462 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.36 



to Michigan. Reports of observations of tiiis insect in New York by Crosby 

 have been previously noted (E. S. R., 28, p. 654). 



The only externally visible effect of infestation is caused by the oviposition 

 puncture, which after a few days appears as a minute scar situated in a small, 

 shallow dimple and from which a discolored line extends to the seed. It is 

 pointed out that frequently injury caused by other insects, particularly the 

 apple red bugs, is attributed to the apple-seed chalcid because at the time the 

 injury is noted it is the only insect present. The author has found nearly every 

 variety of natural fruit, except the largest, to be more or less generally infested 

 at practically every point visited. The Lady apple is apparently the only culti- 

 vated variety subject to very serious attack, the ordinary commercial varieties 

 never being infested except in run-down or neglected orchards or when fruit is 

 stunted by the 'overloading of trees or by the attack of some other insect or 

 disease. 



In observations at North East in 1914 the adult did not appear in numbers 

 until after the middle of June, the heaviest emergence occurring during the 

 week of June 22 to 29 and the last on July 5. Oviposition may occur within 

 two days after issuing from the seed and may continue as long as 26 days. The 

 eggs have been observed to hatch in from six to ten days. In 1915 the earliest 

 hatching took place on the seventh day after oviposition, the earliest first molt 

 on the sixteenth day, and the earliest second molt on the twenty-first day, the 

 earliest third molt on the twenty-fifth day, and the earliest last molt on the 

 twenty-ninth day, and the first larva to consume the entire seed contents had 

 done so on the forty-ninth day. The last larva to finish feeding required 57 

 days. It is said to be not uncommon to find six or seven very young larvae in a 

 single seed, but on only one occasion was more than one of the fifth instar 

 found within a single seed, the surplus larvae being killed and eaten by the one 

 which ultimately matures, usually before the fourth instar is reached. 



When the larva has consumed its total food supply it very shortly assumes 

 what appears to be the hibernating form. Not all of the larvae from eggs of a 

 given sea.son finish their development and emerge as adults the following spring; 

 a large percentage (some 55 per cent) of them remain as larvae \tithin the seeds 

 until the second spring. The larvae begin to pupate during the latter half of 

 May, the latest pupation apparently taking place from three weeks to a month 

 later. The pupal period is of about four weeks' duration. 



Thus far no specific enemies of the apple-seed chalcid have been observed. 

 Control measures include the destruction of all wild seedling apples and wild 

 crab-apple trees in the neighborhood and of all drop fruit and culls for two 

 seasons. Where waste fruit is converted into cider, the pomace should be 

 destroyed. 



An eflBcacious endoparasite of Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, A. Berlese 

 and G. Paoli (Redia, 11 {1916), No. 1-2, pp. 305-307, figs. 2).— A new parasite 

 received from Madeira, here described as Prospaltella loimsburyi, is said to 

 attack C. dictyospermi. About 60 per cent of the nymphs and 40 per cent of the 

 adults in the material examined were parasitized. 



FOODS— HUMAN NUTRITION. 



Fats and their economical use in the home, A. D. Holmes and H. L. Lang 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 469 (1916), pp. 27, figs. 2).— This bulletin summarizes 

 information on the general nature of fats and their digestibility and place in 

 the diet, and describes briefly the different animal and vegetable fats now avail- 

 able for food purposes. Suggestions are given regarding the economical selec- 

 tion of fats and their u.se for table and culinary purposes. There is also in- 



