546 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In studying the relation of moisture to tlie hibernation of several species, 

 exact weights were taken daily, commencing at a date previous to hibernation 

 and continuing through the entering and leaving of hibernation. It was found 

 that the weight at hibernation varied from 28 per cent in the squash bug to 

 32 per cent in the potato beetle, lower than constant weight during activity 

 prior to and after hibernation. The invariable habit of these insects of avoid- 

 ing places containing a high percentage of moisture leads the author to con- 

 clude that their reduction in weight is due to the elimination of moisture pre- 

 paratory to hibernation. These species are less resistant to low temperature 

 when in a moist environment, no individuals surviving 45 to 52° F., when ex- 

 posed to ice in an ice box, owing to the saturation of the air, and the same 

 was true in the case of eggs of the squash bug. 



Further studies of Hortistonotus uhleri show that the larvae are injurious 

 only on barren upland soils; the larvae avoid moisture and occur mainly on 

 porous, lean, sandy, upland soils that will not saturate at any time. 



Studies were also made of the cotton root louse and Lasius niger americana, 

 its principal attendant. 



The studies of wireworms have shown H. uhleri, Monocrepidius vespertinus 

 and M. lividus, to be the species concerned, the first mentioned being the cause 

 of nearly all the trouble. The investigations show H. uhleri to have an annual 

 life cycle, the adults appearing in June and laying eggs during June, July, and 

 August. It w^as found that the full-grown insects avoids packed or undis- 

 turbed soil in depositing its eggs. 



Beport on the prevalence of some pests and diseases in the West Indies 

 during 1912, H. A. Ballou (West Indian Bui., 13 (1913), No. 4, pp. 333^47).— 

 This third report (E. S. R., 28, p. 248) treats briefly of the more important 

 insect pests and plant diseases occurring in the West Indies in 1912. 



Entomological pests and problems of southern Nigeria, A. D. Peacock 

 (BuL Ent. Research, 4 {1913), No. 3, pp. 191-220, pis. 6, figs. 2).— This relates 

 to insects affecting cotton, cacao, maize, yams, rubber, mahogany, Arabian 

 coffee, etc. 



Some American insects and arachnids concerned in the transmission of 

 disease, A. W. Moeeill (Separate from Ariz. Med. Jour., 1914, Jan., pp. 12, 

 figs. 8). — A paper presented before the Arizona Medical Association in May, 

 1913. 



The Philippine locust (Pachytylus migratoroides) ; natural influences 

 affecting its propagation and distribution, D. B. Mackie {Philippine Agr. 

 Rev. [Emglish Ed.], 6 {1913), No. 11, pp. 538-547, pls. 2).— The natural influ- 

 ences affecting this locust in the Philippines are dealt with under the headings 

 of climate, food supply, and natural enemies, including predators, parasites, 

 and diseases. 



The parasitic enemies of the locust include three dipterans and two nema- 

 todes, the latter belonging to the genera Gordius and Mermis. Though reports 

 have been received that whole swarms of locusts have been destroyed by these 

 nematodes in Negros, reliable evidence is said to be lacking. The author's 

 examinations have failed to show more than 7 per cent of the locusts to be 

 parasitized by nematodes. Experimental work with Cocohacillus acridiorum 

 obtained from Argentina has given negative results. 



On the use of poison in the control of locusts in the Anglo-Egyptian 

 Sudan, H. H. King {Cairo Sci. Jour., 7 {1913), No. 86, pp. 251-254).— The 

 author briefly reviews the methods of controlling locusts which have been 

 adopted in the Anglo-Eg^-ptian Sudan in the past. He concludes that with 

 ordinary care locusts can be controlled in the Sudan by the use of arsenite of 

 soda and treacle, as has been done in other countries. 



