August, '09] JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 279 



pests and no treatment for them was applied to the field. In spite 

 of this, the larvos were far from abundant, and at the present writing 

 (July 15) hardly any specimens of the insect in any stage can be 

 found. It is probable that the pupal period for the first generation 

 of beetles is about completed, and the reappearance of the parasites 

 would suggest that they will be on hand for the next generation. In 

 any case, despite a great abundance of beetle eggs in June, the larvae 

 ■were not abundant under conditions seemingly favorable in every way 

 and it is not improbable that this was in a large measure due to the 

 attacks of the parasite. 



Similar conditions, and the presence of the parasite at Concord, 

 Mass., accompanied by a great reduction in abundance of larvae of 

 the asparagus beetle there also, indicate that the parasite may be 

 present over a considerable territory and that it may become an 

 efficient enemy of the beetle in this country. 



Comparison of specimens of the TetrasticJius with the descriptions 

 of all the American species of this genus, leads the writer to the 

 opinion that it is likely to prove undescribed, but not being familiar 

 with the group, he has sent specimens to the Department of Agri- 

 culture for description or final identification by the specialists there. 



A NEW TREATMENT FOR WIREWORMS 



By H. T. Ferxald, Amherst, 2Iass. 



For several years wireworms have been very injurious to corn seed 

 when first planted, in Massachusetts. Complaints of a loss of half 

 of the area planted have been frequent, the kernels being entirely 

 consumed by the wireworms, and in a number of cases as many as 

 fifteen to twenty of these larvae have been found at work close to a 

 single seed. 



An opportunity for cooperation in experiments for the control of 

 this pest was therefore taken advantage of, and a series of tests now 

 extending through two seasons have been made. 



Crows have been a factor to consider in addition to the wireworms 

 and were taken into consideration, but one treatment, which as far 

 as the writer knows has never before been made use of, has proved 

 effective for both kinds of pests, and may, in the opinion of the 

 writer, be considered as fairly well established, if the entire success 

 of every test made during 1908 and 1909 be regarded as sufficiently 

 extended. 



