863 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 

 MiSCELLAXEOUS FoREST AND SlIADE TrEE IkSECTS. 



The Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) again defoliated large 

 areas of poplar, birch, maple, and other deciduous trees, in parts of Eastern Canada, 

 particularly in Quebec and [New Brunswick, and in the Fraser River valley of British 

 Columbia. A bacterial disease destroyed large numbers of the caterpillars in easitern 

 Ontario last summer, and is expected to play an important part in their control, 

 which is being studied by Mr. Tothill in Xew Brunswick. A circular on the Tent 

 Caterpillars was published. 



The Larch Sawfly (Nematus erichsonii) is travelling steadilj' westward across 

 Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. It has already killed large numbers of larches 

 in Manitoba forests. A further importation of parasitized cocoons of this sawfly 

 was made from Great Britain, the cocoons, having been collected at Ambleside, in 

 the English Lake district. The cocoons were all placed in a tamarack swamp near 

 Aweme, in southern Manitoba. In a check lot of the cocoons retained at Ottawa, it 

 was found that ^'i per cent were parasitized with Mesoleius tenihredinis, TJypamhhjs 

 alhopictus, Microcryptus lahraJis, and certain Tachinid parasites. 



The Spruce Bud-worm (Hartnologa fumiferana) has been reported from Ontario 

 and Quebec woods less frequently than in the previous three years. It is apparent that 

 its parasites have obtained control in many places and have saved the trees from further 

 injuiy. An extensive outbreak appears to be s])reading in the Xew Brunswick forests. 



For several years the Eastern Fir Bark-beetle {Ips halsameus) has killed a 

 large number of isolated balsam firs in Ontario, Quebec, and iSTew Brunswick forests. 



The Elm Bark-louse (Gossypcria spuria) is still a serious enemy to elms in 

 Quebec and Ontario. Badly infested trees become unthrifty and gradually die. The 

 'Locust Borer (Cyllene rohiniae) is killing locust and acacia trees in parts of Ontario. 

 The larvae excavate tunnels through the wood of living trees and prove a most destruc- 

 tive enemy. The' Oak-twig Pruner (Elaphidion villosum) has been reported in 

 injurious numbers in southern Quebec. The infested twigs die and fall to the ground; 

 and when 1 • insects are very numerous the appearance of the trees is considerably 

 affected. The Bronze Birch-borer (Agrilus anxiiis) continues to be the most serious 

 enemy of ornamental birches in eastern Ontario. The Poplar Borer (Saperda cal- 

 carata) has been very injurious to poplar shade trees. 



v.— INSECTS AFFECTING DO^IESTIC ANIMALS AND MAN. 



THE CONTROL OF HOUSE FLIES. 



The campaign against the house fly has been continued with unremitting zeal, 

 and throughout Canada health authorities are convinced of the danger to health 

 involved in the presence of flies. The requests for our circular on '' IIoav to deal with 

 the Fly Nuisance "' from medical officers of health and teachers are numerous and 

 encouraging. 



While the control of flies under city conditions is important and necessary in the 

 interests of health, the control of flies under rural conditions is also very important, 

 especially on account of its intimate connection with the problem of pure milk. The 

 treatment of stable manure which constitutes the chief breeding place of the house 

 fly is a serious question from the point of view of the farmer. Accordingly, a 

 series of experiments vcere carried out in August and September. 1913, with a view to 

 discovering an insecticide which is not only cheap and efficient, but does not decrease 

 the fertilizing properties of the manure. A cubic yard of manure was used as a standard 



Ottawa. 



