136 



An attempt to use Sporotrichun globuliferum artificially against the 

 chinch bug [Blissus leucoptera] led the experimenters to conclude 

 that where the fungus is naturally present, its action cannot be appre- 

 ciably increased by the artificial introduction of spores, and that where 

 it is not in evidence, introduced spores have no measurable effect ; 

 the absence of the fungus among chinch bugs generally means un- 

 favourable conditions rather than lack of spores ; laboratory ex- 

 periments are no criterion of similar success in the field. Equally 

 discouraging conclusions were arrived at after attempts artificially to 

 introduce Aegerita webberi, Fawcett (the brown fungus), Aschersonia 

 aleyrodis, Webber (the red fungus), A. flavocitrina (the yellow fungus) 

 against the whitefly of citrus [Aletirodes citri]. Entomophthora 

 aulicae (the brown-tail fungus) is stated to have been artificially 

 used with some success against the brown-tail moth [Eiiprodis chry- 

 sorrhoea]. This fungus should be employed in the spring, early summer 

 and autumn, warm nights and a damp atmosphere providing the best 

 conditions. In spring, when the caterpillars are scattered over the 

 trees, the infected larvae are easily placed among them ; in the 

 autumn, when they are localised, individual nests must be infected ; 

 autumn seems to be the best time for infection. With proper con- 

 ditions for its introduction, a destruction of from 63 to 100 per cent, 

 of the caterpillars can be depended upon. 



Flint (W. P.). On the Capture of Living Insects by the Cornfleld Ant 



{Lasius niger americanus.) — Jl. Econ. Entom., Concord, N.H., vii, 

 no. 6, December 1914, pp. 476-478. 



Lasius niger americanus has been observed to attack and kill many 

 small insects that come near their nests. Diahrotica longicornis, 

 D. 12-punctata and Agonoderus pallipes, especially the latter, are 

 all readily killed when placed near the nests of this ant ; 

 Chloridea (Heliothis) ohsoleta larvae, nearly full grown, were also killed, 

 as well as Epicauta marginaia and E. vittata, but Pentatomid bugs 

 were never seen to be attacked. Examination showed that the 

 number of Dipterous larvae in manure containing Lasius was much 

 less than those in which no ants were found. 



Scott (W. M.). The California Pear Thrips in Maryland. — Jl. Econ. 

 Entom., Concord, N.H., vii, nos 6, December 1914, pp. 478-479. 



Taeniothrips pyri, Daniel, is recorded from a small Kieffer pear 

 orchard near Baltimore, Md. ; this is a new locaUty for the pear 

 thrips, which is the most destructive fruit tree insect in California, 

 the damage caused in the Santa Clara Valley alone, from 1904-1910, 

 being estimated at $2,000,000. At present, the outbreak is confined 

 to a single orchard, the pest also occurring on some neighbouring 

 peach and apple trees, though not seriously damaging them. 



EoHWER (S. A.). Description of a NewSawfly Injurious to Strawberries. 



— Jl. Econ. Entom., Concord, N.H., vii, no. 6, December 1914, 

 pp. 479^81. 



A description of a new sawfly, Empria fragariae, sp. n., injurious 

 to strawberries, in Iowa, is given. 



