201 



of p. pijricola is particularly meutioued by Loew (see translation in Insect Life, 

 vol. IV, p. 127, line 6 from bottom). The color of the wing described (1. c, p. 128) 

 refers to the disc of the wing in comparison with P. pi/ri. 



There occurs, however, another imported Pear-tree Psylla in your State, viz: 

 Paylla simulans Foerst., which is somewhat larger than P. pyricola und has indefi- 

 nite dusky spots on the forewings between the radius and the veins composing the 

 cubitus; but we agree with Slingerland that this is but the hibernating form ofpy- 

 nco?a.— [October 29, 1892.] 



A Tropical Cockroach in a New Orleans Greenhouse. 



We send you by this mail insects received from a correspondent at New Orleans. 

 Will you identify them for us, and suggest some means of destroying them? They 

 are destructive to palms and ferns, eating out the heart. They attack the large 

 Alsophilas with avidity. — [American Florist Company, Chicago, 111., October 5, 1892. 



Reply. — The insect which you send is a cockroach which has been apparently 

 imported from the West Indies into New Orleans, as it is not known to occur nor- 

 mally in this country. It is known scientifically as Panchlora siirinamensis. It will 

 pay your correspondent to make every effort to stamp the species out in his green- 

 house, either by means of an arsenical spray or by the free use of California Bu- 

 hach.— [October 12, 1892.] 



Remedies for White Ants in Fruit Trees. 



I send a root, a section of the body, and some branches of an apple tree that died 

 lately, without any apparent cause; also some branches of a cherry tree. You will 

 observe that this apple tree has been broken off about eight inches below the surface 

 of the ground and near the root. We are not aware that it has met with any acci- 

 dent, and the break must have been the result of some disease which weakened the 

 fiber.— [G. O. Shields, New Mexico, November 1, 1892. 



Reply. — An examination of the sections of apple tree shows that it has been 

 damaged by Termites or White Ants, and probably by the species known as Termes 

 flavipes. Nests and colonies of these insects are ordinarily found in deeply-buried 

 decaying roots, or in the hearts of stumps and logs of large size. They extend their 

 operations to very great distances, excavating underground tunnels. Growing wood 

 is not the natural food of the insects and is only attacked by them under exceptional 

 circumstances. Recently transplanted trees whose roots have suffered mutilation, 

 or those which have been planted too deep, or which have too much earth heaped 

 around the crown, are subject to much damage by Termites, but old and well estab- 

 lished trees are not greatly liable to their attacks, except through disease or other 

 injuries by which dead and unhealthy wood is produced. The principal precautious 

 to be taken against these insects are to I'emove all decaying wood from the orchards 

 to avoid mulches, except where necessary for other reasons, leaving the crown of 

 the tree exposed to the air, and avoid deep planting. As to remedies, when the de- 

 cay is discovered early enough, it will be well to remove the earth aboiit the crown 

 and principal roots, cutting away all dead wood and bark and pouring oil hot water. 

 A dilute kerosene emulsion, applied as to grapes, will also destroy all insects which 

 may be present. Young trees of some varieties which have been completely girdled 

 may be saved, if taken in time, by inarching scions between the root below and 

 the stock above, thus reestablishing the connection between the two. The tree will 

 in time restore the eroded bark, and the scions may be allowed to remain or may be 

 afterwards cut out. A poultice of mud and cow-dung applied to the injiired part 

 will protect it and materially assist in the formation of new wood and bark. In 

 place of the inarching scions, young cuttings may be planted close to the base of 

 the tree and subsequently their tops may be grafted into the trunk. — [November 10, 

 1892.] 



