26^ THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Mr. Riley presented a communication entitled " Parasitic and Preda- 

 ceous Insects in Applied Entomology." He indicated the utility and 

 importance of the subject, and pointed out the dangers and disadvantages 

 resulting from false and exaggerated opinions. He gave an extended 

 summary of the methods in which insect enemies of insects may be 

 utilized ; and followed with a chronological and detailed account of the 

 suggestions and attempts, successful and otherwise, to introduce parasites 

 and predaceous insects into one portion of a country from another, or into 

 one country from another. He showed that the general laws governing 

 the interactions of organisms, however, are such that we can in only very 

 exceptional cases derive benefit by interference with them. The indi- 

 genous enemies of an indigenous insect are better qualified to keep it in 

 check than an imported species. Where the injurious insect is a foreigner, 

 however, and has been brought over without the enemy which keeps it in 

 check in its native home, then the introduction of these enemies will be 

 advisable. Thus the introduction of the European parasites of the Gypsy 

 Moth would be advisable. Such an introduction could do no possible 

 harm, and may be productive of lasting good. 



Mr. Smith followed with a paper in the same line, called " The 

 Economic Value of Parasites and Predaceous Insects." The writer, while 

 realizing the importance of parasites in maintaining the balance of nature, 

 felt that their economic value has been grossly over-estimated. He 

 showed that parasites simply reduce excess, but only after damage to 

 crops has been done. The practical utilization of parasites is more or 

 less a myth, except in very exceptional cases like that of Vedalia and 

 Icerya. An injurious insect which under natural conditions is abundant 

 each year, must be dealt with without regard to parasites or natural 

 enemies. 



Mr. Webster read a paper on " Insect Foes of American Cereal 

 Grains, with Measures for Their Prevention or Destruction." In the main 

 the author insisted upon the importance of proper farm practice. He 

 knows of no better insecticide than good farming. Four-fifths of the 

 injury done by the Hessian Fly may be prevented by a better 

 system of agriculture, The same point was elaborated with regard 

 to other grain insects, and the serious ravages of a number of the 

 most important pests were pointed out, and general consideration of the 

 proposed direct remedies was entered into. In the opinion of Mr. Web- 

 ster, the field of the economic entomologist is poorly defined at present, 



