149 



of the other two if the observations of all of them were conducted on 

 the same method, which is not the case. At the same time the author 

 agrees with Vassiliev that it is impossible to accept the conclusions 

 of Kurdjumov and Andreeva, and thinks that, so far as maize is con- 

 cerned, the influence of O.frit is more adequately expressed by Vassiliev, 

 but does not accept his conclusions as correct for every case. 



Du Porte (E. M.). The Wavy-striped Flea-beetle (PAyWo^re^a sinuata, 

 Steph.). — Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., xlvi, no. 12, 

 December 1914, pp. 433-435, 3 figs. 



Although Phyllotreta sinuata is widely distributed throughout Europe 

 and many parts of the United States, it was not noted as a pest in 

 Canada until June 1913, when the larvae were observed mining in 

 the leaves of cress and feeding on the foUage of radish [see this Review^ 

 Ser. A, ii, p. 664]. The insect was again present in Quebec in 1914, 

 feeding on radish, turnips, and cabbage. This species is often asso- 

 ciated with P. vittata, F., and it is probably owing to its close resem- 

 blence to it, that it has escaped detection. A description of the larva, 

 pupa and adult of P. sinuata is given, and the chief points of difference 

 between it and P. vittata are recorded. 



Marcovitch (S.). a species of Megastigmus reared from larch seeds. — 



Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont. xlvi, no. 12, December 1914, 

 pp. 435-438, 1 plate. 



The Chalcidid, Megastigmus laricis, sp. n., is described from adults 

 which emerged on 2nd April 1914, from seeds of larch trees at Ithaca, 

 New York. The larva completely devours the kernel, and fills the 

 entire seed. 



Jones (B. J.). The Natural Modes of Distribution of Pear Blight in 

 California. — Mthly. Bull. Cat. State Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, 

 iii, no. 12, December 1914, pp. 505-511, 2 figs. 



The great mass of e\adence gathered during a year's work in a 

 study of the agencies responsible for pear blight distribution was 

 directly incriminating to the insects found in the pear orchards. 

 Inasmuch as the mode of carriage is mechanical, almost any insect 

 capable of moving from one tree to another may act as a carrier of 

 infection. The winter stages of the disease are the feci of infection, 

 and their complete eradication, though accomplished in individual 

 cases, cannot be effected universally. The summer infection begins 

 w'ith the rise of the sap and continues as long as there is any vegetative 

 growth in the tree, and it is in this season that the damage done by 

 insects is greatest. The blight enters, through the late bloom, the 

 lateral and terminal buds of growing shoots and the fruits. The 

 greatest loss has been that which occurred through blighted shoots 

 at the base of the trees, and these, though useful in protecting the 

 boles, if they became blighted, generally involve the destruction of 

 the tree. Bees, house-flies, ants, thrips and other insects all tend to 

 distribute the disease, and on or beneath the ground it is carried by 

 Elaterid and other beetles. The disease requires 4 to 6 days after 



