104 



causes. We have often found them working upon trees otherwise 

 perfectly healthy so far as examination of the entire tree, roots and 

 all, could determine. Wherever a badly infested tree is found in a 

 peach orchard, the adjacent trees invariably show the work of this 

 insect, indicating that they are by no means confined to diseased and 

 dying trees. 



The cotton caterpillar (Aletia [Alabama] argittacea) appeared in 

 considerable numbers in fourteen counties of southwestern Georgia 

 during August. Experiments were at once inaugurated against the 

 pest at Montezuma, Ga., in which several strengths of both Paris 

 green and arsenate of lead were tested, together with methods of 

 applying them. 



These experiments resulted in the adoption of a mixture of one 

 part Paris green and five parts air-slaked lime, distributed from thin 

 cotton sacks by laborers on foot. It was found that each laborer 

 could in this way poison from 12 to 11 acres per day. The method, 

 frequently recommended, of distributing Paris green from sacks 

 attached to a pole and carried upon horseback, was found entirely 

 impracticable, resulting in danger to both man and beast and mak- 

 ing an equal distribution of the poison impossible, especially in a 

 breeze or light wind. For showery or rainy weather arsenate of lead, 

 used at the rate of 2 pounds to 50 gallons of water and applied with a 

 knapsack or autopump, was found most satisfactory, although more 

 expensive, as only about 4 or 5 acres per day could be covered by 

 each hand. 



Although both eggs and moths were abundant in the fields during 

 the last week in August, the large brood of caterpillars expected to 

 ensue during September did not appear. The weather during the 

 first week of September, when the eggs were hatching, was exception- 

 ally hot and dry, and it appears very probable that the small larvae 

 were killed by the extreme heat. Unfortunately, the pressure of 

 nursery inspection work at this time prevented us from personally 

 visiting the fields; but our view is materially strengthened by the 

 fact that from several hundred Aletia pupse reared to maturity in the 

 laboratory but two parasites were secured. 



During the early part of July the chinch bug (Blissus leucopterus) — 

 an unusual insect in Georgia — appeared in the rice fields near Savan- 

 nah and occasioned some little alarm. However, the remedy was 

 already at hand, the rice fields were flooded, and nothing more was 

 heard of the chinch bug. 



April 25 specimens of the Hessian fly (Cecidomyia destructor) were 

 received from Harmony Grove, Ga. This species has not been suffi- 

 ciently abundant so that the egg-laying periods could be determined, 

 although if obtainable the} 7 would furnish data for an interesting 

 comparison with the habits of the insect farther north. 



To prevent the possible introduction of the Mexican boll weevil 

 (Anthonomus grandis) the Georgia State Board of Entomology has 



