1922 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49 



The Brown Fruit Chafer (Euphoria inda). For the first time in our 

 experience, this insect was commonly found in different parts of southern Ontario 

 attacking the ears of sweet corn. Enquiries regarding its economic status were 

 received from the Niagara fruit district, Norfolk county, Burlington, Clarkson 

 and St. Thomas. The insect was also found, as it has heen in previous years, 

 feeding on ripe fruit, particularly on. peaches and pears. 



Bean Weevil (Bruchus obtectus). In June living specimens of this weevil 

 were received from Ford, Ontario, where they were causing considerable damage to 

 beans. Mention of this is made because injuries from the weevil are seldom 

 reported. 



Cutworms: Cutworms were again very destructive in the Niagara district. 

 At Port Dalhousie asparagus was badly injured by them. 



Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi). Judging by the reports we received, 

 this beetle was more troublesome than usual. A grower at Queenston had splen- 

 did success in controlling the beetle in his large asparagus fields by dusting with 

 arsenate of lime and hydrated lime. A power po.tato-duster was used in making 

 the applications. 



Potato Insects: The potato leaf hopper (Empoasca mail) was undoubt- 

 edly the most important pest of potatoes this year. Experiments and field observ- 

 ations indicated that practically all the so-called blighting of early potatoes, in 

 the Niagara district at least,- was caused by the hopper. It is very fortunate that 

 thorough applications of poisoned bordeaux mixture will control most of the 

 major fungus and insect pests of the potato, including the leaf hopper. 



The potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) and potato flea-beetle (Epitrix 

 cucumeris, were abundant in most parts of the province. In the Niagara pen- 

 insula the three-lined beetle (Lema trilineata) was common on potatoes. 



Greenhouse Insects. 



The Rose Midge (Dasyneura rhodophaga) . It is very gratifying to find that 

 the tobacco dust treatment (see last year's report) will wholly eradicate this pest. 

 In the two large greenhouse establishments at Grimsby no maggots have been 

 found since the rose beds were treated in 1920. 



The Chrysanthemum Midge (Diarthronomyia hypogaea). We are pleased 

 to report that experience has shown us that this pest can be eradicated by spray- 

 ing with nicotine and soap every second day for a period of about six weeks. 



The Cyclamen Mite (Tarsonemus pallidus). This mite was again decidedly 

 troublesome in Ontario greenhouses, and on account of its depredations, great 

 difficulty was experienced in growing cyclamens successfully. Conflicting reports 

 have been received regarding the efficacy of systematic spraying with a nicotine- 

 soap solution as a means of controlling the mite. 



Earthworms: Last September there was a veritable plague of earthworms 

 in the rose beds of a large greenhouse at Grimsby. The earth was literally alive 

 with worms; the manure disappeared rapidly; the soil lost its friability and be- 

 came lumpy, porous and somewhat "sticky"; and the worms apparently disturbed 

 the roots of the roses. 



At our suggestion the beds were given a very light dressing of hydrated lime, 

 and the lime was then washed in. This treatment was successful; it destroyed 

 most of the worms and at the same time caused no injury to the rose plants. 



