56 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Jose scale was dying out locally and, prior to last summer, were 

 unable to find evidence of any material control through the agency 

 of parasites. These small insects are sufficiently important so that 

 their development should be carefully watched and an effort made 

 to estimate their true value as natural checks. It should be re- 

 membered that these insects have been known to entomologists 

 practically since the introduction of the scale in the eastern United 

 States and the cases of material benefits resulting from their 

 presence are comparatively few. 



For the present at least, we would not hesitate to advise con- 

 tinued spraying for the control of San Jose scale, a treatment which 

 in most cases is profitable, even though the trees are not badly in- 

 fested; since if a lime-sulphur wash is used, valuable fungicidal 

 effects are secured as well as protection from a number of insect 

 pests. 



Variegated cutworm (Agrotis saucia Hubn.) . Under 

 date of July 15, 1913 Mr J. A. Thompson, nursery inspector of 

 Rochester, N. Y., forwarded specimens of this cutworm, accom- 

 panied by the statement that they were feeding on clover and fallen 

 apples. Specimens of the latter were received and from one-half 

 to two-thirds of the fruit, which attained 2 inches in diameter, 

 were eaten away in a very irregular manner. There was no evi- 

 dence to show that these cutworms, although known to be of 

 climbing species, had ascended the trees and attacked the fruit 

 while still hanging. 



SHADE TREE PESTS 

 Elm leaf beetle (Galerucella luteola Mull.). The 

 destructive work of this pest has been greatly checked in many 

 localities during recent years, by thorough and systematic spraying. 

 Indications early last spring were favorable for very severe in- 

 juries to unsprayed trees, as the beetles appeared early and fed 

 vigorously. There was a period of exceptionally cool weather in 

 June, the thermometer dropping to 40 degrees on the 9th, 44 on 

 the 10th and to 47 on both the 8th and the nth, the mean during 

 this four day period being 64 on the nth, 58 on the 10th, 54 on 

 the 8th and 51 on the 9th, while the maximum was 80 on the nth, 

 72. on the 10th and but 62 on both the 8th and 9th. It appears 

 quite possible that this unseasonable weather coming at a time 

 when normally tgg production should be at its height, may have 

 greatly checked the laying of eggs and resulted in a comparatively 

 small number of larvae. 



