389 



WIRE WORMS, OR DIABROTICA LARV^. 



About Coudoiig on the Tweed River in the early part of spring a 

 large number of the young plants were destroyed to such an extent 

 that in some of the fields in a distance of 40 or ;")() yards all had to be 

 replanted, often the second time. This had been done, it was claimed, 

 by wire worms (Elaterid larva?). During my visit these laiViB had dis- 

 appeared, and only in one instance, while digging up oneof the plants, 

 one of these or a similar larva was found at the roots of a healthy 

 ]>lant adjoining one which had been destroyed. The burrow within the 

 dead plant had been made, to all appearances, some mouths before. 



The plant on which tliis larva was found did not sliow any traces of 

 having been injured in the slighest degree. This i)artiiular larva was, 

 however, completely crushed in taking out the plant and could not be 

 recognized as an Elaterid. It had more resemblance to a Chrysomelid, 

 probably Diabrotica, beetles of which, in fact, liad appeared for the first 

 time, it was said, in very large numbers in this locality, feeding upon 

 tassels of cane. 



Two of the larvie found during spring within the narrow burrows 

 below ground were promised to be forwarded to Sydney for a more care- 

 ful examination. 



Sliould these prove to be the larvte t»f Diabrotica, as I am inclined 

 to believe is the case, since hardly any Elaterid beetles were met with, 

 it v.onld be highly advisable to destroy the beetle with an arsenical 

 ])oison by spraying the tassels of corn. Paris green would act admira- 

 bly, about one jiound of tliis to two hundred gallons of water. 



The larv;e of Diabrotica are destru(;tive to corn and no doubt to cane 

 as well in America, and as maize is planted extensively in this locality 

 these beetles will probably increase greatly from year to year if i)roper 

 steps are not taken to destroy them. In the same district, during a cer- 

 tain time of the year, it is claimed that the " blight" is destroying the 

 corn. I should not hesitate in saying that the real agent of this is not 

 fungoid, as is claimed, but the larvse of this Diabrotica boring in the 

 the plants below the surface. In this conclusion I may be wrong, but 

 investigation at the proper time would reveal the facts. 



NOTES ON LACHNOSTERNA. 



By G. H. Perkins, Burlington, Ft. 



The following notes, taken from a more extended series of observa- 

 tions upon Lachnosterna made at the Vermont Experiment Station, may 

 be of some interest to entomologists. 



On January 28, 1891, a considerable number of larvte of Lachno- 

 sterna were dug from sandy grassland. There being a foot or more of 

 snow over the sod the soil beneath was not frozen. Larvie were abun- 



