854 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



An account of Drosophila ampelophila, G. Martelli {Bol. Lab. Zool. Oen. 

 e Agr. R. Sctuola Sup. Agr. Portici, ^ (1910), pp. 163-174, figs. 6).— Studies of 

 the biology of (he pomace fly, including its parasites, namely, Pachyneuron 

 vindemmiw and Oanaspis musti. 



The potato beetles, J. R. Inda (Estac. Agr. Cent. [Mexico], Bol. 24, 1909, 

 pp. l.'f. pi. I). — An account of Leptinotarsa decemlineata and L. multitwniata, 

 with remedial measures. 



The Colorado potato beetle, L. de la Barreda (Estac. Agr. E.vpt. Rio Verde, 

 San Luis Potosi, BoJ. 4, 1910, pp. 16, pis. 4)- — This is a popular account of the 

 potato beetle as it occurs in Mexico, with directions for the application of 

 remedial measures. 



Report upon tobacco insect investigations, G. A. Runner (Virginia Sta. 

 Rpts. 1909-10, pp. 40-43). — The author, an agent of the Bureau of Entomology 

 of this Department, reports briefly upon investigations of the tobacco stalk 

 borer (Craml)iis caHginoseUiis). conducted largely at Appomattox, Va. 



This borer, which is said to be the most important tobacco insect in Virginia, 

 is found in most, if not all, the tobacco-growing sections of the State. The 

 damage to the tobacco crop alone Is estimated to average at least $800,000 

 annually and it is thought probable that the damage to the corn crop amounts 

 to even more than that to tobacco. 



" The tobacco is attacked soon after planting, and feeding continues until 

 about the first or second week In July. The worms commence feeding just 

 below the surface of the ground. Injured plants may usually be detected by 

 their stunted or wilted appearance. This is more noticeable during hot, dry 

 weather. The stems are in some cases entirely cut off. although this is rather 

 unusual. The worms as a rule commence to feed on the outer portions of the 

 stalk, a short distance below the surface of the ground. As feeding continues, 

 the larvfe, especially the smaller ones, enter the stalks and tunnel upward, the 

 burrows frequently extending to the base of the first leaves and to some dis- 

 tance above the surface of the ground. When not feeding the worms are 

 usually found in cylindrical web-lined galleries which extend from the plant, 

 often several inches beneath the surface of the soil. The insects pupate in the 

 soil, near the plants on which they feed. The adult moths emerge during late 

 July and in August. The eggs are deposited, apparently at random, over weedy 

 fields, soon after the moths emerge. Most of the eggs have hatched by the first 

 of September. 



" Where the worms are numerous it is almost impossible to secure a perfect 

 stand of tobacco until late in the season, as the larvjfi remain in the ground and 

 attack the plants set in place of those first injured or killed. Frequent re- 

 planting is necessary, the first planting sometimes being almost entirely de- 

 stroyed. Many of the plants attacked partially recover from the injury, but 

 remain dwarfed or stunted. . . . Early planted tobacco is usually better in 

 quality and brings a better price than late-planted tobacco, but where the 

 worms are numerous, early planting seems out of the question. 



" Injury is greatest where tobacco is planted on weedy land, owing to the 

 fact that the roots of certain weeds are the main food of the worms. From 

 the data obtained during the past season, it is evident that clean cultivation 

 of the land for some time previous to planting tobacco will be found effective 

 in keeping the worms in check. Crops which are immune from attack by the 

 worms (preferably leguminous crops') should be grown the year before the land 

 comes in tobacco, and the ground kept free from weeds. 



"As with tobacco, the injury is greatest when corn is planted on land which 

 has been weedy pasture or meadow previously ; or when planted on land which 

 has not been under cultivation for a number of years and on which there is a 



