[71] Report of the State Entomologist. 167 



cation, its method of attaching itself to its host, and other insects on 

 which it has been observed. Effort should be made to introduce this 

 parasite in localities where it does not occur. 



Grain Aphis. (Country Gentleman, for June 13, 1889, liv, p. 457, c. 

 1—10 cm.) 



Examples of Aphides sent and reported as killing wheat in Allendale, 

 111., are the grain aphis, Siphonophora graiiaria [should have been given 

 as S. avence]. It is occasionally destructive, but does not promise to be 

 so in this instance, as parasites are associated with it. No means are 

 known by which formidable attacks of this insect can be arrested and 

 the crop saved. 



App]e-Tree Flies. (Country Gentleman, for June 13, 1889, liv, p. 

 457, c. 2 — 8 cm.) 



A fly occurring "by millions" on apple-trees at Meadville, Pa., 

 [June 4] is the white- winged Bibio. Bibio albipennis. Their appearance ; 

 abundance of their larvae in fields at times and their food : harmlessness 

 of the fly ; why they resort to fruit-trees ; reference to Second Report 

 Insects New York, for additional information. 



The Hop-yard Pest Reappears. (Albany Evening Journal, for June 20, 

 1889, p. 1, c. 7 — 21 cm.— Utica Morning Herald, of June 21, 1889.— 

 Fort Plain Free Press, of June 25, 1889. — Country Gentleman, of 

 June 27, 1889, p. 497, c. 1.) 



Hop leaves sent from G-len, Montgomery Co., N. Y., show the pres- 

 ence of the hop-aphis in numbers sufficient to indicate a severe attack. 

 A brief outline sketch of its history is given. The best preventive is 

 destruction of its eggs on plum trees and of all wild plum trees in hop 

 districts. The best remedies for attack are found in kerosene emulsion 

 or fish-oil soaps. Method of preparing the emulsion and its proper 

 strength. How the quassia and soap-wash used in England is made. 

 Importance of immediate spraying infested fields. 



The Currant Aphis. (Country Gentleman, for June 20, 1889, liv, 

 p. 474, c. 3 — 21 cm.) 



In reply to inquiry from Nicola Valley, British Columbia, of how 

 to destroy the plant-lice that cluster on the tips of currant stems, 

 answer is made that dipping the stems in, or spraying them with, 

 pyrethrum water or tobacco water will kill most of them. All may be 

 destroyed by a strong kerosene emulsion, as also its eggs in the 

 autumn or winter if they are deposited on the stems. Undiluted kero- 

 sene may perhaps be used with safety. Myzus ribis is usually not very 

 injurious — causes the leaves to curl badly; its life-history is not 

 known. This species may not be M. ribis. 



Asparagus Beetle. (Country Gentleman, for June 20, 1889, liv, p. 478, 

 c. 2, 3 — 10 cm.) 



Crioceris asparagi is identified in examples from Hartford, Conn. — its 

 introduction and disti'ibvition ; is best destroyed by air-slaked lime ; 

 reference to publications on it. 



