438 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



these insects with decided success. He found, however, that it was necessary 

 to dash it unto them with force, a point which I have frequently urged in 

 advising the use of any liquid preparations used to destroy injurious insects. 



As yet we have reared no parasites from these caterpillars, though some of 

 the chrysalids have turned bhick, which leads us to hope for the appearance 

 of one or more of these welcome friends. 



STRAWBERRY LEAF ROLLER. 



Phoxopleris comptana, Frol. Family Tortricidae. Order LepMoptera. 



This insect which I briefly described with illustrations in the State Pomo- 

 logical Keport for 1873 p. 104, and which was again noticed with a brief 

 description and remedies by C. M. Weed in the report of same society for 1883, 

 p. 82, has become a very serious pest to the strawberry grower in several parts 

 of our State. In several counties, especially in Jackson, it has done great 

 damage the present year (1884). Two years ago I reared the moth from 

 specimens received from Kalamazoo County. This year from specimens 

 received from Jackson County. 



The small reddish brown moths are only about 10 mm. long. They lay 

 their eggs in May and July. The brownish or greenish brown larva feed in 

 June and July and again in August and September. Thus there are two 

 broods. The larva spins a web on the upper surface of the leaf by which the 

 latter is rolled about the insect. It then feeds upon the leaf, causing it to 

 turn gray or brown. One man in Michigan Centre, Jackson County, has had 

 his plantation of six acres seriously injured by these consumers. 



Prof. S. A. Forbes in his excellent report on strawberry insects states that 

 in Iowa this insect also attacks the raspberry. 



There is an Ichneumon fly that is very abundant in Michigan, which 

 preys upon this leaf roller. I think it is undescribed. It certainly is 

 not referred to as a destroyer of the leaf roller. I have not access to Cres- 

 sons description of the Genus Eiphosoma, but from the very short description 

 and figure given by Packard, this species would seem to belong to that genus. 



This species is black, with legs, ventral surface of abdomen, ring about the 

 eyes, and base of the wings yellow. The antennae are 4 mm. long, the wings 

 about 3 mm. The ovipositor is black and about as long as the wings. The 

 thorax and abdomen are finely punctured. 



The fact that in some localities where this leaf-roller was very destructive 

 two years ago it has been considerably less so since is significant as to the 

 benefit which this parasite may do. 



ARTIFICIAL REMEDIES. 



Walsh & Riley recommended years ago the cutting of the vines as soon as 

 the fruit season was over, late in June or the first of July, and burning them 

 as soon as they are dry enough. Adding straw, or if there is dry mulch firing 

 that will make the destruction more complete. This has been tried frequently 

 with the most perfect success. Straw has been piled upon the vines as much 

 as a foot high and burned without doing any injury to the plantation. Where 

 the beds are extensive the cutting may be done with a mower. Prof. Forbes 

 gives cases where chickens have rid the plants of these leaf rollers. In caso 

 of a small plantation this remedy may be all-sufficient. 



