460 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Four injurious insects, D. A. Saunders (South Dakota Sta. Bid. 

 57, pp. 35-52, figs. 19). — The author considers the Iiocky Mountain 

 locust (Melanoplus spretus), grain aphis (Siphonophora avence), spotted 

 blister beetle (Epicauta maculata), and Uhler's green plant bug [Lio- 

 derma uhleri). The latter insect was first noticed in South Dakota 

 in 1895. It has spread rapidly until it is now distributed over at least 

 10 counties. It is estimated that in 1897 3,500 acres of small grain and 

 800 acres of corn were totally destroyed by this insect. The young 

 insect shows a special liking for turnips, radishes, potato blossoms, and 

 young sweet corn. Cabbages, beets, and rutabagas were also attacked, 

 but not well liked. Onions, parsnips, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and 

 watermelons and cucumbers, were hardly touched. 



"The insect inserts its bill beneath the epidermis of the soft, succulent part of the 

 plant and draws so much nourishment therefrom that, especially where the bugs 

 are abundant, the plant seldom recovers. Wheat is not disturbed until it is in the 

 milk; the bugs then attack it iu great numbers, 25 or more to a single head. A 

 careful examination of many heads of wheat obtained from the infested regions fails 

 to show any kernels that were missed by the bugs. The destroyed heads of wheat 

 areas light as straw, there being nothing left in the chaft' but the shrunken and 

 shriveled hull of the grain. Sections made of such grains, the central part of which, 

 in healthy grains, is deusely packed with starch, is entirely empty and the gluten- 

 containing cells coutain but a few scattered grains. 



The cornstalk is attacked early in the season; when it is a foot or two in length 

 is when the greatest damage is done to it. In fact, if the bugs are numerous it is 

 entirely destroyed. Later in the season they also attack the young ears, but at this 

 time are not so destructive.'' 



As to remedies, the author says : " Undoubtedly the best thing to do 

 is to thoroughly and systematically burn every waste field, weed patch, 

 and uncultivated ground." The burning should be delayed until all 

 the bugs have come out of their winter quarters in the ground, unless 

 the early ones begin to migrate. So far as known the bugs do not 

 burrow in the native prairie. 



The codling moth, M. V. Slingerland (Neiv York Cornell Sta. 

 Bui. 112, pp. 09, figs. 21, pi. 1). — Some general historical notes on the 

 codling moth are given. The author estimates that from one-fourth 

 to one-half of the annual apple crop of the United States is destroyed 

 by the codling moth — more than by all other insects combined. Among 

 the food plants of the insect are noted apples, pears, wild haws, crab 

 apples, and quinces, and the insect sometimes works on such stone 

 fruits as plums, peaches, and cherries. The insect is described and 

 figured in its various stages. Its life history is discussed at length, 

 many quotations being made from old as well as recent literature. In 

 regard to the place and time of laying the eggs the author says: 



"During the past two years we have seen hundreds of the eggs on apples in New 

 York orchards, and have never yet seen one on or down in between the calyx lobes 

 on the so-called blossom end. AVe have seen ejjgs near the calyx, in old curculio 

 scars, near the stem, and have found what appeared to be codling moth eggs even 



