ENTOMOLOGY. ()73 



A brief description is given of the scale, and brief notes on a sweet- 

 potato pest which some years ago was reported from Ocean Springs, 

 Mississippi, as being injurious. A few notes are also given upon carbon 

 bisulphid, insecticides, and pumps in general. 



The pear slug, C. L. Marlatt ( U. 8. Dept. Agr., Division of Ento- 

 mology hire. 26, 2. scr., pp. 7, figs. 4). — The characteristics and the history 

 of the insect are briefly reviewed. It is noted that a comparison of 

 specimens from Europe with abundant American material establishes 

 the fact that the American pear slug, which has been known under the 

 names Selandria cerasi and Eriocampa cerasi and considered as an Ameri- 

 can insect, is identical with the Tenthredo limacina of lletzius' (1783) 

 placed in the genus Eriocampoides by Konow in 1890. 



The life history and habits are described from the egg stage to the 

 adult.. In the latitude of Washington the eggs are laid in April; in 

 that of Boston during the latter part of May and the first of June. At 

 Washington many of the newly hatched larvae perish during the cold 

 and wet weather that often characterizes April. Where a good many 

 eggs are fouud on one leaf the author is convinced that it is by different 

 flies, or at least at different visits of the same individual. 



Kelative to the pupa it is stated that the author's observations con- 

 firm those of Peck, viz, that some larvae of the spring brood remain 

 unchanged as dormant larva* during winter and transform in the spring. 

 At Washington, it is stated, nearly all of the first brood larvaj disap- 

 pear about the end of June and the first flies of the second brood begin 

 to appear about June 20 — in greater number about July 1. 



As a parasite a species of Encyrtus is noted. The usual arsenical 

 remedies are recommended; e. g., Paris green at the rate of 1 lb. to 250 

 gal. of water. A soap wash and forcible water spraying are thought 

 effective. 



The currant fly or gooseberry frit fly, L. P. Harvey (Maine Sta. 

 Bui. 35, pp. 8, figs. 10). — A brief history is given of the insect Epoch ra 

 canadensis. From a study of the life history of the insect, which as a 

 pest is new to the State, it is concluded that it is vulnerable only in 

 the larval stage. The larvae remain in the fallen fruit for some time, 

 and such fruit may therefore be gathered up and burned. A corre 

 spondent suggests that chickens might be allowed about the bushes 

 with good effect. It is also suggested that the pupae may be destroyed 

 by deep spading or by stirring the soil after cold weather so as to 

 expose the pupae. Mulching is also recommended. 



Value of keeping bees on the ranch, A. J. Cook (Amer. Bee Jour., 37 {1897), No. 

 30, pj). 470-471). — Among other things, the keeping of bees on a small scale by 

 farmers and ranchers, rather than by specialists, is advocated. It is suggested that 

 the keeping of bees may be made a means of retaining the boys on the farm. 



Feeding back extracted honey, G. M. Doolittle (Amer. Bee Jour., 37 (1897), 

 No. 37, pp. 57S, 579).— It is thought by the author that those who think feeding back 



'See F. W. Konow, Tenthredinidae Europae, Deut. Ent. Ztschr., 1890, p. 239. 



