formica fusca.

Control Experiments.

Control experiments were carried on under most unfavorable conditions this
spring, the weather being almost continuously wet. This made it very difficult to
apply the spray at the proper time or to observe its effect upon the insect. Two
orchards were chosen, containing a large number of mature apple and pear trees
of the susceptible varieties.

Plate lll.—Lygus invitus.

Fig. 1.— Injured pears.
Fig. 2. — Injured apples.

Fig. 3. — Injured plums.

75

76 THE EEPOET OF THE ~ No. 36

-Blackleaf 40, 1 pint, II/2 or 3 pints to 100 gallons was used both alone and
with soap, and also in combination with lime-sulphur. One spray was put on just
before the blossoms opened, with another just after the blossoms fell, for the
apples. Another block was sprayed in full bloom. Pears were sprayed just
after their blossoms fell and again five days later.

Examination of trees directly after spraying showed them to be apparently
free from insects, and large numbers of dead nymphs would be found stuck to the
leaves by their caudal extremities in the characteristic fashion. Examined two days
later, though the block sprayed in full bloom seemed to show best results, all the
trees were found to be covered with ])ugs. As laboratory experiments had shown
that the material used was quite effective in killing the insect when hit by the
spray, even when the weakest strength was used, we knew that the trouble was
not in the strength of the spray, or in the manner of its application.

Observations taken in the sprayed orchards showed large numbers of nymphs
ascending the tree trunks. Even in unsprayed orchards it would appear that large
numbers of nymphs fall to the ground, shaken off by the high wind or washed oif
by the heavy rains. Insects were found in abundance beneath the trees in such or-
c'liards or climbing u]^ the trunks.

In order to determine to what extent nymphs were washed off during spray-
ing and v\^hether any considerable proportion of these succeeded in reascending the
tree, one large tree was sprayed thoroughly with Blackleaf 40 and soap, after
having been banded with tree tanglefoot 3 feet from the ground. Shortly after
spraying the trunk of the tree beneath the band was green Avith nymphs. These
were counted and removed each day for seven days, and at the end of that time
tlie total number of insects captured Ijeneath the band reached the total of 1,389.
Large numbers, of course, went up adjacent trees, 538 being taken from one of
these. It should be noted here, that this number represents but a very small pro-
portion of the insects originally on the tree. By far the greater number were
killed and their dead bodies could be found in abundance sticking to the leaves or
on the ground. Nevex'theless, where so many thousands were present they were
sufficient in number to sting every fruit on the tree and so destroy the crop.

To determine whether the effect of the spray was merely mechanical or whether
the insects that fell were partially overcome by the spray material, another tree
was given a strong spray of water with a drive nozzle and at a pressure of 200
jjounds. In this case the total for seven days was 308. This shows that there
was isomething l)eside the mechanical effect responsible for the large drop from the
sprayed tree. This may be due to the insects being hit by the spray, but not suffi-
ciently covered to cause death. Again, it may be that the effect of the nicotine
fumes is to make the j>ymphs relax their hold and drop to the ground. Laboratory
experiments have shown that the fumes of the spray material alone are sufficient to
cause death. Nymphs were placed on apple seedlings in cages and at the base
was placed cotton 'avooI soaked in Blackleaf 40 at tlie regular strength. The next
day the nymphs were dead.

Experiments were made to determine the distance the nymphs were able to
travel and reascend the tree. In an orchard that had not been cultivated for
several days, four trees 30 ft. apart each way were banded and 300 nymphs liber-
ated midway between them. The next day 17 insects were taken from beneath the
tanglefoot band. A similar experiment was tried with 150 bugs in an orchard that
had just been thoroughly cultivated. In this case 19 insects reached the trees.
The same experiment was repeated in an orchard that was in sod and 300 nymphs
liberated. In this case none reached the tree, but could be seen feeding freely

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. :r

upon the grass and clover. That the nymphs do travel through a sod orchard, how-
ever, is shown by the fact that a number were taken from a young tree of the
current season's phintiiig, placed midway between two trees thirty-five feet apart.

It was evident from the foregoing experiments that, in addition to spraying,
some method jniist be devised to ])revent the nymphs that fall to the ground from
reascendiiig the tree, and continuing their injury. Accordingly, another hlock of
trees was sprayed, some of which were banded witli the tanglefoot and others not.
Subsequent examination showed that the unhanded trees showed insects in abund-
ance, while on the banded ones it was almost impossible to find a single nymph.
Experiments showed also that a thorough harrowing after spraying had the same
effect as banding. Of ail the uidjanded trees, those sprayed in full bloom showed
the least injury, but even on these trees the fruit was so badly scarred as to be prac-
tically worthless.

Another dilliculty arose in tliis connection, viz.. that the nymphs are capable
of feeding and coming to maturity on grass or weeds growing beneath the trees.
Cases oecurn'd in which fruit which had l)een kept clean by spraying was rendered
worthless- by adults flying in from outside. For this reason, if this pest is to be
controlled, the orchard must be kept undoi- a system of clean cultivation until the
end of the first week in July.

The control of the Green Apple Bug in >7ova Scotia sets a new precedent in
heavy spraying in that Province. Furthermore, the method of planting and head-
ing frequently does not lend itself to tJie kind of spraying required. The trees are
frequently very large, headed very high and BJanted very thickly, so that it is im-
' possible to get tlirough the rows witii a tower on the machine, wliicli is the only
way that the tops can be reached. Furthermore, the trees are often very thick-
headed, so that even with other conditions favorable, it is a matter of very great
difficulty to hit every insect with the spray, and attempts to control the pest in such
trees is certain to result in failure. All the foregoing facts must be kept in mind
if this pest is to be eradicated from the orchard.

Summary.

The observations and experiments of the past season may therefore be sum-
marized as follows : —

1. The Green Apple Bug is one of the most serious pests of apples and pears
in Nova Scotia, though hitherto, owing to its elusive habits, it has not been recog-
nized as such.

2. It is the cause of "woody 2)ears " and one of the causes of gnarled, twisted
apples. It is the most common cause of the continued failure to bear of Xon-
pareil and certain other varieties of apple. It attacks not only the fruit but also
the foliage, stems, and blossoms of apples and pears, and in the adult state has
I;ecn known to attack plums.

3. The nymphs are frequently caused to drop from tiie trees by high winds,
heavy rains, sprays, etc., and may then either reascend the tree or feed upon the
weeds, grass or clover at its base.

4. Though capable of coming to maturity on tlie foregoing plants, in the adult
state they invariably seek the apple and pear to deposit their eggs.

5. In control, not only must the tree be thoroughly sprayed to kill as many
bugs as possible, but those which have fallen to th.e ground must be kept there
without food until they starve. If the orchard is in sod, or weeds are abundant,
the insects on reaching the adult state, will lly to the trees and continue their
work.

78 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

6. The orchard must, therefore, be kept in a state of clean cultivation, until
all the insects have reached the adult state, Arhich will be at the end of the first
week in July.

7. The trees must be banded with tree tanglefoot to prevent the reascent of
the insects that have fallen to the ground.

8. The trees must bt properly pruned, so that all parts can be readily reached
by the spray.

9. Apple trees should be sprayed with Blackleaf 40 in the strength of 1 pint
to 100 gallons, just before the blossoms open and again after they fall; pear trees
just after the blossom petals fall and again five days later.

10. A very heavy, drenching spray must be applied.

11. The insects are much more easily controlled on pears than on apples so
that with light infestations in this tree, spraying alone should be sufficient to
control the pest.

COxVCLUSION.

The foregoing is only a summary of a single season's work. New facts will
doubtless be revealed by subsequent study. The work was carried on under con-
siderable difficulties, the pest being a new one and little known regarding its habits.
Tlie methods of control which have been given require considerable care in their
application, but once the pest is eradicated it should not be so troublesome to pre-
vent further serious infestations. The great need at the present time is an insecti-
cide cheaper than Blackleaf 40, that will do the work as effectively. However, even
under present conditions, growers who have lost entire crops from the work of this
pest will not hesitate to take the measures recommended.

The Peesident: Professor Brittain is to be congratulated on the amount of
work he has accomplished in a single season, and also the extent of his work. T
myself have noticed the corky pears in Nova Scotia, but I never performed the
crucial experiments which induced Professor Brittain to undertake the eradication
of the pest. I can personally testify to the extraordinary damage which is now
being caused by this insect throughout Nova Scotia. I was down there about three
weeks ago and was able to see the results of the damage. I was also able to
appreciate the extent to which the fruit-growers in the Annapolis Valley are
grateful to Prof. Brittain for discovering the cause of these corky pears and the
cause of the injuries on the Nonpareil trees. I know there are a number of
members here who wish to ask Professor Brittain questions, and the paper is now
open for discussion.

Prof. Caesvr: On account of tlie similarity of this paper to the next I think
the discussion of this paper should be postponed until after the next.

The President : You move that the discussion of this paper be left over
until after the next ?

Mr. Treherne: 1 second the motion. Carried.

1916 ENTOMOLO GICAL SOCIETY. 79

A CAPSID ATTACKING APPLES.

{NeurocolpiLS nubilus Say.)
H. G. Ceawford, Wilton Geove, Ont.

In the Province of Ontario four Capsids, or Plant-bugs have been found
attacking apples, namely: Neurocolpiis nuhilus, Lygidea mendax, Heterocordylus
malinus and Paracalocoris colon. The nymphs of the second and third are the
so called " Red-bugs " described by Crosby of Cornell. Lygus invitus, the False
Tarnished Plant-bug, occurs in abundance in the Province, but, strange to say, has
not been observed doing any damage either to apples or pears, though a great pest
in Nova Scotia and causing considerable damage to pears in New York State.

Of the above four injurious Ontario species the only ones of much importance
so far as known at present are Neurocolpus nuhilus and Lygidea mendax. Crosby
in Bulletin 219 of Cornell University described the life history, habits and means
of control of the latter; but very little was known about the former, and as this
was the more common and troublesome Capsid in Ontario and, as requests for
information on the means of control had begun to be made, Prof. Caesar decided
to attempt to work out its life-history this year, being influenced also by the fact
that this species was very common in the same orchard where he had planned to
study the Leaf-rollers of the Apple. It was my good fortune to be chosen to do
this work under Prof. Caesar's guidance and with his personal co-operation so far
as his other duties permitted. The following is a brief account of the knowledge
gained.

History of the Insect in the Peovinoe.

There is no doubt whatever that this Capsid has been present for many years
in Ontario, in fact it is apparently a native species. It is only very recently, how-
ever, that it has been discovered to be an apple pest. In 1909 Prof. Caesar was
shown by Mr. Jos. Tweddle some deformed apples that caused him to suspect that
a Capsid might be to blame. In 1910 he accordingly visited Mr. Tweddle's
orchard at Woodburn when the apples were about the size of small marbles, and
saw the nymphs at work, though at the time he was not sure of the species. In
1911 he again visited the same orchard, saw both these nymphs and those of
Lygidea mendax feeding on the fruit, and from specimens brought to Guelph
reared adults of three species: Neurocolpus nuhilus, Lygidea mendax, and
Paracalocoris colon. In 1914 he found the former two species were in a large
orchard at Hamilton, and in 1914 found nymphs of Neurocolpus nuhilus alone in
abundance in the orchard of Johnson Bros, at Simcoe. This is the orchard in
which the investigation was carried out. There has been no opportunity to
examine many orchards to see just how important the pest is in the Province.
We suspect that it occurs in a good many orchards but know that the great majority
of them are free or almost free from the pest.

Distribution.

This insect has a very wide American distribution. From literature at our
disposal, records were obtained of its presence in a collection of Capsids made in
Panama and Guatemala, in the States of Florida, New Mexico, California,
Colorado, New Jersey, Maine and New York, as well as in the Provinces of Quebec

Eggs of JSfeurocolpus nuhilus in situ on first-year Spy twigs, all, with
the exception of (2) having had the leaves and buds removed.
Enlarged about 5 times.

(1) Egg just as it was after the leaf and bud had been removed,
half its length being buried in tissues of the twig;

(2) Egg, with leaf only removed, position at side of bud not
normal, but curve of egg well shown;

(3) Two eggs close together, thrust very far down into tissue, and
being completely hidden by bud and leaf;

(4) Eggs with tissue cut away from front, showing rounded lower
end.

Adult Neurocolpus nuhilus, and two nymphs.
(Natural size.)

80

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

and Ontario. In Ontario E. P. Van Duzee reported it as '• common and highly
colored^' in Muskoka during July and August, 1888; he also saw a specimen that
had been captured at Temagami in 190'8. It has also been observed by Prof.
Caesar, Mr. G. J. Spencer or the writer in the following additional places in
Ontario : Woodburn, Hamilton, Fonthill, St. Catharines, M'ilton Grove (Middlesex
County), and in Norfolk County at Simcoe, Walsh and Tyrill.

Life History,

Eggs. Although we could never find a female ovipositing either in cages or
in the orchard there seems no doubt that egg-laying extends over a long period,
which this year would be from about July 15th to September 1st, most of it being
over by August 15th, from which time the adults gradually decreased in number,
completely disappearing by September 7th. The majority of the eggs are laid
singly, but not infrequently two are found so very close together as to suggest that
they might have been laid at the same time. They are invariably found behind

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Adult Xetirocolpus nuMlus and nymph. (Enlarged.)
clavate hairs on antennae of nymph.

Note the

the buds Avhich are situated in the axils of the leaves on the new growth. In
addition to the Apple, eggs were found also on Sumachs. They were inserted into
the tissues of the new growth. We suspect they are also laid in Elder though we
are not sure. No eggs could be discovered on any kind of weed in the orchard.
On apple trees they are so deeply pushed under the bud into the tissue that even
the white tips are hidden from view. If the bud is removed the egg will be seen to
be sticking out of the spongy tissue for from one-quarter in extreme cases to one-
half its length, the average being about one-third of the length (see fig.). There
is absolutely no external evidence of the presence of the egg when the bud and leaf
are on the twig.

This year the eggs began to hatch on May 2Tth; the maximum hatching taking
place between June 5th and June 9th. Freshly hatched nymphs, however, con-
tinued to be found up to July 13th.

In this connection it will be interesting to note the relationship existing
between the maximum hatching of the various kinds of apple-attacking Capsids
and the stages of the apple trees in each case. Thus this season at least (1915)
the majority of the eggs of N. nuhilus in Ontario hatched from just after the

82 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

calyces had closed up to the time when the fruit of the Spy trees was one-quarter
inch in diameter. Lygidea mendax in Ontario and in New York hatches most
freely just as the blossoms are opening out well. Of Lygus invitus in Nova Scotia
the maxinmm hatching takes place during the period of maximum bloom, and of
Heterocordylus malinus in Ontario during the period from the time the Spy
blossoms are opening up to full bloom. Of Paracalocoris colon in Ontario the
records are not definite, but nymphs gathered at Woodburn in 1912 with
N. nubilus were in the same instar, suggesting that they may have hatched about the
same time. However, in 1912 N. nubilus seemed to hatch somewhat earlier than
in 1915; thus making" impossible the assignment of a date of hatching for Para-
calocoris colon. From this comparison it can be seen that a spray designed to
control the other Capsids and. which could be applied at the time of the spray for
the Codling Moth would fail to control N. nubilus, at least during the season of
1915, because it would be too early for this species.

Nymphs. The nymphs, which appeared first on May 27th, at first grew
rather slowly but later seemed to grow more rapidly. By June 11th the largest
were about 3 mm. long, and by June 20th many were found 5 mm. long, exclusive
of antennae. About June 22nd the largest were slightly over one-quarter of an
inch in length and wing pads were then present on quite a number. The first
adult was seen on June 30th, Thus we suppose the nymph stag0 requires in the
neighborhood of a month in a cold season like that of 1915. In a warm season,
however, it is quite probable that less time would be required.

Adults. From June 30th the adults increased in number until by July 15th
they outnumbered the nymphs present. Many of the females at this date were
distinctly swollen with eggs, which upon being examined seemed to be perfectly
formed and, though as mentioned above, no egg-laying was ever witnessed, there is
no doubt that oviposition began about the middle of July. It is perhaps worth
recording that we never saw any mating of the sexes. Males do not live so long as
females. Several of the latter which were in the adult stage when put in a cage
on July 9th were still alive on August 12th, having lived at least 33 days. From
July 15th for two weeks the number of adults seemed to be constant, then began
slowly to decrease till by August 24th very few were observed, and these had
disappeared entirely by September 7th.

Description of Life Stages.

Eggs. The egg is 1.5 mm. long by .3 mm. in average diameter, quite strongly
curved, slightly club-shaped, nearly colourless, with a glistening white cap. The
end which is thrust into the twig is slightly larger than the other, is rounded, and
circular in cross-section. Towards the other end the egg gradually flattens, is
oval in section and is surmounted by a definite, glistening, white, cylindrical
hollow cap, which makes up about one-sixth the total length of the egg (see fig.).
The cap appears as though it had been slipped on over the end and is deeply
notched on the flattened sides. The tips of the projections so formed, draw more
or less together after the eggs are laid, suggesting somewhat a minute lobster claw.

Nymphs. The nymphs, when freshly hatched, are about 1.5 mm. long, almost
colorless, with large triangular head, large dull red eyes and with long stout
antennae and legs marked with faint reddish bands. They are quite sluggish and
were mistaken by one of Ontario's best apple growers for aphids.

All the later stages of the nymphs have green bodies with dull reddish
mottlings upon the back and sides; the second abdominal segment has a small

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 83

circular black spot which persists in the adult though hidden by the wings. The
antennae are long and conspicuous, the first and second joints bearing a broad
band of close-set, prominent, dark-brown, clavate hairs (see fig.)- The legs are
slender and distinctly marked with red bands. The nymphs, when in the last
instar, attain a length of a quarter of an inch, and bear a pair of conspicuous wing
pads. Nymphs in all stages after the first moult are very much alike, though the
reddish mottling becomes more pronounced and darker as they grow older and
increase in size.

Adult. The adult is slightly more than a quarter of an inch in length being
distinctly longer and narrower than the Tarnished Plant-bug {Lygus pratensis).
(See fig.). The general colour varies greatly both in the case of those living on
different hosts, where it is very marked, and also to a lesser extent among those
living upon the same host. The dorsal aspect of those living upon the apple varies
from a dull cinnamon brown with dark areas to a reddish black with light areas.
It has a dull felty appearance due to the presence of numerous fine light to dark
cinnamon hairs upon the thorax and thickened part of the wings. The sides are
mottled with a dull, dirty red, and ventrally the colour is a light green. The
antennae are longer than those of the Tarnished Plant-bug. The basal joint is
stout, dark in colour and densely clothed with dark brown hair, many of which in
fresh specimens are distinctly clavate. The second segment is slender, elongate
and slightly club-shaped, the distal half being dark brown and clothed with very
short, dark brown hairs. The legs are slender and have the same reddish banding
as those of the nymphs. Eef erring to this species Prof. E. P. Van Duzee states:
" No other Capsid known to me has thickened, clubbed hairs on an incrassate first
joint."

Habits of Nymphs.

The nymphs, when they first appear, are rather sluggish in their movements
and are found on the lower sides of the opened leaves, also in the unopened leaves,
and in those leaves which had been rolled up by the Leaf-rollers. In these rolled
leaves they remain at night and on cool or rainy days and in the cool part of the
mornings, coming out and moving around somewhat during the heat of the day
and feeding on the tender leaves. When the apples were about a quarter-inch in
diameter these were attacked, the attack continuing for about ten days till the
apples were a half-inch in diameter. Then the fruit was deserted and the great
bulk of the insects made their vr&y to the ground and soon were found feeding
upon practically every plant growing in the orchard. The suckers at the base of
the trees, red clover and curled dock were the favorite food plants. They fed also
upon alsike clover, Canada blue grass, rye, evening primrose, peach trees, hairy
vetch and timothy.

Habits of the Adults.

When the adults began to appear the great majority of them were found upon
the weeds and suckers, where they remained for about a week. At the end of this
time a small proportion of them appeared on the trees where they moved slowly
about constantly feeding upon the buds in the axils of the leaves on new growth.
The proportion of those on the trees to those on the weeds seemed to remain nearly
constant throughout the season, there always being some on the trees but never
very many. On and about July 19th an attack upon the aphid-stunted apples
took place and even a few sound Spys one and three-quarters of an inch in diameter

8i

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

were punctured, but this attack did not become at all general. However, at this
time an attack of great severity was made upon the fruit of three trees of an
unknown variety and lasted for a week. The adults feeding on the suckers, as
before mentioned, confined their attention largely to the newly formed buds and
the tender twigs, while those on the weeds showed a marked preference for the
horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) , which was abundant at this time. They seemed
to be j)articularly fond of plants of this species infested by aphids. Other species
of jDlants, however, w^ere also fed upon, such as mullein, ragweed, pig-weed, catnip,
stinking mayweed, round-leaved mallow, burdock, golden rod, Hungarian millet,
old witch grass, sumach, elder, orange milkweed {Asclepias tuherosa) and all the
plants mentioned above as food plants of nymphs except where these had become
too dry to attract them.

The adults, as a rule, were not very active and were quite easily captured,
dropjjing from leaf to leaf when disturbed and only flying as a last resort.

Injury.

Fruit. The chief injury is due to the feeding of the nymphs upon the apples.
It is done when the fruit is from one-quarter to one-half of an inch in diameter,
and when the nymphs are still small. The first evidence of the attack is the

Injury due to the feeding of Neurocolpiis nuMlus nymphs upon
young fruit very shortly after the attack. (Natural size.)

oozing of droplets of juice from the punctures which are made at any point upon
the surface of the apple. These punctures in three or four days are evidenced by
small, conical to rounded pimples, varying in height and diameter from 2 to 3 mm.
In their apices are small, very dark green spots of tissue, beneath which is a very
slight streak about 3 mm. deep. These pimples vary in number from one to
twenty-five or twenty-six per fruit, and where abundant on a very small apple
cause it to wither and fall ; on a larger one they very severely stunt its growth, and
if the pimples are massed on one side, they cause the growth on that side to be
checked, and the apple to be much deformed Avhen mature. "Where the pimples
are few or scattered the apple may grow to normal size and nearly normal shape,
the pimples becoming gradually less distinct or forming small raised, brownish,
corky areas or convex russet spots from 3-1: mm. in diameter.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

85

The orchard in which the observations were made had almost no crop, .-u no
proper estimate of the damage done by these inserts was possible. One tree, how-
ever, which had quite a few apples, had about 40 per cent, attacked, but only about
10 per cent, rendered culls, the rest being quite saleable as second-class fruit.

About July 19th a few of the Spys were attacked by the adults, but the feed-
ing was very sliglit and of no importance. At the same time a very severe attack
indeed was made upon three trees of an unknown large, yellow, seedling variety.
The attacked fruit soon rotted and fell, due possibly to inoculations of Twig
Blight (Bacillus ai)i!jlovorus) with which the trees were badly attacked, and to
which they seemed particularly .susceptible. It is probable that this Capsid was
the chief factor in carrying this disease from limb to limb and from fruit to fruit.

Leavks and T\vi(!s. \o injury of any (K'scription was observed on the loaves

Injury due to the feeding of nymphs upon the apples when very small, about

six weeks after the attack. Note the corky scars and pimples.

(Natural size.)

themselves, but the, tender luids in axils of the leaves of the young growth were
punctured by both nymi)hs and adults, many of them being killed. The young
twig itself was also punctured and. when badly attacked, the puncturing was followed
bv a small, very convex gall, which later in many cases split and became corky
upon the top (see fig.). Both of these kinds of injury were confined largely to
the suckers which became bnshy and stunted with the tips of the twigs frequently
dving. The new^ growth on the trees tlu'insclves was very seldom more than
slightly injured.

SlMMAlJY or CoNTltOl, K\ rHlJI MEXTS.

In our control experiments kerosene emulsion and carbolic enuilsion were both
found, to he almost useless for, even when applied with great thoroughness they
failed to kill more than a small percentage of the nymphs.

86

THE EEPOET OP THE

No. 36

Blaek-Leaf-40 was used alone with water in the proportions of one part of
the solution to 1,066, 800, 400 and 250 parts of water respectively, but in no case
was it at all satisfactory as it only killed a small proportion of the nymphs, even of
the small ones. At first we thought that this spray would kill at 1 to 800 both by
eontact and by the fumes, but experiments showed that the nymphs were not
dead but only stupefied and that they soon revived and appeared to be none the
worse for the treatment.

Severe case of injury due to feed-
ing of both adults and nymphs
of Neurocolpus ntcbilus upon
suckers at the base of the apple
trees. (Natural size.)

The Black-Leaf -40, however, when used with soap — 1 part of the solution to
800 parts of water, with 4 lbs. Sunlight Soap per 100 gals, of mixture — produced
a spray which killed 96 per cent, of nymphs of all sizes, most of them being large.
The tree was, of course, thoroughly covered with the mixture. Soap alone gave
almost as good results but, owing to scarcity of nymphs at tlie time it was tried,
was not given so many or quite so good tests. The results, however, were very
gratifying. The efficiency of the soap spray was seen to depend chiefly upon its

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 87

stickiness and power to glue the nymphs to the leaves and twigs. For this purpose
Sunlight Soap was found the most satisfactory of any soap tested.

It should be mentioned that owing to the large number of rolled leaves due to
the work of the three species of Leaf-rollers that were very abundant in this
orchard, it was found impossible to get good results from spraying large apple
trees because there was always a large proportion of the Capsid nymphs hidden in
these rolled leaves where no spray could reach them. Consequently all experi-
ments were performed on trees 4 to 5 years of age. Any rolled leaves on these
were first removed, then large numbers of nymphs were placed on the trees and
given plenty of time to settle down before the spraying was done.

We found also that the time of hatching of the eggs of this Capsid compared
with those of the Eed-bugs and of the False Tarnished Plant-bug was as mentioned
above, so much later that the spraying just after the blossoms fell, recommended
for them, would be useless for this pest, because only a very few eggs would be
hatched at this date.

Suggestions fob Contkol.

1. Practise a system of clean cultivation of the orchard, keeping down all
weeds until the end of June or as late as safe for the trees in that district. This
will destroy large numbers of the nymphs which drop to the ground and which,
unlike some species of Capsids, have no instinct to lead them back to the trunk and
so must perish if there are no weeds to feed upon.

2. Watch the trees closely from the time the blossoms fall to see when the
nymphs hatch and are abundant enough to justify spraying. Then apply with
great thoroughness both to the upper and lower side of the foliage either (a) 2
lbs. of Sunlight Soap to 40 gals, of water containing Black-Leaf -40 at the strength
'of 1 part to 800i of water, or (&) 3 to 4 lbs. of Sunlight Soap to 40 gals, of water,
preferably rain water if available. Dissolve the soap first by slicing and boiling
in soft water.

In exceptional cases it may be necessary to repeat the spraying in a couple of
weeks.

It is of course well to test the mixture on a few trees and observe results before
spraying the whole orchard.

The President: These two papers should provide a very interesting dis-
cussion as I know there are a number of workers iiere who are particularly inter-
ested in the injuries caused by these insects.

Prof. Brittain : In regard to Mr. Crawford's statement that he was able to
destroy 96 per cent, of the insects with Black-Leaf -40 and soap, I may say that
our results were about the same. Unfortunately, the insects were so numerous
that the remaining 4 per cent, left many thousands to infest the trees and ruin the
crop.

Mr. Treiierne: The subject of Capsids affecting apples is a yery important
question in British Columbia. Blossoms in orchards, miles in extent, have been
destroyed by Capsids and I am interested in the two papers that have been read.

Prof. Caesar: Do you remember by what species?

Mr. Treherne: As far as I know it was L. pratensis, but we have not given
the matter much attention as yet.

PiJOF. Brittain: I am well acquainted with the injury referred to by Mr.
Treherne. During my stay in British Columbia a good deal of this Capsid injury
came under my notice and considerable material was'sent in to the office. I looked

88 THE EEPOKT OF THE Ko. 36

into the matter and succeeded in finding the insect responsible, but was not able to
get it determined. If my memory serves me rightly, it was neither pmtensis nor
invitus. One of its favorable food plants is the mullein.

Prof. Caesar : There are a number of interesting points of comparison
"between Lygus invitus and Neurocolpus nubilus; (1) The damage done by the
latter is not nearly so great as that done by the former as described by Prdf.
Brittain, and there is none of that corky growth or rough brown surface mentioned
by him. (3) Neurocolpus nubilus seems, unlike the other species, to have no
instinct to cause it, if it drops to the ground, to find its way back to the trunk, but
instead wanders aimlessly around. Neurocolpus nuhilus will feed on a great
number of plants. It is probable its native host plant is sumac.

It is strange that while Lygus invitus is to be found all over Ontario in just
as great abundance apparently as the other species, it does not, so far as I can see,
do any harm to apple.s or pears. As for the dilBculty of seeing the insects laying
eggs, both species must be much alike for we could never find Neurocolpus nubilus
ovipositing or even copulating.

Mr. Petch : This year we had a frost in the blossoming period, and I think
the injury was caused by frost to the blossoms. However, as the injury occurred
on only one tree I cannot see how that can be the cause, and I do not know what
the injury to blossoms by this insect is like. Does it give the appearance of having
been frozen?

Prof. Brittaix : Yes, it looks very much like fire blight. The blossoms are
brown and dead and I attribute a great deal of the so-called frost trouble lo
Lygus invitus.

Mr. Petch : AVith the use of Black-Leaf -40 in the ordinary strength do you
find it injurious to the foliage of apples ?

Prof. Caesar : We found that where Black-Leaf -40 was put on very heavy
along with lime surphur it did seem to injure the apple foliage to some extent.

Mr. Tothill: The two accounts we have had of Lygus invitus in Ontario
and j^ova Scotia suggest the possibility that there may be two species concerned.
The species of American Capsidw are, of course, based on a study of museum
specimens only. They are not based on habits and as the group is an extremely
difficult one to do anything with, and as no breeding work of any kind has been
done, it seems to me from the great differences in the habits of the so-called species
that it is just possible there are two species concerned.

Prof. Brittain : Mr. H. H. Knight writes me that he is convinced that the
species in Nova Scotia is a new variety, lie intended to describe it as such in the
near future.

Mr. Tothill : That would seem to bear out this contention.

The President : If there is no further discussion on these two papers we will
proceed to the next, which is a paper by Dr. Cosens entitled, " The Founding of the
Science of Cecidology."

THE FOUNDING OF THE SCIENCE OF CECIDOLOGY.
A. Cosens, Toronto.

At a time when the problem of gall formation is exciting deep and increasing
interest, it seems opportune to consider for a few minutes those investigators, who,
lured by the fascination of the subject, laid the foundation for its scientific
treatment.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 8i)

Centuries be Tore any serious attempts had been made either to describe the
structure of galls or to explain their origin, these abnormal vegetable growths had
been noted and commented upon. The early ideas concerning them were fanciful
in the extreme; such terms as ''thunder bushes,"' and "witches' brooms,'' still
popularly used, have crystallized in them the superstitions that enshrouded the
origin of these structures. Some of the primitive, whimsical notions concerning
fhem have been adhered to with surprising persistency. Even as late as the 18th
century, Keaumur states that a number of German savants still attributed the
production of Xeuroterns haccannn \Ann. to Satanic, agencies. At the far-off time
when galls (irst began to have a prominent place in the ancient botanical writings,
ignorance frecinently ascribed supe.nmtural attril)utes to anything at all unwonted,
or even occasional, and events of outstanding importance were often supposed to have
been portended by perfectly natural trivial occurrences. It is not surprising, then,
that the earliest naturalists should have seen, in the unusual structure of galls,
signs that forboded the future. If an uninjured gall, opened in January or
February, contained a fly, war must inevitably occur; if a worm, famine was fore-
shadowed; while a spider betokened pestilence. "Always for ill, and never for
good," were the auspices. That the data, presented by galls, could be interpreted
as a representation of the future, was proposed first by Magnus, in the 13th century,
but the onu'n was still accepted by Lonicer and ]\Iattioli, in the 17th.

When the old writers first refer to galls, they are sulttciently well-known to
constitute an important part of the list of prescriptions formulated by the
physicians of that age. A solution of the gall substance in water, or wine, was the
common form in which these remedies were applied. Their marked astringent
ju'operties were familiar to the ancients, and, in this connection, it is interesting to
jiote that gall products are still found in the British pharmacopoeia as astringent
ointments. Two eminent writers, before the Christian era, who have made some-
what detailed reference to galls, are llippokrates (iOG B.C.-3T7 B.C.) and
Theophrastus (371 B.C.-286 B.C.). The former, a famous Greek physician, dealt
with the subject almost exclusively from a medical viewpoint. At various places
in his writings he makes detailed reference to the efficacy of galls a3 remedies in
cases where an astringent action is desirable. The latter's work indicates more of
the qualities of the naturalist in its author, who must have observed the specimens
rather closely, as, in general, he rel'ers to their many sizes and colors, and to the
various shapes of particular forms. He especially mentions a gall covered with
weak hairs, that would serve as a wick, and a particularly hairy specimen that
eluded a honey-like juice. One of the most striking observations which he has
recorded is that the elm galls of Tetraneura ulmi were suitable for caprification,
since they contained animals. Although it is apparent that he must have observed
the insect producers, he did not, however, appreciate the relation between their
presence and the origin of the gall. Also, the galls on the ash and pistachia were
familiar to him, and with them he compares those on the elm. Theophrastus may
have been taught the importance of observational work by Aristotle, whose
favorite pupil he was.

\\}i\\e the w'ork on galls of Pliny the Elder, who died in the eruption of
Vesuvius, A.D. 79, is better known than that of any other writer of antiquity, yet
he contributed very little really new material to the knowledge of the subject.
He treats chiefly of the oak gall of commerce, ('i/nlps tinctoria Tj.. produced on
Querciis infectoria. He distinguishes several forms of it, and names the variety of
oak upon which each is found. He mentions in this classification the green gall-
nut on the 'Miemeris " oak as the one best ada])ted for the preparation of leather,
7 E.S.

Plate IV. — Reproduced fbom Malpighi's " De Gaixis."

Fig. 1. — Gall produced by Aylax glechomae Linne, on ground ivy. Fig. 2. — Section
showing the larval chamher and the enclosed larva.

Fig. 3. — Aphid gall on the leaf of poplar.

Fig. 4. — Mite gall; the producer was unknown to Malpighi.

Fig. 5. — Cynipid producer; 6. — ^Abdomen of producer, with ovipositor retracted;
7. — The same with ovipositor protruded; 8. — Ovipositor.

Fig. 9. — Section of a willow gall, produced by a midge.

90

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91

and the white gall-nut parasitic on " latifolia " as similar to the preceding, but
lighter in color, and slightly inferior in quality. He includes, as well, the black
igall-nut that grows on both the " latifolia " and the " robur " varieties of oaks.
He states that the black gall-nut, when on the latter host, has holes in it, and is,
in consequence, of much less value. The holes, that he notices apparently only
in this form, were without doubt the exit channels of the producers. But, un-
fortunately for the progress of the science, this point escaped him entirely, and he
saw in them nothing but a proof of the inferior character of the galls.

In common with his predecessors, Pliny shows the most perfect confidence,
real or assumed, in the value of the medicinal properties of gall extracts. He
recommends their use in the treatment of twenty-three different ailments, ulcera-
tion of the mouth, affections of the gums and uvula, burns, etc. Toothache may
be allayed by merely chewing a little of the gall, but, to secure the best results in
more serious disorders, the gall substance should be burned and quenched in wine,
or in a mixture of water and vinegar. Pliny no doubt owed much that he has
stated concerning the healing properties of galls to his contemporary, Dioscorides.
This author named and described five or six hundred plants supposed to be
medicinal, and included oak-galls in this primitive materia medica.

In addition to the oak-gall of commerce, the writings of Pliny contain refer-
ences to other galls. He states that the "' robur ■' oak produces one that can be
used for illuminating purposes, and another that contains a sweet juice. These
are clearly the same species mentioned by Theophrastus. In the axils of the
branches of this same oak, Pliny has observed galls. Following his description of
the species, it adheres to the bark without the medium of a stalk; at the point of
junction with the host the gall is white, but is spotted elsewhere with black; the
inner substance is scarlet in color, and has a bitter taste. Quite a concise and
detailed description, considering the early developmental stage of the subject. It
has been inferred that Pliny had seen Cynipid producers, since he speaks of a sort
of gnat in watery pustules on the leaves of the " robur " oak. Clearly the corre-
lation between the life-history of the insect and that of the gall was not noticed by
him, and indeed it is not perfectly conclusive that he recognized the nature of the
oak pustule as the same as that of the gall-nut, although he states that the two
species mature in about the same way.

Many of the statements of Pliny incline us to the belief thai he was influenced
to a greater degree by tradition than by observation. Only some such charitable
conclusion can explain his assumption that gall-nuts are a fruit of the oak, pro-
duced in alternate years with the acorns; or that the gall-nut develops in a single
day, but shrivels up immediately if the heat strikes it.

The writers already considered may be regarded as representative of the
ancient period of the literature dealing with galls. That era, in reality, contributed
very little to our knowledge of the subject. Swellings on certain plants had been
noted, and, in some instances, described, but, apart from that, nothing of scientific
value had been accomplished. At that time, different hosts, such as the oak, beech,
rose, and ash, were known to bear galls. They were supposed to be a fruit-like
product of these trees, and it is extremely doubtful that the deformities on the
various hosts were known to be of the same fundamental character. It is almost
impossible that they could be so regarded, since the common and unifying element,
their production by an insect, was unknown. The consideration of galls as fruits
caused them to be looked upon as natural products, and made any attempt to ex-
plain their origin quite superfluous. During this period, confidence in the
medical properties reached its maximum, and their extracts were recommended as
infallible remedies for a long list of diseases.

92 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

For 1,600 years after the time of Pliny the seiejitifie world slept, and, as a
consequence, at the beginning of the 17th century the work on galls had been
advanced very little beyond where the ancient naturalists had left it. During the
time elapsed, while no apiDreciable progress was made, several writers had in-
cidentally mentioned galls. Magnus (1193-1380), and Konrad ^■on Megenberg
(1309-1337), in particular, have referred to them in their general discussion of
the oaks. The latter author introduced the term "oak-apple" as a synonym for
the older name " gall-nut." Mattioli and Lonicer, about the year 1600, wrote on
the subject, and, in imitation uf the early physicians, recommended the gall
extracts as a panacea for many ailments. Galls, acorns, and mistletoe were re-
garded as three varieties of oak fruit by these authors. Their belief in the oracular
powers of galls has already been considered.

These desultory references to galls, however, do not indicate any special
interest, and we may say that the subject had never been approached in a serious
scientific manner until its importance attracted the attention of tho Italian
physiologist, Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694). This investigator was the out-
standing figure of his age in medical science. He was physician to Innocent XII,
and professor of medicine at Bologna, and afterwards at Messina. In his methods,
he isolated himself entirely from the dogma of tradition, and based his con-
elusions upon his own observations. In his research work, he investigated the
anatomy of the brain and lungs, and made a beginning in embryology by tracing
the various stages in the development of the germ in the hen's egg. \Mule his
work along zoological lines has placed him in the-front rank of the scientists of his
own era, that on the botanical side has marked him out as one of the leading
naturalists of all times. When a biologist of such ability penetrates into a practi-
cally unexplored region as that presented by the subject of galls, it is to be ex-
pected that the progress made will be quite phenomenal, and this has proven to
be the case. The science of cecidology, Avith the founding of w^hich Malpighi must
be credited, was based l)y him upon taxonomic knowledge. His catalogue, " De
Gallis," published in 1686, contains descriptions of a large number of Italian and
Sicilian galls, and shows the intimate familiarity of the author with the included
types. Prior to this work, the galls that appeared in the literature were, with few
exceptions, confined to the rose, beech, and oak. But, in addition to such well-
known forms as Ehodiicf< rosa\, Andricus fecundatn.r, Cijnips KoUari, etc., he has
described others that are. less common and more restricted in their distribution.
For example, he collected Aijla.r glechoiufc I^inn. parasitic on Xc/ieta hederacca. a
gall that has been wddely introduced into America, and is almost certain to be
found wherever the Ground Ivy is established. He was also the first to observe
the beneficial gall nodules on the roots of Leguminous plants, and had noticed, as
well, Erineum galls without being familiar with their production by mites. The
deformities of this nature he has mentioned are those produced on Yitis and
Populus. Malpighi did not concern himself only \\\i\\ the characteristics of the
external form of galls, but applied his knowledge of plant anatomy to the investi-
gation of their internal structure. By this means he became familiar with tlie
course of development of several galls, and the typical stages of individual species.

Valuable as was the contribution thus made by Malpighi to our botanical
knowledge of galls, it -was overshadowed by the importance of his work along
entomological lines. Indeed, the complexity and importance of the problem
presented by the production of galls was never fully appreciated until he dis-
covered their insect origin. Only then was the question seen clearly in its dual
character, involving a stimulation by the producer, and a reaction l)y the host.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93

That he understood the nature of this reaction may Ijc deduced from his statement
that the plant is compeJled to furnish a defonnity that serves to nourish the
deposited eggs of the insect. He must have observed the producers very closely,
as he gives a detailed account of the curious ovipositor of the Cynipidae, and
mentions, also, the stalked character of their eggs. He further discovered that
the galls are not left to the undisputed possession of the producers, but are in-
habited by other insects. He seems to have grasped fully the importance, not only
of a close study of the host i)lant, l)ut also of the habits and structure of the
insect parasite.

Malpighi has recorded a number of reflections concerning the biological re-
lation between ])lant and insect in gall formation. His theory summarized in
brief is that a poison, introduced at the time of oviposition, breaks down the sub-
stances of the cell sap, and diverts the currents of its transference into wrong
channels, thus producing malformation by causing the growth energies of the plant
to be wrongly directed.

Particularly interesting to us, as students of insect life, is the fact that the
founder of the science of cecidology, realized the importance of the entomological
viewpoint of the subject.

The President : As the writer of this paper is not present and as its his-
torical nature rather frees it from any discussion, we will proceed to the next paper
by Mr. Strickland on *' The Army Cutworm in Southern Alberta."

THE AEMY CUTWORM IZvT SOUTHERN ALBERTA.

E. H. Strickland, Extomological Branch, Department of Agriculture,

Ottawa.

The Army Cutworm (Eu.voa aia-iliaris) is new to Canada as a field pest,
though it is a native species of the Western Provinces. Fletcher recorded it in
1903 as injurious to gardens in Regina and Calgary, but apart from this report
the insect has not been described as one of any economic importance in Canada.
Since 1898 it has been a frequently recurring field pest in Montana, where it was
given its popular name.

In 1915 an extensive outbreak of this insect occurred in Alberta, and covered
a territory of about 3,000 square miles. The resulting study of the insect from an
economic standpoint brought to light several interesting features in its life-history
and habits.

The eggs are laid in September and October, mainly upon weedy fields. We
were unable to find eggs in the field, but in all the experiments in which we re-
produced natural conditions in so far as we were able the eggs were laid in the
soil — near, but never actually ui)on, vegetation. This suggests, therefore, that even
though the eggs of this specit\-^ may be found on vegetation the majority of them
are laid in the soil. We believe that this will be found to be true of several other
cutworms which are described as laying their eggs exclusively on vegetation.

The eggs hatch in the autumn, and the young larvae hibernate in the soil.
Soon after the frost is out of the ground in the spring they come to the surface and
feed upon the weeds. When the cutworms are numerous they soon destroy all of
the weeds upon the fields where they hatched and have passed the winter. Then,
like the Armv-worm, thev move off more or less in a body in search of inore food.

94 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

Their general trend of migration, in all cases observed, has been towards the north-
west. We believe that they are oriented by light. As in the adult stage these
cutworms display a positive phototropism to artificial light, and also to subdued
daylight, such as is experienced soon after sunset. Also, like the adults, they avoid
strong daylight. The latter tendency causes them to remain below ground on
bright, sunny days. It happens, however, that when the cutworms are sufficiently
numerous to assume the migratory habit, they have been unable to obtain enough
food to appease their hunger. Hunger causes them to migrate, and it may become
so intense that it overcomes their aversion to exposing themselves to direct sun-
light, so that they come above ground by day, and crawl rapidly in search of food.
This search is haphazard. They are not making for any definite feeding ground,
of which they have some knowledge. They crawl, therefore, in the line of least
resistance — that is, away from the sun, or in a more or less northerly direction.
We have disturbed adults hiding under clods at noon time, and they too, in nearly
every case, flew more or less due north. In the evening, when the sun is low, its
weakened light seems to attract, as does that of an artificial light, and the cut-
worms crawl towards it. It is at this time of the day that migration usually
begins. Once more this agrees with the adult habits; for the moths begin to fly
at dusk, and an examination, soon after sunset, of the windows of a barn shows that
most of the moths of this species are congregated on the western windows.

The food plants include practically all weeds, field, and garden crops. Larvas
even ascended young Manitoba maples and ate the bark off the twigs, thus killing
the trees. They are entirely superficial feeders, and never cut off plants below
ground as do the common cutworms.

The pupae are found in the usual earthern cells made by the Agrotine species.

The moths fly from the middle of June till the end of September or early
October. They may sestivate during the hottest part of the summer, and so appear
to be double brooded. There is, however, one brood only. During the first flight
the ova remain undeveloped, but the moths feed freely and accumulate fat body.
After the period of aestivation the eggs have begun to develop, and they are laid
during the autumn.

The moths are a serious domestic pest, and gain access to well screened houses.
Contrary to general belief, very few of them are attracted into houses by the
lights. A lighted lamp merely attracts around it the moths already in the house.
The majority of moths enter houses between the shingles or through cracks around
doors and windows. They enter these crevices in the early morning for protec-
tion from the daylight, working so far in that many of them are unable to find
their way out again. Many of these crevices communicate, by however devious
a course, with the interior of the building and the result is that a number of the
moths gain admission to houses from which the smaller house flies, which avoid
dark chinka and crannies, are effectively excluded. The moths are attracted only
from a short distance by light, and in this connection it may be mentioned that
light traps in the fields proved to be an absolute failure. The majority of moths
migrate to buildings soon after they emerge, and remain there until they are
mature.

The destruction of the larvae by poison can be accomplished with comparative
ease. This is done most economically by the use of a poisoned bait applied to
specially prepared furrows. In wet seasons a vertically sided furrow can be used
but under the conditions prevailing in southern Alberta the soil is usually too dry
for its construction without expensive hand labor. Under such circumstances it
can be replaced by a dusty sided furrow, made by drawing a heavy log through a

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95

deep plough furrow. For bait we used either sweetened shorts, which proved to be
far superior to bran, or some green vegetation, such as Stinkweed {Thlaspi
arvense), or alfalfa, poisoned with Paris green. The cannibalistic tendency of
these larvae proved to be of great benefit, since the poisoned larvae, which soon lined
the treated furrow, were eaten readily by subsequent arrivals, and definite experi-
ments proved that under these circumstances they themselves furnished a very
effective poisoned bait.

The cutworms appear early in the season, before the spring grain is sown.
If they are observed in large numbers in a field which is being prepared for seed-
ing, extra care is taken to remove all traces of green growth, a poisoned furrow is
prepared right round the field, and seeding is proceeded with as usual. The lack
of food results in a rapid migration of the larvae already on the field, and by the
end of the week necessary for the germination and appearance of .the crop, the
majority of them will have entered a furrow and have been poisoned, while others
attempting to enter the field from the outside also will be trapped. Sometimes it
is advisable to make more than one furrow along the menaced side of the field, and
if the season is so advanced that germination is rapid, it may be necessary to plough
subsidiary furrows at intervals through large fields.

Fortunately, we have no evidence which would lead us to anticipate a frequent
recurrence of the pest, and we feel that similar outbreaks to that experienced this
year can be held in check by the control measures advocated above.

The Peesident: I think all will agree as to the very practical nature of Mr.
Strickland's paper and at the same time its value on account of the very interesting
points he brings up regarding certain biological questions. Mr. Strickland cer-
tainly won two victories in the West this past season. He won a victory over the
Cutworms, and he won a more important one than that, the obstinacy of the farmer,
who is always very ehary about adopting any remedial measures from experts unless
you can convince him by demonstration. The way he was able to break through
that obstinacy on the part of those farmers who were not willing to accept advice
unless they were shown is really one of the valuable lessons we learn from the
method we now have of carrying out our work through the field stations. Secondly,
the fact that Mr. Strickland had to begin the study right from the yery beginning,
and leave behind him all the previous historical matter regarding the treatment of
Cutworms under other conditions and in other parts of Canada, shows what a diffi-
cult task he had. There are a number of points in his paper which might be
the subject of a very interesting discussion; for example, the behaviour of the
larva as compared with the behaviour of the moth. They behave practically the
same both towards artificial light and towards the natural light of the sun. Apart
from its practical interest, of course, this paper does bring forward very emphatic-
ally the necessity of studying the behaviour of insects, and I believe that in our
practical work we are coming more and more to realize that we shall have to go in
for behaviour studies in addition to the study upon which so much of our advice
has been based in the past, that is, studies of the life-history. We have many in-
stances of that, such as the recent work in regard to the Fruit Flies of various
species and work in connection with the relation of the ants to the Corn Eoot Aphis,
all of which tends to prove that life-history study only leads so far in many in-
stances. That is one of the most important things that Mr. Strickland's paper
brings out. The paper is now open for discussion, and I have no doubt that a
number of the members would like to take up certain matters.

Prof. Lochhead : Did Mr. Strickland say what effect the juice of lemon has
upon the mixture as an attractant?

96 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

Mr. Strickland: We tried using the juice of both oranges and lemons when
poisoning in the trench, but found tli.at since the bait was not in competition with a
growing crop there was no necessity to use it ; and as a general rule we found that
the fruit juices made Tcry little difference. We have been using a series of cages
sunk into the ground over a growing crop, 9 feet square, so that we can put in
each a certain number of cutworms, apply poisoned baits, and tell exactly what our
poisons are doing. We did some forty or fifty experiments in them this year with
various poisoned; baits, and generally about three days afterwards we would recover
all of the larvae, living or dead, from the soil, and in that way we were able to tell
the relative values of the baits used. Here also we find that fruit juice has very
little beneficial effect, and that cane molasses is very much inferior to beet molasses.

Mr. AVinn : I would like to ask Mr. Strickland about the first stage of the
insect, namely, the egg-stage. When the eggs were found were they attached in
any way?

Mr. Strickland : We never found more than three together.

j\Ir. Wixx: Did you notice where they were laid?

Mr. Strickland : Of course we disturbed them when we examined them, but
we found that particles of earth were attached all around them, and therefore we
concluded that they were laid in the soil rather than on the soil.

Mr. Winn: I have examined several of the eggs and it was very peculiar the
way they were laid.

Mr. Strickland : Our examination of vegetable matter lias been naturally far
more thorough than that of the soil, and we have never found them on vegetation,
so that we are rather forced to the conclusion that they are laid in the soil.

The President: Perhaps Mr. Gibson would have some remarks to make on
this subject.

Mr. Gibson : I am afraid I can add very little to what Mr. Strickland has
already said. He seems to be working under conditions peculiar to Southern Al-
berta. In the East, here, we frequently find the eggs of 'Cutworm moths laid on
leaves, and even on the stems of trees, but we have not ourselves, as Mr. Strick-
land has, located any eggs in the soil in eastern Canada. In the case of the
Variegated Cutworm, which was so abundant in British Columbia in 1900, the eggs
Avere laid on the leaves and stems of trees, windows, verandahs, and even on clothes
hanging out to dry. In regard to the control of cutworms in the East, we this year
used the locust poisoned bran formula with good results. Twenty pounds of this,
if spread properly, is sufficient for two or three acres.

Mr. Criddle : I would like to say that I have also been carrying on a few in-
vestigations in Cutworms during the past season, and I found that market gardeners
near Winnipeg had very little faith in oranges or lemons. They had remarkable
success by using both bran and shorts (the majority were in favour of shorts) and
just molasses in addition, and my results seemed to bear out what they said.

Mr. Tothill : I would like to ask Mr. Strickland if in connection w^ith the
Noctuids there is any special machinery in connection with any of the ovipositors
for laying eggs beneath the soil ?

Mr. Strickland: Whenever we disturl^ed moths in the day time they were
always beneath clods and so beneath the soil.

Mr. Wilson : I would like to ask Mr. Strickland about what time the Cutworms
appeared in Alberta this summer?

Mr. Strickland: They appeared as soon as the frost was out of the ground,
tlie very first record being of larvai attracted to light at the Provincial Jail on April

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 97

7th, aucl on about April 10th we had an account from the country where wu found
th.eni plentifully.

Mii. Wilson : In 1900, about the loth June. 1 received a report of damage by
potato beetles up Nortii and I proceeded there, but could find no potato beetles of
any kind, and I had good evidence that cutworms were present.

The Presidext: If there is no farther discussion on this' paper we shall now
bring this session to a conclusion.

Mk. Gibsox: Several of the members undoubtedly would like to spend some
time looking over our collections here, and as I think we have plenty of time for
all the papers on the programme to-morrow morning, I would move that the session
begin at 9.30 instead of ?/.00 o'clock.

Mi{. ToTiiiLL : I second that motion.

The Presidext: To-night we are to have the privilege of hearing a public
lecture from Dr. H. T. Fernald, State Entomologist of Massachusetts. Dr. Fernald
has been most kind in stepping into a breach which was made by the unfortunate
accident to Dr. Howard, who Avould otherwise have delivered this lecture, and I
take it for granted that evcrj-body here will be there to-night as we ought to give
Dr. Fernald a good audience, and I hope the members here will do their best in
bringing their friends to hear Dr. Fernald. Tlie lecture starts at 8.00 p.m.

The meeting is now adiourned.

Thuhsday, Xov. 4th.
EVENING SESSION.
LIFE ZONES IX ENTOMOLOGY AND THEIR RELATION TO CROPS.
H. T. Fernald, Amherst, Mass.

From the time when the late Alfred Russel "Wallace published his epoch-making
volumes on " The Geographical Distribution of Animals," this subject has been one
of extreme interest. Wallace used his discoveries in this line as evidences of evo-
lution, an'l ])rovidcd many able arguments to su])port the theory from that source.
The possibility of a practical application of distribution to agriculture, however,
seems not to have received consideration by him, and it was apparently left for
Dr. ('. Hart Merriam to present this phase of the suliject, though in a somewhat
general way, in his paper on " Life Zones and Crop Zones in the United States,**
about a quarter of a century later.

Two years ago, Dr. E. M. "Walker, in his presidential address before this
society, discussed at some length the life zones as they are found in northern North
America, and therefore only a brief reference to this phase of the subject is necessary
at this time. Studies of the distribution of plants and animals all show that on any
continental area, belts running from east to west across the country are inhabited
largely by the same forms, while as we go north or south to the limits of these*
belts, we find other species beginning tc present tliemselves, and these increase until,
finally we are surrounded by a fauna and flora almost entirely different, and belon/?-
ing to a different belt.

Sufli belts constitute the so-called life /^ones and these are grouped into regions,
that covering the tropical portion of tlie continent heing called the Tropical Region,

98 THE EEPOKT OF THE Xo. 36

that next the north the Austral Region, and the northernmost, the Boreal B|egion.
Naturally we are interested mainly in the last two of these areas.

(Canada is, of course, largely within the Boreal Region, but the differences
within her territory are such that three sub-belts, called zones, are easily recogniz-
able. On the north, beyond the limit of the growth of trees, we find corresponding
changes in plant and animal life, establishing the Arctic Zone of the region. Here
are typically Arctic plants and such animals as the Arctic fox, polar bear, musk ox,
and ptarmigan. South of this, stretching across the continent .from Labrador to
Alaska, and southward along the tops of the Eocky Mountains i? the so-called
Hudsonian Zone. Its southern limit extends from near the mouth of the St. Law-
rence Eiver to the southern end of Hudson Bay, thence passes north-
west to near Great Slave Lake, then down the Mackenzie Eiver to
about 65 deg. latitude, after which, influenced by the mountainous heights, it
extends again to the south to about latitude 55 deg., sending narjow tongues farther
south along the mountain tops. As it approaches the western ocean, however, the
moderation of climate due to the Kuro sivo, or Japanese Gulf Stream, makes; its
influence felt, and the southern edge of the zone is driven north and is only able to
reach the western shore of the continent about five degrees farther north than it
was when the efi'ects of the ocean came within reach. As neither the Arctic nor
Hudsonian zones of the Boreal Eegiou iias great agricultural value, we now turn to
the third zone of this region — the Canadian — which with certain exceptions occupiea
the rest of the Dominion of Canada aud a portion of the United States. Here we
must look for the greatest agricultural returns and one of the best opportuniti^
for the utilization of crops not as yet grown.

The Austral Eegion occupies but a small portion of Canadian territory, but
what it does occupy is of great value, for here it should be possible to produce
crops not raised elsewhere in the Dominion, and to produce to perfection crops
only partially successful in the Canadian Zone. Like the Boreal, the Austral
Eegion is divided into three zones, the northern one being known as the Transition
Zone. How accurate our knowledge of the area occupied by this zone as shown on
the map is, may be questioned, but a strip around the Bay of Fundy and along the
shore of Lake Ontario, and the Southern parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and
Alberta, besides the shore belt inthe region of Vancouver Island, are believed to
belong to this section.

Next south comes the Upper Austral, and this appears to be present in Canada
only as a narrow strip along the shore of Lake Erie. How correct this is must
be determined by future investigation.

It is a safe statement that Life Eegions and Zones are always limited by
barriers, though these may be of many kinds. Every kind of animal and plant has
an optimum temperature at which it thrives best. As we depart from localities
where this is true, and pass to the north, we will reach a latitude where it can no
longer exist, while if we pass to the south the same will hold. Sometimes the
limits will be established, not by temperature but by absence of food or by a change
from a moist to an arid climate or tlie reverse. A mountain chain of considerable
height may so affect temperature that forms reaching it are unable to cross and
enter a continuation of the same zone beyond. Near the shores of our continent
the infiuence of the ocean is a modifying factor, and others might also be enumei^-
ated, all affecting the arrangement of the regions.

Evidence indicating the limits of these zones is gathered by a study of the
plants and animals present. Many plants found only a short distance south of the
international boundary disappear as we pass northward, and with them disappear

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 99

animals feeding on those plants, unless satisfactory substitutes can be found. The
cold of winter holds many forms in close agreement for their northern limit with
certain isothermal lines, and by a study of these and other factors, a general under-
standing of the zonal areas can be obtained.

At the present time investigations on this subject are mainly by preparing
faunal and floral lists for different localities, particularly from places presumed to
be near the borders of the zones, and as a whole the latest results seem to indicate
that the Upper Austral Zone extends farther north than was formerly supposed to be
the case. It is, of course, recognized that no absolute line separates the zones, but
that they overlap somewhat along their edges, leaving more or less of a " debatable
ground,'^ but despite this, approximate limits have a significance when it comes to
the selection of the most successful crops to raise in any locality, and even local
modifications are worthy of consideration.

The speaker regrets a lack of knowledge of local conditions of Canada as bear-
ing on this point. Certain examples from cases with which he is familiar, how-
ever, may be suggestive and be possible of application here.

The State of Massachusetts is mountainous at its western end, numerous
peaks reaching a height of more than 2,500 feet, and that whole portion of the
state is more than a thousand feet high. East of this the state is crossed by the
broad 'Connecticut Eiver Valley, where, except for a few hills, the elevation is every-
where less than 500 feet. The central part of the state is higher again, the general
elevation of the land except for narrow grooves cut by streams, being over a thousand
feet. The eastern thii'd of the state, however, is all less than 500 feet above sea
level.

So far as elevation goes, therefore, the eastern part of the state and the Con-
necticut Valley should haVe much in common. Such differences in elevation in
the state as have been indicated should not be of such importance as to aflEect
apple raising, for instance, but they do result in the appearance of minor differ-
ences which all have their effect.

But even two such similar areas as the eastern end of the state and the Con-
necticut Valley have their differences. Nearness to the ocean has its effect in the
former case, moderating the temperature somewhat in winter, and slightly checking
excessive heat over extended periods in summer. But when southeastern Massa-
chusetts is considered, yet another difference is found. Here the influence of the
Gulf Stream as it sweeps northward modifies the winter and lengthens the fall,
preventing frosts until much later than only a few miles farther inland.

The Gulf Stream is itself a somewhat variable factor. From time to time its
course changes, sometimes swinging in quite close to the land, while at others it
turns more out to sea, thus having less effect. In general, however, the result is that
crops normally grown only much farther south can be successfully raised on Cape
Cod and along the shore towns of the southern part of the state, besides insuring
safety to late planted crops coming onto the market after the regular season has
ended.

Small factors sometimes prove to be of considerable importance in establishing
the limits of life zones, and this is illustrated by the Holyoke range of mountains
in the Connecticut Valley. This range is by no means a continuous one, but its
general trend is across the valley with an average height of perhaps a thousand
feet. In spite of its numerous breaks which would seem to render it of no import-
ance as a line of separation, we find many forms of life extending from the south
as far as this range but no farther, and the season on the northern side of the
range is about ten days later in spring than on tlie southern side. Tlie steep

100 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

northern slopes of the mountains are well covered by snow during the winter, and
this is not quickly reached and melted by the sun in the spring, thus delaying the
season north of the range. During the winter, too, increased cold results, and it is
probably this which prevents a farther northward spread of the forms which reacli
the southern slopes, by establishing a Avinter temperature which they are unable
to withstand. During the summer, northward migrations can and sometimes do
occur, but tlie cold of the winter following is always sufficient to destroy these mar-
ginal settlements, leaving tlie northern limit of occurrence of these forms where it
was before.

Closely related to the questions of distribution of our native animals and
plants, are those of introduced forms of life. The Elmieaf Beetle, which reached
this country nearly three-quarters of a century ago at Baltimore, has now spread
far to the northward, and how much farther it can go is a question of considerable
importance. It thrives in the Upper Austral Zone, but is noticeably absent in
the highlands of the Pennsylvania mountain region, though it is present again west
of them. To the north it has caused serious loss to the elms of New England,
resulting in the appropriation of large sums for spraying of the trees to protect
them from its ravages. Careful studies of this pest in Massachusetts show that
while a serious menace to the life of the elms iii the southern part of the state and
in the river valleys, it becomes of little importance in the higher and northern
parts, and many towns which formerly appropriated money for the protection of
their elms from this insect have now learned that this was unnecessary, as the-
trees would suffer but little at most, in any case.

With the San Jose Scale similar facts are now coming to light. This pest finds
the best conditions for its life in the Lower and Upper Austral Zones, where it has
caused the loss of many millions of dollars. Even in the Upper Aiistral .territory
of Massachusettes, it is one of the most destructive enemies of the fruit-
grower. As we pass into the Transition Zone, however, its ra\;ages become less
severe, and by the time the centre of this zone has been reached, it is of only
medium imijortance. In this case, it has seemed to those studying this problem
that this insect was originally limited by tlic Upper Austral, but has gradually
acquired some degree of resistance to lower temperatures and has thus been alile
to extend into the Transition Zone. Whether this resistance of cold will continue
to develop until it becomes a serious insect in this entire zone is a question which
cannot now he answered. At least, it points out the possibility of the
acquirement of resistant qualities as a factor which must be taken into considera-
tion. The speaker has watched with much interest a small colony of these insects
which about fifteen years ago was brought on nursery stock to a point near wliere
the Transition Zone meets the Canadian. Here from year to year the insect has
reproduced just sufficiently to maintain itself, doing no injury, and " eking out a
miserable existence '"* and nothing more.

The Asparagus Beetle and numerous other examples might here be considered
as illustrating the significance of life zones in their relation to the limits of spread
of our insect foes, but time for their c(msideration is inadequate.

With life zones divided by mountain ranges we find that it is not usually the
case that the same forms occur on both sides of the barrier. When this does happen,
two explanations oflPer themselves. The barrier may be a recent one, at least
geologically speaking, having arisen after the zone had been occupied by the forms
concerned. Or the barrier may be a less complete one than it was supposed, and
these forms have in some way succeeded in crossing it. More often the animals on the
two sides are not the same, though they may play similar parts in Nature's economy.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 101

<iiid again two explanations are possible. ^\'llel■e two similar but diifercnt forms
occur, one on each side of a barrier, it has been suggested that a common ancestor
of the two had established itself over the entire zone before the barrier was formed,
and that development on the two sides since has been along sufficiently different
lines to produce. different species. The Peach Borer east of the Rocky Mountains,
and its close relative, the Pacific Coast Peach Borer, on the western coast, are con-
-sidered an example of this. Many forms, however, show little close relationship
but much similarity to Old World forms, and here geology steps in to provide an
oxjilanation.

There is much evidence that in past ages the northern part of the world's
surface was much warmer than it now is, and also that there were more or less
complete land connections between Europe and Xorth America on the east, and
Asia and Alaska on the west. It is noticeable that many forms of life in the north-
(>astern part of this country find their closest relatives among European forms,
and similarly that many of our w^estern forms closely resemble those of Xorth-
luistern Asia. From these facts it seems at least probable that differences in the
life of the same zone fouiul on two sides of a north and south barrier may be
accounted for as being the results of migration from the two opposite ends of the
Eurasian continent.

Life zones then mean, not the areas continuously inhabited by a certain list of
forms, but territory having fixed standards, which meeting the needs of animals
and plants, able to live under sucli standards, can be populated by them if means
of access is i^rovided.

It has been said that certain places in Africa are perfectly fitted for some
American forms of life. If this be correct, such American forms once placed there
would establisli themselves and thrive in their new home, the only difficulty being
that of getting them across the ocean in the first place. This may remain a diffi-
culty for years, but, so far as Xorth America is concerned, the arrival of new
forms from other countries is not only possible, but is actually occurring, and if
favorable conditions are found on arrival, or, in other words, if proper life zone
conditions and proper food are at hand, the establishment of new animals and
plants in our land is certain.

Some of these arrivals in the past have been desirable, but certain it is that
many have proved veritable pests. It is stated that about seventy-five of our one
hundred worst insect pests are of foreign origin, and, in spite of all systems of in-
spection and care, new ones somehow creep in and establish themselves before we
are aware of their presence.

To prevent this seems hopeless under our present methods, and the recent de-
velopment of the nursery business, bringing in millions of all kinds of plants from
all parts of the world, harboring insects many of which it may be difficult or im-
possible to find by any inspection, raises the question whether it would not be wise
to absolutely prevent the importation of all plants from foreign countries, in order
to protect ourselves from the pests of other lands which otherwise might join forcn^s
with those already here, in the destruction of our crops.

102 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

MORmNG SESSION

Friday, ISTovember 5th.

The President : The meeting is now called to order and I intend to postpone
the first item on the programme, that is, " Election of officers, etc.,'^ and instead to
ask Mr. Morris to read his paper on '' Fresh Woods and Pastures New."*

Mr. Morris's paper was read.

Dr. Hewitt: I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of the whole meetiJl^g
when I say how pleased we are that Mr. Morris was able to come to this meeting
and deliver one of his charming papers. It occurred to me, as Mr. Morris was
reading his paper, what a pity that he could not be given charge of an expedition
such as Bates had in South America, what charming accounts of those entomo-
logical journeys we should have when Mr. Morris returned. This paper is now
open for discussion, if any of the members care to ask Mr. Morris any questions
regarding his captures.

I hope, Mr. Morris, that you will take this silence as indicating that your paper
was so fully detailed by you that no one wishes to discuss it. We will now pass
on to the next paper, by Professor Loehhead, on " Some Notes on Nose and Other
Bot Flies."

SOME NOTES EEGAEDTNG NOSE AND OTHEE BOT FLIES.

Prof, W. Lochhead, Macdonald College, Que.

1. Nose Flies.

In connection with the "Farmer's Friends and Foes" department in the
Family Herald and Weehly Star several interesting letters were received by me
from the West regarding Nose Flies. I consider the information obtained' of
sufficient importance to bring before this meeting, for it became evident Avhen I
looked up the literature available that entomologists as a rule have much to learn
regarding this group of flies.

The correspondence referred to began innocently enough through a question
asked by a Saskatchewan subscriber ; " Does the Nose fly that torments horses in
summer time sting or bite the horse, or what makes them so afraid of the flies ?'^
I replied as follows: —

Nose flies are a species of horse bot flies and have a peculiar habit of laying their
eggs round the lips of horses, and the nostrils. For this reason they have been termed
" Nose Flies." We all know that horses have an instinctive dread of this fly, and seem
to recognize its presence. While these flies may appear to sting, they cannot do so,
for they have no sting. Their mouth parts are aborted. However, this fear of the
bot fly has been Ibred into the bone of thousands of generations of horses, who have-
suffered the effects of the bots in the stomach. There may be something in the fact
that the bot fly resembles a wasp or a small bee and that the horse cannot very well
distinguish between these insects which sting and the bot fly which does not sting. Per-
sonally, I am of the opinion that horses know instinctively that this insect is harmful
to them. There are many things that we cannot explain, and this instinctive dread
of nose hot flies is one of them.

*This paper will appear in the Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XLVIII, No. 5, May,.
1916.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 103

My reply led another Western reader to make a spirited reply to my statement
that the bot flies cannot sting either with its mouth-pa,rts or with its ovipositor.
He says: —

My experience with " nose flies " that annoy horses dates iback eight years.
Previous to that time they were unknown in the district. A bunch of horses were
brought in from the United States the year before and from them I think we obtained
this pest. Of course we always had the long-tailed bot-fly, but this bob-tail is a curse
both to horses at work and in pasture. Work horses can be given some protection in
the shape of nose covering, but the poor horses outside cannot even feed in the day-
time for them. If you could see the poor beasts huddled up together stamping, rubbing,
etc., I am sure you would not think the laying of an egg by these pests so simple a
matter. Come and hitch up a six-horse outfit without any protection sometime this
coming summer and you will change your mind. Anyone who will take the trouble
to examine these bob-tail bot flies will notice on the tail end a pair of tweezers when
pressed slightly. It is from these tweezers the trouble arises.

In my reply to correspondent 'No. 2 1 suggested that perhaps the real culprit
was a Tabanid for these insects are known as Gad-flies, Breeze-flies, Greenheads
and Ear-flies, but asked for specimens. Correspondent No. 2 was good enough
later to send a few specimens of the Nose flies and made further observations
regarding their habits: —

These pests have been some weeks later making their appearance this year, owing
I presume to the late frosts. I think the description you once gave, namely, red-
tailed (bot-fly, was fairly accurate, but strange to say I have looked very closely for
their eggs but have failed to find any — so different from the ordinary long-tailed bot,
which distributes its eggs promiscuously. On squashing an ordinary bot fly one flnds
numberless eggs, but in these I have failed to see any. The habits of these nose flies
are to hover around a foot or so above the earth, when they make a dart upwards and
try to hit the horse on the lips or nostrils; it also seems to dig its hind part similar
to a bee or wasp when stinging an object. It rarely hits but once at a time, when it
seems to disappear for a few seconds, then comes again. I have examined its rear
end for stinging apparatus, but can only see what to me appears a pair of tweezers.
"We have all the other kinds of horse flies you mentioned, but a horse will calmly
endure being chewed up with the spotted winged horse flies, bull dogs and the rest of
that family, but let one of these nose flies strike and he Is up in the air at once and
has to rub his nose on something or other. As I mentioned in my previous letters it
is only a few years since they made their appearance in this district and I have heard
that there are parts of this province where they have not yet made their appearance.
They are the greatest pest we have got on horses. I think the Royal Humane Society
should get busy and make all owners provide some building In which any stock in
pasture could go in for protection. I have a pole and straw shed which I put up for
winter and the straw has settled down a little, which leaves an air current at the top
of walls. My stock appreciate it and it is also a protection from the bull dog flies,
too, which are a great annoyance to cattle as well as horses. These nose flies don't
touch cattle.

My reply was as follows: —

We were very glad to get four specimens of nose flies from Saskatchewan, for their
arrival sets at rest the question of the identity of the flies that bother the horses sa
much in the western provinces. They are nose flies (Oastrophiliis nasalis) , and are
one of the species of horse bot-flies. Now our friend S. H. differs from us on the power
of stinging these nose flies possess. We maintain that these flies do not and cannot
sting, for they have no stinging appliance. In all kinds of flies that sting the mouth-
parts are modifled to form a stinging or piercing apparatus; on the other hand, in all
the kinds of bees and wasps that sting the egg-depositor at one hind end of the body
is modified for piercing purposes. Now, as bot-flies are true flies we would naturally
expect their mouth-parts to show piercing appliances if they can really sting, but exam-
ination reveals no such appliances. Moreover, the egg-depositor at the hind end of the
body is rather long, but it is too soft and flexible to serve as a stinging instrument.

If these ibot or nose flies cannot sting, why do they cause such panic among horses?
The answer is, we believe, the persistent efforts of the flies to deposit their eggs on

104 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

the hairs of the front legs. They resemble a bee or a wasp to a considerable extent,
even to the humming noise, and their sudden darts coming continuously and persist-
ently get on the horses' nerves and set up a panicky state of mind. The cattle or
warble or hot fly is another instance where a fly that cannot sting causes cattle to go
careering through the fields in a panicky condition. The real biting flies like the horse
fly do not seem to produce the same effect, for the reason we suppose that once the
horses get rid of it they have rest for a while. There is no doubt as to the name of
the flies sent, and it is also certain that they do not sting. Three of the specimens
submitted were males, hence would not have eggs.

Later still, a third correspondent from Saskatchewan writes me regarding
Nose flies and gives further particulars as to the differences between the Xose
fly and the Bot fly. He says : —

I have ibeen reading in the issue of July 28 an article on nose flies. As the nose
flies are a very troublesome pest among horses, I would like to add my mite of know-
ledge concerning' them. Now they cannot be the same flies that deposit their eggs on
the legs because they are much smaller and darker in color, and the mode of laying the
egg is different; the ordinary bot-fly keeps buzzing and depositing her eggs (which
are yellow) continuously; whereas in the nose fly it strikes upward swift and wickedly
and then disappears, to return again possibly in half a minute; the egg is black. One
fellow struck me on the back of the hand last summer and left an egg which attached
to a hair; there was no pain, though the wicked way it does the trick is quite enough
to scare a person or a horse either. When there is protection on the nose of the horses
(rags are commonly used and wire screens are sold to cover the nose), they will strike
at the person; often I have had them hit the underside of the brim of the hat.

My reply was as follows : —

The correspondence regarding nose flies has brought out much important informa-
tion regarding these pests. Our friend (W. B.) tells us something really important
in the way of distinguishing two kinds of bot flies of horses. It is likely, however,
that there are at least three kinds of bot flies in the West, and this fact will account
for the difference noted by the variovis observers. There is first of all the " common
bot fly," which deposits its yellowish eggs on the legs and is of a general reddish
brown color. The eggs may be deposited on the fore legs, knees and shanks. A second
form is what is known as the " nasal fly," specimens of which we identified in our last
note on nose flies in these columns. We beg to note a clerical mistake which we made
in stating that they deposit their eggs on the hairs of the front legs; this should have
been " on the hairs of the lips and the margins of the nostrils." This insect is smaller
than the first, has white eggs and is of a darker color, but still with a considerable
number of brownish hairs. The third form of bot fly is the " red-tailed bot fly." This
has about the same general color as the nasal fly, but is not so large and deposits its
eggs on the lips of the horses. The eggs are darker than those of the flrst or second.
It must not be supposed, however, that the " red-tailed bot fly " is the only red-tailed
bot fly. A confusion may arise here; there are different bands of color on the abdomen
of both the nasal and the red-tailed bot fly, the bands being very much alike in both —
a yellow band in front, black in the middle and orange on the last. The term " red-
tailed bot fly " is, therefore, not a good one to use, because the nasal bot fly is also
red-tailed. These facts regarding the three forms of bot flies may account for the differ-
ences observed by our correspondent, as we have already stated. There are other
differences, of course, which are revealed on close examination under a magnifying
glass or a microscope, but the foregoing are sufficient to identify them. We should
be very much indebted to our readers in the West if they could send specimens of bot
flies to us so that we may be able to give further information when questions are
answered.

A fourth correspondent at this time contributes his mite as to the best treat-
ment against nose flies: —

There is an objection to the use of rags tied over the horse's nose on account of
difficulty in breathing. I have tried the following remedy with much success: Mix
about 10 cents worth of oil of tar in machine oil (but other oils would be better), and
wipe lightly around the muzzle of the horse — but use it very sparingly — whenever flies
make an attack. I keep a bottle among the implements and flies never come near the
horses. Mosquitoes dislike this substance also.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 105

A fifth Saskatchewan correspondent writes as follows : — -

I would like to add the following information, which I will vouch for being correct.
The nose fly appeared In this district some ten years or more ago, brought I expect
from the States or Mexico. In size, shape and color it closely resembles the bot fly,
and is often mistaken for it, but it is a trifle smaller and more grey. The principal
difference, however, to the horse and stockman lies in its method of depositing its
eggs. The bot fly ^buzzes incessantly up and down the animal's legs, sticking a yellow-
white egg on the hair every other moment, mostly below the hock or knee. In dis-
tinction from the bot fly, the nose fly uses its ovipositor like a hypodermic needle. It
flies very swiftly back and forth, poises itself for a moment as though to judge place
and distance, and then, darting upward, stabs a black egg into the lip or chin of the
horse and retreats as swiftly, only to return at the next suitable moment. The horse
can hear it and awaits the attack with nervous apprehension. On feeling the needle-
like thrust it starts violently and rubs its lips or nose on the grass or against
another horse. Often horses on the range will be seen standing with their noses buried
in each other's man-es or resting on another's 'back. I never saw a nose fly draw
blood, and I think the " ear fly " referred to in the article is a very small grey-black
fly that bites principally in the ears, across the chest and around the sheath. These
are distinct from the flies, like very diminutive house flies, which congregate around
animals' eyes. There is also the " deer fly," about the size of the house fly, but having
a speckled or mottled appearance, whose wings when at rest stand out, giving it a
triangular shape. Also the huge fly as big as a wasp, locally known as the " bulldog."
The latter flies bite with nippers and generally draw blood. There is also another
pest called ttie heel fly which I have not studied yet. Some people claim it is identical
with the nose fly. It attacks the heels of cattle, which take refuge in water when pos-
sible. It is a common sight to see one or more individual animals ibreak from a bunch
or off the feeding ground and stampede for water, brush or, when neither is handy,
a buffalo wallow or washout. Animals will be found thus upwards of a mile from any
other cattle. In a country so large, individual attempts to destroy any of these vermin
seem hopeless; but if any means could be devised to co-operate for their destruction,
the relief would be tremendous both to man and beast. Of all the flies the " nose fly "
is perhaps the worst, and we have to use some kind of porous net over our horses'
noses, as referred to in the quoted article.

A reader from Alberta (Correspondent No. 6) writes as follows: —

I have been very much amused and interested at your articles on nose flies and
»bot flies. I imagined that every farm boy of an inquiring nature and over ten years
of age knew all there was to know about those little pests. I have been a neighbor of
theirs for the past thirty years and consider I am about as well acquainted with their
habits as the ordinary man. I was a boy of thirteen when I first made the nose flies'
acquaintance. I used to lead an old blind horse to the cultivator; on calm, hot days
the horse would suddenly stand on his hind legs and start pawing the air with his
front feet, sometimes bruising me in his flurry, so I naturally started in to investigate
with a boy's curiosity, and the only thing I could notice for a while was a dark object
aibout the size of a buckshot come from somewhere near the ground, strike the horse
on the lip and immediately fall to the ground. One thing I noticed in particular was
that when they struck the horse they were upside down and their tail struck in advance.
My idea was that they were a variety of bee. The first one I caught I examined very
closely for a sting but could not find any; then I started to squeeze the rear end to
see if there were any eggs in the oviduct and did not find any eggs, but to my surprise
I squeezed out two stings just below the oviduct shaped exactly like the mandibles of
an ant, but considerably stronger and sharp as needles. So I came to the conclusion
that was the cause of the horse's antics. The nose files that I was acquainted with in
the East were about the size of a house fly but shaped like a bee. You say that only
'bees have stings in the tail, and I believe you are right; but when you claim that a
nose fly is a bot fly I think you are off. The nose fly is one branch of a large family
of stock bees, and the bot fly may also be a branch of the same family, but it is the
only one that lays the yellow egg which hatches into the bot Inside the horse's stomach,
and it will lay eggs on a horse from heels to ears and sometimes on cattle. It appears
to be the strongest flier of any of the family and also the best known. Since coming
to Alberta I have made the acquaintance of several other members of the stock bee
family. First I will mention the brown-tailed light yellow nose fly; it is about the
size of a blue-bottle fly but shaped like a honey bee. It also carried heavy mandibles
just below the oviduct; they are sheathed in the body and cannot be seen unless the
body is pressed between the thumb and finger, when they expose themselves.
8 E.S.

106 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

Then there is another with a light yellow body, about the size of the female hot,
which 1 imagined was the male hot; it also has a pair of mandibles, but they are frailer
than those on the nose fly.

Now we get to the heel fly, which belongs to the same family and is the largest
of the family that I know. It is about the size and shape of a small honey bee and
carries the heaviest set of mandibles of any of the stock bee family; it is also the
poorest flier; it hovers around in the grass or near the ground on calm, hot days, and
darts up, striking the cattle on the first place it reaches, generally from the heels up
to the hocks and sometimes on the rump; then up goes the animal's tail and it bolts.
If there is a four wire fence in front of the animal it goes right on through, while the
fly calmly drops to the grass and sails along until it comes to the next cow or steer,
which also throws up its tail and has business elsewhere. By that time all the cattle
have taken the hint and disappeared.

Another one I captured near the horses one day about as large as the heel fly and
the same color; the only difference I noted was that its mandibles were jet black and
very strong, while all the rest were brown. One thing I noticed with all of these insects
Is that they are always worse on hot, calm days and are very weak fliers, never appear-
ing when there is any wind, excepting the hot which is with us all summer.

A correspondent (No. 7) from Chatham, Ont., writes: —

i

I think your correspondents of July 28th and September 1st are in error about
what they call nose flies, as the flies do not strike on the horse's nose but underneath,
just back of the opening of the jawbone. I have caught scores of them by placing
my hand beneath the horse's chin. They do not deposit eggs, as they are males of the
common bot fly. The eggs that are on the lips were not deposited there, but adhered
when the horse was rubbing his legs, as the horse does not use the tongue for that
purpose. The difference in colour of eggs can be accounted for in this way. When
first deposited they are yellow, but turn darker until hatched; then the shells which
still adhere to the hairs get quite light.

2. Waeble Flies.

For the last two or three years reports have reached us from Chateauguay
and Huntingdon Counties that certain flies were very troublesome on the dairy
herds in pasture during June and early July. It was asserted that they stung
the cattle and chased them about the fields. This summer a specimen of the
pest was sent me, and on comparing it with type specimens of Warble flies sent me
Iby Dr. Hadwen, of British Columbia, I identified it as Eypoderma hovis. Dr.
Hewitt, to whom I submitted the specimen, corroborated my identification.

The explanation of this outbreak of dovis in the Chateauguay-Huntingdon
district is clear when it is known that a large importation of cattle from Scotland
has occurred annually for many years. The breeders of this district admit that
warbles on the backs of the cattle are more common now than they were a few
years ago.

Following is a table which may be of service in identifying the common
genera and species of the Oestridse.

Oestbidae.

(Bot Flies.)

Common genera and species:

a. Costal vein ends at tip of R4_|-5; Ml-f2 is straight, not reaching the margin,

and cell R5 wide open; squamae small, arista bare; ovipositor elongate.

Cktstrophilus.
6. Wings with spots and smoky median cross band. G. equi (horse bot fly).
66. Wings without spots.
c. Posterior cross-veins (M-Cu) beyond the anterior cross-vein (R-M); legs blackish

brown. O. hcemorrhoidalis (red-tailed bot fly).

G t(^ui. *•'"'

«i R,.i

CuvtM.!

fl* Cij,

G.X'-f'l'i

Wings of Oasterophilus.

«. £^c.it», v.

Wings of Hypoderma ilneata and H. bovia.

107

108 THE EEPOET OF THE Is^o. 36

cc. Posterior cross-vein opposite and nearer tTian the anterior cross-vein. G. nasalis

(nose fly).
aa. Costal vein ends at tip of Ml-(-2; Ml-j-2 with a bend; cell R5 much narrowed

or closed.

b. Facial grooves approximated below; cell R5 closed and petiolate. Oestrus.
bb. Facial grooves far apart; squamae large, ovipositor elonga;te. Hypoderma.

c. Prothoracic band of yellow hairs, mesothoracic band of brownish black hairs;

media 3 sinuate; legs black with black hair; tips of hind tibiae and tarsi
yellowish brown. H. bovis.
cc. Thoracic band of hairs brownish; media 3 rounded; tibiae and tarsi yellow;
femora black. H. lineata.

The President: We are pleased to have Professor Lochhead's paper in our
Proceedino-s, because this is a group of insects which is gradually coming to the
front more and more. It is very apparent that, both in the case of the Nose
Flies attacking horses and in the case of the Warble Flies attacking cattle, these
insects are hecoming far more frequent. Our own correspondence files would
display a somewhat similar series of letters as Professor Lochhead has read here,
and the. farmers who write to usi about these things are very confident about
their own observations and their own knowledge, as a rule. In regard to a ])rief
note that Professor Lochhead mentioned about warble flies, I believe wdiat he
says is quite true, that we can trace the increasing prevalence of Hypoderma hovis
in this country to the importation of cattle. In the old days the only species
recognized in this country was Hypoderma lineata, which was considered to be a
truly native species, but more recently, owing to the investigations of Dr. Hadwen
in British Columbia and my o^vn enquiries from the Branch here, w^e were able
to show that hovis occurred in this country in addition to lineata, and further
that hovis was pretty widely distributed, particularly in the Province of Quebec,
and it is on this suspicion that Dr. Hadwen has based most of his very valuable
inyestigations, but before passing on to this paper I think there are a number
of points in Professor Lochhead's paper which might be discussed. We might
discuss the two papers together.

Prof. Lochhead: Since the two papers deal with almost the same subject,
I think it would be preferahle to have the discussion on the two papers at the
same time.

Dr. Hewitt : We shall now have Dr. Hadwen's paper entitled " Further Notes
on the Warble Fly, Hypoderma hovis."
Eead bv Mr. Treherne.

THE SEASONAL PKEVALENCE OF HYPODERMA BOVIS TN 1915,

TOGETHEE WITH OBSEEVATIONS ON THE TEEEIFYING

EFFECT H. BOVIS HAS UPON CATTLE, AND

LESIONS PEODHCED BY THE LAEVA.

Seymour Hadwen, D.V.Soi., Agassiz, B.C.-

The observations and experiments on H. hovis which were conducted at
As-assiz this year, are all preparatory to the work which is contemplated for next
veRr, on the prevention of egs; laying and destruction of larvae.

A previous paper has been written on the seasoned prevalence of H. lineatum..
It is remarkable that so little is known about the seasonal activity of these flies,

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

109

and if any treatment is to be undertaken it is absolutely necessary to know
when they come and go. As I have already pointed out, the statements made
by the European writers about the length of the season, especially for H. li/neaium,
are very vague.

The following table gives a complete record of the observations. The cattle,
ten in number, were kept in a field directly in front of my laboratory. The
animals were under almost constant observation. Whenever they were seen run-
ning, either myself or assistant went out to look for flies. If flies were noticed in
the morning, then no further trouble was taken for that day. It is of course
possible that we may have failed to observe them on some occasion or other, but
this seems hardly likely, seeing that II. hovis invariably causes alarm among cattle.

The most likely error made was in the catching of flies, but these were mainly
caught when thej were abundant. It may be that on one or two occasions the
flies which were taken would have lived over night and attacked the cattle on
the following day. The only dates on which this may have occurred was on. June
15th and 22nd. The meteorological records were kindly supplied by Mr. Moore,
Superintendent of the Experimental Farm. In comparing. them with my records,
I was delighted to find that the changes of temperature coincide almost perfectly
with the appearance and disappearance of the flies.

The Seasonal Prevalence of Hypodebma bovis in 1915.

Sunshine.

June.

1...

2...

3...

4...

5...

6...

7...

8...

9...
10...
11...
12...
13...
14...
15...
16...
17...
18...
19...
20...
21...
22...
23...
24...
25...
26...
27...
28...
29...
30...
July

]...

Hrs.

Min.

Rain.
Inch.

Cattle quiet, no flies.

Plies seen, cattle running.

1 H. bovis taken

-Cattle quiet, no flies

Flies seen, cattle running.

1 H. bovis taken

Cattle quiet, no flies

5
1
2
11
11
7
2

1
5

1 1 H. bovis taken

15 H. bovis taken U

D

2 H. bovis taken

Cattle quiet, no flies

Flies seen, cattle running.

11
1
3

Cattle quiet, no flies

1 H. bovis taken 3

6 H. bovis taken 9

Flies seen, cattle running 11

2 H. bovis taken 10

Flies seen, cattle running

II

II

Cattle quiet, no flies 11

42
48
54
06
54
24
00

ull
18
30
18
00
18
30
36
42

uU
54

ull
54
48
42
06
24
12

ull
42
24
36
48

36
42
18

.47

(l.S

.6
.35

.65
."6

.02
.03

.05

Temperature, "F.

Max.

64
62
72
78
82
81
65
64
64
59
58
64
67
70
78
67
64
62
64
67
81
82
74
78
76
70
76
80
84
fH

93

89
84

Min.

48
49
42
48
50
52
47
46
51
45
46
51
50
53
55
51
50
46
47
45
43
43
46
46
45
47
46
43
48
49

56
55

56

110

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

The Seasonal Pbevalence of Hypodebma bovis in 1915. — Continued.

July.

Sunshine.

Hrs. Min.

4....

5....

6....

7....

8....

9....
10....
11....
12....
13....
14....
15....
16....
17....
18....
19....
20....
21....
22....
23....
24....
25....
26....
27....
28....
29....
30....
31....

Aug.

1....

2....

Piles seen, cattle running.

Cattle quiet, no flies

Plies seen, cattle running.

Cattle quiet, no flies

1 H. hovis taken

Flies seen, cattle running.

Cattle quiet, no flies.

Flies seen, cattle running.
Cattle quiet, no flies

Plies seen, cattle running.

Cattle quiet, no flies

Plies seen, cattle running.
Cattle quiet, no flies

1 H. hovis taken

Cattle quiet, no flies.

Plies seen, cattle running.
Cattle quiet, no flies

Cattle quiet, no flies.

10
4
1
9
6
5
6

48
42
42
18
6
48
00
86
30

Rain.

Temperature, 'F.

Inch.

Max.

Min.

2

5
6
11
11
11
11
11
10
10

Dull
Dull
DuU

12
18
00
06
54
36
30
10
54
06

.03
.18
.02
.25

.04
.16
.08
.02
.58

DuU

36
80
42
80
00

08
08

.05
.02

.08

82
77
76
84
70
69
71
68
70
69
68
64
66
70
79
88
95
84
78
81
86
76
70
71
72
77
75
72

78
76

59
52
55
43
44
44
42
40
43
41
42
40
47
46
34
42
56
50
49
46
48
49
49
56
58
58
56
55

52
50

No more flies seen for the rest of the season, nor were the cattle seen running.
Seasonal Activity of H. bovis. at Agassiz.

In 1912, H. hovis was first noticed on June 8tli, and the last appearance
was on Aug. 2nd, a total of 56 days.

In 1914, H. hovis appeared on May 31st, and none were recorded after July
27th. On, this latter date, the flies were seen attacking the cattle at 6.30 p.m.
Total 57 days.

In 1915, the flies were either seen or caught on 28 days, from June 5th
to July 30th, a total of 55 days. The height of the season was from June 20th
to July 11th.

These observations coincide closely with the pupal period and with the time
the last larvffi emerge from the backs of cattle; both at Agassiz and in Europe.

Emergence of Larv.e.

Carpenter (1915) says that most of the maggots emerged from May 27th to
June 17th, "while a belated one occurred several weeks afterwards on July 3rd."

In my own article (1912) I recorded the last larvas of the season on July 2nd.

Lucet (1914) says, " Sur 79 que j'ai recueillies. 24 I'ont ete du 16 au 31 mai;
53 du ler au 30 juin : 2 au debut de juillet, epoque a laquelle mes sujets d'ex-
perience en furent debarrasses."

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Ill

Pupal Period for H. bovis.

Miss Ormerod (1900) puts the pupal period at 25-36 days = 32.5 days.

Carpenter (1908) at 31-32 days. (1914, about 8 weeks. Not included in
average) .

Hadwen (1912) at 34.7 days.

Glaser (1913) gives an average of 44 days.

Lucet (1914) records an average of 32.5 days.

Averaging all these records gives a result of 35 days.

If then, the last larvae emerge about the first of July, the season for flies
cannot extend far into August, and my records show this to be the case.

The Effect of Temperature on the Pupal Period.

I have already shown (1914) that if the pupas of H. lineatum are placed in
an incubator that the fly will emerge in as short a period as 13 days. This year
I placed several larvae of H. bovis in an incubator kept at 80 °F. The pupal period
was shortened to 17.4 days.

Pup^ Kept in Incubator at 80°F.

Period.

2 larvae pupated May 1st Emerged 1* It May 19th 19 days.

3 " " 3rd " 3 " 20th 17 "

1 " " 4th " 1 " 20th 16 "

1 " " 5th " 1 " 21st 16

2 " " 6th " 1 " 22nd 18

As the temperature at which the pupa is kept causes early or late emergence,
the situation in which the larva finds itself on leaving its host will make some
difference also. An experiment I hope to carry out next spring is to place some
pupae in a situation such as the edge of a manure-pile; here the larvae would
derive heat much in the same way as if placed in an incubator. Others must
find crevices in the floors of stables, etc., where they would be warmer than out
of doors. These warm situations would mainly favor H. lineatum and the early
larvae of H. bovis. Later in the season, when the sun is stronger in June and
July, I do not think the places the larvae choose to pupate in can matter so much.
But early in the year it is quite possible that some of the early appearances of
H. lineatum may be accounted for in this way.

An Experiment made to prove how H. bovis engenders Fear in Cattle.

July 1st, 3 p.m. Two calves which had been kept inside since they were
born, were turned out into a small paddock. The cattle which had previously
occupied the paddock, had just been put into the stable,, and the flies had been
chasing them a few minutes before. The two calves on being liberated at once
began to caper about and run as calves will after they have been confined. Finally
they came to a halt just in front of me. They stood there panting. A moment
or two later I saw a single H. bovis attack one of the calves. It struck several
times before it was noticed. Finally I saw the calf give a kick or two. then it
turned its bead round to see what was annoying it. There were some more kicks
and stamps, then the calf began to move away, its tail went up and it began to
run and finally to gallop. The other calf remained standing for a short time

• Male. t Female.

112

THE KEPOET OE THE

No. 36

after the first one left, but soon went through the same antics as the first. Both
calves ran erratically about the paddock; they finally discovered a barrel used
for watering the cattle; they both tried to get into it at once, and I was fortunate
in securing a photograph of them in this position.

The flies (there were, I should judge, three or four in the field) kept on
striking even when they were in the barrel. Later the calves found a corner
behind some boards, there they lay perfectly quiet with their noses stretched
out straight in front of them on the ground. Occasionally a fly would find them,
they could stand the fly striking perhaps half a dozen times, but then, suddenly,
they Avould get up and run as if possessed.

I have noticed the cows endeavoring to hide from the. flies just in the same
way. If they could find the least bit of shade along a fence or building, they
would lie there quite motionless, until roused by the repeated attacks of the fly.
In some cases cattle lie down also from exhaustion.

This experiment was also witnessed by Mr. Moore.

Calves attacked by Hypoderma tovis
trying to get into a barrel of water.

Hypoderma hovis sitting on fence,
waiting to attack cattle.

In my first paper of 1912, I gave my reasons for cattle being afraid of
H. hovis. I quote the following : " It is this clumsy, persistent attack which I
believe frightens cattle, and I would suggest that probably it is this cause which
makes cattle stampede or ' gad.' When the Tabanidce (or other flies) attack an
animal and cause anno5''ance, the cow simply flicks her tail or brushes off the fly
with her tongue, and feels that she has control or can get away from the insect.
But a Warble fly comes buzzing along, strikes a time or two, and when the animal
it is attacking kicks or stamps, it c^mes back just the same. Then the animal
begins to lose its head and runs away, and when it still flnds itself followed
becomes wild with terror."

There have been so many false theories advanced for the fear which these
flies engender, that I feel licensed to go fully into this question.

The commonest theory is that cattle are afraid of the fly because of its
resemblance to a bee. The experiment just quoted refutes this entirely, because
the calves had never seen a bee. Another idea is that cattle fear the fly because
they are aware that it will cause them future trouble. This idea must have
come from someone who thought that cattle were endowed with especial intel-
ligence.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 113

The only theory which all entomologists now agree upon is that the old idea
of the fly causing pain is wrong, seeing that it has no organs capable of piercing
the skin. Some authors claim that other insects as well as Warble flies cause
cattle to " gad."

This is also entirely wrong, and can be refuted in several ways. For instance,
I saw Tahanidce and other flies worrying the cattle this year long after the last
Warble fly had left, and did not see any of them stampeding. Besides as I have
pointed out cattle only run one or two at a time from other insects. They merely
show anger and not fear, when they run into the bushes or dust themselves.
AVith H. hovis the fear is undoubtedly contagious. The only time I think it is
permissible to make a mistake, is when cattle are at play, when they often run
with their tails up. Or when, for instance, a steer has been roughly handled
and dashes wdldly into the middle of a herd of cattle, then one sometimes sees
a stampede. In other words if a cow gets really frightened from any cause and
runs, then those near her will often follow, and the fear spreads. This is exactly
what takes place when an animal is chased by H. hovis.

The great difference between H. hovis and H. Uneatum is in their effect upon
cattle and in their methods of oviposition. I have shown that H. Uneatum may
not even be felt when it lays its eggs while resting on an animal's foot or on the
ground. When it does grasp the hairs to lay eggs for instance on the hock, it
does so gently, otherwise it would be brushed off before it had time to lay several
eggs on the same hair.

H. hovis is rougher and clumsier in its attack and as it only lays one egg
at a time, it can do so regardless of the fact that the animal may be kicking or
running.

The Penetration of the Skin, and the Lesions Produced by the Larva

OF Hypoderma hovis.

Hewitt (1914) saw three larva of 11. hovis work their way into the skin
of a calf. I have not been fortunate in seeing the penetration of the skin by
these larvae, but can confirm Hewitt's observation in another way, by showing
lesions on the skin of cattle, over which were found the eggs of H. hovis.

I have already described the skin lesions produced by the larvae of H. Uneatum,
and of the disease caused by them, for which the name of hj/podermaJ rash was
proposed. The penetration of the larvae was proved in three different ways — ^by
removing bits of skin from cattle and placing larvae upon them, by finding a larva
in the act of passing into the skin of a cow, and finally by expressing two larvae
from the skin of an animal which I had under observation. The passage of
the larva in H. hovis was proved by cutting circles in the hair round new laid
eggs, and later, after the eggs had hatched finding the swellings underneath.

The swellings are somewhat different from those caused by //. Uneatnm,
There is not so much exudation of serum, and they seem rounder and more raised.
They are usually about half an inch across, but if several eggs are laid close
together the swellings may merge. The explanation of the difference in the
character of these lesions, is because in H. hovis the eggs are laid singly. In
H. Uneatum. it is most likely that several larvae choose the same follicle for
entrance, seeing that a number of eggs are attached to the same hair. In my
experiments I also noted that the eggs nearest the skin hatched first, due no
doubt to the animal heat and to their having been laid first, and it would appear
probable that the larvre follow one another through the same opening. The result

114

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

would be a larger opening than the single larva of H. bovis could make, conse-
quently a bigger flow of serum. The swellings in the case of H. iovis are some-
times quite large, but there is not so much dermatitis or exfoliation of the skin.

It is clear that the amount of damage done would depend on the variety
of bacteria introduced beneath the skin, and to the resistance of the animal
against the particular organism.

One remarkable fact I have noted which applies to both species of larvae, is
that the swellings and skin lesions are confined almost entirely to the older animals,
the calves only show slight effects. This peculiarity can be observed in several

Lesions on outside of cow's leg.

Lesions on hindquarters; note large
swelling on left leg behind the
udder.

microbial diseases. It is a sort of natural immunity which breaks down as they
grow older, and is all the more interesting because young cattle are more para-
sitized than the old by Warble flies.

No appreciable lesions have been noticed below the k^ee or hock. The skin
while it is very thick on the legs, is quite porous and open; perhaps owing to
its tightness and thickness the swellings are not so evident. H. Iovis does not
lay as many eggs round the hoof as E. Uneatum. This is an important difference,
for it is probable that many of the lamenesses resulting from swollen feet are due
to the larval penetration. For three years in succession, lamenesses among the
cattle have occurred here during the season for H. Uneatum.

Situations in Which Eggs aee Laid.

There is little to add to my previous descriptions, except to emphasize the
irregular distribution of eggs as compared to H. Uneatum. The photographs
show the scattered lesions. The irregularity must be due to the fact that cattle

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 115

are running when the fly is laying, so that the eggs are deposited at random.
On a number of occasions H. bovis was seen flying beside the animals just about
level with the stifle joint, striking repeatedly at the outside of the leg. This is,
I find, the most common manner of ovipositing during rapid flight. Another
favorite way. is to follow a foot or two behind, then catching up and striking
just below the pin bones. But the flrst few strikes prior to the animals getting
away are almost invariably on the legs, lower down.

Summary.

The seasonal activity of H. hovis at Agassiz is from the beginning of June
to the beginning of August,

The last larvas to emerge from the backs of cattle, leave during the first
days of July,

In H. bovis the pupal period averages thirty-five days.

High temperatures shorten the pupal period.

The fear cattle have for H. bovis is due to the insect's persistence and manner
of egg-laying,

Hewitt's observations on the penetration of the skin by the larvae of H. bovis
are confirmed.

The lesions caused by the larvse, differ from those of H. Ivneatum. Older
animals show more lesions than the young.

References.

Carpenter, G. H,, Hewitt, T, E., Reddin, T, K, 1914. The Warble-flies.
Fourth Report on Experiments and Observations as to Life History and Treat-
ment. Jour, Dept. Agr, and Tech, Instr, Ireland, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp, 105-132.

Hadwen, S, 1912, Warble-flies; the Economic Aspect and a Contribution
on the Biology. Dept, Agr. Canada, Health of Animals Branch. Bulletin 16.

Hadwen, S. 1915. Warble-flies; a further Contribution on the Biology of
H. lineatum and H. bovis. Parasitology (Camb). Vol. 7, No. 4, Mar. 19, 1915.

Lucet, A. 1914, Recherches sur revolution de VHypoderma bovis (deGeer)
et les moyens de le detruire, Comptes Rendus de L'Academie des Sciences.
Tome 158, No, 11, Mar, 16, 1914.

Note.— I am indebted to Dr. F. Torrance, Veterinary Director-General, for permis-
sion to publish this article.

The President : Mr, Treherne is to be congratulated on the excellent manner
in which he has presented another man's piece of work. It is very difficult
to present in so intimate a manner the work which another man has been res-
ponsible for, but it shows how closely Mr, Treherne has watched and been interested
in the work of Dr. Hadwen, I think it is one of the most important papers
that has been discussed at this meeting. The question of the method of entrance
of Hypoderma bovis has been a disputed point for many years and we have had
observations and evidence supporting now one view and now another, but in
view of Dr. Hadwen's conclusive experiments, which have been supported by
photographs, I think he has cleared up this question. We are pleased to have
with us this morning Dr. T, Torrance, the Veterinary Director General of the
Health of Animals Branch, Department of Agriculture, and perhaps lie would have
something to say in connection with these two papers.

116 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

Dr. Toeeance: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, it affords me very
great pleasure to be with you to-day, especially as one of our men has contributed
something towards the programme. The work which Dr. Hadwen has done is very
much appreciated by his chief, and I think, will be appreciated by all when it
is better known. He has proved a very diligent and careful investigator, and
I think the facts which he has hrought out will bear the closest scrutiny. He
has succeeded in throwing light upon a very difficult problem, the problem of
the migration of newly hatched warble larvae to their final resting place beneath
the skin of the back. The importance of this work will be realized when I tell
you that in Canada the leather produced is damaged to the extent of perhaps
7'0 per cent, by the presence of this larva. After the larva has escaped from
the back the scar tissue which repairs the damage causes that portion of the
leather to be unsuitable for the manufacture of the better grades of harness.
You are, perhaps, aware that in making harness, especially traces, it is necessary
to take long strips of the tbickest leather from along the back. This is the part
that is chiefly damaged by the warble flies, so that the best portion of these hides
is unsuitable for the manufacture of harness. In correspondence with practically
all the tanners of Canada referring to the damage done by this parasite, the
opinion was expressed that it was the greatest source of injury to the leather
that they knew of. There were not many other things that caused the same
amount of damage. The injury caused by barbed wire fences, warts, etc., was
trivial when compared with the damage caused by this warble fly. It is only
by the close study of the life-habits of a parasite that we can arrive at the best
possible means of combating it and we hope that the result of this work of Dr.
Hadwen's will be some practical method whereby the damage caused by this
insect can be avoided. I was greatly interested, too, in the paper read by Pro-
fessor Lochhead, in the damage he describes in horses, as we have had practical
experience with the effects of these parasites on horses. The more common is
the one to which he did not refer, the Gastropliilus equi, an extremely common
parasite of horses. In my experience covering thirty years of active practice I
may say that I have seldom found a horse not infested. Every horse that passes
a portion of its life in the open is sure . to contain these parasites. In cities
horses may possibly avoid them but it is very common to find them in a horse's
stomach. Among farmers the presence of bot larvae in a horse's stomach is looked
upon as the cause of the horse's death in very many cases, but when we find
them in horses that have died from any cause we may realize that the presence
of a moderate number of these parasites may be tolerated without injury to the
animal's health. On the other hand, we know that where they are present in
very large numbers they affect the function of the stomach to such an extent that
many derangements may take place, such as ulceration of the walls of the organ.
These larvae are harmless when in small numbers but in large numbers cause much
trouble and sometimes death. The Nose Bot Fly, which give so much trouble
to the farmer in the N"orth-west when he is hitching up his horses, does not
cause so much trouble ; it is not nearly so harmful to the horses and we have verv
few examples of its doing much injury, the annoyance it gives is about all the
harm it does. "Why the ovipositing of these two flies, the Bot Fly of the horse
and the Bot Fly of the cow, should occasion such intense fear in the victim
I do not know. We are assured by scientists that neither of these flies have
any stinging apparatus and yet the animal affected shows every evidence that
the fly must inflict much pain. I cannot imagine that the depositing of the
-^"•gs upon a liair would give so much discomfort to the animal. T think we will

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 117

have to search a little further, probably, and gain more experience before wo
learn the actual cause of the terror in cattle and horses caused by the Bot and
Nose Flies. The contributions that have been made on this subject to-day are
of great importance and I wish to express the feeling of pleasure that I have
in meeting you all to-day and to assure you that my Branch will assist Dr. Hadwen
in carrying on the work he is now engaged in.

The President: The Society is very much indebted to Dr. Torrance for his
valuable contril)ution and for the information which he has given from the vet-
erinary side.

Dr. Torrance: Mr. President, I have brought up with me some specimens
and pictures which Dr. Hadwen sent me.

The President: The question of the effects of internal parasites which Dr.
Torrance brought up is one which has been always of great interest to me, and it
becoming more generally realized that the importance of these parasites is not
so much because they are present but owing to the fact that their presence may
be responsible for the penetration of the mucous mertibrane of the alimentary
tract. Now these two papers have a number of important points and T have no
doubt there are other members who would wish to discuss them.

;Mr. Totiiill: Mr. Chairman, this paper to me is one of the most interesting
that has been presented for some years on account of its extremely interestino^
biological points and on account of its significance. It may he interesting to
recall that the origin of the Oestridse is quite uncertain, but at the same time
they are undoubtedly related to the parasitic dipterous families Tachinida^ and
Dexiidie. In my studies on life-histories of the Tachinidae some years ago it be-
came evident that there was something the matter wnth the supposed life-history
of the Bot Fly. In the Tachinidffi there are flies which deposit eggs which are
taken into the alimentary canal. The larvfe migrate from the alimentary canal
to various tissues of the host. In every known case in which this habit obtains
the egg is modified for passing down the alimentary canal without injury. In
the eggs of these w^arble flies it is evident that there is no such modification for
such a habit and this work of Dr. Hadwen's clearly shows that the larvrc do
not pass through the alimentary canal, is very interesting.

Mr. Sanders: In regard to the date of introduction of Hypoderma hovis
into Canada, we have a pretty fair idea as to when it first became common in
Nova Scotia owing to the faot that oxen are worked so much more down there
than in the rest of Canada. Farmers will tell you that the Gad Fly became a
nuisance in Nova Scotia about fifteen years ago. It causes a little damage that
has not been mentioned in these papers, that is, the damage that the oxen do
wlien tliey are attacked by tbese insects. It drives the oxen almost frantic; appearing
about the 10th July and attacking the oxen all through haying time. Some-
times they will he driven so wild as t-o run away with the loaded hay waggons,
and often will break wheels, axles, tongues or yokes in their efforts to get away
from the insects. We find that cattle are mostly attacked in the open, and when
a Gad Fly appears in a herd of cattle they will at once take to the bush where
they seem to be free from attack. From Dr. Hadwen's work, can Mr. Treherne
suggest any method of control ?

Mr. Treherne: I don't think it would be letting Dr. Hadwen's secrets out
if I told you that he is pretty well satisfied he can effectively control these flies.
Now that the penetration takes place through the skin, he thinks he can dip
every ten davs or so and give the larva? a dose of arsenic.

118 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36

Dr. Toreance: Might I be allowed to say another word in connection with
the last fact brought out by Mr. Treherne. There is a portion of the North-west
territories in which the disease known as Mange of cattle has been in existence
for some time. This is known as the " Mange Quarantine ' Area," in which we
require the dipping of all cattle. It has been found that in this area it has also
had the effect of lessening the ravages of the warbles. The skins of the cattle in
this district are more free from warbles than they are anywhere else.

Dr. Fernald: It certainly seems that the two papers here this morning
have contributed much of interest to this subject. I am very glad, indeed, that I
•can now change a statement made to my junior students that the eggs of the
warble fly are licked off into the mouth, and give something that is more accurate.
I have thought for many years that there was room for more work on this
subject, but certainly in the regions where I am now living these flies are not
abundant enough to cause much attention and the opportunities for their study
have been few. In connection with Professor Lochhead's paper, the attitude
some of his correspondents have taken has been paralleled by an experience of my
own. A case was recorded this fall of a house having been so infested by fleas
that it was impossible to live in it. The members of the family were very anxious
to know what could be idone. I naturally, under the circumstances, gave out
the remedy for fleas. When the specimens came in accompanied by the state-
ment that it was unbearable to live in the house on account of the bites of
these fleas, the specimens were those of the Pomace Fly.

Mr. Payne: I understand, Mr. Treherne, that Dr. Hadwen has found in
the migration of the second stage larvae that they pass down the spinal cord, is
there anything in that?

Mr. Treherne: As far as I understand, Mr. Payne, the eggs, if laid on
the knee, for instance, hatch and the larva passes up by the fibrous tissue route
until it reaches the stomach, and after stopping there for some time it proceeds
in a direct line to the back of the animal, emerging, however, horizontally in
the last stage.

Mr. Petch: Hypoderma hovis in the counties of Huntingdon and Chateau-
guay has proven to be a very injurious insect, and as these two counties are
practically a dairying district, I would like to know if Dr. Hadwen has found any
appreciable effect on the milk supply.

Mr. Treherne : The irritation produced by larvae within the bodies of cattle
does not seem to affect the milk supply to any great degree, but the presence of
the fly in the pasture field and its terrifying effect, may easily be understood to
effect milk yields.

The President: The only damage caused, Mr. Petch, seems to be that the
^cattle are bothered while feeding.

Prof, Lochhead: There is a suggestion in connection with one of the letters
which I received and which, I think, this Society could take up, that is, the
removal of the warbles before spring from the backs of the cattle. If all the
farmers co-operated and removed the warbles before the first of April I think
it would soon control this warble fly and, atany rate, it would be worth while
trying. I would like to hear what the Society thinks of such a move.

The President: As Professor Lochhead no doubt knows, that system has
been followed in Europe, especially Germany and Denmark. It is customary
to appoint a man to go around extracting the warbles, making a small charge
per head and it certainly accomplishes much good, and I recommended in my

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 119

annual report a few years ago the importance of such co-operation. This could
Ibe helped along very much by the use of the press.

If there is no more discussion on these two papers we will pass on to the
next paper on "Forest Insect Investigations in Canada." I regret to say that
Mr. Swaine, who was to have read this paper, has been suffering very severely
from grippe during the past week or so, and while he hopes to be at the meeting
this afternoon he did not feel sufficiently well to give his address this morning,
so we will postpone the paper until this afternoon. Therefore, I will take this
opportunity of making a few brief remarks in regard to the progress of our work.

PROGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY IN CANADA DURING 1915.

C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist^ Ottawa,

As I remarked in opening our meetings yesterday I do not consider that it
is necessary or even desirable for the President to give a presidential address
on re-election, apart from the fact that we have a very full programme. Never-
theless, it may be of interest to review the progress of our work in Canada during
the past year, especially as we have a number of visitors from other countries.
As you may remember, the Minister of Agriculture arranged for a campaign
to be carried out shortly after the outbreak of war for the purpose of securing
greater production and in this work the Provincial Governments co-operated fully.
That this campaign has proved successful is shown by the fact that the other
day the Minister of Finance, in Montreal, said that on a conservative estimate
our agricultural products would exceed those of last year by three hundred million
dollars; such a result at the present time when the question of food supply is a
vital one is very encouraging. As entomologists we have played our part in
this successful effort to increase our production. Everyone realizes that increased
agricultural production is dependent very frequently on the control of insect
pests. One of the most important steps to be taken in order to secure production
is to reduce or eliminate those factors which check or reduce production ; of
these factors insect pests are one of the most important. For this reason we
have all endeavoured to exert ourselves harder than ever during the past year
with a view to persuading the farmers and fruit growers to take steps in an
increasing measure to control those factors which are responsible for loss of
production.

T feel sure that those of our officers who have been working at the Branch
Laboratories in the various provinces will feel that their work has been very
successful in this direction. In Nova Scotia, the energetic work that has been
carried on so successfully by Mr. Sanders has done more than anything else, so
I am informed by the fruit growers of that province, to increase spra}ang and
spraying along successful lines in the Annapolis Valley. This means more fruit
and fruit of a better grade.

Mr. Petch has been carrying out similar educational work in Hemmingford
Oountv in Quebec, with good results, and has shown the value of insect control in
the production of more fruit and fruit of a higher grade.

Our work on Locust Control in the Province of Quebec will be described by
Mr. Gibson this afternoon. The depredations of locusts in certain parts of the Pro-
vince of Quebec have been serious and extreme during the last few years. In some

130 THE EEPOKT OF THE No. 36

sections farmers had to abandon their farms on account of the repeated total
destruction of their crops by locusts, and the number of abandoned farms in
some parishes caused serious apprehension. We have been carrying on experiments
in the control of locusts by means of poisoned baits and decided to carry on the
work on a larger scale during the past season. In certain parishes we were
fortunate in having the co-operation of the parish priests, who were of great
assistance in bringing about co-operative effort on the part of the farmers. We
have been able to demonstrate to those farmers the value of poisoned baits and
the change that has been wrought is most satisfactory. Serious losses year after
year had disheartened these farmers to the extent in many cases of compelling
them to abandon their farms as I have remarked. Now they have found the
means of controlling the locusts at a comparatively low cost and of saving their
crops, and the saving in the aggregate has been very great during the past season.
The farmers have not only returned to their farms, but those who had remained,
although disheartened, now see a brighter prospect and will improve their farms
on account of the possibility of removing the cause of the depression.

Mr. Strickland described to us yesterday his work on the control of Cut-
worms in Alberta, and I do not think that this subject requires further discussion
on my part. He described very clearly how by his investigations and demonstra-
tions to the farmers he was able to prevent serious losses which otherwise would
have occurred in Southern Alberta.

I have only mentioned a few cases. In such manner our work has been of
direct assistance in the movement for increased production. Similar work has
been carried out at all our field laboratories and from headquarters, and each
of the Provincial Departments of Agriculture who maintain an entomological staff
has been increasing the activity in their efforts.

This increased assistance has created a greater demand for such assistance
and we are now finding that as the farmers and fruit-growers realize that this
work has been done for their direct benefit there is an increased call for assistance.
It is the creation of that demand which will enable us to carry out to a greater
degree the objects we are striving to obtain, namely: to bring ourselves in touch
with a larger number of people whom we are able to assist by the information
we are securing. All must feel that we are making the best use of our abilities
in this time of great crisis.

During the past year we have discovered several new pests in Canada. Pro-
bably the most important of these is the Pear Thrips, T ceniotlirips pyri, which
Ht. Treherne reported from the Victoria district on Vancouver Island, British
Columbia. The serious nature of this pest will be realized from the fact that in
California it is estimated to cause an annual loss of about ten million dollars on
prunes alone. At present it appears to be confined to a very small territory
near Victoria, but we fear its spread to other sections. Mr. Treherne also re-
ported the occurrence of the Currant Bud Moth, Eriophyes rihis, at Duncans on
Vancouver Island in British Columbia. This pest has evidently been imported
from Great Britain, where it is one of the worst pests of black currants occurring
there, as I know from personal experience. Every step will be taken to prevent
the spread of these two new and serious fruit pests.

We referred, in our session yesterday morning, to the increased organization
of entomology which had taken place in Canada and I spoke of the formation
of the Entomological Society of Nova Scotia, for the organization of which great
credit is due to Professor Brittain. Before the outbreak of war the Council of
your Society had under consirleration the improvement of the organization of

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 121

Entomological Societies throughout Canada. We hoped to develop other branches
and bring together a large number of people interested in entomology who are at
present unattached to any society and in turn to bring them into touch with
ibe active workers; but as this question involves financial consideration it must
necessarily be postponed. Nevertheless, the Society has every reason to be proud
of the manner in which entomology is now organized throughout the Dominion
and the increased attention that is being paid to this study. Throughout the
c-/)untry we are finding more and more people who are becoming interested in
the subject and in time we will endeavor to create a sentiment which will be
productive of pleasure to themselves and of value to us in our practical work.

You will be pleased to learn that increased facilities have been provided
for tlie work of the Entomological Branch during the past year and I think it
will be of interest to all the members of the Society if I describe the new laboratories
that have been erected during the past year.

The pressing need for increased accommodation for the entomological work
that is being carried on in various provinces by the Field Officers of the Ento-
mological Branch, and a demand on the part of farmers and fruit-growers for
further assistance in controlling insect pests, have been responsible for a decision
on the part of the Minister of Agriculture, to have entomological laboratories
erected where they were most necessary. Accordingly four new laboratories have
been built during the past summer at the following places: Annapolis Eoyal, N.S. ;
Fredericton, N.B. ; Treesbank, Man. ; and Lethbridge, Alta. These laboratories I
will briefly describe.

Entomological Laboratory, Annapolis Eoyal, N.S.

Since 1912 a small laboratory at Bridgetown, N.S., served as headquarters
for the entomological work of the Branch in Nova Scotia. The increase of the
work and of the staff employed necessitated increased accommodation. Annapolis
Eoyal was selected as the place for Ihe new laboratory on account of its situation
in reference to the area of the Brown-tail Moth infestation, convenient railroad
facilities and the presence of a promising fruit-growing district in which the
orchards were not at present properly cared for. The laboratory is erected on an
excellent site on the County School Grounds which the School Board of Annapolis
Eoyal have kindly provided.

The building measures twenty-six feet square and consists of basement, ground
floor and attic. In the roomy basement accommodation is provided for field and
spraying equipment; it also contains a dark-room and laboratory. The ground
floor is divided into three rooms, namely, an office for the Field Officer in charge,
a large laboratory and a general work room. The commodious attic is specially
well-lighted to serve as a photographic room and work room. Steam heating i-
installed.

From this laboratory the campaign in Nova Scotia against the Brown-tail
Moth is directed. In addition, investigations are being carried out by Mr. G. E.
Sanders, Field Officer in charge, on the more important insects affecting fmit*
such as the bud-moth and fruit-worms of apples. Experimental work in spraying
and the investigation of insecticides has already rendered very valuable assistance
to the fruit-growers of the province. The former entomological station at Bridge-
to\\Ti will be used as a sub-station whenever it may be most needed.

*To prevent duplication of work and to secure the best co-operation, the Dominion
Field OflRcer confines his attention to the hiting insects and the Provincial Entomologist.
Prof. Brittain, studies the sucking insects (aphides and bugs). •
9 E.S.

122 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36

Entomological Laboeatort at Fredericton^ N.B.

In 1912, a small laboratory was established at Fredericton, N.B., in con-
nection with the Brown-tail Moth and other work in New Brunswick. The Uni-
versity of New Brunswick provided a site on the University campus. The increase
in the infested area, and the large amount of work consequent upon our efEorts
to establish the parasites of the Gipsy and Brown-tail Moths imported from the
New England States and the carrying on of an extensive study of the natural con-
trol of certain native insects such as the Tent Caterpillars, the Spruce Bud-worm
and Fall Web-worm, rendered an increase in the laboratory accommodation im-
mediately necessary; the University had kindly permitted us to use one of their
large laboratories during the summer.

The building is of solid brick construction and measures twenty-four feet
by thirty feet. It consists of basement, ground floor, first floor and attic. The
basement contains the water supply for the building, comprising a well, tank,
and electrically driven pump, and provides storage room for field equipment and
supplies. The ground floor contains at the front offices for the two officers in
charge of the work; Mr. J. D. Tothill has charge of the colonization and study
of the parasitic insects and Mr. L. S. McLaine has charge of the field work
against the Brown-tail Moth and the collection of parasites in the New England
States; at the back is a work room. On the first floor a large laboratory occupies
the front half of the building and behind a specially lighted room is provided
for photographic and other work; a dark room and bath room are also provided
on this floor. The high pitched roof furnishes a roomy attic for storage purposes.
Steam-heating and electric light have been installed. The building is well
situated on the University campus on a site which the University authorities have
generously provided.

The work that is carried on at this laboratory comprises some of the most
important investigations that the Branch is prosecuting on the natural control of
insect pests. The thoroughness with which the Brown-tail Moth campaign is
carried on is evidenced by the fact that by taking the necessary measures from
the time of the discovery of the first infestation, it has been possible in New
Brunswick to prevent this insect from becoming established in the Province;
whereas it is established in Nova Scotia owing to a lapse of some time before
the infestation was discovered in 1907 and eradicative measures were begun.

The small laboratory will be used as a sub-station in another part of the
Province.

Entomological Laboratory at Treesbank, Man.

Mr. Norman Griddle was appointed in 1913 to carry on investigations on
White Grubs (Lachnosterna) and other cereal pests in Manitoba and adjoining
territory. As the temporary quarters he occupied did not afford adequate accom-
modation for his work a small wooden laboratory measuring twelve feet by sixteen
feet has been erected during the past summer on a site kindly provided by Mr.
Percy Griddle on his farm where excellent facilities occur for field and experi-
mental work.

Entomological Laboratory at Lethbridge, Alta.

Investigations on insect and other pests in Southern Alberta were commenced
in 1913 by Mr. E. H. Strickland, Field Officer for Alberta, who was provided

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 123

with temporary laboratory accoramodatiou at the Domiuiou Experimental Farm
at Lethbridge, Alta. During the past summer a permanent laboratory was built
on the Experimental Farm.

The building measures twenty-three feet by twenty feet and contains four
rooms, namely : office, laboratory, spare room and dark room. By arrangement
the Director of the Experimental Farms and the Superintendent of the Farm have
kindly furnished for experimental purposes a small plot of ground adjoining
the laboratory.

I will not take up more of your time with any rambling remarks of mine;
but before closing I should like again to express to our visitors our gratitude
to them for coming so far to take part in our proceedings, their presence and
contributions to the programme and the discussions are a source of great en-
couragement to us and I think they will admit that though our numbers are not
large the character of the work that has been described is of the highest nature
judged by any standard, and that our enthusiasm could not be excelled.

THE LIFE HISTORY OF CHERMES COOLEYI GILLETTE IN STANLEY

PARK, VANCOUVEE, B.C.

R. N. Chkystal, Field Officer for Forest Insects, Entomological Branch.
Department of Agriculture, Ottawa.

As a result of an enquiry into the serious injury done to the Sitka Spruce in
Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., by the attacks of the above species of gall-making
insects of the Genus Chermes, the following notes of its life history and habits in
that region are presented. This species was named and described by Professor
Gillette, Fort Collins, Colorado, in his paper, " Chermes of Colorado Conifers,"
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Jan., 1907; its life cycle also being discussed.
Tlie following account in a large measure confirms the results given in the above
[mpiT. differing only in the species of spruce attacked, and some minor details.

The hibernating stem mother on the Spruce, is oval in outline, flat, .5 to .7
mm. in length, .3 mm. in width, dark brown to black in colour, with a slight fringe
of white waxy threads along the edges of the body, and down the middle of the
back. The body of the louse is closely appressed to the twig, and the setiB are
deeply sunk in the crevices of the bark. The location on the twig varies, from
immediately below the terminal bud to 3 inches down the stem.

During the lirst week of April, 1915, the stem mothers, having cast their
winter coat, began oviposition on the spruce, the waxy secretion increasing to such
an extent by this time, as to hide the dark coloured, and now much swollen body
of the iiK^ect from view. Several hundred eggs may be laid by this Chermes, as
many as 500 being counted in one egg mass; in cases where several stem mothers
are located in close proximity to each other on the twig, the egg masses come to-
gether, and the waxy secretion becomes very conspicuous. The eggs are light
brown in colour, lightly dusted with a whitish powder, each attached to the stem
l)v a fine thread. They hatch in about 5 or 6 days, and the young, which are light
reddish in colour, locate themselves at the inner bases of the young needles, then
just breaking from the l)ud scales. A gall begins to form, and develops with great
rapidity, the complete formation taking only a few days in some cases.

134

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

The Galls: The galls vary in length from
apparently depending on the strength of the twig
ditions may prevail :

(a) The whole twig may be completely galled.

(6) The twig may be galled on one side only,
of the stem.

(c) Earely, the upper part of the twig may be
part only half way round.

In Stanley Park the first condition was by far
be said, that even in cases where the twig was not
destruction through weakness was, in nea:rly every

3/2 iiich to 3 inches, the size
attacked. The. following con-

causing twisting and bending

galled all round, and the lower

the most common, but it may
completely galled, its ultimate
case, assured. The number of

A Sitka spruce killed by chermes galls.

chambers varies from 40 to 200, the number of young in each chamber varying
from 1 to 15, with an average of 5. The young are seen to be covered with a waxy
coat, which, as Professor Gillette indicates, provides them with a very efficient
protection against the superabundance of liquid excretion which they exude. If
galls, which are nearly mature, be opened, cast skins of the young may be found
filled with this liquid. These very remarkable objects are also mentioned by
Professor Gillette in this connection. A few days before the galls begin to open
the young inside change to pupiie, the rudiments of wings being readily seen. The
earliest date recorded for the opening of the galls in Stanley Park during the
summer of 1915, was June 25th. This is the earliest record for this locality so

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,

125

far, and doubtless a direct result of the unusual earliness of the past season, the
previous year's (1914) date being about two weeks later.

When about to moult for the last time the pupae crawl out of the gall
chambers, and settle on a needle, the head facing the point of the needle. The
puj)a is reddish in colour with an outer coat of wax. 'J'his outer covering begins to
split from the head down tlie middle ul' the back, the complete operation of moult-
ing lasting some ten minutes. When the moult is completed the cast skin, a
ghostly replica of its former occupant, is left hanging to the needle.

j^ "**'

Ll',:.:1s cf v.ax glands, var. co'.re.'.i.

Winged migrant to Douglas fir.

126

THE EEPORT OF THE

No. 36

The newly emerged winged form has the antennae and legs very light yellow,
almost transparent; the eyes dark red and very conspicuous, the head, prothorax
and abdomen rufous red, the mesothorax yellowish, streaked with red. The wings
are crumpled up at first and dark green in colour, with the exception of the costal
nerve, which is yellow. The green colour remains for some time after the wings
are finally resting roofwise over the back of the insect.

The waxy excretion does not make its appearance in any quantity until some
twenty-four hours after the winged form has emerged from its pupal covering.

Migration. Experiments were carried out in Stanley Park two years ago
with the object of confirming the former observations on the secondary host tree.
Opening galls were placed in cages along with fresh branches of Sitka Spruce

Stem mother on Sitka spruce.

Experimental cage in Stanley Park.

(P. sitchensis), Douglas Fir {Pseudotsuga mucronata) and Western Hemlock
{Tsuga heterophylla) , these three trees being the only conifers within the precincts
of the Park. The experiments showed beyond all doubt that the secondary host
tree was the Douglas Fir; only a few lice locating on the spruce and hemlock, on
which they apparently do not thrive ; whereas they were found settling freely on the
needles of the fir, as many as 7 being found on the same needle, 2 or 3 being a
common number. A few figures of the cage experiments are given beloAv:

Nos. of Lice Settjling on Each Tree.
Cage. Spruce. Douglas Fir. Hemlock.

1

2 1

3 15

4

221

672

5

216

275

2

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

127

Xo success attended the attempts to breed the specimens through on spruce
and hemlock at this time. In the open, winged migrants were found locating on
the Douglas fir, confirming the experimental results, but in no case was any
winged migrant found on a spruce or hemlock in the open. Within a very short
time of settling on the needle of the Douglas fir the winged migrant commences to
oviposit, about 100-150 eggs being laid. These hatch in 6 to 7 days, and the young,
which are elongate oval in shape, and almost black in colour, with only a trace of
wax present, settle on the needles of the Douglas fir. There they remain motion-
less, without any apparent increase in size, through the rest of the summer, fall and
winter of the year, until the following spring; when having moulted once, they
commence oviposition as stem mothers on the needles oi the Douglas fir, laying
from 30 to 40 eggs, which hatch in numbers about the end of May and the begin-
ning of June.

This life cycle was traced out for Stanley Park by observations on marked
twigs of Douglas fir, through the summer, fall and winter of 1914-15. During

Stem mother on the Douglas fir.

the first half of May, 1915, this generation on the Douglas fir was observed to be
dimorphic, about 50 per cent, of the lice developing wings and migrating back on
to the Sitka spruce, while the rest remained like the parent on the fir.

The migration back to the Sitka spruce began about June 6. Experiments
were started in this case as well as in the case of the former migration to the fir, to
endeavour to determine for certain that the Sitka spruce was the return host.
Young trees, of the three coniferous species, spruce, Douglas fir, and hemlock, were
used, being enclosed in a cheesecloth cage. The fir was heavily infested with the
Cliermes and gave promise of good results. The numbers of migrants located was
disappointing, but gave clear indications that the Sitka spruce was the chosen tree,
the migrants found settling on the Sitka spruce in the cages were compared with
winged migrants found settling on the spruce in the open and proved identical.

This form on the fir is Professor Gillette's Chermes cooleyi var. coweni. The
apterous forms left behind on the needles of the fir, increase in size, and amount
of wax secreted; lay a small number (30-40) of eggs, and the young on hatching
take up their location on the needles of the spruce, there to remain until the follow-
ing spring when they become stem mothers. The winged migrant to the spruce
lays 30-40 eggs, and then dies, the eggs hatch in about a week and the young, which

128

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

were kept under observation until the winter, remain on the needles, and probably,
although this fact has not yet been actually followed in the case of Stanley Park,
remain stationary until the following spring, when they become stem mothers for
the new broods on the Sitka spruce.

Full descriptions of the various forms of this species and its variety coweni
have already been published by Professor Gillette in the paper already cited; the
writer would like to take this opportunity of acknowledging the assistance rendered
by Professor Gillette in the identification of the material submitted to him.

A careful study has been made of the various forms, using Professor Gillette's
published descriptions, and these have agreed in every case.

Mention may be made here of the principal differences between the various
corresponding stages of the two forms on the fir and the spruce.

Chermes cooleyi Gillette.

Winged Migrant to Douglas Fir.
Antennal joints slender.
Antennal sensoria larger.
Pores of wax glands small.

Stem Mother on Spruce.

Wax glands large, with small pores.
Beak long and slender.

Chermes cooleyi var. coweni Gillette.

Winged Migrant to Sitka Spruce.
Antennal joints robust.
Antennal sensoria smaller.
Pores of wax glands large.

Stem Mother on Douglas Fir.

Wax glands small, with large pores.
Beak short and stout.

Winged migrant to spruce; details of wax glands.

Damage to the Spruce. The damage done to the Sitka spruce in Stanley
Park by this form] has been very considerable, a large number of trees have been
killed, whilst many others are in a dying condition and beyond hope of recovery.
Tlie fact that in most cases the whole of the young twig is destroyed makes the
injury very much more serious.

The Do<jglas Fir. The damage done by the form coweni on the Douglas fir
has never been particularly noticeable, no deleterious effect on the health of the
fir in the Park having been noticed. Only in one case outside Stanley Park, in a
garden where a Douglas fir and Sitka spruce were growing alongside each other,
the spruce being very heavily galled, did the needles of the fir show effects of heavy
infestation later on in the summer. The nature of the damage on the fir is to
cause the needles to curl and bend at the points of attack.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

129

Natural Enemies. Syrphus fly larvae and coccinellid larvte have been ob-
served feeding upon the pupae in the galls, but not in sufficiently large numbers to
produce any appreciable effects.

The President : We are very pleased to have this account of Mr. Chrystal's
work from himself for the benefit of those who are here and who may know when
l say that Stanley Park, in which Mr Chrystal is working, is one of our finest
pieces of natural woodland in the whole Dominion, and is known to all foresters in
Canada; but unfortunately, owing chiefly to the depredations of certain species of
insects, its beauty is fast passing away. When I visited the Park last summer I
was abhorred to find the enormous destruction which has been caused in a few
years by various species upon which Mr. Chrystal has been working. They really
are the reason of Mr. Chrystal's presence in Stanley Park. There are whole areas

Stem mother from Douglas fir.

Stem mother, from spruce.

of hemlock there which are absolutely dead, places which Mr. Chrystal has named
'■ the graveyard.'' I had with me Mr. James Wliite, the Assistant Chairman of
the Commission of Conservation, and we were able to demonstrate to him the
enormous destruction of these trees by insect pests. I fear the time has nearly
come when Stanley Park may no longer be considered Canada's most beautiful
natural park. This paper is now open for discussion and perhaps Mr. Macoun,
the Dominion Horticulturist, who is with us this morning, might have some
remarks to make in regard to this paper.

Mr. Macoun : I am afraid I have not much to add to what you have said.
Dr. Hewitt. Stanley Park is one of the sights of Canada and certainly every-
thing possible should be done to preserve it.

Prof. Caesar: I w^ould like to ask if this species is native to North America
and also whether Mr. Chrystal has yet in mind any plan of a practical means of
control.

130 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

Mr. Chrystal : Prof. Gillette states in his paper that on seeing the species of
cooleyi he described it as a new species and said that this species was confined to
the Eocky Mountain region. The state of the spruce in the Park was very bad ; on
careful examination about 60 per cent, were found to be beyond hope of control,
but the rest could be sprayed, even to a considerable height.

Prof. Caesar: It is quite an interesting matter of observation at Guelph to
note that Chermes abietis and Chermes similis have, the last few years, been almost
totally controlled by some natural enemy. Since this western species is a native
insect one would expect that sooner or later we should have natural means of
control of it too.

Me. Tothill: There has been an outbreak of presumably Chermes in New
Brunswick. This outbreak was exceedingly conspicuous about three years ago and
Professor Caesar will know fully well, the outbreak has been brought under com-
plete control.

The President: If there is no further discussion on this paper we will pass
on to the next and last of this session. There are really two papers but they will
be taken as one and read consecutively.

THE CABBAGE MAGGOT— AUTUMN DEVELOPMENT IN BEITISH

COLUMBIA.

(Phorhia hrassicce.)

E. C. Treherne, Field Officer, Dominion Entomological Laboratory,

Agassiz, B.C.

The matter of autumn development in the life-history of the Cabbage Maggot
is obviously of great importance in the control of this fly. On the basis of the
knowledge obtainable in the autumn rests the question of autumn cultivation and
the destruction of the refuse and debris resultant from the summer's crop. Still
further great bearing will be obtained on the early spring development, inasmuch
as little change is undergone by the spring by these forms entering upon the winter.

I do not propose, at this moment, to present all the information that has been
obtained during the past few years in British Columbia on the life history and
characteristics of this important pest, but merely to confine myself, in the time
allotted, to a consideration of the developments that occur in the autumn.

Inasmuch as climate may offer changes and locality present differences, I shall
confine myself strictly to conditions that prevail at Agassiz, B.C. (Lat. 49.15,
Long. 121.40, 52 feet above sea level), which in themselves are comparable to the
entire Lower Eraser Valley or what is known as the " Lower Mainland " of the
Province.

It is my belief that opinions generally consider that the Cabbage Maggot Fly
passes the dormant winter season mainly in the pupal state in the soil surrounding
cruciferous roots or imbedded in the root itself. There are also opinions ex-
pressed from various quarters that there is a "possibility" that the fly may pass
the winter in the adult condition. It is not my intention to enlarge on these
expressions, but inasmuch as it is our duty to take careful observations in each
locality where this fly is a pest and the growing of vegetable crops js a leading
industry, I merely wish to offer a contribution on the life characteristics of the fly
in the locality above mentioned.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 131

■ ■ — , -.,- - - . . .1-1. I ■ I ■ ■ ■ ■ ,s

Further 1 may say that up to the present we have little information in this
Province on the habits of this fly and little knowledge, other than the generally
accepted conceptions, on which to base the more approved remedial measures. .

Without entering upon a detailed study of the complete life history of the fly,
I wish to say that usually there are three complete and overlapping generations of
this Hy at Agassiz. It is possible for forms of the third generation to appear on
the plants as early as July 18th, developing from the first eggs of each generation,
while the second generation would ordinarily cease approximately about Sept-
ember 1st.

I will commence the discussion on the autumn development of this fly from
this date, September 1st, and, in doing so, consequently, we will be dealing in all
probability with third generation forms with a possibility that certain of the
younger stages may belong to the fourth generation.

Autumn Fly Emergence,

Cabbages and cauliflowers are harvested mainly in the months of August and
September. During the past three years larvae have been observed at times during
each of the months of October, November and December working on roots of
cruciferous plants. This year particularly an attempt was made to account for
these larvae and to solve the question of the hibernating form,

In the process of harvesting, therefore, collection was made of all pupae seen
and these were placed under observation in a sheltered place, but under supposedly
equal atmospheric conditions as would prevail in the open field. One was struck
during the course of the field observations with the preponderance of pupal forms
over the larval, and one might easily suppose that given a cold wet autumn with
low maximum and minimum temperatures that pupal forms would continue as
such for the winter and larvae would complete their growth and pass the winter as
pupae also. Detailed observations in an autumn of such a nature are lacking up
till the present. As it happened, the past two years, 1914, 1915, when the notes
herein presented were recorded, have been open and mild, during September and
October. Such a condition is not out of the ordinary in this part of the world,
thus the facts recorded are of interest.

From puparia collected, therefore, the following emergence of flies is re-
corded. It will be seen that the number of puparia under observation is increased
on certain days. This is explained by the fact that harvesting operations were
coiitinuiiiu- and more pupte were being collected and added to the number under

observation.

I

132

THE EEPORT OF THE

No. 36

TABLE 1. — Autumn Fly Emergence.

r>„+„

Number pupae
under observation.

Number of
flies emerging.

Se

X.

Male.

Female.

%

Septembftr 1 st

137

136

134

131

131

123

123

122

120

119

112

101

101
93

90 ( 2)
96 riO)

102 (12)

108 (10)

111 ( 5)

111

105 ( 3)

105

113 (12)

117 ( 6)

117 ( 5)

114

109

121 (12)

121

193 (72)

1
2
3

8

1
2
1
7
11

8
5
4
6
4
2

9

4
2

5
3

\

1
1
1

8

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th

15th

16th

17th

18th

19th

20th

21st

22nd

23rd

24th

25th

26th

27th

28th

29th

30th

1
2

1.5

2.2

6

2

6.1

1
1
1
5
2

.8

1

1.6
.8

2

9

5.8

9.8

3
1
1

4
4

1

5
4

1

7.9
5.3
4.4
6.2
3.9

1

1.8

3

6

8.1

4
2
2
2
2

1

3.7

1.7

3
1
3

4.2
2.6

.9

i

Fly Emergence in the Field.

Liasmuch as the records given in Table 1 might have been influenceid by un-
natural conditions resulting from laboratory arrangements, the important point
was to determine whether or not the same conditions were occurring in the field
under strictly natural conditions. It was clearly proved that flies will emerge from
September puparia under laboratory conditions, and, as will be seen later, eggs
were being taken freely in the field. Hence it was probable that flies were emerg-
ing freely from the soil in the field. In order to determine this point careful
examination of the roots of old cabbage plants was made. The roots were cut and
the soil worked over to the depth of 6 inches. This was done on September 28th,
29th, 30th, and it was found that out of 78 plants examined, 48 plants were or
had 'been infested. 30 plants did not show any sign of attack, and no puparia were
taken. From the 48 plants, however, were found :

124 empty puparium cases from which flies had emerged.
96 sound and apparently healthy puparia.
14 large maggots more than 3 mm. long.
4 small maggots less than 3 mm. long.

Close examination for minute forms was not made, the important point being
indicated that many flies were emerging in the field. It is hardly fair to claim
a ratio between the empty puparium cases taken in the field with those under
observation in the laboratory, because we could not be sure when the files did
emerge. However, the fresh nature of the puparium cases leaves no room for doubt
that files emerge freely from the soil during September.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

13:5

Hence it is probable that Table 1 closely approxiniatus the actual field
conditions.

Adui-t Fly Moktai.itv.

Having satisfied ourselves that many flies emerge from the soil in September,
several important considerations open up, viz., length of life of the fly, mortality,
whether copulation occurs in autunui and eggs are laid, whether these eggs are
fertile, and if so what happens to the young maggots, and lastly what proportion,
if any, of the adults winter as adults.

The question of tlie length of life of the fly and the mortality is represented
by the following table 2. The flies as they emerged, as indicated in table 1, were
placed in 6-inch tubes and kept under observation in. a shaded box under outside
temperature conditions. Periodically they were examined for mortality and the
live ones fed a little syrup and water solution. This table 2, therefore, has direct
reference to the "sex" column on fly emergence as indicated in table 1. To in-
terpret this table read horizontally for fly emergence and perpendicularly for date

of death.

TABLE II. — Male Mortality.

1

Date. 1

2 3

4

5
6

6

7

8 9 10 11 12

13

14 15 16 1 17 18

1

19

20

September 1 1

2 1

1

1

1

5

2

3

1

1

4

4

3 1

i

4 1

5 (

1

6 1 1 1

7 1 1 1

8 1 1 1

1

1

9 1 1 1

10 1 1 (

" 11 1 1 1

" 12 1 1 1

13 1

(x|
; 1^

5x

1 X

14 1

X

'• 15 1 1 1

" 16 i ( 1

17 1 1 1

1 f

, " 18 1 1 1

X

1 1

1

•' ■ 19 1 1 1

1 1

3

20 |x| 1

X 1 j

X

1 |2x

X

" 21 1 ( 1

1 1

I

22 1 1 1

X 1

1 1

X

1

23 1 1 1

1

24 I 1 1

1

" 25 1 1 1

X

1 1 X

X

|2x

1 1
! 1

26 1

1 1
1 1

27 (

X 1 1

28 1 ) I

1 1

X

X

" 29 1 1 1

X

30 1

Octob.r 1 I

1 1

|3x

1 X

1 2x

1 I

1 X

2 ( 1 1

1

3 1 I 1

1

1 1

4 1 1 1 1 1 1

X

( (1 fly escap'd)

1 1

134

THE EEPOET OF THE

Xo. 36

Female Mortality.

Date. 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

September 1

1

2

2

1

2

1
9

5

4

3

2

1

U

2

3

4

5

6

7

8.....

9

10

11

12

13 1

2x)

14 1

15

1
1

16 1

17

18 1

19 1

20 1

X

X

2x|

2x1

X

6

21 1

22 1

2x

X

23 1

24 1

25 1

X

X 1

X

X 3x1

X

26 1

27 1

2x|

1

28 I

X 1

X

X

1

29 1

X

30 1

X

X

2x

October 1 |

X 1

2 1

X 1

3x

3 1

escaped |

1 1 1

X

From these records it will be seen that the length of life varies from 7-25 days
in the autumn. This is of interest as the average life of an adult during the
summer is approximately only 4.5 days.

It will be seen that all the flies in the above table 2, which emerged from
puparia up till September 20th, died.

Those flies that emerged after September 20th (table 1 indicating that
emergence continued until September 27th), were treated in a different manner.
It was felt that 6-inch tubes hardly gave a fair test of longevity, hence a large
wire mesh cage was arranged to give the flies more liberty of flight. The records
follow on this experiment.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 135

HlBEENATION OF THE AdULT.

As has just been seen a certain number of the flies that emerge as adults in
the autumn live as long as twenty-five days, this period being passed in a six-inch
vial. It was thought possible that the stage might be prolonged still more if the flies
were allowed more room for flight and if this occurred we might persuade some of
the flies to pass the winter in the adult condition. Accordingly a large
cage was arranged consisting of wire mesh and suspended within was a large piece of
rough fir bark, with many crevices into which flies might crawl should they
desire to. This cage was suspended to the outside wall of the building. A small
amount of sweetened water was placed on the floor of the cage, upon which, later,
it was observed, the flies fed readily. No cabbago plant was introduced into the
cage for fear the flies would be tempted to deposit eggs, and if they did so, their
life functions would be over and they would probably die. Into this cage twenty-
two flies of both sexes were liberated between September 22nd and 27th. Exam-
ination of the cage was difficult for fear of allowing the flies to escape. However,
flies were observed dead on the floor of the cage on September 25th and finally on
October 8th all the flies had died. On October 5th only six flies were observed
dead on the floor of the cage, hence a rapid mortality must have occurred between
the 6th and the 7th. The night of the 7th was the coldest night thus far exper-
ienced during the autumn, being 33 degrees F. This temperature may have killed
the adults. At any rate we have nothing to offer which proves that flies winter
over as adults although indications that such might occur were propitious. It
might be noted again that no flies emerged from puparia after September 27th,
despite the fact that 193 puparia were still confined on soil in boxes on that date.

I can only say that the number of flies experimented with in this instance was
far too small to record an invariable and establishecl fact I can merely say that
those flies used did not survive the flrst touch of cold weather and hence did not
pass the winter as adults. It might, however, be said with reason that it is highly
probable that a small percentage of adults will winter as adults in a favorable
season, although such has not been shown in our experiments thus far.

Egg Deposition in Field.

Not only do adult flies emerge freely from the puparia during September and
probably part of October, but we find also that eggs are deposited equally freely
during these months. These notes, recorded now, are a part of a long series of
notes obtained throughout the summer on the question of egg deposition hence I
shall not give the full details at this juncture. We are only interested now in the
autumn development. To obtain this record 12 cabbages' and 6 cauliflowers were
examined daily between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and all eggs laid during the twenty-four
hours removed by means <k a knife blade and counted. By this method we would
obtain an absolutely accurate record of the daily deposition. Further useful in-
formation may be deduced in reference to effects of temperature, sunshine, rain,
wind, on egg deposition and the size and shape of the plant chosen for deposition.
The record follows in table 3. (For the sake of comparison the record of
12 oabbages is reduced to read for 6.)

136

THE REPOET OF THE

Xo 36

Table III. — Egg Deposition Recobd.

September.

No. of eggs

on 6
cabbages.

No. eggs

on 6

cauliflowers

Weather Notes.

1st.
2nd
3rd
4th.
5th.
6th.
7th.
8th.
9th.

10th.

nth.

12th.
13th.
14th.

10
16.

1
15

1

2.

3

2.

42
96
73
116
13
25
24
1
11

66

17

15

15th (no record taken)

16th.
17th.
18th.
19th.
20th.
21st.
22nd

9
10

10
49
21
32
61
38
78

Morning, cloudy Afternoon

" fine

" fine "

fine

foggy

" cloudy

dull

ram
fine

, showers.

cloudy.

cloudy.

fine,

dull.

showers.

showers.

heavy rain.

heavy rain and
some sun-
shine,

fine,
fine.

23rd (no record taken)

24th 8 147

25th 137

26th 18

27th 3 17

28th 6 80

29th 102

30th 22

October.

1st f no record taken)

2nd (no record taken)

3rd I 99

(33 eggs per

4th No further

5th records

6th taken on

7th the cab-

8th bages

9th 1

10th 48

nth

12th

13th

14th 13

15th 11

16th 11

17th 1

18th (no record taken)

19th (no record taken)

20th I

21st (no record taken)

22nd I 4

35
15

100

5

86

23rd.
24th.
25th.

" fine and strong

wind "

" fine

Bright and sunny all day, night wet.
All day cold and stormy.
Warmer, but cool and cloudy.

Day fine, warm and sunny. ,

Day fine, warm and sunny.

Day fine, warm and sunny.

Day fine, warm and sunny.

Day fine, warm and sunny.

Day fine, but smoky.

Day fine, warm, but dull.

Showers fell throughout day.

Day fine, warm and sunny.

Day fine, warm and sunny.

Day dull, but fairly warm; rain fell during the night.

Morning dull; afternoon fair.

Day fine and fairly warm.

Day fine and warm.

Morning dull, afternoon rain fell.

Day dull with some rain.

day)

Day dull with slight sun, rain at night.

Morning, fine; afternoon, bright and sunny.

Windy, 'but fine and sunny.

Day fine, warm, sunny; night coldest yet, 33° F.

Morning sunny, afternoon dull and cloudy, night

warm.
Fine all day and sunny.
Day fine and sunny.
Rained.
Rained.
Heavy rain.

Fine autumn day, cool but sunny.
Fine autumn day, sunny, cool at night.
Day fine, comparatively warm.
Day mild but no sun.

Dull and wet on past three days.

Dull but mostly fine, rain in evening.

Rain.

Showery.

Dull with showers.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 137

Erom this table 3, we find that flies were active up till as late as October 32nd ;
having since September 1st deposited 1,739 eggs on six cauliflower plants. The
egg deposition on six cabbages for the month of September was 95.5, while the
deposition on a like number of cauliflowers over the same period was 1,311. This
indicates the importance of pursuing the life history on more kinds of plants than
one. The records from cabbages alone would incline towards an entirely different
rendering of the actual situation.

(See chart covering egg deposition on six cauliflowers.)

Autumn Larval Notes.

We are now satisfied, in the first place, that flies freely emerge from the soil
in September, and in the second place that quantities of eggs are laid around
plants until late into October. The high egg fertility percentage is maintained
throughout the entire year, consequently we are justified in assuming that larval
forms may be found working on the roots of plants during November and December.
This assumption is supported by fact inasmuch as larvae, freshly hatched, from
late September eggs, having been placed on plants in pots, developed to 2 mm.,
3 mm., and 4 mm. in length by the commencement of November. Inasmuch as
these pots were sunk in the soil out of doors, we claim with assurance that the con-
ditions were precisely natural.

Eggs taken from plants in the field between September 13th-26th, were hatched
in the laboratory and placed on the soil around a potted plant (which was in turn
sunk in the open soil), developed maggots 3 mm.-4 mm. long by October 25th.
Larvae hatching after September 26th and before 30th, treated in the same way
developed maggotsi 2 mm. long by the close of October. There is no question of
doubt that the larvse found in both these instances would mature, pupate and pass
the winter. It is true that no further notes were taken on them after this date,
but their general thrifty appearance does not allow of much doubt that they will
survive. Eggs hatching in October were also placed around the stems of plants
and they developed slowly during the early days of November. Frost, it would
seem, might affect them, especially the very small larvae. Given no severe weather
in November and December, there is, again, little doubt that October eggs will
persevere also to puparia by the approach of winter. Real winter weather seldom
sets in with any degree of permanence in this locality until the New Year.

10 E.S.

138

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

CMrtRT

EQCj DEPOSITION RECORD c«ae/Ki« m/hj^jot

ACTUAL FieLO OePOSlTiON ON
6 CAOLIfLOWeRS

Sepiember October

METEOROLOqiCAL RECORDS

SEPTEN6£R OcTOSEft

I a-3 4. 5 6 7 etj Mil «L I) 11^16 161] laitj JD3i£UJi^^J^JT<Uj<iJ0 I ^ 34-56 7 9^1011 iai5i4.i6'^4 IJlilf*)i>A3ii)^if

85

ro

60
55
SO

35

F/»Mi?e/VHeiT

' 10

CC = 7

Q 6

(iJ

Z

I

z

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

139

The Meteorological Eecords.

Tlie Meteorolofriciil records coveriii*,^ the notes gii'en in this paper are as
follows: —

Temperature
Degrees Fahr.

Sunshine in
hours

Rain in
inches

Maximum

Minimum

September 1st

2nd

80
74
76
78
80
73
70
68
59
61
64
67
61
64
66
66
68
74
71
70
68
70
69
81
76
72
70
71
64
67

64
67
68
63
64
64
68
61
60
56
53
56
54
53
55
58
56
53
55
51
53
48
54
55

47
44
43
45
58
45
42
40
41
44
42
45
43
45
45
42
46
44
43
43
46
45
44
43
45
42
44
37
42
41

40
40
39
37
40
39
38
33
43
35
37
40
41
37
38
39
37
38
40
41
40
41
38
38

6.2
6.4
1.8

3rd

4th

5th

6th

1

.04

7th

j

.03

8th

9th

2.5 i

7.8

7.8

9.7 j

.45

10th

Ulh

12th

13th

.08

14th

05

15th

.14

16th

1.5
5.5
3.6
8.5
9.5
3.1
1.0

17th

18th

19th

2()th

■>lst . ...

22nd

23rd

.48

• ' 94 th

5.9
9.2

' ' '-'5th

96th

■^7th

2.9
9.2
7.5

■'Sth

29th

30th

.48

.61

2nd

.12

3rd

4th

3.24

6.24

9.6

7.18

5.18

3.42

8.48

5th

' • fifh

" 7th

' ' 8th

" 9th

" 10th

''11th

.12
.63

12th

.57

13th

.49

14th

4.50
8.48

.12

15th

' ' 16th

" 17th

18th

1.22

19th

.39

90 th

1.19

21st

.52

99,1(1

(

.15

93rd

i.42

.36

94th

.95

140 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

THE CABBAGE MAGGOT IN BEITISH COLUMBIA (Phorbia brassicce).
The Natural Control by Parasites and Predacious Insects.

E, C. Treherne, Field Officer, Dominion Entomolpgical Laboratory,

Agassiz, B. C.

The Cabbage Maggot fly is a very serious pest in the Lower Fraser Valley of
British Columbia. Variations in prevalence occur one year with another, and cer-
tain locality differences are observed in any given season. These changes are not
accounted for with any degree of satisfaction, but it is certain that autumn tem-
peratures and precipitation play an important part in the conditions that arise the
following spring.

The importance of this insect may be gauged by its long period of activity.
Eggs may be frequently observed deposited on the stems of plants during the first
week of April, and oviposition may continue intermittently but continuously until
well in October. Nearly full-grown larvse have been taken from roots in the closing
days of April, and they may be found at all times until November and sometimes
•as late as December. These records were taken in the Lower Fraser Valley of Li/uisii
Columbia and apply only to that district, which ranges about 100 miles east of
Vancouver. They are, further, notes gathered from three years' work with the
fly, and are only given in this connection to indicate the serious possibilities thai
may follow an attack by the pest.

During the past summer an attempt was made to estimate the egg-laying
proclivities of the fly. A number of plants, as indicated below, were examined
€very day, at the same time, from April 17th until October 26th. At each examin-
ation all eggs were removed and counted, so that as a result we find we liave an
accurate record of the total number of eggs laid per day throughout the summ,er.
As an indication of tlie seasonal prevalence during the past summer, I may S!>y
that in a large experiment on control measures, out of 315 cabbages, untreated and
used as checks, only 26 died strictly by reason of maggot attack (12.1 per cent.),
and out of 210 cauliflowers, of the same nature, only 24 died (11.4 per cent.). Of
■course many plants were attacked and a diminution of weight was noticed at hari-
vesting, but they survived the ordeal of the attack and a certain weight was recorded
to their credit at the close of the season.

The fertility of these eggs, of which at least 2,500 were tested over the whole
of the above period of time, was shown to be well over 80 per cent. This would
indicate that if all the eggs as laid persevered through to puparia, the percentage
of sound plants at the end of the season would be practically nil, despite the fact,
as above noted, that the season was light in comparative prevalence.

Our field records, however, from careful root examination of both cabbages and
cauliflowers, show clearly that during the past season rarely, if ever, were more
than 25 larvae and puparia found at any one time. In other years I have taken
as many as 100 larvae and puparia from single roots of cabbages, but not so this year,
Avhich is comparable to the egg deposition records in Table A.

The question then arises: What happens to all these eggs and small maggots?

One answer is that it is probable the larval mortality is high in the very early
■stages. I have experienced difficulty in bringing through young larva from the
■eggs under laboratory conditions, and further from observations taken on the move-
ments of newly-hatched larvos on the surface of the soil, I am convinced a great
"many never reach the roots at all. However, I am not prepared to say much on
this point.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

141

One may judge from these statements that the fly was not so serious as usual,
but, nevertheless, under such a degree of prevalence it was found that large numbers
of eggs were laid, as indicated in the following table : —

Table A — Enc. DKrosrrinx Recoud.

Crop.

No. Plants.

Dates or Month.

No. of eggs deposited,

removed

and counted.

3,437 eggs

Basis of 1 plant.

25 Radishes

April 17th-May 31st....

May 21st-Ma.v 31st

For month of .June

July

August . . .
.September

137.5

*12 Cabbages

86 "

3,126 "

2.477 "

758 • '

155 •'

7.

260.5

206
63.2
12.9

2.221 •■

1 , 5.55 • •

1.311 ••

428 "

* 6 Cauliflowers. ..

June 25tli-.luly 31st

For month ol' Auyust . . .
September
October...

Total.. 6, 602

370.
2.59.
218.5
71.3

Total.. 5,. 515

Another answer is that of the control by parasitic insects. On several occa-
sions the Cynipid parasite Cothonaspis gillettei has been bred from puparia col-
lected in the field. Unfortunately we cannot, from our study up to the
present time, consider this parasite of any practical benefit in the control of the
fly at Agassiz, B.C., its numbers are shown to be entirely too few. From the
large numbers of puparia that have been taken and studied this past summer, only
twelve Cynipid adults appeared. They started to emerge from puparia on i^ugust
16th and continued until October 18th. Further, there is little doubt that some
carry over the winter within the puparia of the maggot to emerge in the spring.

Except for tliis Cynipid parasite, no other true parasite has been observed or
recorded in British Columbia.

The third answer to the above question, and probably the most important, is
the control by predatory insects and mites.

Red Trombidium Mite.

A Eed Ivlite may very commonly be found on the surface of the soil in the
vicinity of cruciferous plants. It has been shown by laboratory experiments that
this mite will attack the eggs of the Cabhage Maggot fly. Several investigators
liave sho\ni mites of this nature of great importance in the natural control of the
fly, but our studies at Agassiz do not show that it is of such importance and not
comparable in usefulness to certain Carabid and Staphilinid beetles.

Several Staphylinids are of importance, notably :

Orus pu7ictaius Casey.

XanthoUnus hamatus Say.

Hisperobium califoiiiicuni Lee,

* (Cabbages and Cauliflowers transplanted on May 18th and 14th)

14:2 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

and several species of Carabids, notably, Celia far eta (1)*, Bembidiuin mutatum
G. - H., Bembidiuin trechiforme Lee, Platynus cupreus DeJ., Pterostichus lucu-
blandus (2)*.

All attenijjt was made to determine the appetites of some of these predaeeous
insects. The following methods were used in determining this point. Ordinary
small vials were employed in which single specimens of beetles were placed. A
small piece of moistened blotting paper was also inserted in the vial and the whole
tightly corked. Eggs of the Cabbage Maggot fly, freshly-hatched larvae, and more
mature larvas of varying lengths were placed in the vial on the blotting paper ever
so often, and allowed to remain with the beetle under observation. Daily records
were taken over a certain length of time and the amount of material devoured noted.
In this way we have the maximum appetite of the beetles recorded.

Another system was employed in which two ordinary microscopic slides were
laid over one another and kept separate by means of a small strip of thin linoleum
placed around three sides and glued on both sides to the glass. The fourth side
was left open to be plugged with a piece of cotton wool. In this way we have a flat
glass-encased chamber which may be easily handled and operated under the micro-
scope. A little pulverised soil was then sifted into the chamber thus formed and
the beetles to be observed placed within. Food was regularly supplied and the
amount devoured recorded.

It may be seen from both these systems that the beetles were confined within a
small area and that the food supplied had no opportunity of escape. Hence due
latitude must be given the appetite record. Attempts were made to carry on the
work under more natural conditions, but it was felt that the results recorded were
of little value. It was too difficult to give the beetles full liberty of action
and at the same time keep them under observation. Furthermore, it was impossible
to discover whether a small newly hatched larva had been actually devoured by the
beetle when given full liberty of action, or whether it had died a natural death.
It is true that we devised a cage over some plants in the field, consisting of ordinary
chicken wire mesh, which was entirely covered with cheesecloth, with the exception
of a couple of inches on the ground surface. In this way the flies were prevented
from oviposting and tlie ground beetles were allowed free access to the plants, and
provided one knew how many eggs were around the plant at a given time, a series
of notes ^on this point would offer some evidence on the matter of the natural con-
trol. However, even this method did not give the results expected.

I shall give, nevertheless, the results of the vial experiments, which may be
taken to record the maximum appetite and the length of life of the beetles.

In this Table B the symbol " n, h, m," represents the words "newly-hatched
maggots," while " 1 m " represents the words " large maggots." The figures in
brackets in connection with these symbols represent the amount of food offered
throughout the course of the beetle's life.

The species involved in this work are as follows : —

Type 1. — Bembidium m.utatnm.

Type 2. — Bemhidinm trechiforme.

Typo 3. — Pterostichus luciiblandus.

Type 4. — Orus punctatus.

Tvpe 5. — Xantho'linus hamafus.

Type 6. — Hisperohium calif or nicum.

* (1) Identified by Dr. E. C. Van nyke.

* (2) Identified by Col. T. L. Casey.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

143

All the Carabids were actually ob.st'rved at work dovouriiio- maggots in the
field, hence are predacious on the maggot under strictly natural conditions. The
Staphilinids occurred in numbers in such close vicinity to infested roots, that there
is little doubt they also are predacious under natural conditions. Their habits- were
mostly studied in confinement.

Table B — Cababid Adult Appetite Record.

Beetle

Vial
No.
Exp.

Food Consumed

Life
of beetle
in days.

Food consumed
n,h,m, eggs

per day.

Type

No.

n, h, m.

eggs

1, m,

1, m.

1

1

.305 (3.52)

53 ( 71)

7 (13)

51

1-
() 1

.5

14

262(319) ' 34 ( 46)

i ( 8)

81

3.2 .4

.09

2

4
6

210(308) 82(116)
51 ( 79) 21 ( 31)

7 (19)
2 ( 4)

120
12

1.8 .8
4.2 1.9

.006
.18

3

21

10 (23;

10

1.

1

Staphylinid Adult Appetite Record.

4

2

497 (549)

78 (128)

1(19)

87

5.7

1 !

5

12 ( 12)

17 ( 22)

3

4.

6

7

16 ( 25)

19 ( 38)

12

1.3

1.6

5

3

242 (313)

73 (112)

10(22)

120

2

2

.1

9

185(226)

10 ( 29)

0( 4)

76

2.5

2

10

165(227)

45 ( 63)

0( 2)

51

3.2

.9

6

17

2( 5)

4

.5

1

To interpret the Table B correctly it is necessary to understand that the
beetles were offered food according to what happened to be on hand to feed them,
and further that on several days the beetles were deprived of their favorite food,
i.e., small maggots and eggs and were fed on large maggots. In this way, in the
first place, therefore, they were not allowed to choose their own food, hence the
above record does not indicate any special choice of food, and in the second place
while the beetles lived for some considerable time, part of that time they were
starved, in the effort to induce them to devour the large maggots, hence the appetite
record is lower per day than it would be if the diet had consisted entirely of small
maggots and eggs.

The detailed daily record of these several beetles makes exceedingly interesting
reading from the original notes. I do not consider it possible to include them in
this paper, or to publish them in the proceedings, as they would occupy too much
space. The Table B gives merely the bald statements without those fine points
of interest incident to the feeding.

144

THE EEPOET OF THE

No. 36

Control by Predacious Larvae.

In addition to establishing the appetite record of the adult beetles, both Cara-
bid and Staphilinid, an attempt was made to mature carabid larvas. Carabid beetle
eggs may frequently be seen on the soil surface, and at different times some of these
Avere taken from the field, at other times some eggs were deposited in the tubes in
the laboratory. Poor success seemed to attend the hatching of these eggs, and in
fact many disappointments were encountered in bringing the larvae to maturity.
Without detailing all these troubles I will relate some of the facts obtained. The
eggs and larvs of these beetles were handled in the same way as the adults, in
vials, etc.

Table C — Carabid Larvae Appetite Recced.

Vial
Exp.

No.

Food consumed.
Size of larva

Remarks.

in mm.

n, h, m, eggs. 1, m.

11

hatched from egg 5 (5)

Larva died, having eaten 5 eggs in 2 days.

20&22

8x1 79 aOO,

6i (20)

2 Larva lived 20 days, havmg eaten per day
4 n,h,m, and 1 2 mm. maggot.

8

9x1 6 (6)

17(37)

Larva died in three days.

12

9x1 2 {2)

4(18;

Larva moulted and then died after 2 days.

15

12x2

7(11)

4(9)

Larva died after B days.

18

16x2 (20)

8 (28) Larva idied after 18 days, eating about 1, 2,
5 mm. maggot par day.

Summary.

Even from these records it is impossible to state with accuracy the actual appe-
tite record of any predacious beetle or its larva. The limitation in the manner in
which the work was done does not allow us to form any definite conclusion.

We are justified in stating, however, that despite the artificial methods em-
ployed, these predacious beetles present an immense aid in the control of the
maggots. Their voracious appetites in confinement and from the fact that they did
not hesitate to attack the food offered clearly proves some marked similar action in
nature. Further than this, on many occasions, both Carabid and Staphilinid
beetles, and the larva3, at any rate of the former, may often be found embedded in
the roots of plants in close association with maggots, and have been observed actu-
ally at work devouring maggots. The actual amount of food they dispose of in a
day or throughout their life is the point of which we cannot be too sure from the
records obtained. We might, however, be perfectly justified in assuming that five
eggs or five young maggots a day would represent a normal appetite. We have also
seen that a beetle will live with food for four months (120 days). On the above
ratio it will destroy about 600 eggs or young maggots. This in itself would just
about equal the number of eggs deposited by a fly on a single plant in a season,
under conditions we have mentioned. Possibly this may be a little high, but never-
theless, we cannot avoid the fact that the percentage of usefulness of these little
bottles is exceptional, and of unquestionable value.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 145

The President : There are so many points to be discussed in these papers
that I think it would be best to postpone the discussion until this afternoon, when
we will have more time, and when Mr. Treherne will have more time to bring out
certain points.

FRIDAY, NOV. oth.— AFTERNOON SESSION.

The President: We will now commence the afternoon session and will first
take up, before proceeding with the regular business, the discussion which was post-
poned this morning of Mr. Treherne's paper on the Cabbage Maggot. This paper
is now open for discussion.

Mr. Tothill : I would like to ask if the headings " May," " June," " July,'"'
" August," and " September," etc., represent generations ?

Mr. Treherne : Not in this chart. As a matter of fact, there are at least three
generations of this maggot in British Columbia; the first generation ends about the
end of May, the height of the second generation is early in July, and the third
generation towards the latter part of August.

Mr. Burgess : I would like to ask Mr. Treherne if he has any definite records
of the maggot coming through any stage in the winter.

Mr. Treherne : We have no larval or adult records of hibernation, but only as
yet pupal records.

Mr. Gibson : With regard to the question that Mr. Burgess has asked, last year
and the year before we made observations at Ottawa in the hope of getting further
information as to how the insect passes the winter. We found the puparia abund-
antly in an old turnip field at varying depths, the lowest being nine inches below
the soil. We only found what we considered the larva of the Cabbage Maggot fly
in one instance, in April. The species in Eastern Canada most probably hibern-
ates to a more or less degree in the larval stage, in addition to the regular hibern-
ating form, namely, the puparium.

The President: The only other point, I think, which might arise from this
paper which might be discussed is the comparative absence of internal parasites,
particularly the absence of Staphilinid parasites such as we find in the East.

We will now proceed to the business meeting of this session, which consists in
tlie election of officers. As in the case of last year, the Council in order to facilitate
the proceedings of the meeting has recommended a list of officers for the guidance
of the meeting, and I might ask the Secretary to read the list of officers as selected
by the Council : —

President, Mr. A. F. Winn; Vice-President, Prof. L. Caesar; Secretary-Treas-
urer, Mr. A. W. Baker; Curator, Mr. J, B. Spencer; Librarian, Dr. Bethune;
Directors, to be re-elected, with the exception of Division No. 6, where J. W. Noble
is recommended.

Dr. Fyles : It gives me very great pleasure to nominate Mr. Winn as President
of the Entomological Society. I have followed Mr. Winn's work for a nimiber of
years, and think he is fully capable of holding the position.

Mr. Morris : I second the motion.

Dr. Hewitt : It has been moved and seconded that Mr. Winn be elected Presi-
dent of the Society. I am sure it is a matter of great gratification to all ]\rr.
Winn's fellow workers to see him occupying the Presidential chair. We all appre-
ciate the work which he has done in tlie Province of Quebec, especially in the pro-
duction of those excellent insect lists which he is getting up. There being no other

146 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

*

nominations, I declare Mr. Winn duly elected. I will call now upon Mr. Winn to take
the chair.

Me. Winn: I certainly do not deserve this honour. I never got it correctly
into my head how I came into this office. Two years ago the Fiftieth Annual Meet-
ing was held at Guelph and I was on hand. About two months later Mr. Gibson
surprised me by telling me that I had been elected Vice-President, and as it was
tlien too late to undo what seemed an inexplicable error, I came to the conclusion
that an honour to the Montreal Branch, with which I have been connected since a
schoolboy, was intended rather than on account of anything I may have been able
to accomplish personally. It has been suggested to-day that in reality it is a form
of punishment meted out for not attending all our meetings regularly.

In some of our sessions reference has been made to the work of professional
or practical entomologists, and that of amateurs, who by inference are unpractical,
as if there were two well marked divisions. Eeally I do not think such a distinction
exists except in the application of the results obtained. If it does exist, I hope
it will cease and that our Society will remain united from Atlantic to Pacific as
we see it here to-day, and that some of those who attended our fiftieth anniversary
will also be present at the one hundredth.

There is one point in particular that both the so-called divisions agree upon,
and that is the importance of learning the life-histories of insects from the egg to
Ihe perfect stage, and this has been emphasized in nearly all the papers we have
been listening to. This point reminds me of a matter about which I had some
correspondence with Dr. Bethune a few years ago — the question of Baving a suit-
able crest and motto to use in connection with a book-plate, for, old as our socieity
is, it cannot boast of owning either, " Ab ovo usque ad imaginem " — from egg to
imago. No particular insect was mentioned to serve as an emblem, and as I do not
know what views the members have on the subject, suggestions would be acceptable.

I feel sure, however, that thoroughness in following out the life-histories of
insects, thus getting at the bottom of tilings, is one of the most important objects
to keep before us, for we do not really know an insect till we know it in all its
stages.

I shall not take up any more of your time except to thank you very sincerely
for the honour conferred upon me.

The President: I think all who have had to do with the society have been
impressed with Professor Caesar's ability. I do not think we could have a better
Vice-President in support to Mr. Winn than Professor Caesar, and I have much
pleasure in moving that Professor Caesar be elected Vice-President.

Seconded by Me. Swaine. (Carried.)
(For complete list of officers see p. 6.)

Me. Winn : I will now ask Mr. Sanders to read his paper on " Some of the
Methods followed in Nova Scotia in controlling the Brown-tail Moth.''

Mr. Sanders' paper read.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 147

SOME OF THE METHODS FOLLOWED IN NOVA SCOTIA IN CON-
TKOLLING THJ^ BROWN-TAIL MOTH.

G. E. Sanders, Field Officer for Nova Scotia, Dominion Entomological
Laboratory, Annapolis Royal, N.S.

The control of the Brown-tail Moth in Nova Scotia presents many difficulties
peculiar to that Province which go to show in rather a striking manner tlie value
of investigating each insect locally, in the light of a knowledge of local conditions
and methods, extending even to such details as the method of fixing charges for
packing out the staple crop in the warehouses.

The Brown-tail Moth has not yet become established in the forest areas of
Nova Scotia, J>2.6 per cent, of the total number found in the Province being on
fruit trees; the few found on ornamenial and forest trees being on trees near to or
in orchards.

Area Infested.

The area infested with Brown-tails is about two hundred miles long and some
thirty miles wide, including the Counties of Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digb}', Anna-
polis, Kings, Hants and Cum'berland ; or, in other words, all but one of the Counties
of Nova Scotia .touching on the Bay of Fundy.

This area may be divided roughly into four districts, in each of which we have
a different proposition. In the first district, which includes Cumberland, Shel-
burne, Yarmouth, and all but a small section of the east end of Digby, we have small
orchards averaging less than twenty apple trees each ; usually the orchards are separ-
ated from each other by strips of woodland or open fields. As apples in this sec-
tion are grown on a very small scale, as a rule for home use only, practically no
spraying is done.

In the second district, which includes Eastern Digby and Annapolis County as
far east as Annapolis town, we find apple trees in profusion. This district was
settled about the time of the American Revolution, and many old, gnarly trees re-
main of the orchards planted by the original settlers. The land throughout this
section is full of granite boulders, and in common with all such land in Nova
Scotia and roadsides, fence-rows, pastures, and even scrub'by woods are filled with
seedling apple trees of every age and description. As this district is for the most
part the west end of the Annapolis Valley, it falls into the regular fruit district
and the oreliards are of moderate size, covering probably one-tenth of the cultivated
land, and adjoin each other quite closely. In spite of the natural advantages tliat
this section possesses in the production of fruit, very little care is taken of the
orchards, not more than 5 per cent, of the trees being sprayed.

The third district extends from Annapolis to Middleton. The western end of
this section is granite land similar to the second district, and seedling apple trees'
are to be found everywhere. Over 50 per cent, of the cultivated land is in apple
trees, so the whole district is practically one continuous orchard. About seventy
per cent, of the orchard in this district is sjtrayed.

The fourth district extends from Middleton to Windsor, and includes the
largest orchards in Nova Scotia, probably gixty per cent, of the cultivated land
being in orchard, with the exception of a small section south of Wolfville, seedling
apple trees are almost unknown. The orchard is for the most part less than fifty*
years old, orchard that a man can spray or inspect for BroAvn-tail easily : and,
according to Prof. Brittain's census, some 87 per cent, of the trees in tlie <1i-tri.'t
are sprayed.

148 THE REPOET OF THE Xo. 36

Comparison of Controls.

In the first district, Yarmouth and Digby Counties, where the orchards are
small and widely scattered, we find it very easy to control the Brown-tails by having
our inspectors pick the nests from the trees in the winter. One inspection of this
district can be relied upon to give a decrease in ordinary years, the only increases
coming from the adult moths, which occasionally are blown across the Bay of
Fundy into the district from the New England States. This district is on the
whole flat country, and the normal increase very small. Evidently the adult moths
are for the most part blown out of the orchards in which they originated, and the
orchards being scattered they perish before they find other apple trees.

In the fourth district, Kings County, etc., the orchards are large and practic-
ally continuous, so if a moth is blown out of one orchard it will more often than
not blow into another. In spite of this the large amount of spraying done, and the
scarcity of seedling trees makes it quite easy for our inspectors to keep the Brown-
tail within reasonable bounds. Occasionally we have small outbreaks in the western
end of this district, but a little persuasion usually results in the orchards being
sprayed and the Brown-tails exterminated.

In the third district, which is situated in the eastern end of Annapolis 'County,
where 30 per cent, of the orchard is unsprayed and we have a great quantity of wild
seedling apple trees, we have great difficulty in controlling Brown-tails. In many
sections we have had very large increases which we followed up by very careful work,
often persuading the owners of the worst orchards to spray, and so obtained de-
creases in infestation.

In the fourth district, or Western Annapolis County, with practically no spray-
ing, medium-sized orchards and plenty of wild seedling apple trees, we have had
great difficulty in holding the Brown-tails. Practically all of the work there has
])evn done by our inspectors with no appreciable assistance, either in spraying or
in picking nests, from the inhabitants.

Normal Increase in Nova Scotia.

The coldest season ever recorded in Nova Scotia was 1913-14. The extreme
low temperature in the Annapolis Valley was — 21F. at Kentville, while at Yarmouth
the lowest was — 6.4F. ; in the most heavily infested district, i.e., near Anna-
polis, the lowest temperature ran — 19F. and less here. Brown-tails came through
with an average of about 40 per cent, winterkill. Counting the actual number of
nests within twenty-five yards of old nests found in 1914-15, including those that
gave no progeny, we found the actual increase the Province over to average 6.3 new
nests from each old nest^— this was not counting the number of female moths that
had blown over twenty-five yards from the old nests. The increase in ordinaij
years is much larger than this.

Winter Drop of Nests.

Formerly we started the inspectors at their winter work on January 1st, but
we found at that time a very large proportion of the nests hanging by a thread, and
a few of the nests gone, leaving a bit of web attached to the tree where the nest
liad been. We placed some nests on the ground and found that the young larva
lived over in them with a very small winterkill. In fact, at one station where
all of tlio Brown-tails su;-pended in the air were killed by the winter, those on the

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 149

ground li\L'd over with only a small winterkill, having been protected from the
extreine cold by the deep snow.

The questions that arose from this were ; The proportion of nests that dropped
from the trees, when they dropped, and whether the larva which lived over in tlie
dropped nests would reach the trees from which they fell. We have not by any
means finished these lines of enquiry, but we have one year's work on each, which
shows up their importance.

On November 1914-15 we tagged a number of nests in each of two orchards,
and in one we got 10 per cent, dropped during the winter, and in the other ::?5 per
cent.

in regard to the time that the greatest drop takes place the heavy gale of Sept.
26, 27, 28, 1915, loosened a great quantity of nests, but the greatest drop appears
to take place in November and December, soon after the leaves fall, and continues
to a certain extent all winter. The heavy gales break down the nests and cause
them to start swinging, but do not actually blow as many off the trees as one would
expect, but the lighter winds following, constantly twisting the nests about, gradu-
ally wear the thread off and cause the drop to be spread quite evenly over the whole
season.

In regard to the young larvas in the dropped nests finding the trees, we found,
from nests placed equidistant from four trees in an orchard planted 35 by 35
feet, that 11 per cent, of the larvae contained in the nests found the trees and
ascended to a tanglefoot t^and placed to catch them. The spring weather influences
the movements of the young larv« to a very great extent. In bright weather the
larvae will travel over the ground due south, toward the sun ; in cloudy weather, such
as we had when the larvae were emerging in 1915, they will travel in any direction.

These preliminary investigations would indicate the importance of removing as
many nests as possible before the nests begin- to drop from the trees. These vfews
are supported in practice by the ease with which the Brown-tails are controlled in
districts where the drop is light, as compared with districts where the drop is
heavy.

We now start our inspectors on November 1. when the loaves are about 90 per
cent, off the unsprayed orchards, but have scarcely started to come off
the sprayed orchards. They work the uns])rayed orchards in the most
heavily infested territory first, trying to get just as many nests as possible off the
trees as quickly as possible, returning later to work every tree and bush in the dis-
trfct, and, if they have time, to return a third time to go over the trees again.
As light and moisture conditions often prevent the best work being done in many
orchards, a second thorough inspection is found to be of value in the most heavily
infested localities.

Fall Picking of the Nests.

We liave found that a large proportion of the winter nests can be gathered bv
the pickers when picking the apples in September and October, the cluster of brown
skeletonized leaves that tlie larva^ feed on when forming the winter nest showing up
for a foot around the nest against the dark green of the tree. At the beginninii of
the season we published notes in the papers requesting growers to have their pickers
look for these clusters of leaves and destroy the nests when found. We have already
had reports of a large number of nests collected and destroyed this season by the
pickers.

150 ' THE EEPORT OF THE Xo. 36

Educational Work.

In addition to having our ten inspectors collect as many nests as possible from
the trees, we plan to have them carry on as much educational work as possible, in
order to persuade growers to examine their own trees and collect Brown-tail nests
and to spray. All of our inspectors have all available data in regard to spraying
right at their finger tips, and they are instructed to see the owner of every property
giving over five BroAvn-tail nests, and endeavor to get him to spray his trees the
next season.

More Spraying Campaigns.

The one thing outside of the work of our own inspectors in collecting nests
that has had an appreciable effect in Brown-tail control has been the campaign for
more spraying. In this we have the co-operation of the United Fruit Companies,
whose warehouses extend over the whole fruit district, and of the Dominion Fru,it
Inspectors, who, under the Dominion Fruit Commissioner, Mr. D. Jolinson, are
now inspecting most of the fruit in the orchards and warehouses instead of at
Halifax, so they come in direct contact with the growers and are_a tremendous
power in causing more spraying to be done. I am this winter spending two or three
days with each of these inspectors, visiting warehouses, etc., and keeping them
supplied with data on spraying. Mr. Johnson tells me that he wants his inspectors
to be an educative rather tlian a police force— that they can do more good in show-
ing people how to grow better fruit than, as he puts it, " going at the grower with a
club to fine him if possible."

This attitude deserves the very highest commendation, and in teaching the
Nova Scotia growers how to produce good fruit he must teach them liow to control
Brown-tails, for spraying, which controls the Brown-tail, is absolutely necessary in
the production of good fruit in Nova Scotia.

The manager of the United Fruit Companies, Mr. A. E. McMalion, and his
officials have been untiring in their efforts to get more and better spraying done,
and their work has been particularly effective. About 60 per cent, of the total
crop of Nova Scotia is liandled through the 48 warehouses of the Companies, and
all of the spraying material for their members is purchased by them. On their
60-ton order of lead arsenate, with other spraying material in proportion, they are
able to get the very finest prices possible, and they give their members the full
benefit of these prices and sell to non-members at a price that will barely cover ex-
penses, preferring to take their profit in the benefits their ^members will receive
from having their neighbors spray. The Fruit Companies' Inspectors, who visit
every warehouse at least once a week, the warehouse managers and the packing fore-
men are every one active advocates of spraying, and persuade a great many people
to spray by calling them into the warehouse when their poor lots are being packed
out and comparing them with other well-sprayed lots.

The companies are also proving themselves of great value in the spraying
campaign, by changing the methods of charging the cost of packing. In all of
the warehouses, no matter under what system they are run, the culls, owing to the
difficulty in apportioning them, are confiscated by the company and sold to be
credited against general cost of packing. In most of the old companies the
members were charged on the pack out of apples, that is, a member who delivered
50 barrels of apples from the trees which packed out 40 barrels of shipping apples,
paid the same as the member who delivered TOO barrels, which packed out 40
barrels of shipping apples, the culls in both cases being confiscated, the larger

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 151

amount of culls about offsetting the extra cost of packing, in some of tiie last
formed companies the cost of packing was charged on the number of barrels
delivered at the warehouse, so that the man who delivered 50 barrels which packed
out 40 paid only one-half as much as the man who delivered 100 barrels which
packed out 40, the culls still being confiscated. The companies that operated
under this' last system had no difficulty in persuading their members to spray.
When a man has to buy a barrel costing 26 cents for cull apples, pay 20 cents per
barrel for having them handled, and then have the apples confiscated, it is quite
easy to persuade him to spend 15 cents per barrel on spraying, and make shipping
apples of them. Where the last system is operating, spraying is increasing rapidly,
and the executive of the United Fruit Companies are gradually persuading the
subsidiary companies to change over to the last system, as they find it the very
strongest argument they can use in getting more spraying done.

These three complete and far-reaching organizations, some of which are in
direct personal touch with almost every fruit grower in the valley, at least once a
month have, to use a military phrase, " to be kept in ammunition." We are carry-
ing on a number of experiments and observations to find out just what insects are
doing the most damage, the extent to which each can be profitably controlled, the
profits derived from controlling them; the actual cost of spraying; the best
nozzles to use and the best materials to use. In this work we have the co-oper-
ation of the Provincial Entomologist, Prof. W. H. Brittain, who has taken over the
investigations on the sucking insects of the apple, leaving the biting insects to the
Dominion Laboratory. We have demonstrated that in an ordinary orchard in
the Annapolis Valley, the benefit derived from controlling bud moth, fruit worms,
and Codling Moth will pay for the entire cost of spraying, at least twice over; in
addition the grower has his insurance against blackspot or scab free, and the mo-^t
progressive of the Nova Scotia growers are now realizing that they cannot operate
an orchard profitably in the Annapolis Valley without spraying.

Newspaper Work.

The Co-operative News, a paper conducted by the United Fruit Companies,
and mailed to every one of the members of the Companies, or about sixty per cent,
of the growers in the Annapolis Valley, twice a month, has reserved a page for any
articles" we may choose to write or solicit on spraying problems. By this means we
are able to publish timely articles, give advance notice of insect outbreaks and
methods of combatting them, as we will do with the Tussock Moth next season;
give the growers the benefit of our findings just as soon as we are sure of our results,
and have our papers and articles in handy .form for the use of our inspectors, in
carr}dng on their personal canvass for more and better spraying.

The work in increasing the amount of spraying, we realize, is the most im-
portant part of the work of controlling Brown-tail in Nova Scotia, and a large
portion of the summer is devoted to spraying experiments and demonstrations, in
order that we may devise the most economical sprays possible for Nova Scotia, as
the cheaper and more effective the spray is, the more growers we can persuade to

use it.

Spraying to Control Bkown-tails in the Fall,

For two years we have been working on the possibility of controlling Brown-
tails with the last summer spray, and this year we demonstrated that where arsenate
of lead is used with Lime Sulphur in the last summer spray, or that applied from
June 28th to July 15th, the poison will adhere to the leaves enough to poison the
young Brown-tails when they emerge from the egg and start feeding in August.

152 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

Parasite Woek.

In addition to the spraying, which will control more and more Brown-tails
every year, as the amount of spraying increases, Mr. J. D. Tothil, of the Ento-
mological Branch, is supervising the colonizing of the various parasites. Besides
the colonizing of parasites, we have devised in Nova Scotia a practical means of
preventing the reducing in numbers of the imported parasite Apanteles lact&icolor
by the destruction of the winter webs of the Brown-tail. We build a large matched
board cage, about 5 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 12 feet long with an open top and
earth floor; two narrow boards are placed edgewise on the inside, and tanglefoot
placed on the underside as in the Fiske tray. All of the Brown-tail webs collected
are saved, and each of these cages stocked with two or three thousand of them.
The Brown-tails are fed on 'short, leafy twigs for about three weeks in the spring
until the first Apanteles larvae emerges to spin its cocoon, then they are fed on
willow catkins three or four times a day, giving them plenty of food so as to have
as little Brown-tail web as possible in the food containing the Apanteles cocoons.
The willow catkins seem to be the best material we can find for the Apanteles to
pupate in. After about one week's feeding on catkins and the majority of the
Apanteles have emerged, we feed broad leaves of some sort, heavily dusted with
Paris green. Two days feeding will usually kill all of the Brown-tails, and then
the green poisoned leaves can be rolled off to one corner and the willow containing
the Apanteles cocoons exposed, so that the adults can fly free as soon as they
emerge.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BROWN-TAIL AND GIPSY MOTH SITUATION
IN RELATION TO CANADA.

J. D. ToTHiLL^ Field Officer, Dominion Entomological Laboratory,

Predericton, N.B.

The parasites and predators that Mr. McLaine has just spoken of are being
introduced of course as a measure of protection against possible injuries in Canada
from the Gipsy and Brown-tail Moths.

How great a nuisance these two insects could become under Canadian con-
ditions is not known. The farther north they travel the more vigorous will be the
climate and the general conditions for existence. Somewhere between their
present range and the arctic zone they will cease to be injurious. If the exact
location of this " somewhere " could be precisely forecasted, fewer difficulties would
no doubt be experienced in dealing with the spread of the infestation in the future.

The Brown-tail Moth, the less serious insect of the two, is now endemic in the
transition zone of Nova Scotia. This indicates that this insect could become, if
once established, a serious pest in all parts of the Dominion falling in this zone.
In the middle west, however, food supplies would be inadequate and the insect
would not be expected to flourish. The endemicity of Euproctis in the transition
zone of Nova Scotia indicates, therefore, that the insect would also ba a pest in the
transition portions of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick,
and Prince Edward Island, if it once became established in any of these places.

In boreal parts of New Brunswick, and most of the Province is boreal, the
same insect is epidemic. It remains to be seen whether or not it will become
endemic.

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 153

The Gipsy Moth is a very serious shade tree and forest insect of the transition
zone. It would undoubtedly flourish were opportunity afforded in the transition
zone of Canada, excluding again that part of it falling in the treeless region of the
middle west.

The behaviour of this insect in the boreal life zone cannot be forecasted. In
this zone Mr, F. H. Mosher has shown that the insect would have an abundant food
supply. It is also known that the insect hibernates successfully in boreal parts of
Northern Maine. These two straws seem to show the direction in which the wind
is blowing; they seem to show that there is a very grave danger menacing over
immense boreal forests from attacks by this insect.

It is primarily to affect this seeming danger that the parasites and predators
are being introduced.

They are being hibernated at strategic points, that is at points in Canada
nearest to the infested area in New England and nearest to international trade
routes. One of these points is near the international boundary in southern Quebec;
another is in New Brunswick, and a third in Nova Scotia.

During the last four years large numbers of these beneficial insects have been
introduced at these places. One of these species, Apanteles lacteicolor, is doing
well in its new environment; another, Compsilura concinnaia, is expected to be
doing well, the third, Calosoma sycophanta, is known to be at least holding its own.

These same insects in New England are now helping materially and per-
ceptably to relieve the situation.

It is hoped that by the time the Gipsy Moth reaches the Dominion there will
have developed a living wall of its natural enemies strong enough to prevent
disastrous results. -

THE WOEK CAEEIED ON IN THE UNITED STATES AGAINST THE
GIPSY AND BEOWN-TAIL MOTHS.

A. F. Burgess, in Charge of Moth Work, Bureau of Entomology,
United States Department of Agriculture.

The Gipsy Moth and Brown-tail Moth work in New England, as most of you
know, is carried on in each State concerned by State and local agencies. Work to
prevent the spread of these moths outside the territory where they now exist is
maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture through the Bureau
of Entomology. All of the work is of importance, as upon its thoroughness
depends the chances of these insects spreading rapidly to the Dominion of Canada.
The Brown-Tail Moth flies strongly and is attracted to lights and has already
become established in districts in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Gipsy
Moth does not spread in the adult stage, but the small caterpillars may be carried
long distances by the wind. Greater spread of this insect is shown toward the
north and north-west. This is jlue principally to the fact that the prevailing warm
winds during the time the small caterpillars are active blow from the south and
south-east. A large number of men are employed in the outside part of the
territory to scout the area for the purpose of determining how far the gipsy moth
has spread and to trea^ carefully the infestations in the outside towns. This work
consists, aside from scouting and creosoting of egg clusters in the winter, of thin-
ning out infested areas where trees are growing too closely, or where the stand is
11 E.S.

154 THE EEiPOET OF THE No. 36

of favored food plants, and of destroying the caterpillars in the spring and early
summer by the use of arsenate of lead spray and the application of bands of tangler
foot. This work has an important bearing on the spread of the Gipsy Moth. If
tanglefoot bands are applied to trees before the caterpillars hatch it serves to keep
^ny of those that may hatch from egg clusters on the ground from climbing to the
tops of the trees and being blown long distances and establishing new infestations.

The territory inside the area known to be infested by the Gipsy Moth as well
as that infested by the Brown-tail Moth, has been placed under quarantine by the
Federal Horticultural Board, in order to prevent the shipment of trees or plant
products which might disperse these insects to uninfested territory. For the
purpose of enforcing these quarantines the infested territory is divided into sec-
tions in each of which an inspector is located, whose duty it is to examine all such
plant products, as well as stone and quarry products which are shipped outside the
infested area. This work has prevented the dissemination of the Gipsy Moth and
Brown-tail Moth to many widespread areas. In connection with the inspection
work, as related to the Brown-tail work, it should be of interest to residents of the
Dominion to know that during the past three years inspectors have been main-
tained at junction points where long distance trains have passed out of the infested
area in order to examine the trains and destroy any Brown-tail Moth^ that might
be attracted to the lights. Large number of moths have been destroyed as a result
■of this work, especially heavy infestations having been destroyed on trains
passing through White Eiver Junction, Vermont, north bound.

Other phases of the work carried on by the Bureau of Entomology are largely
experimental.

Silvicultural experiments are being carried on to determine the most resistant
stands and the best composition of tree growth to withstand continued Gip^y Moth
attack.

The parasite work was first begun in Massachusetts by a co-operative arrange-
ment between the State and the United States Department of Agriculture. Para-
sites attacking these insects in different stages were imported for several years
from Europe and Japan, and up to the present time, several species have become
firmly established, and progress has been made toward checking the increase of
these pests.

As has already been stated by Mr. McLaine, three of the species concerned,
namely, Apanteles lacteicolor, Compsilura concinnata, and Calosoma sycophanta,
have been introduced into Canada during the last two or three years, as a result of
a co-operative arrangement between Dr. Hewitt and the Bureau of Entomology.
These species have become so abundant in certain sections of the infested area that
they can be collected in considerable numbers in the field, and they are secured
in this way for colonization in areas Avhere the species are not known to exist.
This work is also being done by the Bureau in order to bring about the rapid
establishment of these insects in the infested area.

Apanteles lacteicolor, which is a parasite of the Gipsy Moth, as well as of the
Brown-tail Moth, has been colonized over practically all the area where these species
are now known to exist. During the past year, many colonies were liberated in
eastern Maine, and it is not considered necessary to make liberations next year.

Compsilura concinnata has been colonized over a slightly smaller area. It
attacks both the Gipsy and the Brown-tail caterpillars, and more colonization will
be necessary, particularly in eastern Maine next summer.

The spread of Calosoma sycophanta has been slower than the other species
previously mentioned, although they are present in practically all the territory that

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 155

IS badly infested with the Gipsy Moth. Further colonization will be necessary
next summer.

In addition to the parasites already mentioned which are the most prominent
that have been liberated are two parasites of Gipsy Moth eggs, namely, Anastatus
hifasciatus and Schedius kuvance which are doing excellent service. These tiny
insects spread slowly, hence it is necessary to liberate large numbers of colonies.
By the end of another season it is hoped that the area most heavily infested with
the Gipsy Moth will have been thoroughly colonized with these species.

Since the work was begun at the Gipsy Moth Laboratory, an effort has been
made to learn as much as possible concerning the life history and habits of the
parasites introduced, as well as their behavior, both under laboratory and field
conditions.

The principal effort that has been made, however, has been to secure all in-
formation possible that had any bearing on the methods of successfully colon-
izing the species in the field, and obtaining information which would enable the
work to be intelligently handled.

Since it is not deemed necessary to recolonize the area where the parasites are
known to exist, a limited amount of time has been given to studying more closely
the habits and relations of the introduced species and of our native parasites as
well as native hosts. This work is showing some interesting results, but much of
the data is far from complete.

In closing, I would like to express my pleasure at the cordial and satisfactory
relations that have already existed between the work which is being carried on at
Melrose and that \vhich is under the direction of Dr. Hewitt. A hearty spirit of
co-operation has existed among the men conneicted with the work and most satis-
factory results are being secured.

Mr. Gibson : I would like to ask Mr. Burgess what the total number of food
plants now is upon which the Gipsy Moth feeds?

Mr. Burgess: I cannot s^y just at the present moment but there are a large
number.

]\IR. Treherne: We took some specimens of Gipsy Moth from Japan a few
years ago. Has a study been made of the parasites of this insect there?

Mr. Burgess : There has been some work done in Japan on the Gipsy Moth.
Professor Kincaid from the University of Washington made a trip to Japan for
the Department some years ago and studied the Gipsy Moth to a limited extent
while making collections of parasites for shipment to this country. As far as I
know, that is the only study by an American that has been made of the Gipsy Moth
of Japan. I should consider that it would be dangerous to import the eggs of the
Gipsy Moth into any uninfested .section of this country-.

Mr. Winx: If there are no more discussions on the Brown-tail and Gipsy
Cloths I will now ask ^fr. Gibson for his paper on " Locust Control Work with
Poisoned Baits in Eastern Canada in 1915.''

156 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

LOCUST CONTROL WOEK WITH POISONED BAITS IN EASTEEN

CANADA IN 1915.

Arthur Gibson^ Chief Assistant Entomologist, In Charge of Field
Crop Insect Investigations, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa.

At the meeting of the Society held in Toronto in November, 1914, I gave an
account of our experiments at Bowesville, Ont., witli poisoned bran baits to control
locusts.* Such work we considered very ^encouraging. During the present year,
1915, the Lesser Migratory Locust, Meianoplus atlanis Eiley, was again enormously
abundant in Ontario and Quebec Provinces and to a lesser extent the Pellucid
Locust, Camnula pellucida Scudd. We were, therefore, able to conduct further
experiments and to demonstrate the value of new poisoned baits which had not
pre\'iously, under field conditions, been used in Canada.

Poisoned Baits Used in 1915.

In June last (1915) arrangements were made to conduct twenty-three experi-
ments with various poisoned baits near Bowesville:, Ont. Each experiment was on
five acres and the land chosen was from adjacent farms vipon which the Lesser
Migratory Locust was exceedingly numerous. No poisoned bait had previously
been used on any of this land. In addition to bran, shorts and sawdust were also
used as carriers for the poison. Formulae containing bran were easily mixed ;
shorts did not mix satisfactorily owing to the fact that it becomes sticky and lumpy
which, of course, makes it more difficult to spread properly. Sawdust, if fairly
well free of small pieces of wood, spreads easily, but in mixing the formula? con-
taining it care had to be taken to add the water slowly, as the sawdust does not
absorb liquid as quickly as bran, otherwise the Paris green is liable to be washed off.
In many districts where it is difficult to obtain bran sawdust may often be had for
practically nothing.

The following table gives concisely the results of some of our experiments con-
ducted at Bowesville :

*See Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont., 1914 (1915), pp. 97-100. '

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

157

Cost of single
application Date of
per acre applica-
including tion
labour

CVl

3
•-5

June 29

June 25

June 28

-r

CM

3

53

00

19 cents

21 cents

a
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Hid

1-H

to

■».>
3
0)

u

Death counts per square yard, 10 made in
each field, 4 days after application, begin-
' ning at one corner of the field and walk-
ing diagonally across to the opposite
corner.

Average
121.8

202.8

1— 1

00

406.6

CM

o

CO

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^ 1 "=

in

CM

1

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in

Highest
575

o

CO

00

53

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CO

CO

75, 10, 7,
575, 10, 40,
100, 241. 70,
90

155, 250, 163,
241, 54, 50,
65, 140, 200,
710

26, 736, 38,
300, 36, 50,
230, 100, 300,
25

819, 691, 84,
630, 121. 918.
63. 80, 540,
120

127, 100, 15.
40, 360. 35.
30. 25. 100.
200

Infestation

Very heavy. Locusts
in all stages. Some
winged

Heavy. Locusts very
active. Some begin-
ning to migrate

Very heavy. Locusts
active. Medium num-
ber of winged indi-
viduals

Very heavy. Locusts
active

Heavy. Locusts from
very small to wingeil
state

3

'3

"5

'5

warm and
dry

Crop
(5 acres)

413
j2-3

3
CO

ci

Oats,
9 in. high

Oats,
9 in. high

3
■•J
CO

03

Mixture

Bran, 20 lbs.
Paris Green, J lb.
Molasses, 2 qrts.
Lemons. 3
Water, 2J gals.

Bran, 20 lbs.
Paris Green, ^ lb.
Molasses, 2 qrts.
Oranges, 3
Water, 2^ gals.

Bran, 20 lbs.
Paris Green, 1 lb.
Molasses, 2 qrts.
Lemons, 3
Water, 2^ gals.

Bran, 20 lbs.
Paris Green, 1 lb.
Molasses, 2 qrts.
Oranges, 3
Water, 2i gals.

Bran, 10 lbs.
Sawdust, 10 lbs.
Paris Green, i lb.
Molasses, 2 qrts.
Oranges, 3
Water, 2A gals.

.— (

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158

THE EBPOET OF THE

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1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 159

From the above table it will be seen that in fields where mixtures Nos. 3
and 4 containing oranges were used, higher death counts per square yard were
obtained. The mixtures in which sawdust was used are, indeed, very promising
and further work with these mixtures will be conducted. The results obtained
with mixture No. 8 are certainly remarkable and indicate the value of this new
and very cheap poisoned bait. In the report of the Society for 1914,* Mr.
Norman C riddle stated that he had experimented with sawdust and salt in
Manitoba and claimed that with the salt and sawdust he obtained about the same
results as with salt and bran. In the experiments tabulated above the highest
death rate was obtained, as will be seen, in the use of mixture Xo. 9, which
killed, on an average, 514 locusts per square yard of field.

As above mentioned each mixture treated an area of five acres. In the sawdust
mixtures the amount of water necessary, of course, will vary with the dryness
or otherwise of the material at hand. Two gallons may be sufficient, or more
may be required. The carrier, whether this be sawdust or bran, should be notice-
ably moistened, not made into a mash, or moistened too much to prevent its being
crumbled through the fingers. The farmers in general on whose lands the experi-
ments were conducted were much pleased with the success of the mixtures. Those
on whose fields mixtures 3, 4 and 8 were used have specially reported that the
crops were saved by the treatment. In all of these experiments ^nly the one
application was made. The work of spreading the mixtures and making the
death counts was satisfactorily accomplished by Mr. T. Eankin, a student assistant.

At Lanoraie, in Quebec Province, a series of similar experiments were con-
ducted under my direction by Messrs. Beaulieu and Beaulne, officers of the Ento-
mological Branch. Unfortunately, the work here was seriously interfered with
by exceptional heavy and continuous rain and wind storms. In heavily infested
fields where mixtures similar to Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, but with shorts instead of
bran, the locusts were much reduced in numbers by the applicat'ion, but the
heavy rains which followed soon after the mixtures were spread made it im-
possible to make important observations as to the death c>ounts. On June 17,
mixture No. 6, as above, was spread in a field of oats. Five days later three counts
only were made owing to a misunderstanding and these gave 300, 305 and 328
dead to the square yard. A heavy rain and wind storm took place between 3 p.m.
and 9 p.m. on June 17, and undoubtedly many locusts which had fed on the
mixture in the early morning were poisoned and later washed away by the deluge.
On June 28, mixture No. 1 distributed over a pasture field resulted in an average
of 129 dead locusts to the square yard. Sixteen counts were made across the
field and on the date mentioned many of the insect^ were in the winged condition.
On June 25 I visited Lanoraie and in a field of rye in which mixture No. 3
with shorts used instead of bran large numbers of dead insects! were observed.
The following counts in different parts of the field were made, 220, fi35, 408. 235,
19.'. 523. 609. 395, 259. an average of 386 dead to the square yard. Bead locusts
were found in numbers as far as 249 feet from the troatod field.

Organization and Co-operatton Necessary to Control I^ocusts Over

Widespread Areas.

In 1915 the value of early organization to control serious outbreak? of
locusts was strikingly illustrated in the Province of Quebec. In the Parish of
St. Etienne de Ores where our Entomolo?ical Circular No. 5 had been freely

•Rep. Ehit. Soc. Ont.. 1914. p. 102.

160 THE KEPOET OF THE No. 36

distributed, and where control work had been conducted in 1914, the farmers
organized under the immediate direction of Father J. I. Trudel, the resident Parish
Priest and Agricultural Missionary. In this parish, practically all farm land —
estimated at over 21,000 acres — was treated with mixture 'No. 1, using Paris
green, however, in the strength of 13/^ pounds for each 20 pounds of bran. The
bran, Paris green, molasses and lemons were purchased in large quantities at
wholesale rates, and the mixture distributed over the land during the week begin-
ning June 4, at which time the locusts were from one-quarter to one-half
an inch in length. Counts made a few days after the application in various
fields ranged from 80 to 120 dead locusts to the square foot. I visited St.
Etienne de Gres on June 23 and examined many of the treated fields. Com-
paratively few living locusts could be seen and the farmers generally were much
pleased with the effectiveness of the mixture. Father Trudel estimated that 90
per cent, of the locusts had been killed. Of the area treated about 7,000 acres

Oat field at St. Etienne de Gres., Que., saved by one application of poisoned toait.

(Original.)

were in oats. These crops, as well as fields of other grains and vegetables, were
sa\ed from destruction. According to the Parish Priest, not a single field was
devastated and the pasture lands in addition were protected from injury. The
cost of the application at St. Etienne de Gres was 15 cents an acre, exclusive
of labor.

Following the advice given in our Entomological Circular No. 5, similar
work was carried on in 1915 in the following additional parishes of the Province
of Quebec : Mont Carmel, Pointe du Lac, St. Boniface de Shawinigan, and Alma-
ville. The Quebec Department of Agriculture, I am informed by Mr. J. A.
Grenier, Provincial Deputy Minister of Agriculture, made the following grants
to assist the farmers in the purchase of bran. Paris green, etc. :

St. Etienne $1,013 00

Mont Carmel 675 00

Pointe du lac 200 00

St. Boniface de Shawinigan 100 00

Almaville 100 00

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 161

1 have already referred to the results obtained in the Parish of St. Etienne.
In the Parish of Mont Carmel the farmers, under the guidance of Father E. Fusey,
treated 7,400 acres, of which 2,000 acres consisted of farm land which had been
abandoned owing to the continuous outbreaks of the locusts. In some fields, in
1015, crops of vegetables and grain were harvested for the first time in eleveji
years. The Parish priest reported complete success in the use of mixture No. 1,
with Paris green used in the strength of ll/o pounds to the 20 pounds of bran,
in his opinion 95 per cent, of the locusts having been killed. On June 22,- I
visited the parish and very few living locusts, indeed, were present in the fields
examined. Mr. G. Beaulieu, Field Officer of the Branch, who was also present
in the same district during the period June 20 to 29, could not find any fields
sulficiently infested to enable him to undertake control experiments similar to
tliose conducted at Bowesville, Ont. In some fields a second treatment was given
owing to very heavy rains following the first spreading.

Part of abandoned farm, Valmont, Que., now a breeding ground for locusts.

(Original.)

In the Parishes of Pointe du Lac, St. Boniface de Shawinigan and Almaville,
similar satisfactory result's were obtained and the farmers generally were well
pleased with the poisoned bait, which certainly saved from destruction many
fields of crops.

The question of the control of locusts is a very important one to many
farmers in Eastern Canada, but we are extremely hopeful as a result of our
experimental and field demonstration work, that the destruction of these insects in
future outbreaks will be a comparatively simple matter — largely one of proper
co-operation. Farmers living in districts where locusts are destructive should
organize in early spring so that a sufficient quantity of poison, etc.. will be readily
available to distribute over the fields when the locusts are about the size shown
flt a and h of figure herewith of the Lesser Migratory Locust. The poisoned
bait should be applied early in the morning (before or very soon after sunrise)
on or about the same day. Twenty pounds of poisoned bait is sufficient to treat
five acres. It is. of course, not necessary that the mixture be applied to all

162

THE REiPORT OF THE

No. 36

of the land, but by scattering it thinly here and there throughout the 'fields
sufficient of the bait will be distributed to attract the locusts from considerable
distances. In the preparation of the bait it is wise to guard against the breath-
ing of the fine particles of the Paris green. This may be avoided by tying a
handkerchief, loosely, over the mouth and nose.

Dr. Fern'ald: I would like to ask if there were any experiments made as
to the variation in number of the oranges and lemons.

Mr. Gibson: In every case we used only the three fruits to the 20 pounds
of carrier.

Mr. Teeherne: In British Columbia we have a lot of range land. Last year
we had about 100 square miles destroyed by the Migratory Locust, M. ajfinis. I
would like to hear from Mr. C. P. Lounsbury on this.

Lesser Migratory Locust, Melanoplus atlanis: a, b, young

hoppers; c, adult male; d, adult female.

(Author's Illustration.)

Mr. Lounsbury: Our South African matters are so very different that I am
afraid there would be very little advantage in my discussing them. All our
work in South Africa for many years has been done with poisoned baits or spray-
ing. We use arsenite of soda more than Paris green because it is cheaper.

We have never attained anything with the citrus fruits. Does the fruit
juice add much to the attractiveness of the bait?

Mr. Gibson : The fruit juice is, of course, supposed to add to the attractive-
ness of the bait. We have never had any definite experiments to bear out this fact.
In the case of the new sawdust mixture containing salt alone, the salt is un-
doubtedly the attractant.

Mr. Winn: If there are no further discussions on Mr. Gibson's paper I will
call on Professor Caesar to give his paper on " Apple Leaf-rollers in Ontario."

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 163

LEAF-ROLLEKS ATTACKING APPLES.

L. Caesar, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph.

Oil the discovery last year that in at least two well-cared-for commercial
orchards much loss had been done hy the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller* [Toririx {Caco'cia)
argyrospila], which has the last few years become a very troublesome pest in
many parts of the United States, it seemed to me wise to study the habits and
life-history of this insect in Ontario so that I might be in a position from actual
experience to advise as to the best methods of control in case the insect should
increase in numbers and attack more orchards. In this and other investigation
work I had the assistance of my colleague, Mr. G. J. Spencer, for a few weeks, and
of Mr. H. G. Crawford, a recent graduate, for the whole season. The investiga-
tions were conducted chiefly in the large apple orchard of Mr. Jas. E. Johnson,
Simeoe, Norfolk County.

Species of Leap-rollers Found in the Orchard.

We expected to find two species of Leaf-rollers \Tortn.r (Caarcia) argijros-
pila] and the Ohlique-banded Leaf -roller [Tortrix (Cacwcia) rosaceana]. I knew,
however, from the large number of unidentified egg masses on the trees that there
was another insect present, but what it was I had no idea. Later on we found that
it too, was a leaf -roller, which proved to be Tortrix (Caccecia) semiferana, the
Box-Elder (Manitoba Maple) Leaf -roller. We thus had three species working side
by side.

A very peculiar circumstance in connection with our work was that though
there were about 60 acres of large apple trees in one solid block, the three most
important pests studied, the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller, the Box-Elder Leaf-roller and
the Capsid {Neurocolpus nuhilus) were all found together towards the centre of
this orchard on a block of Spy trees of 6 to 10 acres in extent. Bordering rows of
Baldwin trees were also attacked but those some distance removed, as also distant
Spy and Greening trees, were very little injured. The explanation of this localiza-
tion of insects is hard to discover. This part of the orchard had been in sod
longer than the other parts but that scarcely seems sufficient explanation. Prof.
Gillette has remarked upon the tendency of the Box-Elder Leaf-roller to appear
at the same time and in the same neighborhood, but not on the same kinds of
trees as the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller. It is well known that the latter very com-
monly centres itself in one locality injuring perhaps a single orchard severely and
scarcely attacking at all another a few rods away.

Relative Abundance of Each Species.

Though the egg masses of semiferana were almost as abundant as those of
argyrospila the larvte of the latter were many times more numerous, at any rate
towards the end of the season. This may have been due to the former species
being less immune to poisonous sprays (Lugger of "Minnesota reported that Paris
green controlled this species) or to some other unknown cause. Jiosaceana was
not nearly so abundant even as semiferana. About nine-tenths of the total injury
was done by argyrospila.

_„ _ ^ _^ '*

*Mr. Aueust Bupck states that the generic name " Arohlps '* has been dropped and
" Cacoecia " is tentativrly retained as a subdivision of Tortrix.

164 THE KEPOET OF THE Xo. 36

DiSTKIBUTION IN THE PROVINCE.

Argyrospila is so common aud so widely distributed all over the United
States that it is not at all surprising to find that it exists almost, if not quite, all
through the fruit districts of Ontario. . I ^ have either captured or reared adults
from places here and there all the way from Ottawa to Norfolk County and feel
sure I could, with a little searching, find them in almost all other fruit counties.
This clearly indicates that it is by no means a new pest, but that through some
peculiar absence of natural means of control has the last two or three years
suddenly become a very destructive one in a few orchards and may yet become so
in others.

Rosaceana was until the last couple of years considered our most common
and destructive apple leaf-roller. It is seldom present, however, in large numbers.
It, too, has existed all over the Province for many years.

Semiferana is very little known in Ontario. There is one specimen in the
collection of the Ontario Entomological Society, but without any data as to where
and when it was taken. A specimen was taken by Dr. Fyles at Levis, Quebec, and
one is reported as being in Mr. Winn's collection, but he has no recollection of
having seen or taken any. There is no record of it from Nova Scotia. In
Ontario, Mr. Crawford and I have searched in several localities this fall for egg
masses, but found none outside of the orchard at Simcoe. It is very probable,
however, that a careful search of forests would show its presence in quite a number
of localities, otherwise it is difficult to account for its abundance at Simcoe.

Host Plants.

At Simcoe we found the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller (argyrospila) preferred apple
trees to any other kinds. A few were observed on pears, plums and peaches, and
also on oaks. In the orchard it was seen that the larvae fed freely upon almost
any kind of succulent or moderately succulent weed beneath the trees. They
were very fond, too, of the leaves and heads of clover and of vetch in such positions.
A study of the literature on the subject shows that it has a very large number
of food plants, including numerous weeds, forest and shade trees, and shrubs.
So that it is by no means limited to fruit trees.

The Oblique-banded Leaf-roller (rosaceana) is found most commonly on
apples and pears but from the list of host plants given by Slingerland and Crosby,
which include several weeds and clovers, it must be almost as omnivorous as
tlie Fruit-tree Leaf-roller.

The Box-elder Leaf-roller (semiferana) has never before, so far as I can
find, been reported as attacking apples. A few wild cherries and currants beside
Box-elders have been found by Lugger slightly infested. Its favorite food, how-
ever, is the Box-elder, often called the Manitoba Maple. In Colorado and Min-
nesota it has been reported as occurring at times in great numbers on these trees.
It is recorded also from oaks and hickory.

Nature and Extent of the Injury Done.

So far as we could see from a single season's work, the feeding habits and
injuries done in the orchard by all three species were so similar that a description
of what was closely observed in the case of the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller will serve
for all.

We were not able to begin our work until May 3rd and by this time the

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

165

majority of the larva? had hatched and entered the opening leaflets of the infoteil
Spy trees and were feeding on the interior. The larva? had apparently begun to
hatch, as stated by various writers on the subject, soon after the buds began to
burst. By May 3rd, the leaflets were about one inch long but the blossoms were
not yet ready to burst. Leaflets containing a larva inside were prevented by the
silken threads from opening for some time. Later-hatching larvae rolled the ex-
panded leaves up, either the whole leaf being folded or only a portion of one side.
When the fruit buds were ready to burst these were in many cases preferred to
the leaves and the larvte bored into them and fed upon the stamens, pistils or
ovaries, thus destroying the promise of fruit. Sometimes, as the cluster of blossom
'buds opened, a silken web was spun around these and perhaps an adjoining leaf
or two, and the larva? fed on the parts inside the web. Under these circumstances
the blossom stems were often cut off. When that was not done, the blossoms
themselves were usually unable to open properly because of the web. When the
fruit began to form many of the caterpillars deserted the leaves for this and ate
large or small areas in it. Sometimes the areas were only shallow, but some-

Adults of (a) Archips agryrospila; (&) A. semiferana; (c) A. rosaceana.

(All natural size.) ^

times they extended right through to the core. In the case of plums they
often reached right into the pit. Almost all apples with very deep injuries
dropped soon. The others, if they remained on the tree, were always more or
less deformed and as a rule rendered culls. A callous growth with russet surface
soon formed over the injured area and protected it from the air and rain. Feeding
on small apples was usually done under some kind of protection, such as a leaf
fastened by the larva to the apple or a little web spun over the hole made. When
the larva? fed upon the large expanded leaves they nearly always chose those last
formed and therefore most succulent. These they rolled either upwards or down-
wards, about 6B per cent, being rolled up so that the upper surface was the
enclosed one. the remainder being rolled the opposite way. Migration from older
leaves to younger seemed to be quite common and helped to explain the difficulty
of killing the larviB by arsenicals. The larvae, when in the large rolled leaves,
fed either by ea-ting holes through the leaves or by devouring the apical or basal
■|X)rtions. leaving the rest intact. "When disturbed they readily dropped down by
a single thread and usually crawled back to the loaf when all was quiet.

166

THE RBPOKT OF THE

No. 36

Where the larvae were very abundant they did a great deal of damage both
to the foliage and the fruit. Large numbers of the terminal leaves in such cases,
especially on the top of the tree, were badly tattered and riddled by them, but
none of the trees were defoliated as had happened in some cases in Colo la do
and elsewhere. In the orchard at Simcoe there was so light a setting of fruit
on most of the Spy trees this year that it was difficult to form any estimate
of the amount of loss. On one well-laden tree, however, of another variety in
among the Spy trees fully 50 per cent, of the fruit was ruined either by the
destruction ot the fruit blossoms or by the killing of the young fruits themselves
or by rendering much of what remained culls. In an orchard near Hamilton I
estimated that some large Greening trees had fully 50 per cent, of the crop des-
troyed. Mr. Sexsmith of Trenton estimated that in his ten or twelve acre orchard
the crop had been lessened fully 50 per cent, in the infested orchard both last
year and this. Another orcha-rd of his, and all the neighboring orchards visited
by me, had suffered almost no injury. In Norfolk County we found only the one
orchard at all seriously infested, though a few larvae were to be found all through
the district.

Egg masses of A. argyrospila. The four to the right have hatched,
and are white; the remainder are iinhatched and are
dark brown. (Natural size.)

An examination of the only three badly infested orchards known to me showed
that any variety of apple was subject to attack and that there was no reason to
believe that there was any special attractiveness in the Spy over other varieties.

Beief Desceiptioxs of the Adults of Each Species.

The adult of the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller is a moth with a wing expanse of
from two-thirds of an inch to one inch. The general colour of the fore wings is a
rusty brown with several silvery-white or silvery-gray markings which vary some-
what in different individuals, but are usually of the size and arrangement shown in
the photograph. The hind wings are a light ashy brown color Avithout any
markings.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

167

Tlie Box-elder Leaf-roller adult resembles very closely . in shape, size and
whitish markings, the above species. It differs, however, from it in that the
general color of the forewings is a much lighter brown, almost a fawn color.
The hind wings in the former species contrasted strongly in colour with the fore
wings but in this species they are practically the same pale brown or fawn color
only a little lighter in shade. Moreover, the white markings, as seen in the
photograph, usually continue farther in from the front margin forming in the
case of two of them irregular oblique transverse bands reaching most of the way
across the wing. In many males there is a noticeable dark brown spot, the size
of the head of a pin, enclosed or nearly enclosed by white areas and situated in
the middle of the front wing at about the outer part of the first third. There
are some very light colored specimens in which the white markings are very
indistinct.

Egg masses of A. rosace-
ana, laid on glass. The
little line to the side is
a young larva just
emerged from an egg.
(Natural size.)

Egg masses of A. semiferana on pieces of apple bark.

Those in the upper row, with one exception, are

unhatched; the remainder have hatched.

(Natural size.)

Tbe adult of the Oblique-banded Leaf-roller is, as seen in the photograph,
considerably larger than either of the above species though many specimens are
smaller than those pictured. It can easily be distinguished from either species-
by the absence of white markings and by the front wings being a dull light brown
with two wide darker brown transverse bands on tbe outer half running obliquely
outwards from the front margin. The outer of these bands is sometimes incom-
plete. The hind wings are of a lighter l)rown than the front. There are some
very pale specimens of this species, too, (v»m]»an'(l witli the typical forms.

168

THE EEiPORT OF T?1E

No. 36

Description of Egg Masses of the Different Species.

All three species lay their eggs in clusters as seen in the photographs. The
egg masses of the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller are roughly oval in shape, about three-
sixteenths of an inch in length, and are covered with a protective secretion.
They are, with very rare exceptions, laid on twigs of two or three years' growth,
and commonly on some slight slope on these suchj as occurs at the base of a
branch or fruit spur. They are nearly always deposited on the upper surface or
sides of the twig, only two or three having been found on the underside. Freshly
laid masses are yellowish green but soon turn dark brown, a little darker brown
than the twigs on which they are laid. After hatching they gradually become
grayish white and are then more easily seen. The little openings show where
the caterpillars emerged. Old egg masses sometimes remain on the trees for
two years before weathering away. Each egg mass contains an average of about
9'5 eggs, the smallest number found being 6 and the largest l-iS.

Egg masses of A. semiferana much enlarged to show the scales '

from the moth's abdomen that form the covering.
(After Gillette.)

The egg masses of the Box-elder Leaf-roller are easily distinguished from
any other egg mass likely to be found in that they are covered over with scales.
We have not observed the female laying the eggs, but there seems no doubt that
after she has deposited and covered them over with a sticky secretion she presses
her abdomen down upon this secretion and leaves all the scales there arranged
as in nature. This would lead us to infer that only one egg mass is laid by each
female. The masses are, as seen in the figure, roughly oval, are a little smaller
than those of the Eruit-tree Leaf-roller and are glossy cream in color. They
usually appear to (X)ntain from 20 to 60 eggs. Unlike those of the first species
the egg masses are not laid on twigs but chiefly in the axils of branches of from
about one to two inches in diameter, and on the bark of the larger branches of
iy2 inches and upwards in thickness. A few are found on the trunk. The eggs
are usually placed in a slight depression on the bark.

Only four egg masses of the Oblique-banded Leaf-roller were seen. Two
of these were laid on the glass in rearing cages (one of these is shown in the

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

169

photograph) one on a leaf in the orchard and another on the bark of a young
apple tree. The mass is pale green before hatching and then becomes trans-
parent and almost colorless. The eggs lap one over the other somewhat as shingles.
The mass is a little larger than that of the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller and contains
an average of about 100 eggs. When ready to hatch, as in the photograph, the
black heads of the little larva? show through the mass very distinctly and make
it easy to count the eggs.

Full-grown larvae: 1 and 2 of A. semiferana, the
remainder of A. argyrospila. (Natural size.)

Empty pupal cases (a) of A. semiferana, (ft) of A. argyrospila.

Note that the former are very much lighter in colour,

often being nearly white. (Natural size.)

12 E.S.

170 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36

i«

COMPAKISON OF THE LARV^.

The larvae of all three species closely resemble each other both in appearance
and habits, and therefore will not be distinguished by the fruit growers. In the
early part of the season up to the time when the fruit begins to be attacked the
larva of the Oblique-banded species will nearly always be the largest of the three
[)ecause it reaches maturity earliest. It is, when full grown, nearly an inch
long,. green in color, with a black or blackish head and thoracic shield.

The full grown larva of the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller is usually more of a pale
yellowish-green color ; it also has a black head and thoracic shield in all stages
except the last when these usually change to brown.

The full grown Box-elder larva is like the above two in being nearly an inch
long. It is a very pale apple green color and can be distinguished from either
of the above species by the head and thoracic shield being a whitish green instead
of black. There is often a slight mottling of brown on these parts, and in some
specimens at least, the segments are indistinctly divided by pale yellowish-white
lines. There is a dark green line down the middle of the back.

Comparison of the Pup^.

It does not seem worth while to go into details in regard to the differences
between the pupge, further than to remark that those of the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller
and of the Oblique-banded species are brown, whereas those of the Box-elder
species are whitish both before and after the adults emerge.

Life-Histories.

The winter is passed by all the species in the egg stage on the trees. We
did not prove this of the Oblique-banded species because the larvas of the second
brood of this species all died in the cages, but Herrick, of Cornell, has ?hown that
eggs are laid by the second brood adults and the winter passed in that stage.
The eggs of all three begin to hatch near the same time, which is usually very
soon after the buds are beginning to burst. Almost all those of the Box.-elder
Leaf -roller and also of the majority of the Fruit-tree Leaf -roller had hatched by
May 3, which was a few days before the blossoms on the Spy began to burst.
At this date the larvre of these two species were still very small, being only about
ys inch long. Hatching of argyrospila eggs continued for a month, the last
newly hatched larva being seen June 8th.

By May 25th the Oblique-banded Leaf-roller had begun to pupate and by
June 10 the first adult was seen. The latter date was about two weeks after the
blossoms fell from the Spy trees. The pupal stage of this species, judged from
the few specimens reared, lasted about 13 days. The larvae of the Fruit-tree
Leaf-roller began to pupate about June 14, but larvre were present for three weeks
or more later. Adults were first seen in the orchard on June 26th. After this
they soon became quite common. By July 12 they seemed to have reached the
maximum, and then quickly decreased in number, the last being seen on July 22,
The length of the pupal stage averaged 11.5 days. Adults in cages lived only
five or six days.

The first pupa of the Box-elder species was found on June 26th, but there
must have been pupae earlier than this for adults were found on July 3rd, and
cage experiments showed that the pupal stage lasted about 12 days on an average.

1916

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

171

Young apples injured by Leaf-roller larvae. (Natural size.)

Work of Leaf-rollers on leaves and fruit clusters. Note the rolled

leaves and the young dead fruit stems fastened to them.

(Natural size.)

THE EEiPORT OF THE

Xo. 36

From July 3rd they increased rapidly and were still abundant July ^Oth, but
soon after disappeared. They were seen, however, a week or more later in the
orchard than the preceding species.

The above data shows that this year T. rosaceana adults began to emerge
about two weeks earlier than those of T. argyrospila and the latter about a week
earlier than those of T. semiferana.

Rosaceana and semiferana seemed to pupate almost invariably in the leaves,
but much to our surprise fully half of the pupation of argyrospila either took
place on weeds or in the grass or else the pupa were shaken by the wind out of the
leaves into the grass beneath. For instance, we spread a covering of cheesecloth,
8 X 10 ft. in size, on the ground beneath a tree on June 26th after emergence
had begun and under this 320 pupfe or empty pupal cases Avere found and

.« 4^

•X-

1 -i.

1 ' ' .

1 4

1 ^

^':

Some of the parasites that help to control Leaf-rollers,
the left are Tachlna Flies and their piiparia; on
the right Ichneumons.

On

upon it 84 pupge, making a total of more than 400 which we estimated was a
larger number than the total of the pupa" on the corresponding part of the tree
above the sheet. There was no lack of food on the trees to force them to descend
and very few weeds other than withered 1)lue grass. Wherever there were succu-
lent weeds under infected trees many larva? fed and pupated in these.

iS'one of the species of moth fly around in the day, unless disturbed, and
then with a rapid zigzag motion they fly down into the grass to hide. Owing to
the distance (21/0 miles) of the orchard from our boarding places and the fact
that the moths did not lay during the day time so far as we could tell, we did
not see any of them ovipositing hut know that the eggs outside are laid within
a few days after the emergence of the adult, just as they are in the cages.

There is clearly only one hrood a year ol the Fruit-tree Leaf-roller and of
the Box-elder Leaf -roller respectively, but there are two broods of the Oblique-

1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 173

banded species. The eggs of this last species, laid in the cages, began to hatch in
seven days after they were laid. The young larvae once they began to emerge
out of the mass did so in a very short period and were seen to be very active
from the moment of emergence. They were placed upon succulent shoots at the
base of a tree and caged in but for some unknown reason died before reaching
maturity.

Natural Enemies.

1. Spiders, ants, syrphid-fiy larvae and pentatomids each destroyed some larvie
but not a large number compared with the total.

2. A number of instances were observed where very active Leaf-roller larva?
devoured their more sluggish brothers, the sluggishness being due either to disease
or preparations for moulting or pupation.

3. Birds feed to some extent upon them, but there were very few birds in
the Johnson orchard.

4. Disease almost all through the larval season destroyed a considoraV)le
number, especially towards the end of the season. Pupae, too, were evidently
diseased, for many were found that shrivelled up and turned black. Some of
these had been parasitized but many had not. The dead larva; were not killed
by spraying as they were found also on unsprayed trees.

5. Tachinid parasites were present in moderate numbers. There were two
species of these: Masicera eufitchice, Townsend, and Exorista coesar, Aldrich, n. sp.
The latter were far the more numerous. (Dr. J. M. Aldrich kindly indentificd
the Tachinidae for me.)

6. At least two and possibly three species of Ichneumons were common but
we have not yet been able to get them determined.

Apparently not more than 5 per cent, of the larvce were destroyed by parasites.
They would probably have been much more abundant if the weather had been
warmer. The month of June was very cold and on cold days parasites scarcely
appeared at all. Disease evidently plaA'ed a greater part in control than parasites.

For some reason more than half of the eggs of the first lirood moths of
rosaceana failed to hatch though the larvae could be seen very plainly inside, but,
as stated above, we found only four e^g masses of this species.

Methods of Control.

We, probably like everyone else who has examined the work of Torlrix
(Caco'ciu) argiirospila, found it hard to believe that a caterpillar that left the
leaves in such an eaten, ragged condition could not be satisfactorily combated with
arsenical sprays but our experience this year leads us to agree with Herrick, Childs
and several others that arsenical sprays are not satisfactory. They kill a consider-
able number but not nearly enough to prevent great loss. There are two reasons
for the failure of these poisons to be effective: — (1) "While the larva' are still small
and will die if they eat the poison, their habits of feeding prevent the great majority
of them from getting access to it. "* This is because as soon as they hatch they usually
seek an opening bud or leaf just beginning to unfold itself, and work into the
centre of these, feeding in the interior and therefore unpoisoned part, and retard-
ing for a considerable time the opening. On Spy trees, at least, unfolded leaves
suitable for the later hatching larva^ to hide in are present until the blossoms arc

174 THE UBPOPtT OF THE No. 36

, <

wide open, and are sought by the majority of the young larvse in preference to open
leaves. The undeveloped fruit buds are also sought. (2) When the larvae become
large they seem to be very little affected by the poison. We found many well
poisoned leaves being eaten and the larvae perfectly healthy.

That the poison will kill the younger larvae if they eat it was proved by
Mr. Crawford by immersing infested twigs in various strengths of arsenate of lead
in water. He used 2, 3, 4 and 5 lbs. to 40 gals, of water respectively, and killed
all larv£e with each strength except those in the undeveloped leaves that were
so closely folded that the liquid did not get in. It entered all loosely rolled
leaves. This sort of dipping, however, is very different from the very best spraying
even with power machines that can be done, especially on large trees, because the
spray fails to get into many a loosely rolled leaf, or mass of ])lossom clusters or
leaves webbed together.

Unfortunately, I was too busy conducting spraying experiments for San
Jose Scale, Canker Worms, Codling Moth and Apple Scab in an orchard in the
Niagara district to do the spraying myself at Simcoe, and Mr. Crawford was too
busy watching the three Leaf-rollers and the Capsid to devote much of his time to
it. Mr. Johnson, however, had a good outfit and certainly sprayed more thoroughly
than most men would do. He was just as eager to kill these insects as we were.
Pour applications with double strength arsenate of lead (almost 4 lbs. to 40 gals, of
dilute lime-sulphur) were used. The first was just as the leaflets began to appear,
the second just before the blossoms opened, the third as soon as the blossoms
fell, and the last two weeks later. Black-leaf-40 was used at his own desire with
the last of these to destroy Aphids. The foliage showed whitish all summer long
with these heavy sprayings.

Mr. Sexsmith, of Trenton, on my advice also sprayed his orchard very
heavily before the blossoms opened and used double strength arsenate of lead.
He also sprayed heavily for the Codling Moth. Yet in both orchards the results
were very disappointing for there were numerous larvie left and many observations
in the former by Mr. Crawford and myself convinced us that only a small per-
centage .of the larvae had been poisoned. I intend, however, to re-test this next
year and supervise all the spraying myself.

Black-Leaf-40, it is claimed by some, will control this pest if applied while
they are young. Gill, of Washington Bureau, tested this but did not get so good
results as from arsenate of lead alone. It certainly had no lasting effect upon
the medium sized larvae at Simcoe, though for a little while it seemed to .stupify
some of them. It doubtless would help in the spray just before the blossoms
burst, but would not kill the larvae in the closely folded leaves and buds. It
seems to me we could not possibly hope to get satisfactory results from it even
with two applications. It is, moreover, very costly.

Lime-sulphur is known to be useless against the eggs.

Miscible oils alone have given really satisfactory results to most investigators.
This spray is used only against the eggs.

I sent Mr. Johnson ten gallons of Scalecide and instructed him to dilute
this 1 to 5 and to spray just as the buds were ready to burst. He was told to
centre his spraying on the twigs of the infested Spys and pay no attention to the
bare branches and trunk. He did so and used about from 4 to 5 gals, to a tree
One Baldwin tree he sprayed heavily. The result was that this tree showed
approximately 80 per cent, of unhatched eggs, unsprayed trees only about 2 per
cent., and the lightly sprayed Spy trees not more than from 10 to 25 per cent.
The explanation, however, of the poor result is simple but very instructive.

1916 ENTOMOLOOICAL SOCIETY. 175

Scalecide will not kill the eggs unless they are thoroughly wet and i io 5 gallons
per tree was not more than half enough to wet all the twigs on these large 40-
y ear-old Spy trees. It only allowed for a fine mist. Both he and I were afraid
to risk heavy spraying with a miscible oil without further experience with it.
I also observed that on large Spy trees with their tendency for upright twigs and
branches the same care would be necessary to do thorough work as if one were
spraying for San Jose Scale, otherwise numerous twigs at the farther side of a
tree would have only one si^e of their bark wet because of the failure of the spiav
to reach through that far. Most reported experiments with miscible oils have
been done on trees 1,? to 14 years of age, but these are vastly easier to spray
thoroughly than trees twice or three times their size. A strong wind would help
greatly in this spraying. Also well pruned trees would be a great boon. Mr.
Johnson's, however, were very well pruned.

Scalecide and another as yet unnamed miscible oil, and also Caustic Soda
solution, were tested this August on egg masses, and though used very strong, have
had no effect upon the gggs of either argyrosphila or semiferana, so that fall
spraying appears to be useless,

Eecommendations.

From the experience gained this year, we feel like recommending the follow-
ing methods of control:

1. Prune trees well, thinning out the excessive branches and twigs and
lowering the trees where possible. This is to make spraying easier, cheaper and
more effective.

2. Spray very thoroughly with Scalecide or some other good miscible oil, just
as the leaf-buds are almost ready to burst but so as to finish before they have
done so. Take car