368 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The principal insect enemies of growing wheat, C. L. Marlatt ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Farmers' Bui. 132, pp. 40, figs. ;?5).— The chief insect enemies of wheat, in the 

 order of their importance, are considered to be chinch bug, Hessian fly, wheat 

 midge, and grain-plant louse. The wheat-straw worms, wheat-bulb worms, army 

 worms, cutworms, and sawflies are of secondary importance, while a large variety of 

 insects are occasionally found upon wheat. In this bulletin especial attention is 

 devoted to the 4 insects mentioned as being of chief importance, and also to Isosoma 

 tritici, I. grande, Meromyza americana, Leucania unipunctn, Laphygma frugiperda, 

 Cephus piigm^us, C. occidentalis, and Pachynematus extensicornis. 



The mites of sugar cane in Java, L. Zehntner (Meded. Proefstat. Suikerriet 

 West Java, No. .51, pp. 17, pis. 8; reprint from Arch. Java Siiikermd., 1901, No. 5). — A 

 detailed description is given of Tetranychus e.csiccator in all its stages, together with 

 an account of its injuries and natural enemies. Besides several species of ladybirds 

 which prey upon the mite, the author gives an account of Diplosis acarivora, which 

 is described as a new species and as parasitic upon the mite. When the mite occurs 

 in large numbers, it is recommended that infested plants be sprayed with petroleum 

 emulsion. 



Enemies of cucumbers and related plants, H. Garman {Kentucky Sia. Bui. 91, 

 l)p. 3-48, figs, i^).— Considerable work was done on the life history of the striped 

 cucumber beetle. The beetle was found to hibernate in the adult condition, and 

 individuals were found in the spring as early as April 12. During the latter half of 

 July adults began to appear from the earliest eggs which were laid by the spring 

 brood. Some of these beetles may possibly lay eggs for a second brood which matures 

 in the fall, but it is not believed that there are over 3 or 4 broods during a season. 

 According to the author's observations, the life history of the species occupies from 

 26 to 33 days. Notes are given on the food plants of the beetle. It is stated that the 

 beetles begin to lay their eggs by the middle of June, and that the young larvae begin 

 to hatch about the second half of June. The average duration of larval life was found 

 to be about 19 days. As remedial treatment for this insect the author recommends 

 burning all leaves and rubbish, dusting plants with insect powder, spraying with Bor- 

 deaux mixture, and the use of various forms of covers. Plaster and lime were found 

 to be ineffective. A detailed description of the species is given in all its stages, 

 together with notes on the literature of the beetle. 



Brief notes are given on the life history and habits of the spotted cucumber beetle. 



The northern squash beetle (Epilachna horecdis) is" reported as causing local and 

 periodical depredations on the cucumbers and related plants. Egg laying begins in 

 the second half of June, and the larvfe hatch within about 10 days. For combating 

 this species the author recommends hand picking and spraying with Paris green to 

 which lime has been added. 



As remedies for the melon aphis {Aphis gossypii), tobacco decoction, kerosene 

 emulsion, fumigation with bisulphid of carbon, hydrocyanic-acid gas, and tobacco 

 extracts are recommended. The author devised 2 forms of fumigators especially for 

 the purpose of fumigating with tobacco extracts. One fumigator consists of a can 

 with a tin cylinder 8 in. long and 4 in. in diameter soldered to one side. The cylin- 

 der is furnished with an opening covered with a screw cap on the upper side, into 

 which nicotine preparations may be poured. The can is without bottom and is 

 placed over the plant to be treated. Heat is then applied by a burner to the under 

 side of the cylinder. The second form of fumigator consists of a wooden box, tightly 

 calked, inverted over the plant to be treated, and a tin pail connected with the box 

 by a tin tube 1 in. in diameter. The nicotine is placed in the pail and the heat 

 applied to the bottom of the pail by means of a burner. Notes are given on the food 

 plants, life history, and enemies of the melon louse. 



Brief biological and economic notes are presented on Anasa tristis, A. armigera, 

 Leptoglossus ojipositus, L. phyllopus, squash borer, pickle worm, melon worm, 



