854 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



"Continue the procuring of an early erop by early chopping to a stand and 

 early and freiiuent cultivation. Do not lose the fruit the plants have set by 

 cultivation too deep or too close to the I'ows. 



" Where the labor is sufficient, pick the first-appearing weevils and the first- 

 infested squares. Do not destroy the square but place them in screened cages. 

 Hy this means the escape of the weevils will be prevented, while the parasites 

 will be able to escape to continue their assistance on the side of the farmer. 



" I'Se a crossbar of iron or wood, or some similar device, to cause the infested 

 squares to fall early to the ground, so that tlioy will bo oxiiosed to the imi)ortant 

 effects of heat and parasites. 



"Do not poison for the leaf-worm miless its work be;,'iiis at an abnormally 

 early date in the sunuiier." 



The red cotton bug (Dysdercus cingulatus), II. M. liEFROY (Mem. Dcpt. Agr. 

 India, Ent. Ser., 2 {190S), No. 3, pp. .'/7-J8, pi. /).— This pest is described as the 

 source of considerable injury to cotton in reducing the vitality through sucking 

 the juices of young shoots and bolls, pi-oducing small bolls containing bad fiber. 

 Its natural enemies include a tachinid fly that is parasitic upon the adult bug, 

 a reduviid (Harpacf or costal is) and several birds, ])articu]arly the black-headed 

 oriole (Oriolus melanoccphaliiK) . 



The cotton leaf roller (Sylepta derogata), II. M. Lefkoy {Mvm. Dcpt. Afjr. 

 India. Ent. Scr., 2 (1908). No. 6, pp. 95-110. pi. i).— The life history and habits 

 of this moth are here described. It is a source of injury through stripping the 

 leaves of the cotton plant. An undescribed hymenopterous i)arasite is stated 

 to be an important factor in checking the increase of the pest. The destruction 

 of the rolled leaves with the caterpillars from the beginning of the season is 

 said to be effective. Spraying with lead arsenate is reported to control the 

 pest. 



The tobacco caterpillar (Prodenia littoralis), H. M. Lefroy (Mem. Dcpt. 

 .\gr. India, Ent. So:, 2 (1908), No. 5, pp. 79-93, pi. 1, fig. /).— A detailed ac- 

 count is given of the biology of this insect. In addition to the tobacco plant of 

 which" it is a serious pest, it is described as injuring a number of other crops 

 including rice, corn, and grass, but attention is called to the fact that while in 

 Egypt it has been described as attacking cotton it has not been found to do so 

 to any extent in India. 



Hand collection of the leaves within 3 days after hatching and the applica- 

 tion of lead arsenate where spraying is possible are recommended. Where tho 

 caterpillar is so abundant that it moves in swarms, digging trenches to isolate 

 it is recommended, the trenches preferably to be filled with water and kerosene 

 poured thereon. 



Attention is also called to the fact that the American boll worm { Chloridca 

 obsoJcta). while abundant on other food plants has in India only twice been 

 observed feeding upon cotton. 



Melon aphis, C. P. Lounsbury {Agr. Jour. Cape (iood Hope, 33 (1908), No. .), 

 pp. Jf9l-yj6, figs. 2). — Aphis gossypii by reason of its great destructiveness at- 

 tracted attention in many districts during 1907. In the Cape Peninsula whole 

 fields of watermelons and cucumbers were killed by it, and these and other 

 cucurbitous plants including the calabash were seriously injured by it through 

 the southwestern parts of the colony. The principal South African ladybird 

 feeding on this pest is said to be Chilomcncs liinata. Syrphus fly enemies of 

 this insect are also said to be common and several species of internal parasites 

 have been bred. Preventive and remedial measures are considered. 



A few orchard plant lice, C. P. Gillette and E. P. Taylor (Colorado i^ta. 

 JJul. 133, pp. 3--'f7, pis. 2, figs. 3). — The authors report studies of the life his- 



