75 



their colonies too much, though the immediate cause of the death of the 

 trees is not yet understood. It was believed to be due to a fungus, but 

 inoculation of healthy trees has produced negative results. If fungi 

 or bacteria are responsible, the only possible means of dissemination is 

 through the agency of the ants. There is no evidence that the damage 

 spreads from tree to tree, while their appearance shows that death is 

 not due to mechanical injury to the bark. The only means of control 

 is to destroy the ant colonies, and experiments are being made to- 

 determine the best method of destruction. Carbon bisulphide and 

 naphthaline may prove efficacious if properly administered. 

 Extermination should be done prior to planting. 



QuAiNTANCE (A. L.) & WooD (W. B.). Lasjwijresia molesta, an 

 important new Insect Enemy of the Peach. — Jl. Agric. Research, 

 Washington, D.C., vii, no. 8, 20th November 1916, pp. 373-377, 

 6 pi. 



Cydia (Laspeyresia) molesta, sp. n., is recorded from the District of 

 Columbia, where it seems to have been established for some five years 

 or more. It is very prevalent on peach trees in the city of Washington 

 and adjacent towns in Virginia and Maryland. Though it is closely 

 allied to C. funebrana, Tr. , and to several American species, it is con- 

 sidered probable that it is a native of Japan. Both the adult and larval 

 stages of this moth are described. The caterpillars have been found 

 injuring the twigs of peach, plum and cherry and the peach fruit ; 

 in the case of peach twigs as many as 90 per cent, have been found 

 injured in one orchard, while the injury in peach nurseries is even more 

 serious. Attacks on the twigs begin in the spring and contmue until 

 active growth ceases in autumn. As the twig hardens, the larva may 

 leave its burrow and feed on the exterior, cutting holes and pits in the 

 bark. On tender, growing shoots, which the larvae prefer, the injury 

 is almost identical wdth that of the peach-twig borer, Anarsia lineateUa, 

 Zell. Several shoots may be injured in turn by one larva and the fruit 

 is attacked at all stages, though the infestation is worst in mid-season 

 and early autumn. Pupation occurs in the spring and the cocoon of 

 whitish silk may be found in almost any protected place on the tree or 

 fruit where the larva hibernates. Owing to this habit of hibernating 

 as a larva, its detection on nursery stock and young trees is extremely 

 difficult, and the disinfection of trees can only be insured by adequate 

 fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas, or other suitable substance. 

 Oviposition takes place in the spring, when the shoots of the peach are 

 well out, and there are apparently two and probably three broods each 

 year, as injury begins in spring and larvae in various stages of growth are 

 to be found in late autumn. 



Hyslop (J. A.). Pristocera armifera, Say, parasitic on Limonius 

 agonus. Say. — Proc. Entom. Soc., Washington, D.C., xviii, no. 3, 

 September 1916, pp. 169-170, 1 plate. [Received 13th December 

 1916.] 



While investigating a serious infestation of maize by the Elaterid, 

 Limonius agonus, in Vermont, a larva was found with a Hymenopterous 

 larva firmly attached to its ventral surface. This was bred out and 



