148 [Assembly, 



is a common attack of wide distribution and long observed. No 

 insect is found in tlie examples sent, but it is believed to be pro- 

 duced by a small fly, one of the Oscinidw, having habits similar 

 to the wheat-stem maggot. A notice of the same attack in 

 Ohio in 1845 is qitoted. Of eggs found within a sheath of 

 grass sent some seem to be Hemipterons, and others, which 

 have hatched and are feeding, are ot some species o± moth. 



[Gortyna nitela destroying Tomato-plants.] (The Orange County 

 Farmer for July 1, 1886, p. 4, c. 7 — 21 cm.) 



A larva sent as boring downward into the stems of tomato- 

 plants, in Port Jervis, N. Y., and destroying numbers of them, 

 is the "stalk-borer," Gortyna nitela Guenee. Its [food-plants 

 and habits and the appearance of the moth are stated. Cutting 

 out the larva with a knife is the best remedy. For further informa- 

 tion reference is made to the First Report of the New York State 

 Entomologist, pages 110-116. 



Hop Vine Insects — Origin of Honey Dew. (The Waterville 

 Times [N. Y.] for July' 16, 1886, p. 2, c. 2-3 — 73 cm.; 



In reply to inquiries ot the hop aphis, " black-fly,"' and honey- 

 dew, answer is made that the aphis, Phorodon humuli^ identical 

 with the European species, was first noticed in this country in 

 1862. The " black-fly " may be the larva of the lady-bug. "The 

 life-history of the aphis is not completed ; it is not known how 

 it hibernates ; is believed to come from the ground in the early 

 spring, but has not been found in the ground at that time. The 

 hop crop of this year is doomed to destruction. The formula 

 for the wash used in England is given. Honey-dew is generally 

 supposed to be secreted by the aphides, but there are reasons 

 (given) for believing that it is also secreted by the leaves. Prof. 

 Trelease is quoted on honey-dews. 



Honey Dew of the Hop Vine. (The Country Gentleman for 

 July 22, 1886, li, p. 553, c. 4— 20 cm.) 



To inquiries made from Vaterville, N, Y., of honey-dew and 

 character of tlie " nigger " that preys upon the hop aphids, 

 answer is made that the honey-dew is secreted by the aphids, 

 and is given out by the two honey-tubes. In its occurrence upon 

 some plants, it is regarded by some botanists as a true nectar. 

 The "nigger" or '"devil" is the larva of Adalia hijntriGtata 

 (Liim.), wliich abounds this year upon various plants and is very 

 active in destroying plant-lice. 



A New Attack on the Potato. (The New England Homestead 

 for July 24, 1886, xx, p. 273, c. 1 — 15 cm.) 



Potato plants in some gardens in Springfield, Mass., have 

 been almost destroyed by an aphis attack — not before, so far as 



