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MS REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. | 14% 
ee 0) ; ) 
_ Owing to imperfect spraying only the iast did effective work. The leaves of the 
_~ trees were falling at the time of spraying, and the effect of the solution, especially on 
_. tree where three to eight parts of wash were applied, was very noticeable, as the first 
-. tree lost about half, while the second lost nearly all its leaves. On my visit to the 
place a month later, however, there was little difference in the trees treated and _ 
others infested with Wooly Aphis, for these also began to lose their leaves about 
two weeks after, as I was informed by Mr. McLennan, the gardener, who is a very 
careful observer. Mr. Klee recommends this wash in the proportion of 1} pints 
compound to one gallon water.* 
_ [have made numerous other experiments and always had complete success in kill- 
' ing this insect with one part compound to eight parts of water. With this proportion 
’ also those on root which were reached were killed. I would recommend the same, 
- . 4, @., one part of the compound to six parts of water,on Wooly Aphis. On the other 
J 
‘hand, the Plum Aphis, Cabbage Aphis, etc., are much easier to kill; only one part 
_.of compound to eight of water was used in experiment at Berkeley (August 10) on * 
Plum Aphis, and none were living on examination August 17. Atthis strength the 
- ‘Aphis will die instantly and will not even beable to move alegif once wet. I have 
killed them successfully even with a wash as low as one part of the compoun: to 
sixteen parts of water; and would recommend one part of the compound to twelve 
‘ parts of, water, for Plum Aphis, Aphis on Rose, etc. At this strength it may be 
safely used on any garden and even on the most tender hot-house plants, without 
the slightest injury to plants themselves. It should be used somewhat stronger on 
the Cabbage Aphis. One part of the compound to eight parts of water will be found 
effectual. At this strength it was found that the larvze of Syrphus flies were not in- 
_jured by wash, nor were the parasites which infested the Aphis in any way affected, 
providing the skin of the Aphis was dry when sprayed. 
A lot of House Flies (Musca domestica) which had concentrated out of doors were 
sprayed with this solution and died almost instantly. A large Flesh Fly (Sarco- 
phaga) thrown into a weak solution (1 to 16), taken out and set on board, never 
- moved its legs again. Fifteen minutes later, slight convulsive movements were 
noticed on under side of body, and soon after all life was extinct. A Codling Moth 
(Carpocapsa pomonella), sprayed with a solution of 1 to 8, was dead in nine minutes. 
Cut Worms (larvee of Agrotis saucia), dipped in this mixture were not affected. 
It will be of interest to note that while in Los Angeles in April, 1887, the follow- 
ing labels on trees treated for Red Scale (A. aurantii) were still present : ‘* Experi- 
ments with resin soap 127, 147, and 149.” 4 Ali these trees were free from Red 
Scale and L. ole, but full of Icerya. ‘‘ Experiments with resin compound 133 and 
156.” No Red Séales could be found on these trees, but ZL. olecee was numerous on 
tree of experiment 133. Both trees were badly infested with Icerya. 
- REPORT ON THE SEASON’S OBSERVATIONS, AND ESPECIALLY UPON 
CORN INSECTS. 
By F. M. Wexster, Special Agent. 
La Fayerre. Inp., November 1, 1887, 
Sir: I herewith transmit my annual report for the year 1887 of work and observa- 
tions made under your direction. 
Stationed in the Southern States during spring and much of the summer, work- 
_. ing under your direction, and upon an entirely different class of insects from those 
affecting field crops, has prevented me from accomplishing much in the way of in- 
vestigating the habits of such species as affect our cereal grains. For this reason, I 
have brought together the results of a considerable number of observations in vari- 
ous parts of the West and Southwest relating to insects affecting Indian corn. 
Under head of ‘‘Memoranda” I have included a number of facts obtained, which, 
though not properly coming under the head of corn insects, are considered of 
sufficient value to warrant publication. : 
Books and collections of insects having been inaccessible to me much of the 
time, I have in such cases relied upon yourself and assistants for determination of 
species, without regard to my own ability to determine them myself. 
Respectfully, 
Dr. C. V. RILEY, 
U. S.. Entomologist. 
"Pacific Rural Press, December 17, 1887, p. 488. 
{ See Rep. Entom. Dept. Agr., 1886, pp. 571, 572, 
F. M. WEBSTER. 
