317 



Details are given of local infestations during 1919. Years that are 

 favourable for locusts generally show an increase of Melanoplus femnr- 

 rubrum, de Ct. (red-legged locust) and M. biviUatus, Say (two-striped 

 locust). The campaign against locusts in 1919 was seriously 

 handicapped owing to lack of authority in compelling farmers to 

 undertake the necessary remedial measures. In view of these 

 difficulties the provincial legislature is now engaged in amending the 

 existing act so as to cover these exigencies during future outbreaks. 



Strickland (1^. F.) & Achilles (J. B.). The Quince Curculio and 

 Methods of Control in Western New York. — N. Y. Stale Dept. 

 Farms & Mkts.. Die. Agric, Albany, Bull. 116, February 1919, 

 45 pp., 13 figs. [Received 25th May' 1920.] 



Conotrachelus crataegi, Walsh (quince curculio) is ])robably a native 

 of America, where its natural food-plant was the common haw 

 [Crataegus] prior to the introduction of the ({uince, of w^hich it is now 

 the principal pest, destroying sometimes 80 to 90 per cent, of the fruit. 

 The adults appear between 6th and 15th July in Western New York, 

 oviposition lasting for about 22 days. After an incubation period of 

 about 3 days the eggs, which are laid in excavations on the fruit of the 

 quince, hatch and the larvae feed in the fruit for about 95 days. They 

 are then mature and drop to the ground and, burrowing into the top 

 layer of soil, prepare an earthen cell in which they live for about 8^ 

 months. In the spring the pupal stage lasts for about 10 days. The 

 adults feed on the leaf-petioles, on the necks of small quinces and on 

 the body of young fruit ; this feeding extends for several days before 

 oviposition takes place to any extent and im]jortant damage is done 

 during this period. One female m^ay deposit about 30 eggs. 



Earh^ literature dealing with control methods for C. crataegi 

 recommends cultivation, spraying, the use of pigs in the orchard and 

 jarring [R.A.E., A, i. 283]. Recent experimental work in spraying 

 is described in detail, and this practice has been found the most 

 efficacious against the pest. The best method proved to be two 

 apphcations of Bordeaux mixture 3:3:50 or of lime-sulphur 1:40, to 

 either of which was added 3 lb. lead arsenate to 50 U.S. gals, of spray, 

 the spray being directed both upward and downward so that both 

 upper and lower surfaces of fruit and fohage were covered. Four 

 years of experimental work have shown that a rapid reduction of the 

 numbers of the insect can be effected by this method, supplemented 

 by the removal fiom the orchard of all fallen and picked quinces before 

 the larvae leave the fruit. These applications also control the common 

 fruit- spot disease of the quince. 



The time of application of the spray is a most im})ortant point. 

 The first application should be made when the adults begin to feed, 

 and the second wdien oviposition takes place. The time of appearance 

 of the adults varies considerably ; it is always earliest where the 

 orchard stands on light soil. During the four years' demonstration, 

 the adults have appeared between 6th and 17th July, and generally 

 durmg a period of clear, dry weather. Watch should be kept for the 

 first feeding punctures and the first spraying should then be done. 

 About five days later oviposition begins, and when several egg-pits are 

 found the second application should be made. 



