282 Forty-fifth Report on tee State Museum. 



Ceroplastes, the honey-dew from which may have been the cause of the 

 soot-Hke blotches on the leaves. For such an attack, spraying with kerosene 

 emulsion would be the proper remedy. 



How to Kill the Kose-Bug. (New England Homestead, for May 

 9, 1891, XXV, p. 205, c. 1 — 33 cm.) 



In the sandy soil of New Jersey, this beetle breeds in incredible numbers, 

 and can not be controlled. In New England and New York it is within con- 

 trol: 1st, by beating into pans of water and kerosene; 2d, by spraying with 

 kerosene emulsion, " 1 part of oil to 9 of water"; 3d, on the authority of 

 Professor J. B. Smith, by spraying with sludge-oil soap solution. 



In New Jersey the beetle must be fought by the discovery and destruction 

 of its breeding grounds. 



[See in pp. '^00-302 of this Report (viii).] 



[The Cermatia Centipede.] (Albany Morning Express, for May 19, 

 1891. xlv, p. S. c. 1 — 9 cm.) 



In reply to an inquiry made, Cermatia forceps is identified as the 

 household pest for which a remedy is asked. It is a Southern centi- 

 pede which has extended northward and is abundant in Albany. Although 

 poisonous, it wiU not be necessary to destroy it unless it should become 

 very abundant. It subsists on small living creatures, and is fond of flies, and 

 has secured a reputation as a "cockroach killer." It may be killed by scat- 

 tering pyrethrum powder in its haunts. 



The Apple-worm. (Country Gentleman, for May 28, 1891, Ivi, 



p. 438, c. 2—12 cm. I 



It is asked if it is necessary to spray for the apple-worm in a locality where 

 there were no apples the last year. The failure of the apple crop in 1890 

 doubtless reduced the number of the codling-moth, and thorough arsenical 

 spraying the present year might tend to lessen its injuries for years to come. 

 The apple-worm is not dependent on the apple, but matures also in pears, 

 plums, peaches, and apricots. It has been represented as breeding in wal- 

 nuts in Europe, but this is probably an erroneous identification of the insect. 



"Wheat Insects. (Country Gentleman, for May 28, 1891, Ivi, p. 

 438, c. 3 — 6 cm. ) 



Name is asked of an insect on wheat, from McGhee, Tenn. The smooth- 

 headed variety only is infested, and not the bearded, in the same field. It 

 is found also on scattered rye-heads. No insects were found in tlie heads 

 ■when received, they having escaped. The species is probably the grain 

 aphis, Siphonophora avence (Fabr.), although it also attacks bearded wheat, 

 and has a seeming preference for rye. 



Wire-worms in Corn. (Country Gentleman, for Ma}^ 28, 1891, 



Ivi, p. 431, c. 4—21 cm.) 



From Gaysville, Vt. , request is made for a remedy for worms piercing 

 and destroying the kernels of corn. They are probably wire-worms. Salt, 



