ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 357 



Egg parasites are said to be the most effective enemies, two new species of 

 wliich were rearetl by the author during the summer of 1914, one described by 

 Crawford as Gonatoccrus gibsoni (see above) and tlie other to be described by 

 Girault as AbbeJla auriscutellum. O. gibsoni is said to have not only held the 

 pest in check but to have practically eradicated it in the Salt River Valley dur- 

 ing the summer of 1914. from 75 to 95 per cent of parasitism having been 

 observed between May 15 and June 15. Two egg parasites were reared in con- 

 siderable numbers by Ainslie in Florida during the spring of 1914, one of which 

 has been determined as BrachistcUa acuminata. 



As regards remedial measures it is stated that in localities with conditions 

 similar to those in Salt River Valley, Arizona, much can be accomplished 

 through the keeping down of wild grasses, principally Johnson grass, along 

 irrigation ditch banks, fence rows, and along roadsides during the summer 

 months. As soon as possible after the grain is harvested the ground should 

 be broken up and planted. Where the species infests pastures or grass lands 

 close pasturing or cutting while it is in the egg stage is advised. It is thought 

 that in the Northern States the burning of grasses in which the species may be 

 hibernating will destroy many of the adults. 



Influence of soil moisture upon the rate of increase in sugar-beet root 

 louse colonies, J. R. Parker {U. 8. Dcpt. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, Jf (11)15), 

 No. 3, pp. 241-250). — During the course of studies of the sugar-beet root louse 

 (Pemphigus bctw) at the Montana Station, an account of the life history of 

 which species has been previously noted (E. S. R., 31, p. 250), it was found that 

 soil moisture is a very important factor in the control of the rate of increase 

 in root-louse colonies. In the present paper the author reports upon general 

 field observations, insectary experiments, and field irrigation tests of the 

 effect of soil moisture. In irrigation experiments at Huntley, Bozeman, and 

 Edgar, it was found that sugar beets grown under rather moist conditions were 

 the least infested with root lice and yielded the highest in both sugar content 

 and in tonnage. By irrigating early before the fields become dry the chances 

 of root louse infestation are reduced and the best conditions for plant growth 

 are secured. 



The Hessian fly, T. J. Headlee (New Jersey 8tas. Circ. Jf6, pp. 3-8). — ^A 

 brief popular account of this pest and means of control, including a table for 

 determining the date of safe sowing at different altitudes and latitudes in the 

 State. 



Fly baits, J. E. Buck (Alabama Col. Sta. Circ. 32 (1915), pp. 34->39, fig. 1).— 

 This is a brief report of work at the station barns during the summer and fall 

 of 1914, during the course of which more than 50. tests were made with a view 

 to determining the relative attractiveness to flies of various baits used in wire 

 traps. The baits were exposed from 2 to 5 hours in a test and from 2 to 18 

 hours in a sei'ies. 



In all tests the baits were exposed 138 hours, catching a total of 104,041 

 flies. Formulas are given of twelve of the most important baits in the order 

 of their attractiveness, all of which are said to have been thoroughly tested in 

 comparison with each other and with still others, and can be relied upon for 

 good results. The one flrst mentioned is that of light bread, buttermilk (to 

 which 7 per cent of 40 per cent commercial formaldehyde has been added), and 

 a little sugar or sirup. 



Control of the onion fly, J. G. Sanders (Country Gent., 80 (1915), No. 12, 

 pp. 572, 573, figs. 5). — Following studies of the life history of the onion maggot 

 (Pegomya cepetorum) at the University of Wisconsin by C. R. Cleveland and 

 H. H, Severin, showing a period of from 10 to 14 days between the emergence 



