254 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



The Desmodium aphid, Microparsus variabilis n. sp., Edith M. Patch 

 {E»t. Xcir.s, .iO in)0!l), \o. 8, ii]). S.n-3',l, pis. ;2).— This paper forms Entonio- 

 lofiical Contribution No. ;-55 from the Maino Station. 



M. variabUis, which has for tlie past 2 years been iiresent In enormous num- 

 bers ui>on the Canadian or sliow.v ticli-trefoil (DcsnKKliinn canadcniic), is hei'e 

 described as representing a new genus and species. The entire life cycle of the 

 colonies observed is passed on this plant. "The species reproduces upon the 

 trefoil during the summer, and during July the colonies of apterous and alate 

 viviparous forms thickly crowd the tips of the branches and the ventral surface 

 of the leaves, which become badly twisted and curled. From the middle of 

 August to the middle of September the true sexes, the winged males and the 

 apterous oviparous females, are abundant." 



A new pest of the Florida orange, E. A. Back {Fla. Fruit and Produce 

 Neics, 2 (I'JOD), No. 9, p. 5). — The author calls attention to the fact that a spe- 

 cies of white tly. distinct from the citrus white fly (Alcyrodcs citri) and the 

 spotted-wing white fly (.1. nuhifcrn), has been discovered for the first time in 

 this country. This white fly has been found on orange trees at Tampa, Fla., 

 where it has become of economic importance. The species is said to have been 

 known for several years to infest orange trees on several of the islands of the 

 West Indies, [)articularly Cuba. 



The San Jose scale and methods of controlling- it, W. E. Rritton {(lonnec- 

 ticut State Sta. Bui. 165, pp. 3-2.'t, figs. 12). — This is a revised and enlarged 

 edition of Bulletin 135 previously noted (E. S. II., 13, p. 7(36). In an abridged 

 edition of the former list of food plants common names are used in place of 

 Latin names. The pest is said to have now spread to nearly every portion of 

 the State. Natural enemies are not very effective in holding it in check in 

 Connecticut, the most important being 2 species of lady beetles. 



The gloomy scale, F. Sherman, Jr. {Bien. Rpt. Comr. Agr. .Y. C. 1907-8. p. 

 '>20). — It has been found that this scale does not attack the hard maples, even 

 when grown close to badly infested soft maples. An examination, in several 

 places, notably in Robeson County, has shown many red and silver maples 

 dying under the attacks of this pest, while the sugar and Norway maples were 

 found flourishing. 



New observations on the olive tineid (Prays oleae), T. Dumont {Vompt. 

 Rend. Acad. 8ci. [Paris], l-',8 {1909), No. 21, pp. 1.1,08, i//09).— An account of 

 studies of the life history and habits of this pest. There was found to be a 

 considerable variation in the period required for the life cycle, this depending 

 largely ujxin the kind of food on which the larv;e fed. 



Insect plague in Saxony, T. H. Norton (Daili/ Cons, and 'I'radc Rpts. [[/. S.] 

 1909, No. 35U6, pp. 8, 9). — The nun moth Ocncria (Li parts) monacha was the 

 source of great injury to Saxon forests in 1908. At Zittau, powerful suction 

 ventilators were stationed lietween electric arc lamps and large numbers of the 

 moths destroyed. 



" In the perfected device, as Anally iidopted, 2 searchlights are employed. 

 They are adapted for currents from 30 to 50 amperes and are shielded in front 

 by highly polished glass disks. In front of them and somewhat lower are the 2 

 arc lamps regulated for currents of 10 amperes and protected by glass globes. 

 Immediately below and between these 2 lamps is the opening of the ventilator. 

 An electric motor attached to this produces 1.200 revolutions per minute, and 

 sucks through about 2.800 cu. ft. of air in the same time. The outgoing blast 

 of air enters an open box alongside. 3 sides of which are composed of wire net- 

 ting. In this the moths meet their fate, and it is emptied as fast as their 

 bodies accumulate in such quantities as to obstruct the free passage of the air 

 blast. Four of these devices were installed in the town of Zittau upon the 



