40 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



and lays its eggs in the end of that month and in July. In June then is the time for 

 the fruit grower to go over the stems of his young apple trees with a brush and diluted 

 soft soap. He can give them a scrubbing at the same time if he likes Sir Joseph 

 Banks freed his apple trees from the American Blight (Erisoma lanigera, Hans,) by the 

 use of the scrubbing brush alone (Kirby and Spence's Entomology, Letter VI.). The 

 second point I make is : — The study op Entomology is necessary that the cultivator 



MAY KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO DEAL WITH HIS INSECT FOES. 



The study of Entomology is profitable. What harm and loss have been averted by 

 the making known of insecticides and how to use them ! But greater good is sometinies 

 done by calling in the aid of friends than by direct attacks upon foes. 



The introduction of the Australian Lady-bird (Vedalia cardinalis, Mulsant) has 

 probably saved the orange groves of California from extinction. 



I have no doubt that if the parasite (Diplosis grassator, Fyles) which keeps down 

 the numbers of the Philloxera in this country had been carried over to Europe it would 

 have saved many a vine-yard that has disappeared. 



The late Professor Riley introduced from Europe the species Microgaster glomeratus, 

 which is a check upon the cabbage worm (Pieris rapos, Linn.). The insect is figured 

 and described in Wood's " Insects at Home," pp. 325-7. Wood tells us that " so rapidly 

 does it multiply that after watching its progress from the larva to maturity, it seems 

 s orange that a single cabbage white butterfly should be found in the country." * * * 

 " If a hundred cabbage caterpillars be captured, there will be only one or two which do 

 not contain the larvse of the microgaster. " 



Mr. A. D. Hopkins, of the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, has 

 lately introduced the European predaceous beetle, Clems formicarius, Linn, to the United 

 States ; and it is thought that this insect will check the destruction of the spruce forests 

 which has proceeded to such an alarming extent in that country. The clerid larva is the 

 natural foe of the bark-boring and wood-boring larvse. It searches them out and devours 

 them with avidity. 



As Clerus formicarius is a new importation to this continent, and is at present little 

 known, a short description of it may be acceptable. The beetle is about three- eighths of 

 an inch in length. Its head and the fore part of its thorax are black. The after part of 

 the thorax and the base of the wing-covers are brick red. The remaining portions of the 

 wing-covers are black crossed by two somewhat wavy, snow white lines. 



The name Kleros was given by Aristotle to certain larvse found in bee-hives. The 

 trivial name formicarius was given to this species by Linnaeus because of the ant-like 

 form of the beetle. (See Wood's " Insects at Home," p. 138). 



A knowledge of Entomology was necessary for the understanding of the habits of 

 these predaceous and parasitic insects, and for placing them where they might work to 

 man's advantage. And this bringing about of good by the direction of natural agents is 

 only in its inception. As our knowledge increases we shall, in all probability, be able to 

 direct and control forces that are at present but little understood. My third point is : — 

 The study op Entomology is necessary that the agriculturist and fruit grower 

 may make the most of their insect friends. 



^huuiThe Americans — a practical people — are fully alive to the importance of entomo- 

 logical research. Their division of entomology in the Department of Agriculture ; their 

 national museum ; their experimental stations dotted all over the Union : their numerous 

 scientific commissions, with their reports and bulletins — all bear witness to this fact. 



Our own authorities do not mean to be behind hand. The establishment of experi- 

 mental farms, the encouragement given to scientific and economic societies, farmers' 

 clubs and institutes, etc., the printing and distributing of reports upon practical subjects, 

 betoken an enlightened policy on their part. 



But notwithstanding all that has been accomplished, sufficient care has not, I 

 think, been taken to reach the young. 



