9 



Division of Entomology, y' 



CHARLES H. FERNALD. 



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

 periments and investigations has been undertaken, many of which can 

 not be completed before the end of the season, but reports will be made 

 of them 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 destroyed 

 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 inch 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 liable 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 destroy 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 off 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 attractive as food for the 

 beetles and they will eat the poisonous mixture more readily. This 

 mixture over the surface of the seed corn will also prove destructive to 

 wire worms and other insects which might attack it. It is said that 

 crows will not disturb corn which has been treated with Paris Green. 



