198 FORTY-FJRST REPORT ON THE StATE MuSEUM. 



identified as Systena blanda var. bitceniata LeConte. This Clirysomelid 

 beetle had not been known to injure cotton. It has been reported as 

 injurious to corn in Pennsylvania. The Systenas (species cited) are not 

 usually injurious to vegetation. For preventives, destroy the ragweed, 

 or sprinkle the young cotton plants with any dust-like substance. [See 

 pp. 155, 156 of this Report.] 



Thrips in Strawberry Blossoms. (Country Gentleman, for June 9, 

 1887, lii, p. 459, c. 1-2 — 50 cm.) 



Strawberry blossoms from Geneva, N. Y., contained thrips, averaging 

 perhaps twelve to a blossom. Difference between the true thrips and 

 the so-called thrips of the grape leaves ; their appearance ; where they 

 occur ; have not been much studied ; conflicting statements of their 

 habits; deemed by some to be mainly insectivorous and therefore bene- 

 ficial ; by others, inj urious to vegetation ; known feeding habits of some 

 species quoted ; the species undoubtedly differ in habits. No injuries 

 evident in the Geneva blossoms. The strawberry thrips has been very 

 abundant and injurious to the blossoms in Illinois, and is being studied 

 by Professor Forbes. 



The Leather Beetle again. (Boots and Shoes Weekly, for June 15, 

 1887, xi, p. 608, c. 1-3—50 cm.) 



The beetle boring into shoes (see preceding page) has been reared from 

 an infested shoe, and found to be Sitodrepa panicea. Its operations in 

 the leather are described, and some of the large number of substances 

 on which it feeds, given. It will not probably prove a very serious 

 leather pest. In addition to the j^emedies suggested for Dermefites 

 tndpinus, this may be killed in any of its stages by treating the infested 

 shoes with kerosene. 



The Apple Pest. (Oswego Daily Times, June 18, 1887, p. 4, c. G-7 — 

 48 cm.) 



Insects reported as entirely destroying the foliage of apple trees in 

 Granby, Oswego county, N. Y., and eating the yotuig fruit, are identi- 

 fied as the rose-bug, Macrodactijlus subspinosus. This beetle is 

 described, its occasional ravages referred to, and the difficulties in deal- 

 ing with it, pointed out. The best methods for its control, are beating 

 from low plants into a pan of water and kerosene, and jarring from 

 trees on sheets spread beneath; also dusting the foliage with oak 

 ashes (highly recommended), air-slacked lime, plaster of Paris, or even 

 with road-dust. The insects will disappear about the first of July. 



Cockscomb Elm-gall. (Country Gentleman, for June 23, 1887, lii, 

 p. 491, c. 2 — 12 cm.) 



Galls on young elm trees in Coffee, Va., are the above species, Glyphina 

 ulmicola (Fitch) ; description of them ; are confined to the white elm, 

 TJlmus Americanus. For remedy, when the insects are distributed over 

 the leaves, spray with soapsuds and quassia water, or a kerosene 

 emulsion. Eeference to literature of the gall. 



