407 



Ferris (G. F.). Methods for the Study of Mealy-bugs.— JZ. Econ. 

 Entom., Concord, N.H., x, no. 3, June 1917, pp. 321-325. 



The author criticises the method hitherto practised for the identi- 

 fication of mealy-bugs, namely, the measurement of the relative lengths 

 of the segments of the antennae, which, he contends, are so variable 

 as to render the method useless. A second factor which has hitherto 

 been conducive to error is the lack of a satisfactory technique for the 

 preparations of specimens for study. A method of staining these with 

 magenta red in such a manner as to accentuate the characters that are 

 of especial importance is advocated. The specimens are boiled in 

 caustic potash and then the body contents washed out, after which 

 they may be transferred directly to the stain, remaining for six hours. 

 They are then removed into 95 per cent, alcohol in which the excess 

 stain is washed out, placed for a moment in carbol-xylene and mounted 

 in balsam. It is probable that a much more satisfactory basis for 

 generic groupings can be found in counting the number of pairs of 

 cerrari, or groups of pores and differentiated spines that occur on the 

 margin of the body. 



Burke (H. E.). Notes on Some Western Buprestidae. — Jl. Econ. 

 Entom., Concord, N.H., x, no. 3, June 1917, pp. 325-332. 



This paper contains further notes on the life- histories and food- 

 plants of numerous species of flat-headed borers in the western States 

 [see this Review, Ser. A, v, p. 166]. A list of forty-four species is given, 

 \vith the host-plants and injury to each. These investigations have 

 revealed the fact that the adults of some of the most injurious species 

 feed on the foliage of the host-plant, where they may be controlled by 

 poison-sprays ; while eggs are laid upon the bark, where they can be 

 reached by contact-sprays. These methods, though perhaps not 

 sufficient in themselves, will ob^^ate the necessity for the wholesale 

 burning and cutting out of infested parts, which has been previously 

 recommended, and perhaps also render unnecessary the protection of 

 the plant by repellent washes or protective covering. For example, 

 Agrilus iwlitus, which causes severe damage to alder and willow, feeds 

 on the foliage in the adult stage and oviposits on the smooth bark of 

 the limbs and main trunk. Arsenic sprays on the foliage should kill 

 the adults, and oil or sulphur sprays should destroy the eggs on the 

 bark. Ckrysobothris mali, a destructive enemy of shade and fruit 

 trees, might be controlled by the same methods. 



LovETT (A. L.). Nicotine Sulphate as a Poison for Insects. — JL Econ. 

 Entom., Concord, N.H., x, no. 3, June 1917, pp. 333-337. 



Nicotine sulphate is a very powerful repellent for caterpillars. AVhen 

 feeding takes place on foliage sprayed with the poison, the action of 

 the nicotine is rapid and sure, causing death within a short time. The 

 probable explanation of the actual cause of death has been discussed 

 in a previous paper [see this Revieiv, Ser. A, v, p. 21]. Experiments 

 with nicotine sulphate in the control of Cydia pomoneUa (codling moth) 

 gave unsatisfactory results. A table is given showing the result of 

 treatment with various materials. Nicotine sulphate 1-400 gave 



