REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1916 75 



The small caterpillars are lighter and, like the fall-grown ones, 

 show two distinct types; the dark form with a conspicuous lateral 

 white line, while the lighter form has a sublateral, pinkish line and 

 a substigmatal, brownish line. 



The moth is a moderately heavy insect with a wing spread of 

 about 1 h inches. The forewings are rather prettily and strongly 

 marked with light gray reticulate lines and are produced in a dis- 

 tinct angle near the middle of the outer edge. 



The caterpillars can be destroyed by the use of poisons, but unfor- 

 tunately ferns are so sensitive that the application of a sufficient 

 amount of Paris green is likely to result in severe burning, while 

 the use of arsenate of lead renders the plants unsightly. Generally 

 speaking, the probabilities are that in most cases there is no better 

 method of controlling this pest than by systematic and thorough 

 hand picking to destroy the caterpillars. It is a southern species 

 which can not maintain itself in our northern latitude and this 

 restriction would justify considerable expense, either for control 

 measures or the adoption of special precautions, to prevent the 

 insect becoming established in a greenhouse. This latter, in the 

 long run, is probably the most practical method of avoiding trouble 

 by this species. 



Rose gall midge (Dasyneura rhodophaga Coq.) . 

 This serious pest of the indoor rose grower has been reported from 

 Hudson river greenhouses in earlier years, though it seems to have 

 caused little injury recently till it was again reported last fall as 

 damaging roses near Blauvelt. It may well be considered a destruc- 

 tive insect, since if it becomes abundant it may be impossible to 

 secure a crop of flowers. A few years ago it was estimated that this 

 pest caused a loss of $10,000 annually in two Chicago greenhouses. 



The rose gall midge attacks the young leaf or flower buds, prefer- 

 ably the latter, and causes various malformations at least, though 

 frequently there is a browning and death of the affected parts. 

 The parent insect is a very small, brownish, frail midge about one- 

 twenty-fifth of an inch long, which deposits her eggs in the develop- 

 ing rose tips. The maggots are at first white, later becoming reddish. 

 Breeding is continuous from May until October, and as only two 

 weeks are required to complete the life cycle, the possibilities of 

 injury are very great. The midge is known to attack the following 

 varieties: Meteor, Wooten, La France, Madam Chatenay, Bride, 

 Ivory and Golden Gate, and is said to be especially partial to all 

 " Hybrid teas." It is not known to breed on hardy or outdoor 

 roses. 



