INSECT NOTES FOR I9IO. 5 



Another theory is the one recently advanced by Alessandrini 

 in his paper, "Pellagra due to Filaria in drinking water from 

 shallow wells," in Policlinico (June 26, 1910). He claims that 

 the sea shore and mountainous regions are exempt, and that the 

 disease ceases to spread where artesian wells are substituted 

 for shallow wells arid surface drinking water. As Simulium 

 is particularly common in the vicinity of small streams in moun- 

 tainous regions, and cannot breed in quiet surface water or 

 shallow wells, the views of this investigator are decidedly op- 

 posed to those of Sambon. 



Though laboratory methods are necessary to finally establish 

 the fact whether or not this little gnat is concerned in trans- 

 mitting pellagra, the peculiarities in its breeding habits give the 

 physician living in regions where the disease is prevalent a basis 

 upon which to work. 



Psila roscc (Carrot rust fly) on parsnips. 

 This insect has occasionally been reported from Canada and 

 also from Maine and New York as injurious to carrots and 

 celery. This spring some parsnips which had been in the ground 

 over winter, were pulled, and found to bear the characteristic 

 "rust spots" of the carrot rust fly. The pupal skins were found 

 in the ground, not adhering to the roots. The larvse form cavi- 

 ties, especially in the upper third of the root, the cavities not 

 exceeding J^ inch in depth. As a number of larvae were found 

 it appears that part at least hibernated in this state. Adults 

 emerged the first 2 weeks in May. Many parsnip roots exposed 

 for sale in the markets in this vicinity at this time were found 

 to be similarly affected. 



Burpsta solidaginis. 

 See Burytoma gigantea under Hymenoptera. 



Phorbia fusciceps (Fringed Anthomyiian). 



In a market garden in Orono many bean plants were affected 

 by the larv£e of this insect mining in the cotyledons and stems 

 early in June. Though at first the plants seemed severely in- 

 jured, after the larvae had pupated most of the plants fully re- 

 covered, apparently unaffected by the earlier injury. 



Some complaints were also received from farmers in Aroos- 

 took County claiming injury to seed ..potatoes. Specimens sub- 



