ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 851 



On the causes and symptoms of flacherie and polyhedral disease of cater- 

 pillars, E. Fischer (JUoL Vcntbl., 3Jf {I'.HJ,), Nos. 5, pp. .iOS^i^S; 6, pp. .J.57- 

 371; abs. in Rev. Appl. Ent., 2 U'JU), Ser. A, No. 8, p. 528).— The author has 

 made investigations of the cause and symptoms of flacherie with caterpillars of 

 three species of the genus Vanessa and with Pyrameis cardui, comparing his 

 results with those obtained by Verson (E. S. R.. 10, p. 256) with the silkworm 

 in Italy. Flacb(M-ie and poIylie<lral disease are considered to be distinct on the 

 basis of the form of the jwlyliodral bodies. The symptoms of both are discussed. 



Biological notes on the larva of Tipula oleracea and its ravages in the 

 vicinity of Avesnois in the spring of 1914, P. DfisoiL (Covipt. Raid. Hoc. 

 Biol. [PariH], 11 (IDlJf), No. 21, pp. 126, 127; abs. in Rev. Appl. Ent., 2 (WW, 

 Ser. A, No. 10, pp. 606, 601). — This dipterau attacks cbiefly grasses and clovers. 

 Its injury commences toward the end of winter and the spring growth limits 

 its spread, the larvae being active from October to May. The only practical 

 measure of control consists in deeply plowing under the infested turf and in 

 sowing in the months of March and April. 



Ceratopogoninge sucking the blood of other insects, F. Knab (Proc. Ent. 

 8oc. Wash., 16 {Wlli). No. .?. pp. 1.39-1.',!).— Thin article supplements that 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 31, p. 45.5). 



A new tachinid parasite of Diapheromera femorata, W. R. Walton (Prnc. 

 Ent. Sac. Wa,sh., 16 (191.',), No. 3, pp. 129-132, figs. 6).— It is stated that two 

 tachinids have previously been known to be parasitic upon Phasmidai. A third 

 parasite reared at IMilwaukee, Wis., from the counuon walking stick (D. femo- 

 rata) is described as EuJiaJlidaya .'<rverinii u. g. and n. sp. 



Lucilia sericata attacking a live calf, H. F. Hudson (Canad. Ent.. J/6 (1911,), 

 No. 12, pp. .'(16). — The author records observations at Strathroy. Ontario, in 

 which a Holstein calf from 5 to 6 weeks old was attacked by the larva of L. 

 sericata. The maggots were most abundant around the anus and base of the 

 tail, where some had eaten into the flesh to a depth of about a quarter of an 

 inch. 



Descriptions of two new species of Strepsiptera parasitic on sugar cane 

 insects, W. D. Pierce (Proe. Ent. Soc. irr/.s-/;., 16 (191Jf). No. 3. pp. 126-129).— 

 StenocranophiUts qvadratus. a parasite of the destructive Stenorranu.'^ ftae- 

 ctiarivorus at Rio Piedras, P. R., and PyriUoxenos compactus, a parasite of the 

 sugar cane fly of India, PyrUla sp., at Pusa, India, represent new genera and 

 species. 



Turnip flea-beetles. — Effect of turpentine and paraffin on the germination 

 of turnip seed, G. II. Corbett {Ann. Sci. Bid. Roy. Agr. Col. Cirencester, No. 

 Ii-o (191Jt), pp. 8Ji-88). — Experiments in which turnip seed was soaked from 

 one to twenty days in tun^entine or parafliu indicate that these substances do 

 not retard germination when put under soil conditions but appear to hasten it. 



Alfalfa attacked by the clover-root curculio, F. ]\I. Webster ( U. S. Dcpt. 

 Agr.. Farmers' Bill. 6.'(9 (191')). pp. 8, figs. 6). — This is a summarized account 

 of Sitones Jiispididus. an investigation of which i-eported by Wildermuth has 

 been previously noted (E. S. R., 22, p. 758). 



Its feeding habits so far as determined are almost exactly the Stime upon 

 alfalfa as upon clover. Its attack on alfalfa, which has largely come to atten- 

 tion since the paper abOA-e mentioned was prepared, has occurred througlionf 

 all parts of Baltimore County, Md., at West Chester. Pa., about Salt Lake City, 

 Utah, etc. Investigations of remedial and preventive measures have not as yet 

 been carried out. Since the larvpe do not as a rule descend much more than 1 in. 

 below the surface it is thought that disking or liarrowing the fields as soon as 

 the first hay crop is removed will break up the pupal cells and vast numbers of 

 this pest be thus destroyed. 



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