151 



the cocoon, and a single specimen of another parasite, Triaspis 

 curculionis, Fitch, was reared from this pest in 1917. 



The feeding habits of the beetles render them peculiarly susceptible 

 to arsenical sprays, complete freedom from attack being obtained 

 by spraying twice with lead arsenate at a strength of 3 lb. paste to 

 50 U.S. gals, water, just after the blossoms have dropped and 

 again 3 or 4 weeks later. Enclosing the clusters of fruit when about 

 one-fourth grown in 1 lb. or 2 lb. paper bags also affords complete 

 protection, though this procedure is slower and more expensive than 

 spraying, and the results are little, if any, better. Partial control may 

 be effected by cultivation of the soil under infested grape-vines so as 

 to break up the cocoons, or by collecting the adults on cloudy days or 

 in the early morning by shaking them on to sheets beneath the vines. 



Brooks (F. E.). The Grape Root-borer. — TJ.S. Dept. Agric, 

 Washington, D.C., Bull. no. 730, 24th December 1918, pp. 21-28, 

 3 plates. 



The Aegeriid moth, Paranthrene [Memythrus) polistiformis, Harris 

 (grape root-borer), is particularly inconspicuous in all its stages and 

 is probably a more widespread and serious enemy of grapes than has 

 been commonly supposed. Grape-vines are rarely killed outright by 

 the borers, but linger for years, making meagre annual growth, and 

 bearing reduced crops of fruit, they being, so far as known, the only 

 plants attacked by this insect. Injury is due exclusively to the burrows 

 made by the larvae in the roots, those half an inch or -more in thickness 

 being girdled or entirely eaten off. 



The eggs, which are deposited singly, or in groups of 2-5 on the 

 canes or leaves of the vines, or more frequently on grass, weeds or 

 straws under the vines, hatch in from 18-23 days, the larvae at once 

 burrowing into the ground and attacking the roots. The larval 

 period occupies nearly two years, hibernation taking place in a roomy 

 chamber at the end of a burrow. Pupation occurs in June and early 

 July at the surface of the ground and extends over a period of about 

 four weeks. The adults emerge on bright warm days usually about 

 the middle of the forenoon, oviposition beginning the following day 

 and continuing for about a week. 



No parasites of this species are known. Ants have been seen 

 carrying the eggs, the larva of a fire-fly beetle, Photuris jteniuyivanicit; 

 DeG., has been found devouring the pupa, and the t rested flycatcher, 

 Myiarchus crinitus, has been observed catching moths on the wing. 



The use of insecticides and the wormiag process are not of practical 

 application against this species, and even soil fumigants are of doubtful 

 value owing to the large area over which the borers feed. The most valu- 

 able measure is the application of cultural methods to induce a vigorous 

 and rapid growth, the free use of fertilisers being especially important. 



Leach (B. K.). Experiments in the Control of the Root Form of the 

 Woolly Apple Aphis.— (7. >S. Dept. Agric, Washington, B.C., Bull, 

 no. 730, 24th December 1918, pp. 24-40, 3 plates, 1 fig. 



The author's summary of this paper is as follows :— Carbon 

 bisulphide, in solution at the rate of one-half ounce to 4 U.S. gals, 

 water and applied at the rate of f gal. per square foot of soil, will 

 control the root form of the woolly aphis, Eriosoma lanigerum, under 



