BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 243 



The cowpea weevil is most injurious in the South and is a constant 

 source of comphiint, in spite of much correspondence on the subject 

 and the distribution of information in the form of circuhir letters. 



Insects of potato, tomato, and rei^^ted pl^^nts. — The Colorado 

 potato beetle, according to reports, is being found in new regions, 

 and owing to hi<jh and constantly increasing prices of insecticides 

 there may be diificulty in controlling it. Its westward and south- 

 ward extension of range is being watched constantly. 



The potato flea-beetle has been unusually injurious during the 

 spring of 1917, and further u ork on this pest is being done. 



The two common species of tomato hornworms have been the sub- 

 ject of successful control experiments in the vicinity of the District 

 of Columbia. 



A severe outbreak of the potato stalk-borer, estimated to have 

 destroyed all the eggplant in some fields in Kansas, was reported 

 during October, 1916, too late for the application of remedies. The 

 spinach aphis and the potato aphis have been the cause of consider- 

 able injury to potatoes and tomatoes from the Gulf region to Minne- 

 sota: the reports reached this office too late for experiment. All these 

 insects will be investigated as opportunity offers. 



Valuable notes on the garden flea-hopper were obtained, and the 

 scarcit}^ of tlie insect showed that, in spite of the fact that weeds 

 and other debris were left for hibernation, few adults survived the 

 cold winter and spring. It was controlled successfully in green- 

 houses in the winter. 



Other important enemies of potato and related crops have been 

 studied carefully, especially in Kansas and Louisiana. 



Insects affecting crucifees. — Results of completed studies of the 

 diamond-back moth have been published in the Journal of Agricul- 

 tural Research, and a publication on the horse-radish flea-beetle (De- 

 partment Bulletin No. 535) has been issued. Considerable study has 

 been given to the harlequin cabbage bug from the District of Colum- 

 bia southward to the Gulf region. 



Sweet-potato insects. — In Louisiana and Texas the life history 

 and control of the sweet-potato weevil or borer has been the subject 

 of constant investigation and the results, it is believed, will be com- 

 pleted and available for publication in another year. Its further 

 dissemination from the Gulf region by means of seed potatoes can 

 and should be prevented, as the insect is not known to fly in this 

 country. The sweet-potato leaf-roller, a new insect pest, has been 

 studied and the results are available for publication. A sweet-potato 

 sawfly also has been studied. 



Insects injurious to strawberry, blackberry, and related 

 PLANTS. — The investigation of insects injurious to strawberry, black- 

 berry, raspberry, and related plants of the rose family is being con- 

 ducted in Louisiana, Florida, Michigan, and Oregon. The straw- 

 berry root-weevil, the rose weevil, the crown borers, and two species 

 of caterpillars are among the principal insects that are being in- 

 vestigated. A falseworm on strawberry is being studied, and straw- 

 berry aphids have received practical attention. 



