1917] ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 855 



most effective, giving almost perfect protection. Since no dead beetles were 

 found under the trees treated with self-boiled lime-sulphur it seems probable 

 that the mixture acted purely as a repellent and that lead arsenate had little 

 or nothing to do with the result. In experiments with the potato flea-beetle a 

 mixture consisting of 1 lb. of pyrethrura, 10 gal. of water, and 10 oz. whale-oil 

 soap was effective, but its cost was practically prohibitive. Plants given four 

 treatments with home-mixed Bordeaux (5:5: 50) showed 50 per cent reduction 

 in the beetles' work. 



In observations of the hibernation of the strawberry weevil this pest was 

 found in woodlands adjacent to strawberry patches in abundance on moss stems 

 (Dicranum scoparium) about 0.25 in. below the summits. As recorded in a 

 circular previously noted (E. S. R., 35, p. 364), a mixture of powdered arsenate 

 of lead and sulphur gave better protection than any of the other substances 

 tried, and a mixture composed of one part of the lead to one part of sulphur 

 was a little the more effective. It appears, however, that it is neither the 

 arsenate of lead alone nor the sulphur by itself which is effective, but the 

 mixture of the two. 



In the work with the peach borer neither the Scott protectors nor the asphalt 

 coatings gave satisfactory results, due to incompleteness of the covering. In 

 investigation of the effect of moisture upon lethal high temperature the 

 bean weevil {Bruchus obtectus) was experimented with, and a few tests made 

 with the pea weevil (B. pisorum). It was found that a difference of from 92 

 to 94 per cent relative humidity has practically no effect upon the lethal tem- 

 perature for the unprotected bean weevil. Large increases in relative humidity, 

 as from 94 to 96 per cent, have less influence on the lethal temperature than has 

 a change of 5° F. 



The report concludes with a discussion of potato dusting and spraying ex- 

 periments in continuation of those of the previous year (E. S. R., 34, p. 158). 

 In the work with the regular crop there was found to be very little difference 

 between the cost of dusting and spraying, except when an arsenical was used 

 by itself. While the returns from sulphur zinc and sulphur lead were not as 

 large as those from home-mixed Bordeaux, they are considered to have been 

 good. In the work with the second crop the differences between yields from 

 zinc sulphur and lead sulphur on the one hand and lead arsenate alone on 

 the other in the control of the Colorado potato beetle were easily within the 

 limits of experimental error. 



[Entomolog'ical investigations] (New Jersey Stas. Bui. 298 (1916), pp. 3S- 

 38). — This is a brief report of investigations on the influence of atmospheric 

 moisture upon insect metabolism ; methods of controlling the strawberry weevil, 

 apple aphis, false cabbage aphis, and pear psylla ; the efficiency of certain types 

 of covers for wintering bees ; the food preference of the common house fly ; and 

 the problems connected with mosquito control. 



Thirty-first report of the state entomologist on injurious and other insects 

 of the State of New York, 1915, E. P. Felt (A^. Y. State Mus. Bui. 186 (1916), 

 pp. 215, pis. 18, figs. 39). — A brief statement of the occurrence of the more im- 

 portant injurious insects, the work of the office, etc., is followed by a report of 

 observations and work with the more important pests. 



Work with the codling moth (E. S. R., 33, p. 252), was continued, spraying ex- 

 periments in Albion, Monroe, and Niagara counties being reported upon at 

 length, together with observations of the leaf roller made during these experi- 

 ments. Much of the data is presented in tabular form. A general survey of 

 conditions in the apple belt in the western part of the State has shown that 

 some growers are able to obtain practically worm-free apples by one spraying for 

 98133"— No. 9—17 ^5 



