ENTOMOLOGY. 1063 



ing the comparative condition of wlieat stubble in different parts of 

 the State. 



A brief account is presented of the appearance, life history, and 

 habits of the jointworm. In combating the attacks of this insect, it 

 is recommended that all wheat, barley and rye stubble should be com- 

 posted or burned before the lirst of May. The author also recom- 

 mends cutting grain as high as practicable, and subsequent mowing and 

 collection of the stubl)le. 



The periodical cicada or 17-year locust in West Virginia, 

 A. D. Hopkins ( Wed Virginia Sta. Bui. 68, j?jj. 257-S30, 2jh. 3, figs. 

 Jf). — This bulletin contains a brief account of the anatomy, habits, life 

 history, and broods of the periodical cicada. Notes are given from 

 correspondence relating to the distribution and extent of such broods 

 occurring within the limits of the State. The author states that the 

 cicada probably does not occur in West Virginia above an elevation of 

 3,300 ft. The time of appearance is influenced to some extent by the 

 average summer temperature, a difference of 3^ days in time of appear- 

 ance having been noted for each degree of difference in summer tem- 

 perature. Attention is called to the subsequent attacks of woolly aphis 

 in the wounds caused by the cicadas in depositing their eggs. Tree 

 crickets and certain fungus diseases also find a more easy entrance to 

 trees at such points. The wounds which result from the sting of the 

 cicada may persist for a number of years and cause distortion in the 

 branches of the trees. For preventing serious injury in this way, it is 

 recommended that trees should be severely pruned during the fall after 

 a visitation of cicadas. Especially severe wounds were noted in sugar 

 maple. 



Maps are given, showing the distribution of the broods which will 

 emerge in 1901, 1902, and 1905, and warnings are issued for these and 

 other broods. It is recommended that no young fruit trees should be 

 planted in the fall or spring previous to the appearance of the brood 

 of the cicada. 



Observations on field slugs and on experiments for the purpose 

 of destroying them, G. del Guercio {J^uove Eelaz. R. Staz. Ent. 

 Agr., 1. .y./'., 1900, No. 2, pp. 237-267, figs. ^).— The author discusses 

 the literature relating to Lirtiax agrestis in connection with a brief 

 bibliographical list. The plants in Italy which are most commonly 

 attacked by this animal are hemp, beans, kidney beans, peas, clover, 

 lucern, wheat, rye, barley, and oats. The injuries caused by the field 

 slug are more or less serious everj^ year, but during certain 3xars the 

 slugs have been so numerous as to cause alarming depredations. The 

 natural conditions which are most favorable for the development of 

 Liniax are moisture and green vegetation in abundance. Dry areas 

 present a formidable barrier to the distribution of Limax. 



