(58 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



[Vol. 38 



[Potato and alfalfa insects], E. Escomel {Bol. Min. Fomento [Peru], No. 6 

 (1917), pp. .'fl-51). — The potato aphid (Macrosiphum solanifolii), a small crus- 

 tacean (Omiscus murarios), and a lepidopteran are reported as injuring the 

 potato, and the red spider (Tetranychus telarius) as injuring alfalfa. 



Insects affecting vegetables, C. J. S. Bethune (Ontario Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 251 

 (1917), pp. 32, fi(js. IfJf) . — A popular summary of information. 



The role of insects as carriers of fire blight, H. A. Gossaed (Rpt. Proc. 

 Mont. State Jlort. .Vor., 19 (1916), pp. S4-90).— Substantially noted from an- 

 other source (E. S. R., 35, p. 662). 



Insects affecting coffee in Porto Rico, R. H. Van Zwaluwenburg (Jour. 

 Econ. Ent., 10 (1917), No. 6, pp. 513-517).— A brief report of observations of 

 the insect pests of coffee In Porto Rico, in which the coffee leaf miner (Leucop- 

 tera coffeella), the coffee leaf weevil (Laclinopus sp. ), and the coffee shade ant 

 (Myrmclachista amhigua) are given particular attention. 



A summary of our knowledge of insect vectors, M. E. MacGkegok (Jour. 

 Trop. Med. and Hyg. [London], 20 (1917), No. 18, pp. 205-209) .—This is a sum- 

 mary of our knowledge of the more important insect-borne diseases and their 

 vectors, much of the data being presented in tabular form. 



On the selection and breeding of desirable strains of beneficial insects, 

 C. W. Maixy (So. African Jour. Sci., IS (1916), No. 5, pp. 191-195) .—The author 

 here discusses the possibility of developing desirable strains of beneficial insects, 

 particularly as relates to the lady beetle. 



Crop pest controls, J. G. Sandebs (Penn. Dept. Agr., Bur. Econ. Zool., 1917, 

 n. ser., Circs. 3, pp. 15; Jf, pp. 9). — These circulars consist of brief summaries 

 of information on insect pests and control measures. 



When does the cost of spraying truck crops become prohibitive? V. I. 

 Safko (Jour. Econ. Ent., 10 (1917), No. 6, pp. 521-523).— The author suggests 

 the following rule : 



" The cost of spraying truck crops for pests that threaten to destroy all or 

 a large part of the crop does not become prohibitive until the immediate appli- 

 cation in view, together with such following farm operations as can be definitely 

 foreseen, have a total cost in excess of the reasonable expectation of gross re- 

 turns from the crop in question." 



A device for sowing grasshopper poison, T. H. Parks (Jour. Econ. Ent., 10 

 (1917), No. 6, pp. 52Jt, 525, pi. 1). — The author describes and illustrates a 

 seeder for applying poison bran mash over large areas, improvised during a 

 grasshopper campaign in western Kansas. It consists of a canvas bag which 

 is strapped over the shoulder of the operator and fitted with a feeding device 

 consisting of a canvas sleeve and swinging tube made of tin or galvanized iron. 



A suggestion for the destruction of cockroaches, C W. Howard (Jour. 

 Econ. Ent., 10 (1917), No. 6, p. 561). — The author's experiments show that ex- 

 posures to temperatures of from 122 to 140° F. for 20 minutes ; 24° for 3 hours ; 

 18° for 20 minutes; 10° for 5 minutes; and 0° for from 5 to 10 mioutes will 

 destroy 100 per cent of the croton-bugs (Blatella germanica). 



Experiments on the physiology of digestion in Blattidse, E. W. Sanford 

 (Proc. Soc. Expt. Biol, and Med., IS (1916), No. 8, p. J9S).— The author's in- 

 vestigations, which confirm the earlier work of Petrunkevltch (E. S. R., 11, 

 p. 767), show that fat is split to soluble products and absorbed In large amount 

 in the crop of the cockroach. 



Sex determination in Anthothrips verbasci, A. F, Shuix (Genetics, 2 

 (1917), No. 5, pp. 4^0-488). — A report of work with the mullein thrips carried 

 on in continuation of that previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 252). It is shown 

 that virgin females produce only male progeny. 



