48 



(Crambus zeellus et al.) 



While natural enemies of the larvae of various species of Crambus 

 have been recorded, those attacking the adult moths are, so far as pub- 

 lished record goes, rather limited in point of numbers. 



One of the probable enemies of our corn destroying Crambus is a 

 BTeuropter, a Bittacus near stigmaterus. During August Mr. AY. O. 

 Pritz brought me an example which he had observed to attack a female 

 moth, chasing her about, finally worrying her down and killing her. The 

 remains of the moth when brought to me were too much mutilated to 

 determine. 



Mr. J. N. Latta, of Haw Patch, Ind., tells me that the mpths of 

 Crambus laquealellus, which I observed in abundance in his yard, were 

 destroyed in great numbers by the Wood Pewee, Contopus virens L. 



THE WHITE GRUB. 



(Lachnosterna spp. ?) 



The present season has been marked by the most serious depreda- 

 tions of these pests that has occurred for many years. Pastures, mead- 

 ows, and corn-fields have suffered in some instances to the extent of 75 

 per cent, of the crop. Fields this season devoted to corn, but for thirty 

 years previous under cultivation, continuously producing some one of 

 the cereal grains, have been very seriously damaged, large areas of the 

 corn withering and dying in the hill daring August and September, 

 from five to twenty grubs being found in and about a single hill. As 

 early as May 13, at the Experiment Station, they were destroying 

 young barley growing on a plot of ground which had produced a crop 

 of this grain for the six preceding years. Adjoining this .plot of bar- 

 ley was another which had been devoted to oats during the same pe- 

 riod, but which was only slightly attacked. A precisely similar plot of 

 buckwheat, which had produced the same crop for the same period, 

 was found also invaded, and on July 24 the grubs were found in the 

 act of cutting off the plants, now several inches in height. 



A number of experiments were made with various substances with a 

 view of determining the possibility of destroying the grubs without in- 

 jury to the plant infested. Corn was the plant used in these experi- 

 ments, being at the time the most convenient to obtain ; the substances 

 used, however, had they been ever so effective, could hardly be applied 

 with practical advantage by the extensive farmer. 



Experiment No. 1. — Placed a grub about the roots of a single plant on 

 May 14; two days later, applied a sufficient amount of air-slaked lime 

 to the surface of the ground to cover very lightly, watering thoroughly. 



Result, May 22, plant killed but the grub uninjured. 



Experiment No. 2. — Placed grub about roots of plant May 14 ; two days 

 later applied table salt in solution at rate of 235 pounds per acre. 



