97 



borer of sugar-cane [Diatmea sacclmralis crambidoides] every eSort is 

 being made to establish parasites introduced from Cuba [R.A.E., 

 A, vii, 280, 408]. The tobacco flea-beetle [Epitrix parvula] has been 

 successfully controlled in Florida by insecticides and serious losses 

 have been averted. For tobacco thrips [Frankliitiella fasca] 14 oz. 

 nicotine sulphate, with 3 lb. soap to 50 U.S. gals, water, has proved 

 a successful spray if apphed properly once a week during the emergency 

 period. The time of application is important. 



Apiary work during the year is described. The demand for bee- 

 keepers'" supplies and hterature is greater than ever before m the 

 country. 



A general summary is given of the War activities of the Bureau of 

 Entomology. 



Proceedings of the Conference on the European Corn Borer held by 

 National Association of Commissioners of Agriculture. —>Stote of 



New York Dept. Farms and Markets, Div. Agric, Albany, N.Y.y 6s 

 Boston, Mass., Bull. 123, August 1919, 74 pp., 11 plates. 

 [Received 30th December 1919.] 



The object of the conference held at Albany and Boston on the 

 28th and 29th August 1919 was to bring forward all information 

 relative to the possible damage that might occur if stringent measure -i 

 Avere not resorted to for tiie extermination of the European corn 

 stalk borer, Ptjrausta nubilalis, and this bulletin collates the addresses 

 dehvered by the various speakers present. 



The plan of action suggested by Dr. L. 0. Howard includes a 

 thorough survey of suspected regions for the purpose of determining 

 as definitely as possible the exact hmits of infested areas, the adequate 

 enforcement of inter-State quarantine regalations to prevent artificial 

 distribution of P. nubilalis and control or repressive measures 

 embracing every practicable means of destroying the pest. Such a 

 scheme would require a supplementary appropriation of about 

 £100,000 in addition to the £50,000 already granted. A detailed 

 statement showing the proposed allocation of the funds is appended. 

 In this no provision has been made for an emergency fund for use in 

 the event of the discovery of additional infested areas, for which 

 purpose not less than £20,000 would be needed. 



Dr. E. P. Felt considered the extermination of the pest in New 

 York to be reasonably possible, provided that there is an organisation 

 capable of maintaining a high standard of efficiency, and that 

 there be sufficient funds available to use at all times. As there are 

 at present no satisfactory remedial methods adapted to field conditions, 

 experiments and field tests will have to be conducted on a large scale 

 and duplicated under varied conditions, so as to eliminate every 

 possibility of wrong interpretation or to avoid a really effective method 

 being overlooked. Owing to the rapid spread of the borer immediate 

 action is necessary, and the work would be comparatively easy in 

 New York, as apparently maize is the only plant attacked there. 

 Investigations show that individual moths may five more than 30 

 days and deposit as many as 1,200 eggs, the descendants of one moth 

 being estimated at from 100,000 to 300,000 individuals in the course 

 of a season. 



(654) B 



