368 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



It is thought impossible to successfully attack the insect except in 

 the larval stage. No experiments against the insect were made by the 

 author, but experiments made by his correspondents with Bordeaux 

 mixture, London purple, and kerosene emulsion in connection with his 

 study of the life history and habits of the pest inclined him to think 

 that it may be held in check by thorough spraying with Paris green 

 used at the rate of 1 lb. to 105 to 200 gals, water. 



The spruce gall louse, 0. H. Fernald (Massachusetts Agr. Col. 

 Rpt. 189H, pp. 89-99, pis. 2). — The spruce gall louse, spruce adelges, or 

 spruce chermes (Chermes abietis), its life history, habits, distribution, 

 destructiveness, and enemiesare here considered. The remedies against 

 it are briefly noted. 



Though found in the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 

 it is thought to have been imported with Norway spruces. Following 

 through its life history and examining a large number of specimens 

 resulted in finding no males. Hence it is concluded, along with Cholo- 

 dowski, that the species is purely parthenogenetic. 



The formation of the gall is briefly explained, and the mere piercing 

 of the seta' without the action of a poison said to be sufficient cause. 



Some insects injurious to stored grain, F. H. Chittenden ( U. 8. 

 Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bid. 45, pp. 24, figs. 18). — This is an adaptation of 

 "The more important insects injurious to stored grain" that appeared 

 in the Yearbook of this Department for 1804 (E. S. R., 7, p. 515) and of 

 chapter 8 of the bulletin on household insects (E. S. R., 9, p. 62 ). In 

 addition to the insects treated in the places mentioned, the small-eyed 

 flour beetle (Polorus ratzeburgi) and the foreign grain beetle (Cathartus 

 advena) are treated. With reference to the latter it is noted that the 

 beetle has been noted as injuring corn in the shock, dried parsley, 

 stored wheat, and flour. The author has found it living in edible tubers, 

 dates, figs, table beans, cacoa beans, rice, and middlings, and says that 

 during the year it has been taken in a feed store at Washington, 1). 0. 

 In experiments recently performed the beetle did not develop in fresh 

 grain or meal, but in corn meal sufficiently moist to produce mold it 

 bred freely. Feeding upon mold appears to be the normal habit of the 

 insect, and hence the author concludes that this species, although it 

 may injure grain to a certain extent, need not be greatly feared if the 

 grain be stored in a dry, clean, and well-ventilated place. 



With regard to the extent of the damage caused by granary insects, 

 the author estimates that in the 8 Southern States, viz, South Carolina, 

 Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkan- 

 sas, there is a total annual loss of $20,000,000. This estimate con- 

 cerns corn and does not take into consideration wheat or other grain 

 and mill products. 



Parasitic and natural enemies, methods of control, and preventive 

 remedies are discussed. As regards remedies, bisulphid of carbon is 

 highly recommended. Coordinate with it are mentioned (1) thrashing 

 as promptly as possible to prevent the Angoumois grain moth, rice 



