28 B.C. Entomological Society. 



the immediate Coast regions, but not in sufficient numbers to attract attention from 

 fruit-growers. The dryer portions of the Province appear to suit this insect, for 

 from there it is reported recently of economic importance. In short, the adult is a 

 small fly with a flue tapering abdomen. In the early summer the female fly will 

 deposit her eggs just beneath the skin of the fruit and the maggots will devour the 

 pith and seeds. When ready to pass to the pupa, the maggot burrows out of the 

 berry and will drop to the ground, where it pupates just below the surface. 

 Chickens and cultivation will assist in controlling this insect. 



Truck-crop Insects. 



The Potato Flea-beetle {Epitrix cucumeris, Harris). 



This insect is common to the Fraser Valley and may be seen as minute black 

 specks on the surface of potato-leaves during the summer. The adults devour 

 portions of the ejjidermis of the leaf, and when disturbed bop freely to great dis- 

 tances. The larv£e and pupse are found in and around the roots of the plants in 

 the soil. ReiDorts of injury from this insect have been received from the Coast 

 since 1001.* 



The adults are very minute, being only about 1/16 inch long, jet black, with 

 yellow antennm and legs. They are mainly destructive in the early spring, but can 

 be controlled by the use of arsenate of lead. The arsenate can well be mixed with 

 the Bordeaflx mixture which is used to offset the ill effects of blight and fungous 

 diseases of the plants. Nicotine sprays are believed to be equally efficacious. 



The Red Turnip-beei'le (Entomoscelis adonUUs, Fall.). 



This beetle has been reported at Hazelton and points north of Lillooet, B.C., 

 and from as far north as Dawson, Y.T., as destructive to cabbages and turnips.f 

 During the past summer a report, without specimens, was received from Fort George, 

 probably referable to this insect. It would appear that arsenate of lead would again 

 prove applicable for control. 



The Cabbage-maggot (Pegomya hrassiccv, Bouche). 



This insect is by far the most serious and important one attacking cabbages, 

 radishes, turnips, cauliflowers, celery, rape, and the various wild cruciferous plants 

 in the Lower Fraser Valley. It yearly exacts a toll from gardeners and farmers 

 far exceeding any other insect of its class. More requests for satrsfactory control 

 measures are yearly answered about this insect than any other in the valley. It 

 must be admitted, however, that we yet await a satisfactory aud practical remedy 

 applicable, iu particular, to field conditions. 



The adult is a small fly, smaller but resembling the common house-fly. It 

 appears in April in the Fraser Valley, ready to lay eggs on youug cabbage and 

 other plants. 



The eggs are laid against the plant-root on the surface of the ground. They are 

 white and thus i-eadily distinguishable to the unaided ej-e. Small footless white 

 maggots emerge from the eggs and ijeuetrate the root. Here they continue to feed 

 aud grow to approximately % inch long before passing to the pupa in the soil. 

 From the pupa the fly eventually emerges, giving rise to further individuals. The 

 entire individual life-history carries over approximately two months, and two and 

 probably a partial third brood occurs during the summer. The life-history under 

 strictly local conditions has not yet been ijroiserly studied ; consequently we are 

 unable, as yet, to state exactly what occurs at the latter part of the seasou. Larvne 

 in cabbage-roots have been taken in December at Agassiz. 



The control of this maggot has been experimented with at Agassiz during the 

 liast summer, and while it is not proposed to give the results at this juncture, a 

 few significant points may be stated, aud judged accordingly as passing results. 



• Dr. J. Fletcher, Annual Report. Experimental Farms. 1901. 



t Ur. J. Fletcher, .Annual Report, Experimental Farms, iyo.j-190G. 



