58 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



In investigations of the effect of climate upon the life and seasonal cycles 

 of insects, in continuation of those of the previous year (E. S. R., 39, p. 761), 

 work with the Angoumois grain moth and the bean weevil led to the following 

 conclusions: "For at least two widely divergent species of the stored grain 

 insect group, one a beetle and the other a moth, increase in atmospheric 

 humidity means increase in speed of metabolism as measured by length of 

 life cycle. The optimum percentage of atmospheric humidity is the highest 

 which will not encourage a heavy growth of fungi. One hundred per cent 

 atmospheric humidity destroys by encouraging the growth of fungi and low 

 atmospheric moisture destroys directly, probably by the abstraction of water. 

 While the egg stage of the bean weevil at least is most sensitive to the elfect 

 of low atmospheric humidity, other stages are xmfavorably affected. Low 

 atmospheric moisture might be developed into an efficient insecticide for 

 certain species of stored grain insects." 



The progress of worl< with the pear psylla. wliich was continued during the 

 year in three orchards, is briefly reported upon. 



A report of experiments on the adults and eggs of the peach tree borer, by 

 A. Peterson (pp. 449— i63), is summarized as follows: "The results in the above 

 experiments are largely negative, so far as they may help to develop a much- 

 needed control measure for the peach tree borer. In brief, they show the 

 improbability of developing a poison bait for the adult, the partial repellent 

 effect of certain chemicals on the female while ovipositing, and the partial 

 destruction of eggs when certain substances are applied as a spray. A number 

 of experiments have been started and are now in operation on the use of 

 various chemical and mechanical tree protectors, but the evidence obtained 

 thus far is insufficient to warrant a statement at this time. The author is of 

 the opinion that the peach tree borer problem will be solved by a mechanical 

 or chemical barrier which will kill the larva before it enters the tree or prevent 

 it from getting into the tree. The development of any control measure along 

 the line of killing the larva after it enters the tree is not advisable." 



Investigations of the destruction of early seedlings of Lima beans along the 

 Delaware Bay coast has shown it to be due to the seed corn maggot {Pegomyia 

 fiisciccps). An early spring brood emerges and lays eggs in the soil upon or 

 in the vicinity of the bean seed and maggots whicli hatch out concentrate upon 

 the bean seed and destroy it. Control appears to consist in the prevention of 

 injury to the early planted seed, and experiments indicate that much is to be 

 expected from the continuous wide band of tarred sand or strip of tarred 

 paper. 



The results of greenhouse fumigation work briefly outlined are to be issued 

 as a bulletin. 



A paper on soil-infesting insect investigations by A. Peterson (pp. 469-479) 

 reports upon laboratory and held experiments with sodium cyanid and other 

 chemicals against wireworms in the soil. The results show that while wire- 

 worms can be killed with large quantities of sodium cyanid the amount neces- 

 sary to bring about a satisfactory control makes this method of soil treatment 

 too expensive for ordinary use in the field. 



House fly control investigations at Beach Haven are reported upon by A. 

 Peterson (pp. 479-484). 



A detailed report on mosquito work, including a map of New Jersey, showing 

 the drainage and mosquito conditions in 1917 follows. 



[Economic insects in South Dakota] (Off. State Ent. S. Dak., 1918, Circs. 1, 

 pp. 8; 2, pp. 2, fig. 1; 3, pp. 2, fig. 1; h, PP- 2, fig. 1; 5, pp. 3. figs. 2; 6. pp. 2, fig. 1; 

 7, pp. 4. fiff^- 2; 8, pp. 7, figs. 3). — These circulars relate, respectively, to the 

 Nursery Inspection Law of South Dakota ; and The Buffalo Tree-hopper, The 



