1064 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



cotton-boll weevil could be captured by these traps. Not a single spec- 

 imen of the insect was found. 



Under the caption u General notes" are appended to the bulletin 

 observations of an economic character upon a large number of injurious 

 and other insects, as well as many notes from the various correspond- 

 ents of the Division in different parts of the country. 



Twentieth report of the State entomologist on the noxious 

 and beneficial insects of the State of Illinois, S. A. Forbes 

 (pp. 112+XXX>II). — The report treats of the San Jose scale, white 

 grubs, chinch bug, Odynerus foraminatus, and a new disease of the army 

 worm. In an appendix to the report, E. L. S torment gives an account 

 of the white-pine Chermes. 



Concerning the San Jose scale, the author gives a list of its food 

 plants, and an account of the nature of the injuries which are caused 

 by the insect". The means and agents concerned in the dispersal of the 

 insect are discussed at some length. On the authority of Professor 

 Stedman, it is stated that many new colonies have been observed in 

 their incipient stages on branches and twigs which support bird nests. 

 This is interpreted as indicating the instrumentality of birds in the 

 dispersal of the scale. The original home of the insect and its early 

 geographical distribution in the United States are briefly discussed. 



The San Jose scale is said to have been first introduced into Illinois 

 during the period from 188G to 1891. Twenty-one distinct colonies 

 have been located in Illinois, and of these colonies all which have 

 been definitely traced to their origin are said to have come from nur- 

 series in New Jersey. A detailed description is given of the different 

 infestations. In one of the worst-infested orchards a spraying experi- 

 ment was tried. Whale-oil soap in the proportion of 2 lbs. to a gallon 

 of water was applied hot. The first application was made in November 

 and a second one late in March. This method proved quite effective, 

 and it was estimated that 99 per cent of the scales were destroyed by 

 the two applications. The appearance of the insect is briefly described 

 and an account of its life history is given. 



Among the natural checks on the multiplication of the scale are 

 mentioned certain climatic conditions, predaceous and parasitic insects, 

 and fungus diseases. The most important insect parasites are said to 

 be Aphelinus fuscipennis, Ghilocorus bivulnerus, and Smilia misella. 



Field notes are . also recorded of a remarkable outbreak of white 

 grubs. The species concerned were Lachno sterna fusca and L. hirticula. 

 The grubs were reported as being unusually numerous about the roots 

 of all field crops except clover, which enjoyed a comparative immunity. 

 Crops on high land suffered more thau those on low land, and fields in 

 the vicinity of woodland were more infested than fields which were 

 more distant from timbered areas. A brief life history of the white 

 grub is given, and remedies are suggested, among which may be men- 

 tioned the pasturing of infested fields Avith pigs and the use of clover 

 in the rotation of crops. 



