760 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A list is given of some 45 food plants that were found to be injured, and 

 details of spraying experiments with arsenicals are reported. Arsenate of lead 

 was entirely ineffective against the larvae on sugar beets and celery, even when 

 applied at an excessive strength by hand or machine sprayers. " Paris green, 

 when applied very thoroughly by hand to celery, gave perfect results when used 

 at excessive strengths, but when applied to sugar beets with a machine sprayer 

 (the only practical method with such a crop) it, too, proved ineffective. . . . 

 Judging from the results of these experiments, the arsenicals can not be depended 

 on to control the larvae on sugar beets. It is evident that clean cultural methods 

 offer the best chance of keeping this species under control." It is thought that 

 much benefit will be gained by keeping the ditch banks and spaces along the 

 fences free from weeds. The burning of weeds, grass, etc., under which the 

 pupae find protectinu is an excellent method of combating the pest. 



The pine procession moth in the forests of Galicia, A. G-\rci.\-Varela (BoL 

 R. Soc. Espan. Hist. Nat., 9 {1909), No. 4, pp. 192-19.',; abs. in Jour. Roy. Micros. 

 Sac. [London], 1909, No. 6, p. 716). — The author describes the ravages of 

 Cnethocampa pityocampa among the pines (Pinus pinaster) in Galicia, and 

 discusses the best means of dealing with them. The importance of ichneumonid, 

 braconid, and chalcidid parasites and other natural enemies is emphasized. 



The plum web worm, E. Rabat6 and J. Bernes (Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. VEst- 

 Centre), 30 {1909), Nos. 36, pp. 291-300, pi. 1, figs. 10; 31, pp. 321-333; 38, pp. 

 352-362; 39, pp. 389-393) .—An account is given of the life history and remedial 

 measures for Hyponomeuta padella, which appears periodically and is a source 

 of considerable injury hi a numl)er of departments in southern France. 



The insecticide treatment for the fruit-tree webworms, Jr Capus and J. 

 Feytaud {Rev. Vit., 32 {1909), Nos. 820, pp. 258-261; 822, pp. 313-319).— Direc- 

 tions for combating Hyponomeuta cognatella, H. malineUa, and H. padella 

 are given. 



Papers on deciduous fruit insects and insecticides. — On the nut-feeding' 

 habits of the codling moth, S. W. Foster (U. S. Dept. Agr.. Bur. But. Bui. 80, 

 pt. 5. pp. 61-10, pis. 2). — The author rei)orts that in October, 1909, 50 per cent 

 of the English walnuts growing upon a tree near a pear-packing shed at Concord, 

 Cal., were found to be infested by the codling moth. 



" Larvae in all stages from a few days old to full grown were found. Egg- 

 shells also were found on the outside of the hull of the nuts and on the leaves, 

 indicating that the eggs had been placed by the moth on fruit and foliage 

 promiscuously, as is customary in the case of apple and pear." Some of the 

 larvae thrive for a time on the fleshy hull before entering the kernel, but in all 

 cases observed they left the hull and entered the kernel before reaching maturity. 

 The majority of the larvae go at once into the nut, and in any case they enter 

 through the fibrous tissue connecting the halves of the shell at the base or the 

 stem end. They may bore into the lobes of the kernel or feed on its surface. 

 Some eat over a large portion next to the shell, some follow along the central 

 area, while others may spend all the time near the entrance, eating away a larger 

 portion of the kernel at this place. In any case the entire kernel is rendered 

 rancid and unsuited for human consumption. 



" Extended search throughout the central part of Contra Costa County, Cal., 

 showed the infestation to be general, but light, except where trees were near 

 packing sheds, drying grounds, or adjacent to a badly infested pear orchard. 

 Many trees wei'e found in such localities showing from 5 to 25 per cent of the 

 nuts infe.sted." Moths were reared from the Mayette, Concord, Franquette, and 

 Parisienne varieties. So far all observations indicate that only the later broods 

 of larvae attack the walnuts. 



