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YiNGLiNG (H. C). The White-marked Tussock Moth {Hemerocampa 

 leucostigma, A. & S.). — Mthly. Bull. Ohio Agric. Expt. Sta., 

 Wooster, i, no. 9, September 1916, pp. 265-270, 5 figs. [Received 

 27th February 1917.] 



This insect is widely distributed throughout the States and is the 

 most destructive pest attacking the foliage of shade trees in the larger 

 cities. Since the females are wingless, flight plays no part in the 

 spread of the pest, which is probably brought about by migration 

 of the larvae, by wind or importation on nursery stock. The eggs 

 are conspicuous white masses laid on the cocoons. In Ohio there 

 are two broods, though in some States there is only one generation, 

 and in others, three. The eggs of one brood hibernate and hatch, 

 in early May. The larvae moult about five times and, when mature, 

 they crawl down the trunk or main branches and spin cocoons, 

 generally about 10 or 12 feet from the ground. The pupal stage lasts 

 about two weeks, the adults emerging in early July. The eggs of 

 the second brood hatch in about a fortnight. Many shade trees are 

 damaged by the larvae, sometimes resulting in complete defoliation. 



H. leucostigma has many natural enemies, being parasitised even 

 to the fourth degree, the primary and tertiary parasites controlling 

 the moth, while the secondaries and quaternaries encourage its increase. 

 A list of 21 primary parasites of the moth has been compiled by Dr. 

 Howard, 15 being Hymenoptera and 6 Diptera. The principal is 

 Pimpla inquisitor, which is itself parasitised by Dibrachys boucheanus. 

 The author has reared two additional primary parasites. Ichneumon 

 unifasciatorius, Say, and /. seminiger. Cress., not recorded by Dr. 

 Howard. Two Dermestid beetles have also been found feeding on 

 the larvae of the moth. Native birds are a useful control, but unless 

 the English sparrow is first exterminated, these cannot nest freely. 



The spray recommended against the caterpillars is 3 to 5 lb. arsenate 

 of lead to 50 U.S. gals, water. Banding the trees with some such 

 substance as tanglefoot catches the larvae as they crawl down, and 

 saturating the egg-masses with creosote by means of a small sponge 

 on a pole is effective ; but as these are so conspicuous, the cheapest 

 and easiest method is to remove them by hand. It is advisable 

 to keep the cocoons until the moths have emerged and then destroy 

 the eggs, allowing any parasites to escape unharmed. 



Waltox (W. R.) & LuGiNBiLL (P.). The Fall Army Worm or " Grass 

 Worm" and its Control.— C/.^. Dept. Agric, Washington, B.C., 

 Farmers' Bull. no. 752, November 1916, 16 pp.. 13 figs. [Received 

 27th February 1917.] 



This paper gives a popular account of the life-history and habits 

 of the Noctuid, Laphygma frugiperda, S. & A., which is prevalent 

 throughout the south-eastern States. Its natural enemies include : — • 

 Chdonus texanus, Winthem.ia quadripustulata, Archytas piliventris, 

 and the bug, Podisus maculiventris. Amongst control measures re- 

 commended is a poison spray to be used as soon as the presence of the 

 caterpillars is noticed on the grass. In badly infested fields, when 

 the caterpillars have gone down into the ground to pupate, the 

 surface should be lightly cultivated. When caterpillars are on the 

 march, or are beginning to infest a field at one corner, a deep 



