52 Bulletin 64. 



or less of these larvae seeking food. In either case if the larvae 

 can feed upon the crop planted, it does, and loss must follow. 

 This seems to be the way most of the cultivated crops are injured. 

 In some cases these insects seem to have become established in 

 the field, but in the majority of cases the greatest injury is on 

 the edges of the field near grass land. In view of these facts it is 

 hardly probable that members of this genus will ever become 

 serious pests in cultivated fields. 



Preventive measures. — In the egg and early larval state 

 these insects seem very susceptible to unfavorable conditions. 

 In most cases climatic conditions or insect enemies may be 

 depended upon to keep these small pests in check. When nat- 

 ural forces prove inefficient, recourse must be had to artificial 

 means. 



I know of no experiments in combating these pests, and but 

 little has been suggested. The principal contribution to this 

 phase of the subject was made by Dr. I^intner in his First Report 

 as State Entomologist. 



Burning. — This was recommended in the late fall or early 

 spring in order to destroy the larvae while hibernating. Some 

 species hibernate above ground and upon these it would be very 

 effective. 



Applications op ashes, lime, gas lime, plaster, dust, etc. — A trial 

 of these substances was recommended, but there is no record of 

 their being used. 



Rolling the grotind. — This was advised on limited areas. 



Trap-lanterns. — An examination of the record of any species 

 taken in the trap-lanterns near the Cornell insectary during the 

 years of 1889 or 1892 will show that the greater number taken 

 were males, except C. lagneatellus where the females were in 

 excess. If we accept the strong probability that one male 

 can fertilize* several females, the trap-lantern is of little value. 

 In the case of C. laqueatellus the females were examined and 

 only one was found with an abdomen distended with eggs. The 

 females fl)' but little before most of their eggs are laid, conse- 

 quentl}'^ the trap-lantern as a practicable means of checking the 



*In the summer of 1891 the writer observed a male Gypsy Moth {Ocneria 

 dispar) copulate successively with three females. 



