270 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



order to prevent the* deposition of eggs in such locations, and the destruction of 

 rattoon stumps which are not intended to be grown. 



The natural enemy of the sugar-cane beetle in Queensland, W. W. Frog- 

 GATT {A(jr. (la:. Xeir Soiitli ]Val)'s, 1:1 ( 1902), No. 1, pp. 63-(i8, pJ. 1). — Notes are given 

 on the habits and life history of a parasitic wasp, Scolla formo.sa, which was found to 

 be a valuable parasite for holding in check the cane beetle in Queensland. The 

 notes are based largely on the report of Mr. J. T. Clarke, who worke<l out a part of 

 the life history of the parasite in the laboratory of a sugar refining company. The 

 author also gives notes on the habits and life history of Lepidoderma albohirtum and 

 Xijldtrnpcs anMraUcHS, both of which are injurious to sugar cane in New South Wales. 



A parasite of sugar-cane beetle grubs, H. Tryon {Queensland Agr. Jour., 10 

 {1902), No. 2, pp. 133-140, pi. 1). — A hymenopterous parasite {Dlelh forinosus) is 

 reported as being quite effective in checking the numbers of the sugar-cane borer. 

 Notes are given on the distribution of the species, and the insect is descril)ed in 

 detail in all its stages. In the discussion of the habits and life history of the insect 

 it is stated that the eggs are probably deposited upon the larva of the cane borer 

 when the latter has nearly reached its full size. It is suggested that the parasite in 

 question may be artificially reared in such numbers as to permit its shipment to the 

 United States and other countries where the cane borer is injurious. 



The chinch bug, J. M. Steoman {Missouri Sta. Bid. .'>!, pp. ll.',-142, figs. 4). — In 

 this bulletin a general j)opular account is given of the habits, life history, food plants, 

 migrations, and means of comljating the chinch bug. The <lifferent stages of the 

 insect are descri I )ed, and notes are given on its luil)its of hibernation, and natural 

 enemies. The birds mentioned as most beneficial in <lestroying cliinch bugs are 

 quail, prairie chicken, meadow lark, red-wing blai-kbird, catbird, and thrushes. It 

 is beheved by the author that little help can be expected from parasitic fungi in 

 destroying the chinch bug. His experience in Missouri indicates that the di-ease 

 occurs naturally in most badly infested localities, and that the small amount of 

 fungus which can be distributed by any one farmer has little effect on the general 

 result. 



The squash bug, (!. M. Weed and A. F. Coxradi {Xeir Hampshire Sta. Bid. 89, 

 pp. 13-28, figs. 2). — The authors give a pojnilar account of the hal)its, life history, 

 and methods of attack of this insect. The most important jiarasitic enemy of the 

 squash bug noted in New Hampshire during the past season was Trichopoda pennipes.. 

 It is ))eheved that toads seldom feed upon the squash bug for the reason that the odor 

 of the insect has been found to be fatal to toads as well as to a species of salamander. 

 A number of squash Ijugs were, found which apparently had died of an unidentified 

 fungus disease. The remedies recommended by the authors include the use of net- 

 ting covers when the plants are young, sowing an excessive quantity of seed, clean 

 culture, hand picking, and spra; ing with a mechanical mixture of kerosene in water. 

 The beetles may be collected from the vines and upon the ground in the spring, as 

 well as from board traps and trap squash plants. In summer similar remedies may 

 be applied, and also si)raying with a mechanical mixture of kerosene and water 

 weak enough to be harmless to the S(iuash plants. In the autumn the squash ]>lants 

 may be sprayed with a stronger mixture of kerosene immediately after the first 

 frost. 



Experiments with insecticides for the San Jose scale, S. A. Forbes ( Illinois 

 Sta. Bids. 71 and 72, pp. 241-268). — In the fall of 1901 the author secured an appro- 

 priation of $15,000 for insecticide work on the San Jose scale. It was decided to 

 make experiments to determine the value of the lime, salt, and sulphur wash and 

 also the lime, sulphur, and ])lue vitriol wash which is nuich used in Oregon. It was 

 found that Ijoth of these washes hail the effect of loosening the scales so that they 

 were easily rubbed off and washed away by ram. The chief jiurpose of the experi- 

 ments was to determine the effect of rams which nnght occur soon after spraying 



