504 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



apart. The germinating power of the seed was not affected in any 

 perceptible degree by the fumes of the carbon bisulphid. 



Experiments were conducted to ascertain whether the weevil can live 

 on other seeds than those of peas and beans, and it was found that the 

 insects did not live on any other seed than those above mentioned. 



The authors have added many facts of importance to the life history 

 of the imbricated snout beetle {Ejricwrus imhricatvs). Although this 

 insect has been known to be economically important since 1863, but 

 little is known of its early stages except a record of its egg laying. 

 Attempts were made to breed the beetle on the strawberry ])lant, and 

 while not fully successful in tracing the life history the partial develop- 

 ment of the larvtB was ascertained. The fragmentary results obtained 

 show that the eggs are deposited in dry and rolled leaves of the food 

 plants of the adult, and that the larv?e immediately enter the ground 

 to feed upon the roots. This would indicate what measures of control 

 must be adopted against this insect. 



Illustrated notes are given on the ground cherrj^ seed moth {Gelcchia 

 sp.). Out of 130 berries containing pupte but 4 specimens of moths 

 were secured. This low percentage of adults was due to the fact that 

 a large percentage of the jjupte were destroyed by a fungus similar to 

 Sporotrichum, and the remainder were attacked by a hymenoijterous 

 parasite. The insect under consideration closely resembles Geleeliia 

 qtiercifoUella., but is said to be quite distinct from it. Apparently the 

 most effective remedy for this si^ecies would be the destruction of the 

 larvi« or jjupje during the autumn. Infested berries should be gathered 

 and disposed of. The fungus and parasite already mentioned have 

 proved sufficient to keep it in check. 



In Sei)tember, 1895, a weevil {Baris conjinis) was found working 

 extensively in the root stalks and base of the large branches of cosmos, 

 causing destruction of the plants. Specimens were collected and kept 

 under observation in order to ascertain what was i)0ssible relative to 

 the life history of the insect, and illustrated descriptions are given of 

 the larvne, pupae, and adults. Collecting and burning the old root stalks 

 and stems of the cosmos early in autumn is the most effective treat- 

 ment so far as our present knowledge of the species is concerned. 



Inquiries concerning the occurrence of an insect in water tanks and 

 reservoirs led to an investigation of this subject, and it was found that 

 large numbers of Chironomus sj). were present in the water supply of 

 several places in Iowa. The larvte and adults are figured and described, 

 and the following suggestions are offered for their exclusion : 



""Where practicable [the adults] may be kept out by the u«e of ordinary mosquito 

 netting or wire gauze. Where this is impracticable the providing of an inlet to 

 distributing pipes that will draw water from a few inches above the bottom of the 

 reservoir, which might further be protected by a fine screen, will, it is believed, 

 avoid the distribution of the worms in the mains." 



Entomological work {Mississipjn Sta. KjJt. 1895, pj). 69-78). — Among 

 the subjects which received special attention during the past year were 



