AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 153 



THE MEAL WORM. 



Tenebrio moUtor, L. 



The perfect insect of this species was received from Mr. George 

 L. Coffin, Winthrop, Me., who "found large quantities in corn meal." 

 The perfect insect is a plain black beetle six-tenths of an inch long. 

 The larva is about an inch long, cylindrical, smooth, gioss3% hard, 

 and of a yellowish brown color. It is known to infest corn meal, 

 rye meal, boxed crackers, biscuits, &c., and is often found where 

 grain is stored. We know of no remedy for them beyond killing 

 as many of the beetles and larvae as possible when found. 



BENEFICIAL INSECTS. 



All insects are not injurious. The indiscriminate killing of insects 

 should be guarded against, as one's friends are as likely to suffer as 

 his enemies. A large number of parasitic insects render great ser- 

 vice to the farmer and fruit grower by feeding on injurious insects. 

 These should be recognized when seen, protected and encouraged. 



Attention is called to the lady hirds^ ichneumon Jiies^ tachina Jties 

 and ground beetles illustrated in this report. The lady birds are 

 small, turtle shaped beetles usually with spots on the wing covers. 

 The beetles and their larvae destroy the eggs of a number of injuri- 

 ous insects. They should be protected. Two forms are shown. 

 Fig. 7 and Fig. 23. 



Ichneumon flies have four wings and are related to the wasps and 

 bees. There are numerous minute forms that prey upon the eggs 

 and larvae of injurious insects, and larger forms that deposit their 

 eggs in caterpillars, destroying them. Figs 3, 12 and 13, will show 

 the nature of these beneficial insects. The two-winged flies are 

 sometimes parasitic on injurious insects. A tachina fl}^ with that 

 habit is shown in Fig. 14. 



The predaceous beetles are carnivorous, feeding upon the larvae 

 and perfect form of other insects. They are quick moving beetles 

 with long legs and generally metallic or black color. Two forms 

 are shown in Figs. 15 and 16. 



INSECTICIDES. 

 Experiments have been made the last season with the following 

 insecticides, viz : Paris Green, London Purple, Hammond's Slug 



