121 



as a poison spray, and this insecticide, with improved spraying methods, 

 has greatly reduced the destruction caused by the moth. Heavy 

 penalties are inflicted upon persons attempting to sell infested fruit. 

 Much discussion has taken place regarding the best time for the 

 first spray. In the author's opinion this should be prior to the 

 closing of the calyx lobes, and should be followed by a second and 

 third application in order to protect the fruit from later-hatching 

 larvae. The common earwig, Forficula auricularia, L., causes a good 

 deal of damage in flower gardens and in kitchen gardens, but is 

 beneficial in that it destroys many larvae of C. pomonella under bands. 

 Dindymus versicolor (harlequin fruit-bug), in common with other 

 Rhynchota, was very abundant during 1916-17. Red, white and 

 black currants were punctured at the bases of the stalks and fell before 

 they were ripe. Some of the softer varieties of apples were injured 

 in the same manner. After all soft fruit was picked, sunflower and 

 artichoke stems were attacked. Boiling water was usually most 

 effective in dealing with swarms of this bug. Those on plants and 

 flowers were dealt with by jarring into hot water or water covered with 

 a film of oil. 



Young (A. W.). The Development of a Portable Insectary. — Jl. Econ. 

 Entom., Concord, N.H., xi, no. 6, December 1918, pp. 476-479, 

 1 plate. 



As a result of four years' practical experience a portable insectary 

 has been constructed that is considered to be an ideal shelter for 

 entomological work. The structure is designed to be strong, simple 

 and portable, of sectional construction, made of non-conducting 

 material with a continuous ventilating space from the eaves to the 

 ridge between the outer and inner walls. The construction of this 

 building is fully described, with a drawing showing the details, and 

 a blueprint would be furnished to anyone desiring to build such an 

 insectary. The cost of the materials is approximately £20, and it is 

 estimated that a carpenter and one assistant could build the structure 

 in six days. , 



De Ong (E. R.). Flies Associated with a Grasshopper Outbreak. — Jl. 



Econ. Entom., Concord, N.H., xi, no. 6, December 1918, p. 480. 



Bombyliid flies, especially a species of Anthrax, were observed in 

 great abundance in early September, 1918, in certain localities of 

 California where grasshoppers have been very plentiful for the last - 

 two years. These flies have been known to check grasshopper out- 

 breaks in previous years by the depredations of the larvae upon- the 

 grasshopper eggs. 



De Ong (E. R.). Insect Pests of the Castor Bean. — Jl. Econ. Entom., 

 Concord, N.H., xi, no. 6, December 1918, p. 4^0. 



Castor beans have been grown for the first time in quantities in 

 California in 1918, and are serving as host-plants for many common 

 insects, such as cutworms, and a species of Blapstinus that feeds 

 on the stems of the young plants and attacks tomatoes in the same 



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