ENTOMOLOGY. 805 



is a public matter, tlieir care should be a public duty. To reduce the 

 expense of applying euuilsions, etc., he advises city authorities to trans- 

 fer discarded tire engines to the use of those caring for shade trees. 



In tlie third portion of the paper a table is given showing the rela- 

 tive immunity to insect attack of 30 common shade and ornamental 

 trees. The ginkgo and tulip tree seem to be the most immune. The 

 sugar maple, red oak, ailanthus, scarlet oak, yellow oak, willow oak, 

 black maple, Japanese sophora (all of ccjual rank) stand next; while 

 Cottonwood, balm of gilead, European elm, black locust, and box elder 

 stand lowest. 



Recent observations on Sesamia, lepidoptera injurious to 

 maize, sugar cane, sorghum, etc., J. K. u'Herculats {Compt. Eend., 

 124 {1SII7), Xo. 7, pp. 373-370). — The author has made some new obser- 

 vations on the autumn-winter generations of Sesamia nonaiirioideH, 

 previously noted as the cause of considerable damage to maize, sorg- 

 hum, and other large Graminea^ in Algiers (E. S. R., S, p. 507). The low 

 temperature at night, often freezing water during December and Janu- 

 ary, does not noticeably retard the development of the insect. The 

 images emerge all through these months, and upon the stalks of maize 

 may be found numerous larva^ of all ages, ranging from 10 to 12 mm. to 

 18 to 20 mm. and to the size of the adult larva^ 30 to 35 mm. From 

 these facts the author concludes that the insect was i^robably originally 

 a native of a climate sufficiently warm to allow its life process to con- 

 tinue throughout the year, and that it has been introduced into Algiers 

 and other Mediterranean countries. Its distribution is, he thinks, a 

 result of the extension of the culture of sugar cane by cuttings. 



A notable occurrence of the oak scale (Lecanium quercus) in 

 connection with a flow of sap, Breoiier {FovhU. iiaftinv. Ztschr., r, 

 {1897), No. 2, pp. 66-69). — The author describes the method of attack of 

 this insect and a consequent emission of sai» that collects about the 

 insects and forms a nidus for the develojtment of other insec:ts and of 

 fungi. The diseased spots penetrate the bark to the old wood fiber, 

 and emit an intense odor. The collected sap contains numberless 

 nematodes, which may be Anguillula aceti, and from May to July and 

 later many little flesh colored larv:e, about 2 to 3 mm. long that in 

 August transform to Cryptarcha strUjata. The larvie of ISarvonia (/ruea, 

 8. punctatissima, Gis boleti, Amphotis marginata, and Epurcca decemgut- 

 tata are are also found, as well as the larv^sie of flies. The sap evidently 

 ferments, i^roducing alcohol, for many wasps, bees, and beetles found 

 drinking the licpiid soon evince signs of drunkenness. 



Among a number of remedies tried, including carbolic acid and soap, 

 lime, ammonia, and cutting out the diseased spot, only the last proved 

 successful. 



Report of the entomologist, F. L. Harvey ( Maine Sta. Rpt. 189.5, 

 pp. 8f)-1;J6. y>/.s'. :.\ I'uik. ■">). — A ri'snme is given of the sonu^ imjjortant 

 entomological work of the year, together with some detailed accounts 



