68 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the larv.ie were found were depressions in the bed of a small stream and in small 

 ponds. 



Phylloxera and its destruction by means of lysol, (i. Cantin {Le Phylloxera. 

 Sa destruction par le lysol. Paris: Lihrairie Ayrirole Maison Rustifpie, 1900, pp. 22, 23). — 

 The author gives a brief history of the ravages cansed by phylloxera, and the hfe 

 history of the insect. Notes are also given on the various methods of combating 

 phylloxera which have been ])reviously adopted. Experiments with lysol were con- 

 ducted on a vineyard in Chavignol which had been badly invested with phylloxera 

 since 1893. The first treatment consisted in jiainting all the stems by means of a 

 brush with 5 per cent solution of lysol. The work of painting 6,500 grape stems 

 required 25 kg. of lysol and cost aliout $1.3.50. The second treatment was given one 

 week later, and consisted in spraying the stems and the moss and old bark which had 

 been scraped off and was lying about the ba.«e of the steins. A 5 per cent solution of 

 lysol was used fortius i)nrpose, and the moss and old bark was thoroughly saturated. 

 This treatment required also 25 kg. of Ij'sol, but as the labor was somewhat greater 

 the expense was about $15. 



On the theory that phylloxera depends for its propagation on the individuals that 

 issue from winter eggs, this treatment of the stems with lysol promises success. The 

 author estimates that the subterranean colonies of phylloxera will disappear l)y 

 exhaustion after about .3 years, if not reinfoi'ced l)y young hatched out of the winter 

 eggs. 



The palmer -worm, M. V. Slingerland {Neir York Corudl Sta. Bui. 181, pp. 77- 

 101,fifjs. H). — Tlie name " palmer worm " has been applied in the United States to 

 Ypsolophus pometellus. The author describes the larva, pupa, and ailult moth of this 

 species. The distribution of the insect seems to be confined to the United States. 

 It is most common in New York and New F^ngland, where the greatest amount of 

 damage is done; and it has also been reported from Ohio, Kentucky, and a few of 

 the Southern States. During the past century it has occurred in injurious numl)ers 

 only 3 times. Its food plants include apple, oak, jilum, and cherry trees. 



The larvie feed upon the leaves in much the same manner as cankerworms. Occa- 

 sionally a few of these are fastened together with silken threads, so as to form a nest 

 within which the caterpillars feed. Considerable, damage is also done to young 

 apples, uj)on which the larva- feed with great avidity. When the branches are 

 jarred the caterpillars drop, })ut remain attached by means of a silken thread. 



During the second half of June the insect passed into the pupal condition. The 

 pupje were formed on the leaves, being attached by means of a few threads. The 

 insect remained in the pupal condition for about 10 days, and the moths emerged 

 during the last week in June and the first 10 days of July. The moths were not 

 active during the day unless disturbed. The author conducted l)reeding experiments 

 for the purpose of determining the further life history of the insect. The moths 

 remained alive in breeding cages from July 5 until November, which indicated that 

 the species hibernates in the adult condition. It is believed, tlierefore, that there is 

 but one l)rood of caterpillars annually. The egg-laying habit was not observed and 

 no eggs were found. 



The climatic conditions which are most favorable for the development of this spe- 

 cies are dry and hot weather during April and May. A number of hymenopterous 

 parasites were bred from pupte of the palmer worm, which proved to be Apantelfs 

 perj)le.vus. As an artificial remedy for this insect the author reconunends spraying 

 with Paris green at the same times at which such applications are made for the ctxl- 

 ling moth. A Inbliography of the literature relating to this si)ecies is given. 



Tlie carpenter Avorm, S. B. Doten {Ntracla tSta. Bui. 49, pp. 12, fiys. 7) . — This 

 species, which commonly attacks cotton wood trees, is reported as doing considerable 

 damage to young elms. The insect is described in its various stages, and brief notes 

 are given on its life history. Since the carpenter worm attacks willows, infested 



