138 



responsible for the protection of Federal timber to fight the epidemics 

 of these bark-beetles in co-operation with private owners. The 

 importance of continually enlarging and improving the present 

 organisation for dealing with this matter is emphasised. 



Burke (H. E.). U.S. Bur. Ent. Biological Notes on Desmocerus, 

 a Genus of Roundhead Borers, the Species of which infest various 

 Elders. — //. Econ. Ent., Geneva, N.Y., xiv, no. 5, October 1921, 

 pp. 450-452. [Received 13th January 1922.] 



The beetles of the genus Desmocerus belong to four western and one 

 eastern species. These are D. cribripennis, Horn, D. californicus, 

 Horn, D. piperi, Webb, D. auripennis, Chev., and D. palliatus, Forst. 

 They all bore in the pith and wood of living shrubs or trees of various 

 species of elder {Sambucus). The stems may not be killed b}- the mines, 

 but the scars in the bark afford entrance to bacteria, fungi, and ants. 

 The life-cycle occupies about two years. The eggs are laid in crevices 

 of the bark or in the vicinity of wounds. Pupation and transformation 

 to the adult take place during the second spring in a cell in the pith. 

 The adults emerge about the time the elder is in bloom and may be 

 found on the flowers and foliage. 



The best method of collection is to cut into the stems just before 

 the flowers open and remove the beetles from the pupal cells. The trees 

 should be protected at the beginning of June by spraying the trunks 

 \\dth lead arsenate-miscible oil emulsion or some other ovicide. 



European Corn Borer Conference. — //. Econ. Ent., Geneva, N. Y., xiv, 

 no. 5, October 1921, pp. 453-455. [Received 13th January 1922.] 



At a meeting held at Sandusky, Ohio, 15th September 1921, to 

 consider the situation respecting the European corn borer [Pyrausta 

 nubilalis] a committee was appointed to suggest recommendations 

 as to the policy to be adopted in relation to national, State, local and 

 individual control. The report of this committee was adopted ar the 

 final session at St. Thomas, Ontario, 17th September 1921. 



As complete extermination is impossible, owing to the establishment 

 of this moth over large areas, the policy adopted should be designed 

 to check further spread as far as possible and to promote the speedy 

 development of practical control measures. Quarantine measures 

 are considered to be the most effective means of checking the spread. 

 The adoption of a modified regional quarantine in New England is 

 recommended, on account of the complex conditions due to the 

 occurrence of two generations in that area, and it is suggested that the 

 quarantine line should not be established further west than the 

 Connecticut river. In infested areas where the borer produces only 

 one generation a year, quarantine restrictions should be limited to 

 all sorghums, maize, Sudan grass and broom corn. The closest 

 possible co-operation in both quarantine and control work with 

 the Federal authorities is urged. The authorities in infested States 

 and Provinces are urged to make financial provision for co-operative 

 work, as this may mean maximum participation on the part of the 

 Federal Government. 



The facilities for investigation and the introduction of parasites 

 might be expanded. The satisfactory co-operation both in control 

 and investigation between United States and Canadian officials was 

 commented upon. 



