1064 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Pyrrhotcenia jloridensis, moths have been taken on scrub oak, and it is 

 thought that the larv* may feed on this tree. 



Two insect pests of 1896, J. H. Panton {Ept. Ontario JEnt. Soc, 

 1896, pp. 44-54, Jigs. 12). — The two insects noted are the army worm 

 (Leucania unipuncta) and the tussock moth ( Orgyia leucostigma). A map 

 shows the distribution of the first; 39 counties and 118 townships 

 were affected. Of the crops attacked 58 per cent were oats, 20 per 

 cent corn, 16 per cent wheat, and 5 per cent barley. In some cases the 

 loss in oat fields was reported to be 50 per cent, but in most cases the 

 damage was comparatively slight. In a few cases the whole crop was 

 destroyed. 



Observations made on the rate of travel while crossing a lane between 

 two fields showed that they moved at the rate of 40 rods per hour. 



The following summarizes experiments with several food plants: 

 Clover, eaten very sparingly, quickly left for wheat or oats; lucern, less 

 attractive, not touched for four days; with clover, beans, and lucern in 

 the same box, hunger drove the worms to eat beans first, clover second, 

 and alfalfa last. Peas were not touched for two days, or not as long 

 as oats were accessible. Turnips, left untouched for a day, deserted 

 as soon as a leaf of corn was put in the box. Potatoes, left untouched. 

 Mangel wurzels near one of the infested fields escaped damage, though 

 the worms were constantly passiug over and among them. In the 

 box they were slightly nibbled. Beets, untouched for three days. 

 Buckwheat tried after the first day, immediately left for corn when 

 this was presented to the worms. Carrots, not eaten for a day, but 

 at the end of the second day were fairly well eaten ; not touched in 

 presence of grass or corn. Cucumber vines, preferred to beans, eaten 

 almost as greedily as some corn leaves. Celery, always avoided, the 

 worms devouring one another before they would feed upon it. Maple 

 leaves were avoided. Apple leaves, sparingly eaten after two days. 

 Grape leaves, eaten when driven by hunger. Strawberry leaves, not 

 touched until the third day. Currant leaves, eaten sparingly after 

 three days. Canadian thistles remained untouched. If no food was 

 put in the box containing caterpillars, they began devouring one 

 another within twenty-four hours. It appears from these experiments 

 that the insect decidedly prefers the Graininea*, and that it will not 

 feed upon leguminous plants and some other orders unless compelled 

 by hunger. 



Among the natural enemies are mentioned Calosoma ealidum, Harpa- 

 lus caUgnosus, Taekina flavieauda, Ichneumon leucanice, and Ophion 

 purgatm. The usual remedies, such as furrowing, spraying with Paris 

 green (1 lb. to 75 gal. water), rolling, spraying with kerosene emulsion, 

 and burning windrows of straw after the insects have concealed them- 

 selves therein are noted. 



Report of the entomological section, C. P. Gillette ( Colorado 

 8ta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 55-61). — The author notes some experimental work 



