ENTOMOLOGY. 6G9 



from Ottawa, June 17, 1890, as many as 127 parasites emerged within 

 10 days. As the holes made by the emerging numbered 180 and as but 

 a single parasite is known to emerge from one hole, many parasites 

 must have emerged previous to the receipt of the specimens. This, in 

 connection with other facts, indicates that the insects were parasitized 

 to the extent of 97.5 per cent. Not a single hyperparasite was found 

 among the different species of 5 distinct genera of parasites that 

 emerged. 



The walnut spamcorm, I). W. Goquillett (pp. 64-66). — Notes on the 

 spanworm (Boarmia plumigeraria) which appeared late in the summer 

 of 1890 in very considerable numbers in Santa Barbara County, Cali- 

 fornia, upon the leaves of the English walnut. Previously it had not 

 been known as an injurious insect. It lias also been found upon the 

 leaves of the apple, prune, and oak. The life history of the insect is 

 given. A tachinid and an ichneumon of the genus Apanteles have been 

 found parasitic upon the worms. Different birds, especially the black- 

 birds, have been noted as particularly fond of them. The most efficient 

 remedy is considered to be a spray of Paris green in the strength of 1 

 lb. of the poison to '200 gal. water. If to each 100 gal. of the solution 

 10 or 12 lbs. of soap are added, the efficacy of the solution will be 

 increased and spraying facilitated. 



Insect injury to chestnut and pine trees in Virginia dud neighboring States, 

 F. 11. Chittenden (pp. 67-75). — The author treats here of the buprestid 

 Agrilus bilineatus, and the scolytid bark beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, 

 which have been charged with killing chestnut trees, especially in the 

 region southeast of the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Save in excep- 

 tional cases, perfectly healthy forest growths seldom succumb to insect 

 attack and the cause of the injury must be sought in some predisposing 

 agency producing a weakened condition of the timber. The primary 

 cause of such injuries may be attributed to what is known as winter 

 desiccation, or pine blight. 



The author also describes the result of his visits to the infested 

 regions. Agrilus bilineatus is briefly described and an undoubted 

 parasite upon it (Spathius simillimus) noted. Complaints received from 

 Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia that the pines 

 were severely attacked were investigated and the damage found to be 

 caused by Dendroctonus frontalis. Leptostylus commixtus, Graphisurus 

 pusillus, and Acanthoeinus nodosus were also found injuring pines. 



The severe wind storms that occurred in the south Atlantic States 

 during the year 1895 caused the destruction of forest and shade trees 

 which then offered an excellent opportunity for the propagation of 

 insects. To prevent still greater destruction of trees by these insects, 

 the author states that those sufficiently interested should clear up the 

 dead and trim the injured trees, and that all dead oaks ought to be 

 burned. Besides this the plan followed in Europe might be adopted, 

 which is to girdle certain trees here and there in the forest which form 



