1894-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 283 



DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc. D. f New Brunswick, N. J. 



New method of destroying Caterpillars. My attention has been called to 

 a new remedy for noxious caterpillars, at least for caterpillars of Phry- 

 ganidia californica Pack., and I want to make known this remedy to 

 economic entomologists, that they in turn may commend it to "anxious 

 inquirers." During this month, (September) much injury to live oak trees 

 on the Palo Alto estate, and in the village of Palo Alto has been done by 

 the larvae of Phryganidia. The caterpillars are at present in force on the 

 grounds surrounding President Jordan's residence near the university 

 but are being reduced in numbers by the enthusiastic endeavors of Dr. 

 Jordan's pet monkey "Bob" to eat them all. Bob is aided in his praise- 

 worthy work by "Little Monk," a dilapidated and stub-tailed cousin of 

 diminutive size, but glorious appetite, and by "New Monk, " a serious 

 looking recent importation from Java. A sight of Little Monk in his 

 capacity as remedy for noxious caterpillars, would convince the most 

 fogyish adherent of old-time Paris-green and pyre'thrum methods that 

 money spent for spraying machines, while monkeys are in the market, is 

 foolish expenditure. Little Monk seated at the base of a live oak's trunk 

 gathers in with steady rhythmic motion the luckless yellow-backed 

 crawlers and crams them into his mouth, which is working with similar 

 clockwork regularity and with absolute certitude of effects. He gradually 

 moves round the trunk ; he explores the grass-covered ground beneath 

 the spreading branches of the tree and with the keenness of an Ichneumon 

 and the rapacity of a Vedalia, he discovers and destroys the Phryganidian 

 hosts. With a natural taste for climbing and with this peculiar taste, 

 perhaps recently acquired, for caterpillars, what a frolic and feast awaits 

 Little Monk. When he shall visit the doomed Phryganidians on their 

 native heaths, /. e., in the live oak's dense tops. In the short time in which 

 I watched Little Monk and Bob posing as remedy for caterpillars they ate 

 hundreds of the worms ; and in the case of neither was there apparent any 

 abatement of zeal or appetite. When the monkey trio are not figuring as 

 remedy they afford rare diversion for the house-hold and guests of their 

 owner, which is another point of advantage which this new weapon of the 

 economic entomologist has over a can of Paris-green or a knapsack 

 sprayer. On the whole, Bob and Little Monk and the serious-faced im- 

 portation from Java as house-hold pets, evolutionary problems and insect 

 eradicators seem to be very worthy of that widening of their fame, it is 

 hoped the publishing of this note may give them. VEKNON L. KELLOGG. 



The above experience reminds me of a story told by Prof. Fernald of 

 his experience in one of the zoological gardens of Europe, I forget exactly 

 in which city. The trees were very badly infested by the "Nonne" cater- 

 pillars, and, if I recollect it aright, some of the visitors were feeding the 



