272 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the resi.sting power of different varieties to the attacks of the mites was noted. Sub- 

 mersion of infested areas had no good effect; on the other hand, it appeared to 

 aggravate tiie trouble. Sulphocarbonate of potasli proved to be ineffective. The 

 only good remedy found was carl)on l)isuliihid applied at the rate of 300 kg. per 

 hectare in a single treatment, or better, in two treatments of 200 kg. each. The 

 parasite was completely eradicated by this method. 



Trap lanterns, or " moth-citchers," M. V. Slingerland [Xch: York Cornell tSta. 

 Bui. 20Jfpp. 197-225, figii. 2). — In a general discussion of the utility of trap lanterns 

 it is argued that more importance should l)e ascribed to the kind of insects caught 

 by such traps than to the numlters. It is well known that many beneficial insects 

 are attracted to the light and killed along with the injurious ones. Two series of 

 experiments were conducted at the station for the purpose of testing the value of 

 lantern traps. One series of experiments was made with these lantern traps in 1889, 

 and the other with one such trap, in 1892. The lantern trajjs in both series con- 

 sisted of an ordiiTarv lantern set on a brick in a tin pan, the wdiole being fastened to 

 a platform on the top of a stake. In theseriesof experiments in 1889 the trap lanterns 

 were set under various surroundings, such as the edge of a small hop field, under a 

 tree, at the edge of an oat fiel(,l, in a wheat plat, and in the center of an experi- 

 mental garden containing bush fruits and some larger trees. It was necessary to 

 visit the traps twice a day, and the six lanterns in the season of 1889 were kept in 

 order every night from May 1 to October 15. The single trap utilized in 1892 was 

 run from May 20 to October 1. Detailed notes are given in a tabular form concern- 

 ing the number and species of insects captured during these experiments. In 1892 

 about lo,000 insects were taken, representing 350 sj^ecies. Of this nundier 77 per 

 cent were neutral with regard to their effect upon agi'iculture, while lOf percent were 

 decidedly beneficial, and 12| per cent were insects which are sometimes pests. No 

 codling moths were captured. Among the serious insect pests represented, a much 

 larger percentage of males was captured than females, the percentage of males in 

 different species varying from 79 to 93. This indicates that lantern traps are of little 

 value, in so far as largely male insects are attracted to the light, while females are 

 still left to deposit their eggs. The majority of the insects were taken in June and 

 August. In case of several sjiecies, sharply defined periods of flight were observed, 

 during which large numbers of insects were captured. At other times the.se species 

 might be almost entirely missing in the captures of the night. 



The results obtained in various other stations in experiments with moth-catchers 

 and trap lanterns are briefly discussed. Since only about 1 per cent of the insects 

 caught by the author could be considered as common orchard pests, it is urged that 

 the lantern traps have little to recommend them to the ordinary fruit growers. In 

 case of a few insects, like the moths of tent caterpillars, which fly for a few nights 

 only and then in large numbers, it may be possible to use lantern traps to advantage. 

 So many beneficial insects, however, are captured by the traps that the very slight 

 benefits to be deiived do not pay for the trouble of maintaining the lantern traps. 



Suggestions for insect control in the West Indies, H. Maxwell-Lefroy 

 ( llV.s/ India II Bill., 2 {IH02), Xo. 4, pp. :US-S44)- — This article contains a general 

 account of the problems of economic entomology, the local condition of the West 

 Indies with reference to injurious insects, and a general classification of methods for 

 controlling injurious species of insects. These methods include legislative measures for 

 l)reventing introduction of new pests, the adoption of other methods of prevention, 

 remedial measures, encouragement of useful birds and other enemies of insects, and 

 the introduction of new insectivorous birds and predaceous insects. 



Circular to nurserymen relating to shipment of nursery stock, W. B. 

 Alwood {Virginia Sta. Spec. Bid., Maij, 1902, pp. 6).— This circular contains informa- 

 tion for nurserymen and other persons concerning the requirements in a certificate 



