ENTOMOLOOY. 159 



lint all that portion of North America which lies east of the Rot-ky ^roniitaiiis aii<l 

 i)et\vc'eii latitudes 32 and 55° north. A related species, />. junctu, ha- n-tri'ated 

 before the advance of the Colorado potato beetle, and is now confined to a iiiore 

 southern distrilmtion. A number of geo^'raphicuil forms of the potato l)eetie arc 

 apparently l)einfr developed, but these forms are not easily determined without 

 accurate and detailed measurements. 



The pea weevil and means of combating it, (t. Staes ( Tijdschr. J'ldiitenziekien, 

 6 {1900), No. 3-4, pp. 105-123). — The author presents a brief account of the insects 

 which most commonly prove injurious to peas. The life history of Brurhm pi.'ii is 

 (lescri})ed in detail, and notes are given on the literature of the subject. In combat- 

 ing the attacks of this insect the author recommends planting seed which is free from 

 weevils. This may be accomplished by securing uninfested seed or by treatment of 

 infested seed for tiie destruction of the weevil. It is recommended that peas be 

 heated in an oven to a temperature of from 50 to 60° C. for a short time, during 

 which they are constantly stirred. Seed peas may be held over a year for the ])nr- 

 pose of allowing the weevils to escape, so that they may be destroyed. It is advi.^able 

 also to <lestroy any pea pods which may be left in the tield. Weevils should l)e jire- 

 vented from escajjing from infested peas into the fields before planting time. 



The cane borer in Louisiana and Hawaii (Haivaiian Planters' Mo., 20 {1901), 

 y!>i. 1, pp. -22-26). — Notes on the liabits, life history, and most efficient means of com- 

 Ijating Sphenophorus obscitru.'^. 



A little-known asparagus pest ( Agromyza simplex), F. A. Sirrine {Xerc York 

 Sta. Bill. 189, pp. 211-282, jigs. 5).— The adult is a metallic black fly 3 to 4 mm. long, 

 usually found resting on the flowers and ])ranches of asparagus plants. The pupal 

 condition resembles the flaxseed stage of the Hessian fly. The puparia appear as 

 raised spots under the epidermis near the base of the asparagus stems. The process 

 of laying eggs was not observed, V>ut from the fact that mines made by the maggots 

 flrst start V)eneath the leaf scale, it is suspected that the eggs are occasionally depos- 

 ited mider or near the leaf scale. The species mines beneath the outer bark, and 

 eats the green portion of the plant between the epidermis and the wood. When 

 several maggots are present they completely girdle the stem. Although the species 

 has been under observation for 4 years, it has not been observed as injurious to 

 cutting beds. During 1900 it did considerable damage to seedling and newly set 

 beds. Infested ])lants turn yellow and Anally die much earlier than they naturally 

 should do. 



From the habits of the pest it is apparent that there is little opjiortunity of appl}'- 

 ing insecticides. Since eggs for the flrst brood are deposited early in June, it is 

 recommended that small shoots should not be allowed to grow on cutting beds 

 during the cutting season. It is also advised that old stalks be pulled and burned 

 after they are dead, prefera))ly late in the fall. There are 2 broods of the insect per 

 year. 



Natural enemies and artificial remedies for Pieris brassicae, G. del Guekcio 

 {Xiiorc Jlilii:. A". Sl<i:. Ent. A/jr., 1. scr., 1900, Xo. 3, pp. 9.',-ins, figs. ,?).— Among 

 mechanical means f<jr flghting this species destruction of the eggs is recommended as 

 of prime importance, and the destruction of the caterpillars as second in importance. 

 Kgg destruction is more practica])le in this species than in P. rapx or J', mipi, since 

 in the case of the flrst species they are laid in groups of considerable size and have a 

 l)riglit yellow color. Experiments were made with a number of chemicals, such as 

 superphosj)hate of lime, solutions of potash and soda soaps, soap euudsions witli 

 petroleum, benzene and bisulphid of carbon, soap emulsions with heavy oil of tar, 

 and solutions of alkaline tar. The superphosphate of lime had no apparent effect 

 upon the caterjiillars. Solutions of juttash soap in strengths of from 1^ to 2\ per 

 cent destroyed the caterpillars (juickly and did not leave any bad odor upon the 

 plants. The author states that the cateri)illars of the cabbage butterfly may be 



