454 



in June, the second at the end of July and the third in August- 

 November. There is probably a partial fourth brood. Climatic 

 conditions seem to be the principal natural check on the insect. 

 A cold, rainy winter results in high mortality. A few adults are killed 

 by a fungus, probably Sjiorofrichum, and a small red mite. The only 

 internal parasite yet known is the Tachinid, Celatoria diahroticae. 

 A determination of the loss in nitrogen-fixation from the attacks of 

 the larvae involves a knowledge of the nodule-forming bacteria and 

 a chemical analysis of the plants. It has been calculated that the 

 legume nodule adds 166 lb. of nitrogen per acre to the soil. The 

 possibilities of successful control of this insect are limited mainly to 

 preventive measures. Thorough spraying with arsenicals in early 

 spring would reduce the number of adults. Wild host plants should 

 be destroyed. Cowpeas should be planted at the end of May or in 

 June to avoid the first generation of beetles. The iron cowpea is 

 damaged much less than other varieties and is also resistant to 

 root-knot disease. 



Felt (E. P.). A New Pest, the Chrysanthemum Midge {Rlwpalomyia 

 hypogaea, H. Lw.). — Jl. Econ. Ento^n., Concord, vii., no. 2, April 

 1915, p. 267. 



Specimens of chrysanthemum plants badly infested with the 

 Cecidomyid, Misospatha {Rhopalomyia) hypogaea, have been received 

 from Michigan Certain varieties appear to be very susceptible to 

 injury. In the plants examined, swollen masses of infested tissue 

 occurred in and near the midribs of the developing leaves. The species 

 is a European one, recorded as infesting Chrysantheynum leucanthemvm, 

 C. corymhosum, C. atratuni and C. japonicum, producing galls on the 

 stalks, leaves, buds and probably also on subterranean roots. The 

 insect breeds continuously when conditions are favourable, the initial 

 attack being usually confined to buds. The midges transform in the 

 gall ; hibernation occurs in the adult or larval stage within the sub- 

 terranean buds. The insect has become estabhshed in America without 

 its full complement of parasites, and will probably become a serious 

 local pest. Badly infested plants should be burned ; removal and 

 destruction of infested parts of others may lead to the extermination of 

 the pest. Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid, while deadly to midges 

 on the wing, has little or no effect on the larvae. 



Sasscer (E. R.). Important Insect Pests collected on imported Nursery 

 Stock in 1914. — Jl. Econ. Entom., Concord, vii, no. 2, April 1915, 

 pp. 268-270. 



During 1914, nests of Euproctis chrysorrhoea, the brown-tail moth, 

 were collected from French nursery stock, and three egg- masses of 

 Lymantria (Porthetria) disjjar, the gipsy moth, on cedar and camellia 

 from Japan, and a single egg-mass on azalea from Belgium. Larvae 

 of Gelechia gossypiellu, the pink boll worm, were found on shipments 

 of Indian cotton. A single living adult of Dacus oleae, the olive fruit 

 fly, was discovered on olive seed from Cape Town. This species in 

 Italy requires from 47 to 49 days for the pupa to transform into the 

 adult ; it would therefore be possible for this pest to reach the olive- 

 growing sections of California prior to the emergence of the adult. 



