12 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 



one instance near Ottawa about 6,000 celery plants were destroyed. On page 156 

 will be found a brief account of our 1^15 work with poisoned baits. 



Cutworms. The two species wliich in 1915 effected most damage in the 

 Ottawa district are the Common Striped Cutworm {Euxoa tessellata), and the 

 Dark-sided Cutworm {Euxoa messoria), botli of which were very abundant the 

 previous season. Vegetable and flowering garden plants were freely attacked. 

 The former was the chief culprit and destroyed first sowings of beets, carrots, 

 onions, etc. To a lesser extent the Eed-backed Cutworm {Euxoa ochrogaster) 

 was also present, being reported specially by vegetable growers. The Kansas grass- 

 hopper formula (Bran 20 lbs., Paris green 1 lb., molasses 2 quarts, oranges or 

 lemons 3, water 21/2 gallons*) this year gave excellent results at Ottawa for the 

 control of cutworms. In one large field of onions the outbreak was stopped im- 

 mediately. When scattered thinly the 20 lbs. may be used to treat about 3 acres, 

 the application to be made after sundown. In one field of corn cutworms were 

 plentiful and an application of the above mixture was made. Further injury was 

 thus prevented and an examination made around 40* hills by Mr. Bryce, of Mac- 

 donald College, resulting in the finding of from 1 to 6 dead cutworms near each 

 hill. 



Root Maggots. The three species, viz.. The Cabbage Maggot {Phorbia 

 hrassicce), the Imported Onion Maggot {Hylemyia antiqua), and the Seed-corn 

 Maggot (Phorhia fusciceps), were all present in the Ottawa district in 1915, the 

 two former causing much loss. The latter was reported attacking beans in small 

 gardens. The Cabbage Maggot was particularly destrucltive to cauliflowers, 

 cabbages, turnips and radishes. One market gardener near Ottawa reported the 

 loss of 3,500 early cauliflowers. In continuing our work on the control of this 

 insect we again demonstrated the value of the one-ply tarred felt paper disc. In 

 one experiment about 1,600| plants had the discs placed around their stems and 

 practically the whole crop was protected from maggot attack. The control of these 

 root maggots is discussed in full in a bulletin which we have just prepared and 

 which we hope will be available for distribution in the spring of 1916. 



The Asparagus Beetles. In September 1906, we found at Ottawa the 

 larvse of the Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi L.), Until 1915, 

 this was the only record we had for the district. During the past season, however, 

 the insect was abundant and destructive, and it was accompanied by the Twelve- 

 spotted Asparagus Beetle {Crioceris 12-punctata L.). The year 1915 is the 

 first in which we have found this latter species at Ottawa. The adult beetles were 

 commonly found in the latter half of August. The larvae of the latter species 

 were collected from the seeds of asparagus on September 23rd. Grovvers of 

 asparagus in the Ottawa district should watch for the appearance of these beetle^ 

 in spring and apply the well known reinedies. 



The Ash-gray Blister Beetle {Macrohasis unicolor Kirby). Large 

 numbers of this insect we.re observed in eastern Canada, near Ottawa, and also in 

 parts of Quebec Province, where locusts had been destructive. In one field of 

 potatoes which I examined in the latter half of June the beetle was present in 

 thousands and the vines were conspicuously defoliated. At Bowesville. near 

 Ottawa, Mr. T. Rankin-found the insect abundant in early July. In addition to 

 potatoes this blister beetle attacks beans, peas, beets, tomato, clover, etc. 



*In preparing the bran mash the bran and Paris green are mixed thoroughly while 

 dry. The juice of the oranges or lemons is squeezed into the water, and to this is also 

 added the pulp and peel after cutting into fine bits. The molasses should then be added, 

 and when dissolved the mixture should be poured on to the dry bran and poison, stirring 

 the whole constantly so as to dampen the bran thoroughly. 



