DiriSIOy OF ENTOMOLOGY 867 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Fruit Insect Ixvestigations in Buitish CoLUiiBU. 



Mr. R. C. Treherne concluded his study on the Strawberry Root Weevil (Otior- 

 hynchus ovatus) commenced in 1912, and a bulletin on the subject is now in the press. 

 Mr. Treherne's investigations have shown that the control of the Weevil is dependent 

 upon cultural methods and the system of cropping. 



In addition to making observations on miscellaneous insects affecting fruit, Mr. 

 Treherne commenced a study of the Bmlmoth (probably Tmetocera ocelJana), in the 

 Lower Fraser valley, where this species affects both nursery stock and the flower-buds 

 of older apple trees. 



IV. INSECTS AFFECTING FOREST AND SHADE TREES. 



Forest Insect Investigations in British Coluaibia. 



As frequent reports of serious forest insect depredations in British Columbia had 

 been received during the last few years, and in view of the high commercial value of 

 the merchantable timber in the province, it had been decided that Mr. J. M. Swaine, 

 Assistant Entomologist in charge of Forest Insect Investigations, should make a pre- 

 liminary survey of the forest insect conditions in 1913. A request from the Minister 

 of Lands of British Columbia that such an investigation should take place was received 

 and coincided with our own wishes. Accordingly, we were able to arrange for the work 

 to be carried out in co-operation with the Provincial Forestry Branch, which contri- 

 buted to the investigation by defraying Mr. Swaine's expenses while in the province. 

 The investigation was confined to regions in the southern portion of the province and 

 Vancouver Island. It was found that an immense amount of valuable timber is being 

 destroyed by various injurious insects. Several outbreaks of Bark-beetles were located 

 and studied, and reports were received of extensive Bark-beetle ovitbreaks in spruce 

 and pine in regions which could not then be visited. 



The most extensive injury examined during this summer's work was to bull pine 

 by the Western Pine Bark-beetle (Dendroctomis brevicomis) and the Western 

 White Pine Bark-beetle (D. monticolce) ; and to Western White pine by the Western 

 White Pine Bark-beetle. Many hundreds of trees have been killed by these beetles, 

 and the infestations are still spreading. The Douglas Fir Bark-beetle (D. pseudotsugce) 

 was found killing Douglas fir both in the interior and on Vancouver island. The 

 Sitka Spruce Bark-beetle {Dendroctonus ohesus) was found killing the Sitka spruce, 

 on Vancouver Island. The Engelmann's spruce and lodgepole pine were also suffer- 

 ing severely in the Kootenays from Bark-beetle attack. 



The practical results of this preliminary survey and suggested control measures 

 are embodied in a bulletin now in the press. 



The destructive bark-beetles are the most serious enemies of British Columbia 

 forests. They can be controlled, fortunately, by modification of lumbering methods, 

 which often involve little expense if applied during the earlier stages of the infesta- 

 tion. 



In addition to the foregoing work, Mr. Swaine investigated the cause of the dying 

 timljer in Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., with a view to advising the Parks Board 

 who are naturally alarmed at the destruction of the trees in this fine park of virgin 

 forest. It was found that the Sitka Spruce Gall Aphis (Chermes sp.) and the West- 

 ern Hemlock Looper (Therina sp.) have caused the death of a number of large trees 

 in the park and in the environs of Vancouver. It is hoped that the investigations 

 which we have commenced on these insects will result in checking this most unfor- 

 tunate destruction. It is proposed to have a field officer stationed in Stanley park 

 (luring the coming season to make a complete study of the insects responsible for the 

 damage. 



Ottawa. 



