42 



kill many of the insects and plant material in the soil and would also 

 prevent the growth of cane sprouts and other vegetation that would 

 be Uable to infestation. 



The small moth borers continued to be the most injurious pests of 

 sugar-cane. Diatraea canella is generally the dominant species from 

 January to September, except during periods of long and severe 

 drought, when D. saccharalis increases in numbers and D. canella 

 decreases. It is thought that D. canella is the more vigorous 

 species and is able to check or prevent the development of D. saccharalis 

 under normal conditions. While collection of egg-clusters is some 

 check agaiast D. saccharalis, it is useless against D. canella. The 

 best method of dealing with the latter species is by repeated, systematic 

 cutting out of the borers as soon as the stools start to sprout and until 

 growth is too far advanced. A new small moth borer recorded in 1917 

 has been identified as Elasmopalpus lignosellus. This has been 

 numerous on a few estates only, causing severe local damage. It 

 has made its heaviest attacks only in dry weather, but appears to have 

 possibihties as a serious pest. 



Dyscinetvs hidentatus (small black hard-back) is usually observed 

 during the rainy season (May to August) ; in 1917 it was particularly 

 severe and rather less so in 1918. D. geminatus (larger black hard-back) 

 did severe damage on one estate, the grubs boring into the cane tops 

 and kilhng large numbers. It is stated that the grubs came from 

 decaying vegetable matter and rank grasses in the field prior to 

 planting. 



The locust, Schistocerca paranensis, appeared in great numbers in 

 1917. Many were driven against sheets smeared with molasses and 

 tar and others into a canal ; miUions of eggs were also collected. 



.Froghoppers occurred only on certain widely separated estates. 

 It is remarked in connection with this pest that while direct methods 

 of control are undoubtedly beneficial, it is of the utmost importance, 

 particularly during the rainy season, that clay soils should be kept 

 open so that they do not become cold and water-logged ; the 

 formation of an environment that will produce healthy and vigorous 

 cane by this means is the best safeguard against attack. 



Headlee (T. J.). Reports of the Department of Entomology, 1916 



and 1917. — New Jersey Agric. Exjpt. Sta., New Brunswick, 

 NJ., 1917, pp. 465-511, 4 plates, 3 figs., & 1918, pp. 425-479, 

 1 plate. [Received 2nd December 1919.] 



The insects dealt with include Malacosoma americana, Harr., which 

 was present to some extent throughout the State in 1917, but was 

 most injurious in the north-eastern section. Anisota senatoria, 

 S. & A. (oak worm) was abundant on scrub oak in scattered locahties 

 in the autumn of 1917 ; birch was apparently the only other tree 

 attacked. 



Aphids were abundant on vegetables, the most injurious species 

 being Myzus persicae, Sulz. (green peach aphis) on cabbage, potato, 

 tomato, and egg-plant, and Aphis pseudobrassicae on beans. The 

 last-named had not previously been taken in New Jersey, but evidence 

 indicates that it has occurred undetected for some years. The remedie 



