1906 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. • 45 



so wlien cold weather breaks up the colony, a number of queens are left to 

 multiply colonies the following year. 



This gradual increase from individuals to colonies of bees accounts for 

 the greater yields of seed usually secured from a crop of clover late in the 

 season. The flowers of the flrst crop opening in the latter part of June are 

 not, as is sometimes supposed, any less capable of setting seed; but since 

 they must be fertilized in order to produce seed, it follows that the yield 

 will be in some proportion to the numbers of the bumble bees, and conse- 

 quently greatest in the fall. 



The practical applications which we may now make of the information 

 we have about these two insects, the clover seed midges and the bumble bee, 

 can be presented as follows. The life histories of both alike demand that a 

 late crop of clover be used for seed; and therefore it is the utmost folly to 

 strive to produce it at the time when Nature's odds are most strongly against 

 us. The abundance of bumble bees, which is so much to be desired, may 

 be materially augmented by a policy on our part of ''letting live." An 

 instinctive impulse which seems to be inherent in man, and persists long 

 • fter he has lost the overflowing animal spirits of youth, makes the lot of 

 the bumble bee a precarious one. In so far as we can, then, let us inspire 

 youth with a considerate regard for the rights of the weak creatures, which 

 are so often our friends; so that these thoughtless raids may appear to them 

 despicable as they truly are, and if we ever find that the chance discovery 

 of a bumble bees' nest stirs up in us some latent spirit of adventure, let 

 us firmly suppress it as befitting a worthier occasion. 



I 



INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1906 IN ONTARIO. 

 By C. J. S. Bethune, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. 



Owing to my removal from London to Guelph in the early part of June, 

 and subsequently the transfer of the property of the Entomological ^Society 

 to its new quarters, my opportunities for outdoor observations have been 

 somewhat limited during the past summer. I have, however, received a 

 large number of enquiries, generally accompanied with specimens, from 

 various parts of Ontario, and frequently visitors to the College have brought 

 injurious and other insects for identification and information. In this way 

 I' have been enabled to learn something about the most troublesome insects 

 of the season and their distribution throughout the Province. The exten- 

 sive gardens, field-crops and plantations on the College premises have also 

 afforded convenient places for the detection of injurious species. There has 

 been no one great outbreak to mark the year, but many forms have been 

 more abundant than usual and nearly all the common pests have been as 

 destructive as ever. 



Garden Insects. 



The White Fly (AJryrodes vavornrioruvi, probably) also called the 

 Mealy-winged Fly, has been very abundant this year. My attention was 

 first drawn to it by its occurrence in large numbers on greenhouse plants, 

 such as fuchsias, roses, etc. In the early part of July, in order to make 

 alterations in the greenhouses, all the plants were brought out-of-doors and 

 T'emained there durinsr the rest of the summer. Owing to this, in all pro- 

 bability the White Flies were subsequently found on a large number of 



