265 



This species has not been observed feeding on other plants than grass, 

 but as greater areas are devoted to cultivated crops, and the amount 

 of their natural food-plant is in consequence diminished, it may later 

 become a pest of cultivated crops. The very limited observations 

 made on the larvae show them to be gregarious in habit, with tendencies 

 towardii,the army-worm type. In 1912, specimens of larvae of what 

 is believed to be this species were received with the report that they were 

 travelling in hordes across a cleared area. This species undoubtedly 

 passes the winter as a larva. Adult moths have been collected at 

 Corvallis in May, June, August, September, and November. There 

 are undoubtedly three generations a year. Control methods are the 

 same as for the variegated cutworm {Lycophotia saucia). 



LovETT (A. L.)- The Rose Curculio, Rhynchites bicolor, Fab., injures 

 Blackberry Buds ; pp. 150-153, 1 fig,, 1 plate. 



Rhynchites bicolor, F., (the rose curculio) has long been recognised 

 as a serious pest of roses, though it is difficult to estimate the annual 

 loss in Oregon. Recent observations seem to show that it may become 

 a serious pest of cane fruit. In May 1912, near Russellville, Oregon, 

 the flower buds of the blackberry were to be found severely injured 

 by this weevil. Loganberries and raspberries were growing in adjacent 

 plots, but did not show any indication of attack. In 1913 and 1914 

 the injury was reported to be as serious as in the preceding year, or 

 slightly more so, the total injury affecting from one-half to two-thirds 

 of the buds. The- curculio also attacks the clusters of tender 

 unfolding leaves. No really satisfactory control measures are known. 

 Advantage may be taken of the adults' tendency to drop when 

 disturbed, and they may be jarred from the plant into a container. 

 This is of value only under certain conditions. At best it should be 

 supplemented by the eradication of wild rose bushes in the vicinity, 

 where practicable ; by hand-picking and destruction of punctured seed 

 pods ; and by the use of sprays. A spray of 1 lb. of lead arsenate 

 in 20 U.S. (16-65 Impl.) gallons of water should be appUed on the first 

 appearance of the beetles in May. As the blossoms of the rose advance, 

 or the berries of cane fruit become of some size, the use of an arsenate 

 should be discontinued. A spray consisting of 1 ounce of white 

 hellebore powder to 3 U.S. gallons of water may be used. This spray is 

 practically colourless and is non-poisonous to human beings. Fresh, 

 pure hellebore is necessary. The insect appears to pass the winter in 

 the soil as a pupa, and if this is the case, a thorough stirring of the soil 

 about the plants during late September and October, and also in the 

 early spring, should be of value in destroying the pupae. Attempts 

 hitherto made to work out the life-history of this insect have been 

 unsuccessful. Adult weevils occur from late spring until late summer 

 and early autumn. Eggs have been found from May until late July. 

 All evidence goes to show that only a small percentage of the eggs ever 

 hatch. Of the eggs collected in the blackberry flower-buds, less than 

 6 per cent, hatched, and the young grubs did not feed at all in the dead 

 buds. The egg-stage lasts about 20 days. Rose seed-pods were found 

 in late August and September containing all stages, from the very small 

 to the full-grown grubs. Other seed-pods were found at this time with 

 all the inner portions devoured, leaving only the hard outer shell, from 



(C150) D 



