482 



Strickland (E. H.). Poisoned Molasses for the Destruction of Noetuid 

 Moths.—//. Econ. Ent., Geneva, N. Y., xv, no. 3, June 1922, 

 pp. 214-220, 1 fig. 



Considerable attention has been given to the destruction of adults 

 as a means of controlHng Porosagrotis orthogonia, IMorr. (pale western 

 cutworm). The methods described are light traps, molasses troughs 

 and poisoned molasses, of which the latter gave by far the most 

 promising results. 



The most satisfactory bait consisted of a 10 per cent, solution of 

 cane molasses diluted in water in which quassia chips had been soaked 

 overnight at the rate of 2 oz. to the quart. A quart bottle is tilled 

 with the mixture, and in each bottle a commercial fly-pad is 

 inserted, with 1 gm. of saccharine and 8 drops of amyl acetate. The 

 latter is not essential, but increases the attractiveness of the bait. 

 The weak solution of arsenic produced by the fly-pad is only slightly 

 deterrent, and results in the moths being killed much more rapidly, 

 so that they are unable to oviposit before death. 



A piece of lamp wick (6 in.) is saturated in the solution and the 

 end placed in the bottle and secured in position by a well-fitting cork 

 that has been flattened slightly on the side next to the wick. The 

 bottle is inverted and fixed to the west side of a fence post, so that it 

 is not exposed to the direct rays of the sun till afternoon. The heat 

 causes the contents to expand, and some of it is thus driven down the 

 wick and on to a cloth by which the wick should be fixed to the 

 post. This action generally continues until sunset and liberates 

 sufficient bait to attract moths throughout the night. After the sun 

 has set the reverse pressure in the bottle draws in sufficient air to 

 replace the expelled liquid. Provided the variations in temperature 

 are not too extreme, or fermentation too rapid, a quart bottle will 

 run every evening for from 10 to 14 days. Various modifications of 

 this method have been tried, but so far this has proved to be the 

 most satisfactory. 



One trap to every 10 rods of fencing should be sufficient if the field 

 is free from flowering weeds, otherwise it may be necessary to erect 

 subsidiary posts in the field. 



McLaine (L. S.). The Spread of European Corn Borer in Southern 

 Ontario.—//. Econ. Ent., Geneva, N. Y., xv, no. 3, June 1922, 

 pp. 227-231, 1 map. 



Most of the information in this paper has already been noticed 

 [R.A.E., A, X, 320]. 



Crawford (H. G.) & Spencer (G. J.). The European Corn Borer 

 Control Measures. — //. Econ. Ent., Geneva, N. Y., xv, no. 3, 

 June 1922, pp. 231-236. 



The application of cultural measures for the control of the European 

 corn borer [Pyrausta nubilalis, Hb.] in Ontario is described. 



The Coccinellid, Megilla maculata, DeG. (Ceratomegilla fuscilabris, 

 Muls.) is apparently the most important insect enemy of this pest ; 

 it has been repeatedly seen devouring the egg-masses ; the Tachinid, 

 Exorista nigripalpis, Towns., also occurred during the spring of 1920,. 

 but cannot be considered of much importance as a means of control. 



