40 



Jardine (W, M.). Director's Report 1916-17. — Kansas Agric. Expt. 

 Sta., Manhattan, 1917, 50 pp. [Received 23rd November 1918. 



Life-history studies were made dm-ing the year of several insects, 

 including the Hessian fly [Moyetiola destructor] and the chinch-bug 

 egg- parasite [Eumicrosoma benefica] under controlled temperature and 

 moisture conditions. With regard to M. destructor, 85° F. and 75 

 per cent, humidity are apparently optimum conditions for develop- 

 ment. The direction of migration of the larvae is predetermined 

 by the orientation of the egg, the degree of inclination of the leaf 

 having no influence in this connection. The importance of wind as 

 a factor in the distribution of this species has been confirmed. Adults 

 were caught by screens as far as two miles from any infested fields. 

 It is found that the earlier preparations for the seed-bed are begun, 

 the fewer are the flies that emerge. Experiments in the control of 

 the corn ear-worm [Heliothis obsoleta] indicate that injury decreases 

 with the increase in the number of applications of dust spray, and that 

 a gun is more effective for applying the dust than a cheesecloth bag. 

 Aphids were found to have a direct connection with apple-blight, 

 which in every case developed upon Aphid-infested trees. In the 

 cultivation of fruit-trees, the use of lucerne as a companion crop was 

 found to encourage the buffalo tree-hopper {Ceresa bubalus, F.). 

 Investigations on shade-tree insects included studies in the emergence 

 of canker-worm moths. The moths emerged from 5th January to 

 21st April, the maximum emergence being from 17th to 21st March. 

 Aonidia juniperi (cedar scale) was discovered on cedars in the spring 

 of 1915 and within a year it had nearly destroyed the trees which it 

 infested. Two Chalcid parasites were found to be a valuable check 

 on its increase. An outbreak of the green bug [Toxoptera gramimim] 

 in Southern Kansas caused considerable injury to wheat, maize and 

 sorghum. Many millions of parasites were successfully imported, but 

 failed to reduce the numbers of this Aphid. The life- histories of many 

 species of May beetles and wireworms have been worked out, and 

 investigations upon termites secured much valuable data. 



LEGISLATION. 



Repeal of Proclamation under Quarantine Act 1908-1915 prohibiting 

 Importation of Citrus Plants (including Citrus Fruits). — Extract 

 from Gommomvealth Australia Gazette, Melbourne, no. 145, 

 12th September 1918. 



By this proclamation the prohibition of the importation into 

 Australia of citrus plants, including citrus fruits, in pursuance of the 

 Quarantine Act of 1908-1915, is repealed. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICE. 



Dr. J. C. Hutson of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the 

 West Indies has been appointed Government Entomologist in Ceylon. 



