52 



We have not yet, so far as I know, any evidence of the presence of 

 the gypsy moth within our borders. But now that the State of Mas- 

 sachusetts has practically abandoned its heroic fight against this pest, 

 it seems to be only a question of time when it will spread over our 

 forests. Probably our people will then get a new idea of the possi- 

 bilities of the damage that may be caused by insect pests. 



Canker-worms have been very destructive in southern New Hamp- 

 shire this year. Our observations show that the spring species is the 

 one chiefly destructive. A comparative test of banding with bodlime 

 and spraying with arsenicals showed that the latter was much the 

 most satisfactory remedy. 



On the whole the most puzzling recent entomological event in our 

 region has been the sudden extinction of the hordes of squash bugs 

 that overwhelmed cucurbitaceous plants last year. It does not seem 

 to me possible to attribute this to natural enemies, and unless it was 

 due to the open winter I am at a loss to account for it. It has long- 

 seemed to me that this subject of the sudden disappearance of insect 

 pests was one needing careful and continuous investigation by many 

 entomologists working in conjunction, and 1 venture to suggest that 

 a permanent committee of this association might well be appointed to 

 follow up the subject from year to year. 



In New England there has been of late considerable discussion re- 

 garding the free use of arsenical preparations as insecticides. While 

 much of the adverse criticism is of course uncalled for and absurd, it 

 seems to me that entomologists should be careful about recommending 

 arsenicals for such crops as cabbages and currants. While there is no 

 doubt that arsenicals can be used safely on these crops, if used intelli- 

 gently, there seems to be unusual danger that ignorant people will 

 use them too late. Consequently it seems safer to recommend for 

 insects affecting such plants the less dangerous insecticides. 



We have found this season that the use of a 5 per cent kero-water 

 spray is entirely efficient against the cabbage worm, and have again 

 demonstrated the effectiveness of insect powder against the same pest. 

 I believe that for our New England conditions these are the most sat- 

 isfactory remedies. 



Mr. Burgess called attention to the reference in Mr. Felt's paper to 

 the willow curculio, and stated that during September of last year he 

 has found specimens of this insect at Ashtabula, Ohio, which is in the 

 northeastern corner of the State. This year it has been found in Lake 

 County, at a point 30 or 40 miles west of Ashtabula. Referring to 

 Mr. Osborn's remarks concerning the chinch bug in Ohio, he stated 

 that early the present spring the prospects for a severe outbreak of 

 the chinch bug in Ohio were very good. A large number of com- 



