60 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 



Tent-caterpillars, which were very destructive last year, were again in evidence^ 

 but not nearlv in such large numbers. Moreover, the mortality was very high, due 

 to a bacterial disease and to dipterous and hymenopterous parasites. It is very prob- 

 able, therefore, that tent-caterpillars will not be troublesome again for some years. 



Farm Croi-s. 



Aside from the Army-worm and the ]?ed-backed Cutworm referred to, farm' 

 crops did not suffer much from insect attack. Last year, for the first time, the 

 Clover-seed Chalcid (Bruchophagns fiinebris) was observed. This year it was again 

 present, and a large percentage of the developing seed in the field was destroyed. 

 A large number of larvae and pup?e were obtained from samples of seed sown in 

 the spring. 



This insect usually winters over in the seed as a well-developed larva; the 

 pupal stage is rather short, and the adult, which is a minute black four-winged fiy 

 about l-12th inch long, lays her eggs in May and June. The first of the adults of 

 this brood appear in July and August, but some do not come out until the following 

 spring. 



The Turnip Flea-beetle (Phyllotreia vittata) was common on crucifers in 

 spring, and did considerable injury to seedling turnips. 



Later in the season Systena hudsonica was found feeding on clover audi 

 potatoes, as well as on a number of wild plants. 



The Pea-aphis {Macrosiphum pisi) was present in large numbers on peas in 

 various parts of the province and did considerable injury. 



Grasshoppers and Locusts were abundant in pasture lands, but not in suffi- 

 cient numbers to cause alarm to thefarmers. 



Clover-root Borer (Ilylastinus ohscwus) was also abundant. 



Orchard and Garden. 



The Bud-worm (Tmetocera ocellana) is one of the most serious pests in apple 

 orchards in Quebec. At the college the larvae were found on apples, pear, plum 

 and cherry. Mr. Du Porte found four different hymenopterous parasites in the 

 pupae. Perhaps, however, the most important parasite is Pentarthron minutum,. 

 which destroyed over seventy-five per cent, of the eggs. 



The young apples in many orchards were injured by a species of Green Fruit- 

 worm (Xylina), and many apples in August and September showed peculiar 

 spotting of the flesh resembling Bitter Pit, which could not be accounted for satis- 

 factorily. It is probable that some of this injury is caused by the punctures of 

 capsids, but these were never observed at work. 



Neither the Codling Worm {Carpocapm pomonella) nor the Railroad Worm 

 or Apple Maggot (RhagoJetis pomonella) was so abundant this year as last. In 

 fact very few complaints reached us regarding injury from either insect. The 

 latter insect is very common on lands in the vicinity of Macdonald College. 



In some pear and cherry orchards the Pear Slug (Eriocampoides limacina) 

 completely defoliated the trees in June and July, and again to some extent in 

 September. Prompt treatment Avith arsenate of lead, white hellebore, freshly 

 slaked lime, or black leaf 40, 1 pint in 100 gals, water, would have prevented 

 injury. 



The Plum Aphis (probably Myzus mahaJeh) was abundant in the early sea- 



