81 
tree where the caterpillars had been feeding. This was the first and 
only colony of these insects observed by us injuring peaches. 
The asparagus beetle, both Crioceris asparagy Linn. and C. 12- punc- 
tata Linn., were present this season in the asparagus-growing areas. 
The former species was very conspicuous, especially on young aspara- 
gus beds, in which much damage was done. The latter species was seen 
only three times during the early part of the season. Hand picking 
of the beetles was resorted to in most cases where young beds were 
attacked. 
The bean leaf-beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata Forst., which we first ob- 
served in this State in 1896, was again very destructive to wax and 
Lima beans throughout the trucking areas. The early varieties were 
more severely injured than the later ones. Paris green in land 
plaster, at the rate of 1 pound in 80 to 100 pounds, dusted over the 
plants as the leaves expanded, proved an effective remedy. This was 
repeated two or three times at intervals of a week or ten days. | 
The black aphis of violets, Rhopalosiphum violw Perg., was dis- 
covered in two greenhouses doing serious injury to violets. 
The clover-leaf weevil, Phytonomus punctatus Fab., was very com- 
mon over a large area of the State. Clover was injured to a consider- 
able extent early in the season, and many growers were apprehensive 
about the safety of their crop. A fungous disease, Ampusa (Lntomo- 
phthora) spherosperma, appeared upon the larve, and by the middle of 
May it was difficult to find a living specimen. Their dead bodies were 
coiled about leaves, stems, grass blades, etc. The disease was wide- 
spread throughout the State, and of the same virulent character. 
The Colorado potato beetle, Doryphora 10-lineata Say, has been a 
pest of a more serious character than one year ago. Paris green, 
applied both dry and in solution with Bordeaux mixture, has been 
effective. 
The strawberry leaf-roller, Phoxopteris comptana Froel., has been 
observed by us doing slight damage to strawberries in Anne Arundel 
and Caroline counties. In both cases hand picking of the leaves was 
resorted to, as spraying was not desirable. 
The destructive green pea louse, Vectarophora destructor Johns., has 
maintained its notorious reputation as a ravenous pest to peas, and has 
this year extended its ravages into the Northwest (Wisconsin). The 
loss estimated along the Atlantic Coast States is placed at $4,000,000 
at this time (June 15); while the losses in the central West and the 
Northwest can not be estimated at this time. [Later: August 14 the 
writer received a letter from William Lorsen & Co., of Green Bay, 
Wis., in which they said they had planted 2,400 acres of peas, and had 
a fair crop upon all except the late plantings. About the 20th of July 
they noticed the louse upon a 500-acre field just ready to bloom, and in 
less than a week all the peas were dead and brown]. 
68/8—No. 26 6 
