192 ! 



aut, and tbey throw np little moniids and seem to do nothing only to eat leavs. 

 They will strip a tree of every leaf in one night. They have done so mnch damage to 

 my nursery that I have got to go to work and destroy them if possihle. If there is 

 any way that will fix them please let me know. * * * — [D. Turner, Paradise 

 Nursery, Phcenix, Maricopa County, Ariz., October 27, 1838. 



Reply. — » * * While it is impossible to say with absolute certainty just what 

 species you complain of, it is in all probability the Leaf-eating Ant of Texas ( CEcodoma 

 ferens). Inasmuch as you state that you are able to find easily the mounds which 

 they make, your best plan will be to attack them with bisulphide of carbon, which 

 you can use in the following manner: Having secured a pound or so of this volatile 

 liquid, thoroughly wet a large blanket with water, pouring perhaps a tablespoonful 

 of the bisulphide into each of several of the larger holes iu^the mound; then throw 

 the wet blanket over the mound, allowing it to remain for from ten to fifteen minutes. 

 Then remove the blanket and by means of a lighted kerosene rag at the end of a pole 

 explode the bisulphide vapor at the mouth of the holes into which you have poured 

 it. The rationale of this operation is as follows : The bisulphide vapor being heavier 

 than the air sinks down through the burrows of the ants and the explosion forces it 

 in every direction, upwards and sidewards, through the burrows and it is instant 

 death to every aut with which it comes in contact. Eepeat this operation with every 

 mound which you iind,and although the trouble will be considerable you will suc- 

 ceed in eradicating the pest. Be careful, however, in handling the bisulphide, as 

 it is very volatile and inflammable. Should you try this remedy, please inform us of 

 the result. — [Novembers, 1888.] 



The Hessian Fly in England. 



* * * I found the puparia (Hessian fly) in almost every field around Strand, 

 which is, so far as I know, the most westerly point from which it has been reported. 

 I also caught three males on a window of the house where we were staying. 



One of the curiosities I met with near Bham was a farmer who was "perfectly sat- 

 isfied with the crop of wheat ; " who would not have anything taken out of his field — 

 no ! not the " 'Essen fly " ; and who wanted to lock me up for ti'espassing in his stubble 

 field. Whose fault is it that these liritish farmers are utterly ignorant as to the ap- 

 pearance of an infested crop ? What use is a stupid report and list of places where 

 the fly has occurred? From puparia collected August 5, 1887, 1 bred the last Cecid. 

 September 21, 1888. Truly this is a queer bug.— [Fred. Enock, Loudon, England, 

 October 13, 1888. 



Stinging Caterpillar of Lagoa opercularis. 



I send you by mail to-day a worm or caterpillar found upon a rose-bush. On Sun- 

 day last a patient came to me with evidences of poisoning inflicted by a similar cat- 

 erpillar; the face was aifected, redness, swelling, and great and intense pain. Same 

 readily passed off, but was very intense. Please let me know something of the 

 "beast," name, etc. — [H. B. Horlbeck, Department of Health, Charleston, S.C, Octo- 

 ber 23, 1888. 



Reply. — The caterpillar in question is one of the so-called stinging caterpillars, and 

 this particular species is Lagoa opereularis. Underneath the long silky hairs which 

 you notice are concealed shorter stiff hairs, exceedingly sharp at the points, which 

 produce a nettling when they penetrate the flesh. This caterpillar is quite common 

 from New Jersey southward, and feeds upon a great many different plants. There 

 are generally two annual generations and the insect passes the winter in its cocoon. 

 The moth is yellow in color, tinged with brown. — [October 26, 1888. "J 



