ENTOMOLOGY. 157 



cedintr el•<lysi^< uiid jioiir out their contents when the procet^s of iimltinj,^ oi-curH. The 

 irhiiuls oceur on all parts of the body, hut are most nunierous un the pronotuni. 



Locusts or grasshoppers, L. Bkunek (Xehr(it:k<t Sta. Bui. 7", jij). 14, Jii/x. l.!). — 

 An analytieal table is presented for the purpose of assisting in the identification of 

 the 10 eonnnon species of grasshoi>pers in the State. The 4 most important ones 

 from an economic standpoint are Melanoplns hivittalus, M. dUf'vrentUdh, M. feimir- 

 rabnun, and J/, atlanis. Brief notes are given on the life history of gra^nshoppers and 

 on the causes for excessive increase of these insects in certain years. The author 

 discui-ses the method of killing locusts with fungus diseases. Experiments with a 

 fungus disease imported from South America were without result. Another disease 

 very similar to the South Amerii-an fungus is reported. Disking or harrowing and 

 the use of hopperdozers are reconunended in the destruction of these insects. 



A preliminary report of progress of an investigation concerning the life 

 history, habits, injuries, and methods for destroying the Mexican cotton-boll 

 weevil (Anthonomus grandis) , F. W. Mally {Amthi, Texas: Von Boeckmann, 

 ScJiutz ct- Co., 1901, j>ji. 45). — The author describes in considerable detail the life his- 

 tory and habits of this insect. The female eats a hole into the square, form, or young 

 boll, and deposits 1 egg in each hole. The opening is then closed with a small drop 

 of glue. So far as observed the eggs are deposited n()where else. The larva upon 

 hatching feeds upon the inside portions of the square or form in which the egg has 

 been laid. The whole life cycle is passed in the same situation and extends through 

 1 month. The species hibernates in the adult stage in the cracks of bark and under 

 rubbish of various kinds. 



The adult weevil flies little, if at all, at night, and lantern traps are therefore not 

 reconunended. Good success was had in planting trap rows of cotton early in the 

 season, using early varieties. The beetles collect upon these early plants, from which 

 they may be jarred into pans smeared on the bottoms and sides with coal tar or other 

 adhesive substance. This method is recommended as especially effective and eco- 

 nomical for small areas of cotton. Since infested squares may be recognized by what 

 is commonly called flaring and later fall to the ground, they may be collected and 

 destroyed l^efore the weevils have had time to mature and escajjc. In experiments 

 f(jr the purpose of determining the cost of collecting the fallen squares, it was found 

 that during the months of May and June the squares could be gathered for from 

 5 cts. to 10 cts. per acre, while during July the expense reached 25 cts. an acre. 

 This was for the work of adult negroes. When boys were used the expense was 

 about 6 cts. per acre for the season. 



As already indicated the infested scjuares can be recognized l)efore falling and can 

 be picked off and destroyed. Plowing under fallen squares gives little promise of 

 effet'tiveness, since ex2)eriments indicated that the weevils could make their way to 

 the surface after l^eing buried to a considerable depth. For the imrjiose of securing 

 early trap plants, it is recoumiended that the seed of early fruiting varieties be 

 planted or seed grown in a northern latitude. Infested I'otton seed may be fumi- 

 gated witli carbon l)isvilphid at the rate of 1 lb. to from 25 to 50 bu. of seed. 



It is well known that s(}uares whicli do not bloom within 6 weeks of frost very sel- 

 dom come to maturity.. Such squares, therefore, serve chiefly as food and places for 

 egg laying of the weevils. By turning stock into cotton fields late in the summer 

 the young squares containing weevils will be grazed off. The stalks and other portions 

 wliich are left l)y cattle may be cut down and piled up so as to serve as attractive 

 hi])ernating quarters for the weevils. Such piles of refuse may then be burned. 



Since the boll weevil is protected against ordinary insecticides during its whole 

 life, special methods of spraying are reconunemled. The best results were secured by 

 the use of i)oisoned molasses. A formula for use on trap plants is 2 gal. cane 

 molasses, 2 oz. arsenic boiled in water until dissolved, -1 oz. arsenate of lead, and 

 4G gal. of water. On the main crop of cotton for use in midsummer the following 



