140 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



grower's prospects. In another case, that of Sesia tipuliformis, some 

 currant-bushes in Scotland were so badly infested that the growers 

 determined to grub up and destroy every bush. At the conclusion of 

 her remarks on the S. ocellatus attack Miss Ormerod says : — "It would 

 often be the best way towards getting rid of them [the larvae] to let 

 some neighbouring collector of entomological specimens know of 

 their presence." This is an excellent suggestion, and it is to be hoped 

 that in future when any grower finds the foliage of his trees being 

 devoured, or the stems and twigs tenanted, by unusual caterpillars, he 

 will call in the assistance of a local collector of moths, as we are cer- 

 tain that such a course would be to the mvitual advantage of both 

 parties. 



The Appendix to this Keport is devoted to a lengthy consideration 

 of Hypodenna lovis, the warble or ox hot fly. All the most important 

 results of a long series of observations on this troublesome pest are 

 brought together in connected form, and an account is given of the 

 treatment found to be most efficacious in preventing attack or in curing 

 the animals when affected. There is also a great deal of statistical 

 information respecting the loss resulting from perforated hides and 

 from " licked beef," a product of the warble attack. 



The Cahbage-Fioot Magpot : with Notes on the Onion Maijfiot and Allied 

 Insects. By M. V. Slingerland. Bulletin 78, Cornell Univer- 

 sity Agricultural Experiment Station, Entomological Division. 

 Nov., 1894. 

 Deals more especially with that common garden insect the 

 cabbage-destroying Phorhia brassicce, Bouche, so well known, at least 

 by its results, to growers of cauliflowers, cabbages, &c. Miss Ormerod 

 ('Manual of Injurious Insects,' 1890) gives a concise life-history of this 

 insect nuisance, and discusses remedial measures. In the report under 

 consideration, a mass of information, largely original, is presented. 

 Of the different methods, about seventy in number, recommended for 

 preventing or fighting the attack, Mr. Slingerland considers that only 

 some half-dozen are likely to be effective, and these he classes under 

 two heads — A. Preventive, and B. Destructive. The preventive mea- 

 sures are : — (1) growing the plants in covered frames ; (2) encircling 

 the stems of plants in the open by tarred rings of paper or card, — these 

 resting on the ground prevent the flies from depositing their eggs in a 

 suitable position on the cabbage- or cauliflower-stem. The destructive 

 methods are : — (1) rubbing the stems of the plants with the fingers so 

 as to clear off the eggs, — this must be done every few days ; (2) picking 

 off the larvfe by hand, — this means taking up the plant, examining its 

 roots, and then replanting it ; (3) syringing the roots with, or other- 

 wise applying, " insecticidal substances." All these methods of coping 

 with the scourge in its various stages seem to be practical enough, 

 and, if adopted, should put an end, at least for the time being, to 

 the trouble. Two or three insect foes aflbrd valuable assistance in 

 the work of suppression, and this is an important fact which those who 

 wage war against the pest will do well to remember. We are inclined 

 to think that, often because the operator is unable to distinguish a 

 friend from an enemy, useful and noxious insects are alike destroyed. 



