62 EXPEEIMEXT STATION RECORD. 



larva media (gelatin, agar, broth, and larva itself). It stains well with ordi- 

 nary aqueous-alcoholic stains, showing clearly the dividing cells; is not acid- 

 fast but is Gram positive. The disease was succesfully reproduced in a healthy 

 larva of the same species by placing the larva in artificially infected soil, mak- 

 ing an incision in the integument. Parasitic insects or fungi, or the larvae 

 themselves may add materially to the chance of infection by producing a pre- 

 disposition to the disease through mere mechanical injury. The characteristic 

 lesions were also produced in several healthy specimens of Allorhina nitida by 

 merely placing them ih water-soaked, sterilized soil to which a broth suspen- 

 sion of the micrococcus had been added. Individual larvse of one genus seem to 

 vary greatly in their power of resistance to the micrococcus, the younger seem- 

 ing to be the more susceptible. Larvte of the genus Lachnosterna seem to be 

 less resistant than those of the genus Allorhina. Stained sections made from 

 the diseased portions of larvte demonstrate the micrococci, unstained but dark 

 brown in color, imbedded in the lamiuse (also unstained and brownish in color) 

 of the integument. Large light brown pigmented cells also are found within 

 the body cavity. This brownish-black color is due to a pigment presumably 

 melanotic in character, most probably directly or indirectly produced by the 

 activity of the bacterial cells within the larval tissue. This micrococcus was 

 found to be pathogenic to the cockroach Periplaneta americana also, the disease 

 pursuing its course in much the same fashion as in the white grub, the infec- 

 tion, however, apparently limiting itself to the legs. It can not be definitely 

 stated whether the micrococcus is pathogenic to angleworms. Several unsuc- 

 cessful attempts were made in isolating the micrococcus from naturally infected 

 soil. Excessively wet soil favors the progress of the disease. In fact this 

 factor may be considered as probably the most important one concerned in the 

 fatality of the infection. 



"Other organisms existent m the soil may cause an infection of the larvae. A 

 gas-producing bacillus {Bacillus septicus insectoriiml) found on the plate cul- 

 tures seems to add materially to the fatality of the disease under certain con- 

 ditions. This bacillus may be the primary invading organism." 



A bibliography of 29 titles is appended. 



A bacterial disease of the larvae of the June beetle, Lachnosterna spp., 

 Zae Northeup {CentM. BaM. [etc.], 2. Aht., 41 (1914), No. 11-17, pp. 321-339, 

 pis. 4, figs. 5). — The data here presented are substantially noted above. 



Boll weevil effect upon cotton production, W. E. Hinds (Alabama Col. Sta. 

 Bui. 178 {1914), pp. 87-99, fig. 1). — The author here discusses a number of fac- 

 tors in the natural control of the weevil, among them climatic conditions, in- 

 cluding temperature and humidity and cotton worm efi'ects. It is pointed out 

 that no section of Alabama can hope to escai)e weevil infestation, and that 

 while greater profits may be expected in the zone with from 12 to 14 in. of 

 rainfall per annum than farther south, even here diversification should be 

 encouraged. 



A map illustrating the spread of the weevil and rainfall zones is included. 



On Stylops and stylopisation, G. Smith and A. H. Hamm (Quart. Jour. 

 Micros. 8ci. [Lojidon], n. ser., 60 (19U), No. 239, pp. 435-461, i)ls. 4). — " From a 

 study of the anatomy and life history of Stylops it appears that despite the 

 existence of active winged males, fertilization can not occur and development 

 is always parthenogenetic. . . . The effect of the parasite on the internal 

 genital organs is slight as compared with the effect of Sacculina on Inachus, 

 and leads to a i-eduction in the size of the ovaries to about quarter the normal 

 size, while the testes are usually unaffected. The ovaries of stylopised bees 

 never produce ripe ova, but the testes generally produce normal ripe sper- 



