Proceedixgs. li)23 1G3 



Tliese insects are well-known pests in Europe and Australia, where 

 they cause material damage to tlowers and vegetables in the gardens by 

 feeding upon tender green shoots. The petals and stamens of ornamental 

 flowers are freely devoured and roses frequently suffer. They are also 

 cai'uivorous in that they destroy sluggish larvae in the soil, feed upon 

 dead animal mattei- and u]>on the dead and dying of their own species. 



They are more objectionable in houses where, being mainly noctur- 

 nal in habits, they secrete themselves in upholstery, under cushions, rugs, 

 in vei'andah awnings and in every conceivable place to avoid light or 

 noise. 



As to their life hal)i1s. it is sup]iosed that only the females survive 

 the winter, their eggs being deposited in the ;iutiiian in gard-'u soil. 

 I'oung larvae make tlieir appeai-ance ;n the sjjrini;- (April and Ma.y), 

 feeding by night on grass and plants at soil surface. They usually become 

 fuil-urown in mid -hily and in late summer, congregating in great num- 

 bers in crevices around houses for mating purposes. The adults may also 

 find their way into houses, where their presence is a source of consider- 

 able worry to house-wives, not so much from their injurious habits as 

 their uii])Ieasant natures. 



In conti'ol, sodium fluoride mixed in equal parts witli flour sprinkled 

 in houses wliei'e tlie insects are common will appreciably diminish their 

 number. In gardens, in soil adjoining houses, the use of naphthaline, 

 soot or lime, applied in autumn, Avill in some measure deter them in their 

 converging habits. In the open garden, poison baits for the larvae may 

 be used in May and June. Paris green and stale bread, 1 part to 16 parts 

 by weight, mixed with water, is fairly satisfactory. The bread, which 

 is broken u]i into fine jiarticles, and the ]ioison should be mixed dr.v and 

 water added to make a mixture, which, when broadcasted over the lawn 

 or garden, will break up into snudl pai'ticles. This is the control measure 

 recommended by D. \V. Jones of the I'.S. Department of Agriculture. 

 Tiiree applications over ten days are suggested, warm evenings being 

 chosen for the operations. 



B. B. Pulton, of the Oi'egon Experimental Station, used wheat bran, 

 1 g<ilhm; sodium fliioi'ide. (j ounces, and molasses 14 pint, wdtli enough 

 water to moisten. This is broadcasted over the garden at dusk, as with 

 the other bait, and the formula given is considered sufficient for an ordi- 

 nary city lot. 



These baits are applied against the young larvae feeding on the soil 

 surface, and advantage is taken of the carni^•orous habits of both larvae 

 and adults. 



In England, inverted flower pots filled up with sti'aw or hay arc used 

 as traps for the adults. Being night feeders, they liide during tin- day- 

 time, and advantage is taken of this habit to eiilice the a<lults to lra])s 

 which mav be examined and the confi'uts deslroNcd daih'. 



