1905 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



117 



slowly reduce tlie vitality of the plants until in manv instances tKey are 

 completely killed. They do not seem to have a preference for any particular 

 kind of plant, but possibly are more noticed, at least in this locality, on 

 verbenas and roses. Some years when they are very bad it is almost impos- 

 sible to grow verbenas. Probably the best remedy for these mites is to 

 spray the plants with flowers of sulphur in the proportion of one ounce to 

 every gallon of water. As these mites feed chiefly on the under side of 

 leaves, the spray should be forced up among the foliage as much as possible. 

 If only a few plants are found to be infested with red spider, the sulphur 

 may.be dusted on to the leaves by means of a small bellows, or other specially 

 made implement, which is now used for such purposes, and sold by many 

 seedsmen. 



Snails and Slugs. These slimy, soft-bodied mollusks which, of course, 

 are not insects, are included in this article, because the entomologist is often 

 asked for information concerning them and particularly for a remedy for 

 their destruction. Every year they are very injurious in flower gardens, 

 and as they come out to feed in the evening an excellent remedv is to broad- 

 cast lightly over the soil, before nightfall, freshly slaked lime. This adheres 

 to their bodies and soon kills them. Two or three applications on conse- 

 cutive evenings will eradicate them thoroughly. 



Fig. 56. Colorado Potato-beetle. 



PESTS OF LESSER IMPORTANCE. 



The Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemJineata, Say. (Fig. 

 56). In the fall of the year, when there are few potato tops left in the fields, 

 these beetles on account of the scarcity of food, wander about in search 

 of something to eat, and often attack plants of the tobacco family as Nico- 

 tiana affi,nis and the newly introduced N. Smiderce, both of which are fav- 

 orites in flower beds because of their large foliage and showy flowers. The 

 former is deliciously scented at night. These beetles swarm on to such 

 plants in September and unless attended to at once quickly destroy the 

 foliage and flowers. As soon as they are noticed the plants should be dusted 

 with Paris green mixed with 50 times its weight of common flour, or some 

 other dry diluent. If more convenient the plants may be sprayed with 

 Paris green, using one ounce in every ten gallons of water. 



The Milkvv^eed Doryphora, Lahioderma cJivicoUis, Kirby. In Eastern 

 Ontario this bettle is very abundant on the common milkweed, Asclejnas 

 cornuti. Owing to its beauty, the Pleurisy-root, Asclepias tuherosa, is 



