i6 Bulletin 124. 



the twigs and there fasten their little pistol-shaped cases to the 

 bark. The winter is passed in these snug, warm, secure quarters. 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



We have not met with any natural enemies of this case-bearer. 

 However, in 1879, Dr. Riley recorded that "the only enemy of 

 this insect, so far as known, is a minute Chalcid fly, which has 

 increased to such an extent since the ravages of the case-bearer 

 became apparent on Mr. Fairweather's place (Erie Co., Penn.) 

 that it bids fair to render additional remedies unnecessary. The 

 specimens sent in 1877 were not parasitized. Those sent in 1878 

 were about half of them affected, and of twenty-four specimens re- 

 ceived in March, 1879, seventeen had been destroyed by this little 

 fly."* It is to be hoped that this little enemy will soon find a 

 congenial home in the western New York orchards where the 

 pistol-case-bearer is so numerous. 



HOW TO COMBAT THE INSECT. 



It is practicable to fight this case-bearer in its caterpillar stage 

 only ; and it is then so well protected in its case as to render its 

 destruction dependent upon very thorough work. 



It is very doubtful if any spray will reach the insect in its snug 

 winter quarters. Extensive experiments have shown that the 

 cigar-case-bearer, which winters in a similar manner, cannot be 

 checked by a spray at this time. The only time when the pistol- 

 case-bearer can be effectively reached is when the caterpillars are 

 actively feeding in the spring. As they feed openly upon the 

 buds, leaves, and flowers, and do not mine like the cigar-case- 

 bearers, a poison spray thoroughly applied on their feeding 

 grounds should kill many of them. 



We have had no opportunity of carrying on any experiments 

 against the insect, but Messrs. Yeomans, Walworth, N. Y., have 

 given us the results of their efforts to check its ravages. The 

 fact that many cigar-case-bearers and bud moths were doing much 

 damage on the same trees where the pistol-case-bearer was at 



*Mr. L. O. Howard, U. S. Entomologist, writes me that this Chalcid is a 

 species of Pterotnalus, probably undescribed. He also states that the pistol- 

 case-bearer has a secondary parasite; it is Riley's Cirrospilus Jlavicinctus, 

 described in Dr. Lintner's First Report, p. 159, as a primary parasite of 

 Bucculatrix . 



