242 



sp. n., an important predator on the Aphids affecting stone fruits, the 

 larvae having been taken on a willow infested with Pterocomma smithiae 

 Mor., on cultivated cherry among Myzus cerasi, F., and on cultivated 

 plum among Phorodon huniuli, Schrank, and Rhopalosiphum nym- 

 phaeae, L. ; Platychirus perpallidus, Verr., a British species, not 

 hitherto recorded from America, and much commoner in Maine than 

 P. quadratus, Say, to which it is closely allied ; and Syrphus Jcnabi, 

 Shann., formerly recorded as S. xanthoslomus, Will., reared in Maine 

 from the pseudo-galls formed on ash leaves by Prociphilus fraxinifolii, 

 Pitch. 



Severin (H. H. p.). Life-History, Habits, Natural Enemies and Methods 

 of Control of the Currant Fruit Fly {Epochra canadensis, Loew). — 

 Maine Agnc.ExjJt.Sta., Orono, Bull. no. 264, September 1917, 

 pp. 177-247, 5 plates. [Received 3rd April 1918.] 



This bulletin deals at length with the Trypetid, Epochra canadensis, 

 Lw. (currant fruit fly}. A list of 16 popular names applied to this 

 insect is given. No parasitic natural enemies seem to exist, though 

 several species of spiders prey upon the adult flies, which have been 

 also attacked under laboratory conditions by a. fungus. 



No satisfactory method of control appears to be known, though 

 coal and wood ashes placed upon the soil under currant and goose- 

 berry bushes has prevented the emergence of flies from it, .Fowls 

 allowed to run under the bushes destroy many pupae, but at the 

 same tim'e expose arid damage tne roots. Deferring the gathering of 

 of the crop until August would ensure the fruits being free from 

 maggots, but would risk the loss of some from sun scald. Spraying 

 with lead arsenate or sodium arsenite and diluted molasses increases 

 the yield of fruit on the treated bushes, but the first application should 

 be made after the fruit is set, to avoid the poisoning of bees. 



A bibhography of 62 works covering the period 1873-1916 i& 

 appended. 



Woods (W. C). The Biology of the Alder Flea-beetle, AUica himar- 

 ginata, Say. — Maine Agric. Expt. Sta., Orono, Bull. no. 265, 

 October 1917, pp. 249-284, 22 figs. [Received 3rd April 1918.] 



The ChvysomeMd, Haltica himarginata (alder flea-beetlfe), is of no 

 great economic impoi*tance, though it occurs in enormous numbers 

 more or less periodically. In the State of Maine an outbreak occurred 

 from 1912-1915, the maximum abundance being in 1914. The 

 infestation was so severe that many trees were killed in a single 

 season. 



. The only other known food- plant of this insect is a willow, Salix 

 rostrata, but a biological race occurs in Maine living on balsam 

 poplar. 



The chief natural enemies are a Tachinid, Hyalomyodes triangularis, 

 Lw. {iveedi, Town.), the larva of which is an internal parasite of the 

 adult beetle, and the fmigus, Sporotrichum globulifenim, to the attacks 

 of which larvae, pupae and adults are very susceptible. 



Should artificial control be necessary, a thorough spraying with 

 lead arsenate at the rate of 3 lb. paste to 50 U.S. gals, water as soon 



