1918 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19 



9tli, samples of young, badly-infested turnips, and stated that a patch about twenty 

 feet square had been ruined. 



The Colorado Potato Beetle^ Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, was re- 

 sponsible for enquiries from many city dwellers who were growing potatoes on 

 vacant lots or other areas for the first time. The insect was present in large 

 numbers throughout the district. 



The Potato Aphis> Macrosiphum solanifolii Ashm. was also numerous during 

 1917, large colonies of the plant lice being present in gardens and fields in Eatern 

 Canada. At Ottawa the insect was controlled satisfactorily by spraying with 

 black leaf 40. 



The Potato Flea Beetle,, Epitrix cucumeris Harr. Potatoes were freely 

 infested with this insect, its injuries attracting particular attention during early 

 July. Tomatoes and, to a much lesser extent, cucumbers, were also attacked. 



The Zebra Caterpillar^ Ceramica picta Harr. In September this cater- 

 pillar was present in considerable numbers in various sizes from abtDut one-quarter 

 inch in length to almost full grown individuals. The leaves of turnips and cabbages 

 were freely eaten. 



The Woolly-bear Caterpillars, namely the Yellow Woolly-bear, 

 Dlacrma rirginica Fab. and the Salt Marsh Caterpillar, Estigmene acraa Dru . 

 were exceptionally abundant in Eastern Canada in 1917. In the Ottawa district, 

 in August and September, the foliage of low-growing plants of many kinds was 

 much injured. In vegetable gardens cabbages, turnips and other plants were 

 eaten. It is many years since we had such an outbreak of these hairy caterpillars. 



WiREwopars (EJaferid(e) and White Grubs, (Lnclinosterna spp.). Some 

 injury was caused by the former, the complaints referring chiefly to damage to the 

 tubers of potatoes. The worms bored into the tubers and rendered them unfit for 

 use. Practically no injury was caused by White Grubs in the district. There were 

 important flights of Laclinosterna duhia during the latter half of May and we may 

 expect injury by the second year grubs in 1918. 



Grasshoppers. An outbreak of the Slender Meadow Grasshopper, 

 Conoceplxalus fasciaius DeG., caused noticeable injury to field corn near Norway 

 Bay, Que. The insects were present in large numbers and many Inlls in several 

 rows had been almost completely eaten. The insects were particularly attracted to 

 the male flowers and the nearby tender leaves. The injured rows were largely in a 

 low lying portion of the field. 



Sluc4S. These creatures were decidedly destructive to many kinds of vege- 

 table crops. The leaves of lettuce, beans, carrots, tomatoes, corn, etc.. were freely 

 eaten. In some fields of beans the slugs were present in large numbers and were 

 causing considerable loss. As a remedy we recommended tlie broadcasting, lightly 

 over the soil before nightfall, of freshly slaked lime. Three applications on con- 

 secutive evenings were advised. Eeports received afterw^ds indicated that such 

 control was effective. In gardens the placing of shingles here and there beneath 

 low growing plants is a useful method of trapping slugs. If the shingles are 

 turned over in the morning the slugs there hiding may be easily destroyed by 

 scraping them off and crushing them with the foot. 



The Carrot Rust-fly, Psila rosa- Fab. In a few gardens in the Ottawa 

 district the work of this insect was readily apparent. Such infestations as we 

 heard of, when investigated, were found to be too far advanced to make possible any 

 control measures. 



The Horse Eadish Flea-beetle, Phyllotreta armorncicr. Although rather 

 outside of the Ottawa district it is of interest to record here the occurrence of this 



