Division of Entomology. 



CHARLES H. FERNALD. 



The work m this division was commenced in April and a series of 

 experiments and investigations has been ulidertaken, manv of which - 

 can not be completed before the end of the season, bnt reports will 

 be made of theni in this Bulletin whenever results are obtained. 



Many inquiries have been made by farmers in different parts of the 

 Commonwealth, concerning insects which have been injuring their 

 crops, and a large amount of time has been consumed in giving 

 answers. The following is published here because of its general 

 interest. 



Mr. C. Wasgatt of Lancaster reported that his seed corn was de- 

 stroyed in the ground before it sprouted, and specimens were sent to 

 me with an insect which he found eating the kernels to such an extent 

 as to prevent their growth. The insect was a small, shining, black 

 beetle, about one-eighth of an mch long, and proved to be the grain 

 Aphodius (Aphodius granarius, Linn.) 



This insect has long been known in America, having found its way 

 here many years .ago from Europe its native country. The different 

 species of Aphodius. while in the larva state, feed in stable manure, 

 and if this be used as a fertilizer in the hills these insects will emerge 

 at the very place where they can do great damage. They are also lia- 

 ble to attack the various kinds of seed grain which have been sown 

 on lands where stable manure is used. In this case, however, the loss 

 is not so noticeable, since the destruction of a few kernels of wheat 

 usually provokes only the remark that " it did not come up." But 

 when the manure infested with these beetles is put into hills, and a 

 few kernels of seed only, put into each, they may be able to de- 

 stroy the whole crop. 



REMEDIES. 



It is recommended, when these beetles are troublesome, to soak 

 the seed in water for a short time, and then after pouring oft' the 

 water to stir in with it a mixture composed of one part of Paris 

 Green to twenty parts of flour. The reason why we recommend flour 

 instead of plaster or other substances as a diluent, is that flour is at- 

 tractive as food for the beetles and they will eat the poisonous mix- 



