575 



As a result of thorough scouting operations, this insect is now known 

 to occur over an area of 642 square miles, including 60 towns in 

 Massachusetts and four in New Hampshire. The infested areas are 

 shown in a map. Large larvae or pupae were found in many districts, 

 .showing that these areas were infested in the previous year. The 

 trend of spread has been towards the north and north-east, due 

 doubtless to the direction of the prevailing wind at the time the moths 

 are on the wing. The insect has in all probability been present in 

 the United States for several years, but has only been abundant 

 enough to spread rapidly during the last two or three years. 



Field observations have shown that the larvae are attacked by the 

 imported Carabid beetle, Cahsoma sycophanUi, L., and extensively 

 parasitised by the Tachinid, Conipsihira concinnaia, Meig. A small 

 Hymenopterous parasite reared from the eggs has been identified 

 as Telenomus calif omicus, Ashm. The prospect of control of S. salicis 

 by parasites is encouraging, but it may be necessary to introduce 

 some of its enemies from Europe. 



The most satisfactory remedies can only be determined by time. 

 Treating the egg-masses with creosote is effective, but is expensive, 

 and impracticable in cases where they are deposited on small branches 

 and on leaves. It is suggested that poplars and willows should be 

 sprayed, as soon as they are in full leaf, with 10 lb. lead arsenate 

 to 100 U.S. gals, of water, using soft soap as an adhesive. If the infesta- 

 tion is severe, this should be repeated about mid- June, and again, if 

 necessary, about 1st August 



If infestation is confined to poplars and willows, the damage will 

 not be of very great importance, although these trees are of economic 

 value, but if other trees such as oak (which is said to be attacked in 

 Europe) become infested, the problem will be much more serious. 

 A careful watch should be maintained for new areas of infestation, 

 and all favoured food-plants should be carefully inspected during 

 July and August. 



P.^CKARD (C. M.) & Thompson (B. G.). The Range Crane-flies in 

 California. — U.S. Dept. Agric, Washington, B.C. Dept. Circ. 

 172, May 1921, 8 pp., 5 figs. [Received 3rd October 1921 .] 



Ranges, pastures, and grain and lucerne fields in California are 

 frequently badly injured during the rainy season by the larvae of 

 Tipula simplex, Doane, and T. quaylei, Doane. The damage is 

 generally most severe during wet winters, though local infestations 

 occur every year, many hundred pounds' worth of forage being 

 destroyed during a heavy infestation. 



Eggs are laid in the winter in depressions in the soil, under loose 

 stones, among grass roots, etc., where they remain dormant during 

 the dry season and hatch in the following winter as soon as they are 

 soaked by the first rains. Each female of T. simplex may lay about 

 100 eggs. The stages of the fly are described. The newly hatched 

 larvae appear when the grasses are beginning to sprout after the early 

 rains, and at first the effect of their feeding is not noticeable, but by 

 January they frequently devour all available pasture. In late January 

 or early February they become full-grown, cease to feed, and pupate 

 just below the ground surface. The adults appear in late February' 

 or March, and there is only one generation in a year. The females 

 are wingless, and lay their eggs within a short distance of the spot 



