452 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 9 



United States, he received the degree of Doctor of Science in 1915 from Aberdeen 

 University. In 1914 Dr. Cameron conducted practical spraying experiments at the 

 New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station under Dr. Headlee. 



Mr. D. J. Caffrey, of the Maxwell, N. Mex., station of the Bureau of Entomology, 

 reports an unusual scarcity of the larva; of Hemileuca this season. A long period of 

 drought has apparently resulted in the prevention of the hatching of the eggs of the 

 range caterpillar. Mr. Caffrey is having great difficulty in securing enough cater- 

 pillars to furnish food for rearings of the predaceous enemies of the range caterpillar. 

 The heads of field stations of the Bureau are therefore asked to send to Mr. Caffrey 

 lepidopterous larva; of any kind which may be used as food for Calosoma beetles 

 or as hosts for the Tachinid fly, Compsilurcrconcinnata. These larvae should be packed 

 in such a way as to reach Mr. Caffrey alive and in as good condition as possible. 



Mr. T. E. Snyder, Bureau of Entomology, left Washington on May 9 to investigate 

 the character and extent of damage to "Australian pine" trees, Casuarina equiseti- 

 folia in southern Florida, by a buprestid beetle, Chrysobothris impressa Fab., an in- 

 sect presumably introduced into this country. According to W. S. Fisher the species 

 occurs in Dutch Guiana, Santo Domingo, and probably in Cuba. The Australian 

 pine, a rapid-growing, graceful tree, is planted in large numbers in southern Florida 

 in groves along roadsides and land developed along the seacoast. This buprestid 

 breeds in the native red mangrove tree in nearby swamps, and had previously been 

 collected at Key West by E. A. Schwarz. The larva? of the beetle girdle the cam- 

 bium of the young Australian pine trees and badly disfigure, greatly weaken, or kill 

 the trees. 



According to Science, The California State Board of Health, in cooperation with 

 the University of California, is conducting a state-wide malaria mosquito survey 

 under the supervision of Professor W. B. Herms, consulting parasitologist for the 

 state board and associate professor of parasitology in the University of California, 

 who is assisted by Mr. S. B. Freeborn, instructor in entomology. The work began 

 on May 10 and will continue through the summer. Probably three summers will be 

 required to complete the survey of the entire state. The party travels by automo- 

 bile, collecting mosquitoes, locating their breeding places, determining the presence 

 or absence of malaria, distributing literature, lecturing and giving information on 

 ways and means for the control of the insects. The Sacramento Valley and the 

 northeastern portions of the state to the Oregon and Nevada state lines have already 

 been covered. Thus far endemic malaria has been found at a maximum elevation 

 of 5,500 feet and the Anopheline carriers have been located. Two or three new 

 species of mosquitoes have been found. 



Insects as Food for Man. Now that the season of insect activity is on again, 

 attention of field workers is called to the desirability of experiments on the edibility 

 of insects. Recently Lachnosterna larva; have been made into a salad by Dr. Lang- 

 worthy of the Office of Home Economics, and this salad has been tasted by about a 

 dozen men in the Bureau, who found it not at all disagreeable. A broth was also 

 made, which Mr. O'Leary and the writer found very good. Mr. Craighead told me 

 yesterday that he had been trying Cerambycid larvie fried in butter, and, while he is 

 not enthusiastic, he pronounces them edible. I will make no suggestions as to method 

 of preparation, but will leave that to the ingenuity of any who have a chance to experi- 

 ment. 



L. O. Howard 



Mailed August 17, 1916 



