60 
The Cherry Slug (Selandria cerasi) has also been quite plentiful and 
damaging cherry and plum trees. It would appear that this insect has 
been rather more than usually common in a considerable territory the 
present season, as I have heard of it from various localities. Itis gen- 
erally the case, however, that it does little damage for more than one 
or two seasons in succession, so that it seems hardly necessary to take 
any great amount of trouble in dealing with it unless it is working 
destructively upon particular trees, when the usual poisonous sprays 
suffice to rid the trees of its presence. 
The Handmaid Moth (Datana ministra) has been on the increase 
apparently for a number of years past and for the last two years has suc- 
ceeded in defoliating quite a number of trees in the vicinity, especially 
hickories and black walnuts. As mentioned in another place, the 
arsenite of ammonia was used in treating it this fall and proved very 
efficient in destroying the insects. Previously, we have used London 
purple for this purpose, and there is apparently little choice, unless 
there be sufficient difference in price to render one cheaper than the 
other. Itis important in using any of the poisonous solutions for this 
species to spray the whole tree or as much of it as possible, since when 
only the part where the worms may be working at any particular time 
is sprayed, they are very likely in their next move to occupy some part 
where there is no poison to affect them, and they may in this way escape 
until they have caused considerable damage to the tree. 
Abbot’s White Pine Worm (Lophyrus abbotii) has appeared in the 
State, and so far as I am aware it is the first time that this destructive 
insect has been brought to notice in lowa. It was sent to me from 
Farley and with the report that the evergreen trees were suffering 
severely from its attacks, 
The Corn Root Worm (Diabrotica longicornis) is evidently on the in- 
crease and gradually extending throughout such localities as it has not 
hitherto occupied. Here, it appears very abundantly in the adult stage, 
and in fall, collecting in great numbers on flowers. So far as I know 
there has notas yet been any very great injury to the corn in the vicinity, 
but probably the worms occur in considerable numbers scattered through 
the various fields, and it is probable that in a short time they will mul- 
tiply to such an extent that in fields kept long in corn they will cause 
serious loss. 
The species of Diabrotica infesting squashes, melons, ete., D. vittata 
and 12-punctata, have been very abundant the past season, though per- 
hapsnot more s0 than is common for them, but the crops they infest have 
required attention in order to prevent serious loss. 
The Potato Stalk Weevil (Zrichobaris trinotatus) was observed this 
season for the first time and occurred in such numbers as to cause con- 
siderable damage. It was first noticed by Mr. F. A. Sirrine, a special 
student in entomology, at present assisting in the botanical work in the 
Experiment Station. It is quite likely that the insect has been present 
