Criddle (N.). Some Insect Problems in the Prairie Provinces.— 

 49th Ann. Rept. Entom. Soc. Ontario 1918; Toronto, 1919, 

 pp. 32-35. [Received 28th October 1919.] 



It is frequently erroneously thought that the life-cycle of an insect 

 is similar in the different areas in which it occurs. Owing to this 

 tendency the Western wheat-stem sawfiy, Cephas cinctus, was originally 

 confused with the European C. pygmaeus, and the remedial measures 

 for the latter were in consequence applied to the former. Tiger 

 beetles {Cicindela), wireworms and the Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor] 

 are examples of insects that exhibit variations in their habits and life- 

 cycle in different localities. These variations depend chiefly on climatic 

 and meteorological changes, which in the Prairie Provinces as a rule 

 tend to prolong the life-cycle, although in the case of the Colorado potato 

 beetle [Leptitiotarsa decemlineata] the lack of snow has been responsible 

 for the extinction of the species. Other noxious 'insects dealt with 

 as regards variations in their life-cycle include : Meromyza americana 

 (greater wheat-stem maggot), Oscinella {Oscinis) frit (frit-fly) and 

 Mektnoplus atlantis (lesser migratory locust). 



ToTHiLL (J. D.) & McLaine (L. S.). The Recovery in Canada of the 

 Brown-tail Moth Parasite, Compsihira concinnata (Diptera, 

 Tachinidae).— t^M Ann. Rept. Entom. Soc. Ontario 1918 ; 

 Toronto, 1919, pp. 35-39, 3 figs. [Received 28th October 1919.] 



The process of the establishment of Compsilura concinnata in Canada, 

 here described, has been very slow. This Tachinid parasite was first 

 liberated about seven years ago from material collected in Massa- 

 chusetts ; since this time several fresh colonies have been liberated 

 amounting to a total of about 30,000 flies. Recent observations show 

 that it has at last become definitely established in New Brunswick and 

 exercises a valuable check on the numbers of the brown-tail moth 

 [Nygmia phaeorrhoea\ gipsy moth [Lymantria dispar] and white- 

 marked tussock moth [Hemerocampa leucostigma]. 



Davis (J. J.). Present Day Problems in Entomology.— ^M Ann. 

 Rept. Entom. Soc. Ontario 1918; Toronto, 1919, pp. 47-59, 9 figs. 

 [Received 28th October 1919.] 



As a result of the War and the eft'ort for increased production of 

 cereals the present conditions offer every advantage to the increase 

 of insect pests. In certain districts where the growing of spring wheat 

 was discontinued some years ago owing to the ravages of insect enemies 

 it has now been resumed, thus making insect control more difficult. 

 In many cases where successful remedial measures have been worked 

 out their application is prevented owing to the necessitated expenditure 

 or shortage of labour. Attention is drawn to the necessity of a 

 publication in a popular and concise form to meet the requirements 

 of county agents, and certain suggestions for this are made. To prevent 

 infestation from neighbouring farms and orchards, where the owners 

 have disregarded the recognised remedial measures, it is suggested 

 that legal powers should be taken or the farmer supplied from State or 

 county funds with the necessary materials for combating insect 

 outbreaks. The importance of co-ordination of workers in related 

 branches of science is emphasised. 



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