202 



Howard (N. F.). U.S. Bur. Entom. Poisoned Bait for the Onion 

 Maggot. — Jl. Econ. Entom., Concord, N.H., xi, no. 1, February 

 1918, pp. 82-87, 2 plates. 



This paper summarises the work carried on in Wisconsin during 

 1915-16 with poisoned bait for the control of the onion maggot, 

 Hylemyia antiqua, Meig. The bait used consisted of about \ oz. of 

 sodium arsenite dissolved in boihng water, | U.S. pint of molasses and 1 

 U.S. gal. of water. The addition of sliced lemon to this mixture was 

 found to render it far more attractive. Experiments in the laboratory 

 showed that at this strength sodium arsenite is fatal to H. antiqua, to 

 the cabbage fly [Phorbia brassicae) and to Phorbia (Pegomyia) fusciceps. 

 The result of two seasons' work in the field, however, has shown very 

 little success, the poor results being ascribed to adverse climatic 

 conditions, which are apparently normal in this and other onion- 

 growing districts, where frequent rain is apt to nullify the action of 

 the poison. 



In the discussion following the reading of this paper it was remarked 

 that trials on the same plan had given very good results in New Jersey, 

 in spite of a rainy season, the rain, however, not being continuous. In 

 that State it was found that where the treatment was applied there 

 was no trouble with the onion maggot, otherwise the pest gave trouble. 

 In Ohio, during two seasons' trials, the cost of the applications far 

 exceeded the value of the crops. Even so, it is intended to continue 

 this method, which affords some promise of ultimate success, and it is 

 not proposed to discontinue the work just at the time when it is much 

 needed, as has been done so frequently in similar cases. 



King (J. L.). Notes on the Biology of the Angoumois Grain Moth, 

 Sitotroga cerealella, Oliv. — Jl. Econ. Entom., Concord, N.H., xi, 

 no. 1, February 1918, pp. 87-93, 2 figs. 



Sitotroga cerealella, Oliv. (Angoumois grain moth) is such a scourge 

 in the south-eastern wheat-producing counties of the United States 

 that as much as 75 to 90 per cent, of the crop is lost in some districts, 

 the aggregate annual loss for the whole region being estimated at over 

 £200,000. Most of this loss occurs after the harvest, and is due to 

 the common practice of storing unthreshed grain in the barns until 

 some convenient time for threshing, but the investigations recorded in 

 this paper show that the insect does not confine its depredations to 

 stored grain, as hitherto believed, but may begin its attack on the 

 developing grain in the field. 



Larvae may be found hibernating in various stages of development in 

 scattered grain in supposed empty barns, and in bags of mill-screening, 

 etc. These in early spring complete their development and pupate 

 towards the end of May within the wheat grains. The average length 

 of the pupal stage is 13 days. Adults emerge chiefly in the mornings, 

 flying, pairing and ovipositing in the dusk of early evening and morning. 

 It is these moths developing from the hibernating larvae and forming 

 the first generation that cause the initial larval damage to the season's 

 wheat crop. This generation seems to reach its maximum between 

 5th and 15th June. The period of flight of the moths and oviposition 

 is coincident with the heading of the wheat in the fields. Moths in 



