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Graf (J. E.). The Potato Tuber Moth.— r. S. Dept. Agric, Washing- 

 ton, B.C., Bull. no. 427, 6th February 1917, 56 pp., 45 figs. 

 [Received 17th July 1917.] 



This bulletin contains much information on the life-history and 

 habits of Phthorimaeo opercidella and is accompanied by a map showing 

 its distribution. In California, all stages exist throughout the year, 

 destroying the leaves of potato plants and timnelling into the substance 

 of the tuber. Ever}- precaution should be taken to leave no tubers 

 exposed for the insect to work on ; they should never be left in the 

 ground after they are ripe and where the soil is dry. Infested tubers 

 should be fimiigated with carbon bisulphide, using 2 lb. per 1,000 

 cubic feet of air-space and alloAving 48 hours for the process. Infes- 

 tation can be checked by keeping the potatoes in cold storage, at a 

 temperature of 37° to 40° F. ; this should only be resorted to as a 

 temporary measure. 



The following parasites are listed, ^^-ith notes on their life-history 

 and methods of parasitisation : Dibrachys dimocampae, Fitch, 

 Sympiesis stigmatipennis, Gir., Campopkx phthorimmae, Cushm., 

 Apanteles sp., Habrohracon johannseni, Vier., Chelonus shoshonea)iorum, 

 Vier., Bassiis gibbosus. Say, Microgaster sp., Nepeira bemvola var. 

 fuscifemora, Cushm., and Zagramwosoma flavolineatum, Cwfd. 



A bibliography of 96 works is given. 



Bunker (P. S.). Report of Superintendent of Gypsy and BK)wn-tail 

 Moth Work. — Aim. Rept. Park Commissioners, City of Fitckburg, 

 Mass, for 1916, Fiichburg, 1917, pp. 51-56, 2 plates. [Received 

 17th July 1917.] 



The proct^s of thinning out the favourite host-trees of the gipsy 

 moth [Lymanlria dispar] and of the brown-tail moth [Euprodis 

 dirysorrhoea] has been continued, increasing reliance being placed on 

 this method in eradicating these pests, the other methods, in their 

 order of efficacy, being spraying and hand-work. Conditions in the 

 city as a whole, and particularly in those sections subject to human 

 occupancy, which have received the most attention, are greatly 

 improved regarding the prevalence of the moths since the previous 

 report was issued [see this Review, Ser. A, iv, p. 325]. Natural causes 

 have aided the suppression of gipsy moth, especially in the woodlands, 

 where however wind-spread has been responsible for the scattering of 

 a light infestation throughout those areas where non-resisting trees 

 occurred in considerable numbers. It is intended in the ensuing year 

 to continue the work of roadside thinning and the removal of non- 

 resistant species in the belts connecting residential districts with the 

 woodlands. Intensive spraying also will be carried out in business 

 and residential districts. 



The diminution in brown-tail infestation is most encouraging 

 throughout the Commonwealth. Natural factors have combined to 

 assist the active work of suppression, which, it is hoped, will be much 

 less arduous in the coming year. 



(C399) Wt.Po/131. 1.500. 10.17. B.&F.Ltd. Gp.11/3. A 



