168 B. C. Ent(j.mol()G1c.\l Society 



The year 1921 was marked by no great insect outbreak on the Lower 

 Mainland. Even the mosquito crop failed to materialize, and the chief 

 trouble was from the insidious attentions of our usual pests. Looking 

 back over our previous papers covering this district, I find about thirty- 

 five chief pests mentioned, and while I will not touch at length on all 

 of these, it will be interesting for future comparison to mention their 

 scarcity or abundance. 



Vegetable Insects 



The Imported Cabbage Worm (Pieris rapae L). — This was plentiful 

 this year and took its usual toll of cruciferous vegetables. It is surprising 

 that an insect so easily controlled is allowed to do so much damage. A 

 remedy that appeals to me always, from its simplicity, is the lime-arsenate 

 dusting. Lime (twenty pounds), and lead arsenate powder (one pound), 

 dusted on the leaves when wet with dew in the early morning. 



The Cabbage Boot Maggot (Hylemyia brassicae Bouche). — This in- 

 sect was also very abundant this year, and tliei-e is now no reason for 

 growers to take a loss with the 100% immunity obtained by the mercury 

 bi-chloride treatment — 1 ounce to 10 gallons in three treatments. 



Cutworms.— \^iih the exception of the variegated cutworm 

 (Lycophotia margaritosa Haw), but little damage from these insects 

 came to my notice. The above exception was, however, plentiful in 

 August in various points in the Valley, and one record of damage was 

 received from Golden, in the Columbia Valley. No parasites were re- 

 covered from material reared and collected at Agassiz; we therefore may 

 possibly have an epidemic next year, as was the case in 1900 and 1905. 

 Tomatoes were the chief crop affected, and the climbing habit of this 

 species was demonstrated on this host, the fruits being eaten right to 

 the top of the plant. 



Some damage to mangolds and beets was reported from Lulu Island 

 in June from cutworms, but tlie species was not ascertained.' 



Slugs. — Although not insects technically, entomologists are usually 

 consulted regarding tliese troublesome mollusks, which this year were 

 unusually abundant in the Fraser Valley. The usual remedies were appar- 

 ently insufficient to check tliem, and much damage was done, especially 

 to young corn, which in some instances had to be replanted. 



Liming on three consecutive nights is, I am told, a certain remedy. 

 Bordeaux mixture is also strongl.v recommended by workers in Oregon 

 as being highly distasteful to slugs. 



Flea Beetles. — Cabbage, turnips, hops and potatoes all suffered this 

 year from these pests, which are not easy to control during the summer. 

 The hop yards rely chiefly on clearing up the hibernating places as a 

 control measure. 



