283 



The stiug of the wasp, horuet, and bumble-bee is uo less virulent, and cases are 

 claimed where healthy men have died from the sting of an individual of each of the 

 above-named insects. 



In such cases, were the stinos to be removed immediately without pinching the 

 large end which contains the poison sac, thereby charging the wound with poison, 

 and as much of the virus as possible removed from the wound by suction or otherwise, 

 -and an alkali, as soda or ammonia water, applied, it hardly seems as if there could be 

 much trouble, unless the poison were to get into the circulation in sufficient quantity 

 almost immediately, which is hardly to be expected. Such occasional circumstances 

 <)uglit not to deter us from keeping bees, but should rather incite us to study nature's 

 laws, lest a single stray bee work much harm ; and in case of both bee and spider it 

 «eems that not one case in one hundred thousand proves fatal. Indeed, may it not 

 be a fact that radical poisoning and death, caused by these smaller insects of their 

 special orders, have only occurred where the virus was introduced directly into the 

 circulation, either through vein or artery? I am not aware that L. mnctans is 

 found in Michigan. Have never seen it here. The question whether it has been 

 examined for any glands that may produce a virus and place it in a wound made by 

 the mandibles suggests itself. Also, if such virus has been found, whether its nature 

 be acid or alkaline. 



Some points x-egarding the reported effects of the poison of L. mactans may be 

 worthy of note. When once in the system of the man (mentioned by Mr. Dick) 

 who was bitten but did not die, it seemed to remain in the system much as does the 

 venom of the rattlesnake. The formic acid from the bee-sting loses its integrity in a 

 <lay or two. Its action is quick and decided, but not lasting. The effects of prussic 

 acid upon insects in the "cyanide bottle" are very similar. They very soon succumb 

 to its effects, but even when in a state of lethargy, if placed in the open air, often re- 

 vive and are soon as well as ever. — [E. W. AUis, Adrian, Mich., February 9, 1889. 



The Hay Worm in Kentucky. 



Please tell me what is the matter with the hay ? The accompanying sample was 

 <5ut and ricked in the meadow in the summer of 1887, and remained there till a few 

 days ago. When hauling it in, after the hay was unloaded from the wagon, there 

 were great quantities of the large, brown, seed-like bodies all over the rack, among 

 which were little worms and bugs. Are the brown pellets the manure from the 

 worms and bugs f You will observe that the heads of the timothy hay appear to have 

 been eaten out in hollows. In the box I send you are also quantities of the brown 

 substance and worms, just as appeared on the hay frame. —[James F. Askew, George- 

 town, Ky., November 26, 1888. 



Reply. — * * * The insect in question is the common Hay Worm (Asopia cos- 

 taJis), usually found in clover hay and the life-history of which was first given by me 

 in the Prairie i^^a/vne/- (April 20, 1867), and subsequently more fully in the Sixth 

 Report on the Insects of Missouri. The small round pellets are the excrementia of 

 the caterpillars. This insect is a difficult one to fight, and our only way to defeat 

 its attack is to adopt certain preventive measures. After the haymow is once 

 thoroughly infested, it is almost impossible to destroy the worms without rendering 

 the hay unfit for use. The worm feeds solely upon dried hay, and during summer 

 they are coufiued to such unfed hay as remains over from the previous year's mak- 

 ing; therefore new hay should never be stacked in contact with old. Of course it 

 would be desirable to clean up the barn before putting in the new crop. Salting 

 the hay, especially the 2 or 3 feet near the bottom, is a good practice. Its occur- 

 rence upon timothy hay is rather remarkable ; for, as before stated, it greatly prefers 

 clover, and, in consequence, will you not kindly inform us whether this particular hay 

 was not stowed near some last year's clover, or upon a spot where clover had been ?— 

 [November 30, 1888. ] 



