16 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 



ENTOMOLOGICAL PROGRESS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



R. C. Treherne, Entomologist in Charge for British Columbia^ Dominion- 

 Department OF Agriculture. 



The products of entomological labors during the past year in British Columbia 

 have been many and varied. In addition to my work as a Federal Officer under 

 the Dominion Entomological Branch, I have undertaken the general direction of 

 the Provincial Entomological work, pending the appointment of a Provincial 

 officer. Under the Dominion Entomological Branch, Messrs. W. Downes and E. 

 P. Venables are engaged, the former on a study of small fruit insects in the Coast 

 sections and the latter on a study of tree fruit insects in the interior of the 

 province. Mr. A. B. Baird is stationed at Agassiz, B.C., working under the general 

 direction of Mr. J.' D. Tothill, who has charge of the. Federal Natural Control 

 Investigations. His work has been mainly a study of the natural control agencies 

 of the Tent Caterpillar, the Fall Webworm and the Spruce Bud-worm, and these 

 studies begun by Mr. Tothill in 1917 have been continued by Mr. Baird in 

 1918 and 1919, at Victoria, Vancouver, Agassiz and Lillooet. Mr. Eric Hearle 

 commenced a study of the mosquitoes in thie Lower Fraser Valley of British 

 Columbia in March 1919, acting conjointly under the authority of the Dominion 

 Entomologist and under a studentship granted by the Honorary Advisory Council 

 for Scientific and Industrial Research, and he will doubtless not only continue 

 this work in the Lower Fraser Valley but extend it over the province at other 

 important centres. Mr. Ralph Hopping was appointed under Dr. J. M. Swaine, 

 Chief, Dominion Division of Forest Insects, in December, 1919, and he is stationed 

 at Vernon, B.C., engaged on the studies relating to certain forest infesting insects,. 

 particularly some Dendroctonus beetles affecting commercial pine. 



Under the Provincial Entomological Branch, I am fortunate in being associated 

 with Messrs. M. H. Ruhman and E. R. Buckell. The former is engaged in a study 

 of vegetable insects and has made the study of the Root Maggots of the onion 

 and the cabbage his special work during the past two years. Mr. Buckell has 

 taken in hand studies relating to cereal and range insects, the most pressing prob- 

 lem, at the present time, being the control and investigation of locusts on the range. 



Vernon, at the north end of Okanagan Lake, has been selected as the head- 

 quarters for entomological work in the Province at the present time. Here the 

 central office is located with a reference library and collection of insects for study 

 available to members of the staff, and Riker Mounts and photographic displays 

 of insect pests, in appropriate arrangements, of interest to farmers. Branch 

 laboratories have been established at Victoria, Agassiz and Mission. Another 

 movable laboratory was stationed at Penticton in 1919 but doubtless will be located 

 in the Chilcotins in 1920. 



During the past year, 1919, the following investigations have been conducted, 

 excluding the reports of Messrs. Hearle and Baird, who will issue the results of 

 their work independently. 



The Peach Twig Borer, Anarsia lin-eatella, was studied at Penticton, making 

 the second consecutive year in which this insect has received attention. We are 

 satisfied that the early application of lime-sulphur, 1-9, as close to, but previous 

 to, the blossoming period as possible, will achieve good commercial results. Appli- 

 cations of arsenate of lead may be made immediately after blossoming with 



