264: 



Wilson (H. F.). Insecticide Investigations of 1914 (Preliminary) ; 

 pp. 137-140, 2 tables. 



In these experiments a number of chemicals — lead hydrogen 

 arsenate, basic lead arsenate, ferrous arsenate, arsenic bisulphide, 

 arsenic tersulphide, and copper arsenate — have given sufficiently- 

 satisfactory results as practical insecticides to warrant further experi- 

 mentation. Both arsenates of lead, when properly prepared and used 

 alone, may be used with safety, so far as injury to fruit and foliage 

 is concerned. Arsenite of zinc so injured the foliage that every leaf 

 fell. Under North-west conditions, it is more or less unsafe to combine 

 any arsenical spray with lime-sulphur, since injury is liable to follow 

 such combinations, of which seven are listed in a table. Bordeaux 

 mixture may be combined with Black Leaf-40 without causing foliage 

 injury or loss of efficiency as an insecticide. The solid matters obtained 

 from a mixture of arsenate of lead and lime-sulphur do not appear 

 to be responsible for the injury which results from this combination 

 when the liquid and solid parts are applied as one. 



Experiments carried on with crude oil-emulsion and distillate oil- 

 emulsion, to determine the effect on trees, show that even ten appli- 

 cations in one season tend to improve the health of the sprayed trees 

 rather than otherwise. Experiments with soluble sulphur show that 

 this material is an effective insecticide against San Jose scale and some 

 other insects, while experiments conducted with " Agfa " weevil oil 

 and " Antimot," two preparations of the Berlin Anihne Works of 

 New York, show that these substances are not efficient fumigants 

 against insect pests. 



LovETT (A. L.). The Variegated Cutworm, Peridroma margaritosa 

 saucia, Hiibn. ; pp. 141-149, 2 plates, 3 figs. 



During the summer of 1914, a serious outbreak of cutworms occurred 

 throughout western and northern Oregon. Practically every type of 

 crop was attacked ; truck and garden crops suffered most, but the 

 injury to the buds and fruit of trees and bushes, to field crops, and to 

 ornamental shrubs and plants was serious. The injury became moet 

 pronounced in early July ; it had reached its maximum by early 

 August and then rapidly subsided. The cutworm causing the greater 

 part of the damage was Lycophotia margaritosa saucia. In the course 

 of a summary of the recent history of this species in the North-west 

 United States, it is stated that Professor F. H. Chittenden estimated 

 the total injury due to this pest at 2,500,000 dollars. A life-history for 

 Oregon conditions is given, as well as a description of each stage. Of 

 the cutworms collected in clover in one locality on 22nd July 1914, 

 nearly 80 per cent, were parasitised by Tachinid flies ; the majority of 

 these were Phorocera saundersii, Will. ; Euphorocera daripennis, Will.^ 

 was also present, as well as several species of Ichneumonidae. Other 

 natural enemies of L. saucia include predaceous beetles, several species 

 of birds, domestic fowls, and pigs. Amongst the usual control methods, 

 recommended, perhaps poison bran-mash, broadcast over the soil in 

 the spring before the crop is up, is the best. 



A short account is also given of Hadena {Dargida) procincta, Grote,, 

 (olive-green cutworm), specimens of which were received in July 1914, 

 with the report that they occurred in great numbers in meadow lands. 



