462 



Maechal (P.) & FoEX (E.). Rapport Phytopathologique pour les 

 Annies 1916 et 1917. — Ann. Service des EpijjJiyties, Paris, v 

 (1916-1917), 1918, pp. 1-35. [Received 1st September 1919.] 



The administrative measures for the protection of cultivated plants 

 and the organisation of campaigns against insect pests and diseases 

 are re\dewed. The insects reported during 1916-1917 include pests 

 of cereals, vegetables, fruit-trees, grape-vines, forest and shade-trees, 

 and ohves and other crops confined to the south of France. 



Hyponomeuta malinellus was abundant on apple trees and H. fodellus 

 on plums, blackthorn and hawthorn. In view of the serious damage 

 caused by the former moth, and the fact that it was recently introduced 

 into Canada on apple-trees [see this Review, Ser. A, v, p. 447], the 

 importance of horticultural inspection during May and the destruction 

 of larvae and pupal masses before July is urged. This is done by cUp- 

 ping the trees and burning the cuttings ; lead arsenate sprays are 

 also beneficial. Caterpillars of Hepialus Iwpulinus damaged the roots 

 of gooseberry, privet and other bushes in late autumn, kilUng off any 

 young trees. Carbon bisulphide injections are the best remedy, 

 and in nurseries rows of salad plants, lucerne, etc., may be grown 

 as trap-crops, Sitotroga cerealella and larvae of Pyrausta nuhilalis 

 damaged mai^e in the Pyrenees. A good remedy against Pieris 

 hrassicae, which was one of the worst cabbage pests in 1917, was to 

 plant at intervals thick rows of Jerusalem artichokes or hemp as 

 though for shelter. The butterflies did not oviposit on cabbages 

 so protected. A parasite, Apanteles glomeratus, was fortunately 

 abundant, as well as Pteromalus. Agromyza ahiens is increasing 

 rapidly and has greatly injured artichokes in the eastern Pyrenees, 

 where they are an important crop ; Cassida viridis also attacked 

 them. Nursery pine-trees were attacked by Myelophilus piniperda 

 and by a species of Dioryctria, probably D. mutatella, Fuchs, about 

 which httle is known, its depredations frequently being attributed 

 to M. piniperda. Elms were largely infested with Galerucella luteola 

 in 1917, an egg-parasite of this beetle, Tetrastichus xanthomelaenaei 

 being very much in evidence. 



Feytaud (J.). fEssais d' Application du Traitement arsenical contre 

 le Ver des Pommes (Carpocapsa pjomonella, L.). — Ann. Service 

 des Epiphyties, Paris, v (1916-1917), 1918, pp. 36-48. [Received 

 1st September 1919.] 



Experiments with various arsenical mixtures are described, and 

 their efiect on Cydia (Carpocapsa) pomonella is discussed. The question 

 of the most economical method of treatment is raised, and it is demon- 

 strated that the amount expended in controUing an insect pest, when 

 the treatment is efficient and opportune, is an investment returning 

 a high rate of interest. In the case outlined the return was 700 per 

 cent, after adequate treatment. ^ "While remedial measures are always 

 an expensive matter and labour is often scarce, it is very difficult 

 to induce a trial of new methods, and the author contrasts the French 

 attitude with that of the United States, where cultural methods 

 follow the dictates of science with beneficial results to the cultivator. 

 The treatment of apples against C. pomonella should become as much 

 a current agricultural practice as that of vines against the vine -moths. 



