100 [Assembly 



STATE OF NEW YORK : 



Office of the State Entomologist, ) 

 Albany, April 4, 1885. [ 

 Mr. A, Seigel, Consul- Oeneral, etc.: 



Dear Sir — lu further reply to yours of tlie 2d of February, J. N. C28.85, I 

 beg leave to state : 



Since my communication of February 28tli, I have learned what I could of the 

 insect of which inquiry is made, Ephestia Kuhniella. 



There is no knowledge of it as an American insect. If it exists in the United 

 States, it is as yet unknown to us, and no such habits have been manifested in any 

 of our flouring mills, by any species akin to E. Kilhniella. We have a species very 

 closely allied to it, viz., Ephestia interpuiictella (the Tinea zece-, of Fitch), of which 

 it was thought that the former might be a variety; but after close examination, it 

 is accejited as distinct. E. interpunctella, although quite annoying and injurious 

 .at times in bakeries, has never infested our flouring mills. 



The peculiar habits of E. Kuhniella will render it a difficult insect to contend 

 with, as the fruitless efforts thus far made in Germany for its destruction have 

 clearly shown. In order to give the best advice, it will be required to be studied 

 on the spot. With no personal knowledge of it, or of any insect of identical 

 habits, I can only offer, at present, the following suggestions: 



1. Wherever the larva constructs its cases for pupation, in angles, corners, 

 crevices, etc., of bins or apartments, under such condition.s that the vapor of 

 bisulphide of carbon can reach it, the proper use of that material would probably 

 kill the larva or pupa. 



2. As it is probable that the insect is the most vulnerable in its final stage of a 

 moth — at the time of its greatest abundance (noting even the hour of the day when 

 it is observed to be the most active on the wing), close the mill as tightly as possi. 

 ble and burn brimstone therein. 



3. Catch the moths in hand-nets and destroy them. If they be found, like 

 many of our Tineidm, to take wing toward twilight, that might be the most favor- 

 able time for the chase. 



4 See if the moths can be attracted to vessels of water mixed with vinegar 

 and molasses, to be caught therein and drowned. 



The above are the best suggestions that I am prepared to offer, with my present 

 knowledge of the insect. Hoping that they may prove to be of value, 



Very truly yours, 



J. A. LINTNER. 



Thk Cl-over-Seed Midge — Cecidomtia leguminicola Lintn. 



A large number of the larv^ of the clover-seed midge were received 

 October 12th, through Dr. E. L. Sturtevant, from Mr. D. M. Lins- 

 ley, of Orleans county, N. Y., with the statement that they were from 

 a second crop of clover, cut for hay, which had been placed on a 

 scafioldmg above the barn floor. Four or five days thereafter the 

 larvse were observed in large numbers upon the floor under the 

 clover. Mr. Linsley was desirous of knowing if they would attack 

 any other grain or plants. Answer was made that the attack of 

 the clover-seed midge, so far as known, was confined to clover 

 seed. From the abundance of the larvie reported by him, it was 

 quite important, as a means toward dimiuishiug the attack of the 



