516 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 9 



The approin-iation bill for 1917, which took effect on August 11, carries a total for 

 the Bureau of I':ntoniology of $868,880, an increase of $38,980 over the amount 

 appropriated for the fiscal year 1916. The increase is distributed over a number of 

 Unes of work, among them the grape berry-moth, insects transmitting diseases of 

 cucumbers, tobacco insects, clover insects in the Northwest, extension work in api- 

 culture, and live stock pests in the West. Thirty-four clerical and subclerical posi- 

 tions throughout the Bureau are placed on the statutory roll, and provision is made 

 for the payment for medical supplies and service for the immediate relief of foremen, 

 scouts, laborers and other employees injured while engaged in hazardous work in the 

 prevention of the spread of moths. This provision is similar to one applying to the 

 Forest .Service which has been in operation for several years. 



The Governor of Minnesota has allowed an emergency appropriation for the use 

 of the State Entomologist for fighting White Pine Blister Rust in Minnesota, with 

 the implied promise that more money will be available if necessary. The work has 

 been pushed vigorously during the summer. Only two localities have been found in 

 which the rust exists, and most vigorous methods of eradication are being pushed 

 at these places. Nurseries of the state have been combed for other evidences of the 

 disease, but it is believed that the two localities mentioned are the only places involved 

 at the present time. 



The Plant Pathology Division of the Minnesota Experiment Station is cooperating 

 in an advisory capacity in this work, as well as the Bureau of Plant Industry, which 

 is also aiding the work financially. Federal Inspector Pierce has made several trips 

 to the state and taken part in various conferences. The Entomologist has had four 

 to eight men in the field most of the time. One infection has been traced as coming 

 directly from Wisconsin, which state received diseased trees from Germany. The 

 source of infestation in the second locality where the disease was found, is believed to 

 have been an European nursery whose locality is not yet known. 



Cylas Formicarius Fabr. in Flight. While riding on a street car at night between 

 Rio Piedras and San Juan, P. R., I was interested by noticing several beetles that 

 were flying around inside the car, evidently attracted by the light. On catching one 

 of them I was surprised to find that it was a specimen of the sweet potato weevil, 

 Cylas formicarius Fabr., which was supposed to have little or no power of flight. The 

 place where this specimen was taken was at least a good half mile from the nearest 

 patch of sweet potatoes, so in Porto Rico, at least, this beetle has developed strong 

 powers of flight and doubtless spreads itself in this way. This species has also been 

 observed to fly into houses at night to the light in Rio Piedras. 



Richard T. Cotton, 

 Assistant Entomologist, Rio Piedras, P. R. 



Mailed October 30, 1916 



