352 



conmiunis in early summer ; males and sexuparae return to Prumis 

 in the autumn. Aphis bakeri winters on apple and Crataegus ; early 

 in summer it migrates to the red and white clovers. A. setariae is 

 found most commonly on Panicimi crusgalli in summer, in winter on 

 the plum. Myzus bragii seems to have other summer hosts besides 

 Carduus arvensis ; M. 2jersicae, after passing the winter on peach, 

 plum, or cherry, migrates to a wide range of hosts, including cruciferous 

 plants, potatoes, tomatoes, beets, Rumex. Phorodon humili winters 

 on the plum, and may sometimes be found upon plum foliage throughout 

 the year ; the regular summer host is the hop. Macrosiphum granaria 

 and M. dirhodum both occur on the rose as a winter host, and migrate 

 to grain and grasses in summer. 



Blakeslee (E. B.). a mechanical protector for preventing injury by 

 the Peach Borer. {Abstract). — JJ. Econ. Entom., Concord, viii, 

 no. 1, February 1915, pp. 103-107. 



The habits of the newly-hatched larvae of the peach-borer (Aegeria 

 exitiosa) are discussed. In addition to the fact that many eggs are 

 deposited in the crown of the tree, larvae hatching from eggs deposited 

 on the trunk and branches migrate downwards and begin their work 

 below the surface of the soil. When a barrier is placed at the crown 

 of the tree, the larvae do not attempt to enter above it. By the use 

 of a cone-shaped, tarred-paper protector, extending out for 8 inches 

 from the base of the tree, and sealed with a viscous substance, it is 

 possible to exclude the larvae entirely. The protectors are cut out 

 in a circular form with a hole, in the middle slightly larger than the 

 trunks. To support the protector, the earth is made into a small 

 mound, the base of which is slightly below and the top slightly above 

 the surface of the ground. The protectors are fastened tightly round 

 the tree, the place of contact with the tree and the overlapping parts 

 being coated with an adhesive sealing material, and the earth pulled 

 back over the edges. Experiments have shown that these protectors 

 are able to maintain their impenetrable character in the field. No 

 cement or gas-tar mixtures are used to harden the soil, for fear of 

 injuring the trees. In discussing the paper, Mr. E. G. Titus said that 

 in Utah the borers attacked trunks and branches as well as the crown 

 of the tree, thus rendering the use of a mechanical protection difficult. 

 Mr. Newell also stated that in Texas paper protectors had not proved 

 successful. Mr. Scott gave an account of his experiments for the 

 control of the borer. He at first tried numerous washes, but without 

 success ; then, taking advantage of the habit of the larva of crawling 

 down the trunk, he devised a method of preventing it from entering the 

 soil. He adopted a tarred felt mat, 16 inches in diameter, with a hole 

 in the middle equal in diameter to that of the tree, and a slit from 

 the hole to the outer edge. The soil was first moulded round the tree, 

 then the protector placed on the mound, its slit edges glued together, and 

 the whole sealed to the tree with a viscous material. All openings were 

 completely filled up, so that it was impossible for the borers to reach 

 the soil without crawling away from the tree beyond the edge of the 

 protector. The best sealing material was a residuum from the partial 

 distillation of coal tar. Results were perfect where the mats had been 

 properly secured to the trees. Mr. Blakeslee found tanglefoot the best 



