51 



collecting material for experimentation, in a field seriously damaged by 

 grubs, we found a Mil of corn, which, though it contained none of the 

 depredators, bore every evidence of having been destroyed by them, 

 as other hills in a similar condition about it contained from 5 to 10 in- 

 dividuals. Instead, however, a larva of a species of JEr ax, near bastardi, 

 was found. As the larvse of Erax are known to be carnivorous, we can 

 only conclude that the one found had made way with the grubs, but 

 not until after the latter had destroyed the corn. 



THE VARYING ANOMALA. 



(Anomala varians, Fabr.). 



The only record of this species, as a grain destroying insect occurs in 

 the report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for 1884, p. 412, where 

 Mr. Eugene F. Barns, of Marion, Marion County, Kaus., reported the 

 beetle as working serious damage to wheat in the field during the mouth 

 of June, destroying 1,000 bushels for one farmer. 



These beetles occur generally over the State of Indiana, and we have 

 frequently met them hovering on heads of wheat in the field, but never 

 remarked any serious injury. In this State the adult insects are preyed 

 upon by one of the Asilidw, Laphria tergissa Say, and we have several 

 times caught these flies on wing with one of the beetles in their clutches, 

 their beak puncturing the body of their victim. 



THE WHEAT WIRE-WORM. 



(Agriotes mancus, Say.) 



A number of experiments were made with a view of learning the 

 effect of the applications of salt, as against the larvae of this species. 



The method employed was to place a number of kernels of corn in 

 earthen pots, and transport larvae from the fields, where they were en- 

 gaged in destroying wheat, placing them among the corn in these pots, 

 the salt being applied in different quantities to the surface of the ground. 



Experiment No. 1. — April 26, six kernels of corn, and two wire-worms 

 nearly full grown, were placed together in a pot filled with earth, the 

 latter being saturated with water from beneath. Common barrel salt 

 was then applied to the surface of the soil, at the rate of 940 pounds 

 to the acre. May 1, watered from above. 



Kesult, the pot was examined May 7, and both worms found unaf- 

 fected, they having in the meantime eaten nearly all of the corn, the 

 uninjured kernels failing to germinate. 



Experiment No. 2. — This was made at the same time as No. 1, all con. 

 ditions being the same, except that salt was applied at the rate of 470 

 pounds per acre. 



Result the same as in experiment No. 1. 



Experiment No. 3. — May 7, placed three of the larvae used in the pre- 

 ceding experiments and one fresh from the field, with corn in pot of 

 earth, saturating the latter from below, and covering surface with salt 

 in the proportion of 24,500 pounds per acre. 



