ENTOMOLOGY. 277 



of a second brood of the insect. This point will be more carefully studied by the 

 author. 



The cabbage-root fly {Jour. lid. Agr. [London], 11 {1904), No. 6, pp. 352-355). 

 Notes are presented <>n the habits and life history of Phorbia brassicie. In prevent- 

 ing damage from this insect, the use of tarred paper or cards around the cabbage 

 plants, sprinkling sand saturated with kerosene around the plants, and destruction 

 of badly infested cabbages is recommended. 



Report on the life history and habits of the imported brown-tail moth, 

 C. II. FERNALDand A. II. Kirkland (Boston: Stale Bd. Agr., 1903, pp. 73, pis. 14).— 

 A historical account is presented of the discovery of this insect in America, its gradual 

 spread, and present distribution, together with notes on the irritation caused by the 

 nettling hairs of the caterpillars and the injury to fruit and shade trees. 



The brown-tail moth was first noted in considerable numbers in this country in 

 1897 and has since become distributed over a considerable portion of Massachusetts. 

 Copies are presented of letters from various individuals who have suffered injuries 

 from the nettling hairs of the caterpillars. The life history of the insert is described 

 in considerable detail. 



A number of natural enemies of the brown-tail moth are known, including preda- 

 ceous and parasitic insects as well as birds. Reliance must be placed, however, in 

 artificial remedies, particularly web destruction during the period from October to 

 April, when these insects are massed together in their winter webs. These webs may 

 be very readily detected and destroyed with the caterpillars. Other methods recom- 

 mended consist in application of arsenical poisons and handing trees with sticky 

 substances. 



The true gall gnats of the pear, V. Ferraut (Ally. Ztschr. Ent., 9 (1904), No. 

 15-16, pp. -29S-S04). — The author discusses thesynonomy of Cecidomyia nigra, Sciara 

 pyri, S. 8chmidbergeri, and Diplosis pirivora. The habits and life history of the last- 

 named species are briefly described. In combating this pest the author recommends 

 that infested pear trees be vigorously shaken daily and that all pears which fall be 

 at once destroyed. 



A sugar-cane leaf hopper in Hawaii, D. L. Van Dine (Hawaii Sta. Bui. 5, ]ij>. 

 29, figs. S). — The leaf hopper which has caused most damage to sugar cane in Hawaii 

 has been determined as Perkinsiella saccharicida. This insect and the cane borer are 

 considered as the most destructive pests of sugar cane. 



Detailed notes are given on the life history of the leaf hopper and on the appear- 

 ance of the insect in its different stages. The adult females injure the leaf during 

 oviposition and the young leaf hoppers damage trie plants in feeding. The attack of 

 this pest is also followed by a fungus growt h belonging to the genus Spiueronema. The 

 first symptom of the attack of these insects is a formation of reddish spots along the 

 midrib of the leaves. 



The natural enemies of the leaf hopper can not be depended upon and the control 

 of the pests must be brought about by artificial means. Experiments were made in 

 testing the value of kerosene emulsion, lime dust, stripping the lower infested leaves, 

 and collecting the leaf hoppers by nets. 



The results obtained by the use of sprays, dust insecticides, and nets were not very 

 satisfactory. In the level fields, however, before the cane has attained a height of 3 

 or 4 ft. it is believed that a spray of kerosene emulsion may be effectively delivered. 

 In cases where the black fungus is abundant on the cane it is recommended that the 

 plants be dusted with a mixture of lime and copper sulphate. In preventing the 

 attacks of leaf hoppers the author recommends clean methods of cultivation combined 

 with proper cultivation and the use of fertilizers. 



Means for preventing damage caused by weevils and moths to stored 

 grain, P. Gennadius (Cyprus Jour., 1 (1904), No. 5, pp. 5-7).— It has been found 



