354 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECOKD. 



pest are not of much importance, but it may be controlled on asparagus by 

 spraying with arseuicals. 



Manustra legitima feeds on garden plants, particularly asparagus, crucifer- 

 ous and leguminous plants. Descriptive and economic notes are given on this 

 insect. There are 2 generations annually, and hibernation occurs in the pupal 

 stage. The larvne may be destroyed by mechanical means or by spraying with 

 arsenicals alone or in Bordeaux mixture. 



Fruit flies, C. French (Jour. Dcpt. Agr. Victoria, 5 [1907), No. 5, pp. 301- 

 312, pi. 1.) — Particular attention is given to an account of the Mediterranean 

 fruit fly, the life history of which has been carefully studied by the author. 

 This insect spends 12 days in the egg stage, 13 days in the pupal stage and 24 

 days as an adult. Descriptive and economic notes are also given on other spe- 

 cies of fruit flies, including Dacus tnjoni, Tcphritis psidii, etc. 



The author believes that fruit flies have not yet become permanently estab- 

 lished in Victoria. It is reconnuended that kerosene boxes, such as have been 

 used in western Australia, bo placed in infested orchards. Careful inspection of 

 imported fruit is also necessary. 



The woolly aphis on apple trees, G. d'Utra {Rev. Agr. [i^do Paulo]. 12 

 (,1907), No. U3, pp. 243-249).— Notes are given on the life history of this 

 insect and on the injuries which it causes to apple trees. The greater part of 

 the article is occupied with a discussion of insecticides which may be used in 

 destroying the pest. These include kerosene, crude naphthalin, creosote, alco- 

 hol, whale-oil soap, turpentine, etc. Good results were obtained from a mix- 

 ture containing 1 kg. whale-oil soap and 2 liters of kerosene in 10 liters of water. 



Threadworms in grapevines and pear trees, G. Korff (Prakt. Bl. Pflan- 

 zenhau a. tichutz, 5 (1907), No. (>, pp. 67-69, fig. 1). — Reports have been received 

 by the author of the finding of threadworms in grapevines and pear trees. 

 These worms proved to be species of Mermis, and attention is called to the fact 

 that they are commonly parasites of insects. 



The sphinx of grapevines, R. Brunet (Rer. Yit., 28 (1907), No. 707, pp. 

 5-7, pi. 1). — Mention is made of the habits, biology, and natural enemies of 

 Sphin.v clpcnor which in some years causes serious damage to grapevines. In 

 combating this pest the adult moths may be attracted to lights and captured in 

 this way. The larvae are readily destroyed by the application of insecticides. 

 The one especially recommended by the author is a mixture of naphthalin and 

 sulphur. 



The destruction of the olive fly, M. de Cillis (CoUivatorc. 53 (1907), No. 

 27, pp. 8-11). — The mixture previously I'ecommended for the destruction of this 

 fly, while effective, is rather too expensive. The author therefore experi- 

 mented with a similar poisonous bait and obtained good results from the use 

 of one containing 50 parts molasses, 48 parts grape juice, and 2 parts of 

 arsenicals. 



The action of low temperatures on the eggs and caterpillars of Paralipsa 

 gularis, J. de Loverdo (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 145 (1907), No. 1, pp. 

 90-92). — Almonds in storage, whether decorticated or not. are seriously attacked 

 by the caterpillars of P. gularis and also by those of Plodia interpunvteUa. 

 The means commonly used for controlling these insects, particularly the former 

 species, include whitewash and the application of insecticides directly to thp 

 stored fruit. These methods have proved unsatisfactory and ineffective. The 

 author, therefore, tested the value of low temperatures in checking the develop- 

 ment of the caterpillars. It was found that eggs of P. gularis when maintained 

 at temperatures ranging from —3 to -|-4° C. from April until October did not 

 hatch. Caterpillars kept at about the freezing point for a number of months 

 do not show any of the usual signs of life, although a large percentage of them 



