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The Rose-chafer, Macrodactylus subspinosus, has been less destructive 
than usual. My studies on this insect have appeared in bulletin form, 
and I need only emphasize here that all my tests of remedial measures 
were made in the field under ordinary field conditions, and that the 
results are such as would likely be obtained by a farmer employing 
them. 
The Grape Flea-beetle made its appearance very early in the year, be- 
fore even the leaves had made their appearance, and began eating the 
buds. I recommended collecting in kerosene pans early in the day, and 
this proved effective. About a pint of the beetles were sent me in 
grateful acknowledgment. 
Root maggots have been very abundant, and onions have ben most 
severely attacked. In some places the young sets have been com- 
pletely destroyed. This pest is now pretty well distributed in the 
trucking districts around Philadelphia. 
Aphides on orchard fruits, and particularly on apple, became very 
abundant during a three weeks’ drought near New Brunswick, and 
blackened tips everywhere caused serious alarm. A cold storm lasting 
two days broke the drought, and apparently checked the multiplication 
of the species. There was no further increase of injury, at any rate, 
and no other complaints reached me. 
The melon vines have suffered greatly from attacks of Aphides, but 
still more from a bacterial disease. The damage done by the latter is 
quite usually attributed to the Aphides. 
I have made some study of squash insects, more particularly of the 
“ Borer” Melittia ceto, of which I have previously spoken. The Striped 
Beetle, Diabrotica vittata, does not bother our large growers very much. 
When they seem abundant, they use lime or plaster on a day when there 
is a gentle wind, sowing it on broadcast. The beetles fly before it and 
- are driven off the field. The next man takes up the work on his field, 
and so the beeties are-driven off until they reach some unguarded field 
which is then usually injured quite seriously. Hpilachna borealis has 
been very abundant, and has eaten characteristic patches at the edges 
of theleaves. The insects made their appearance as soon as the squashes 
were well up, but did not begin mating or ovipositing until the middle 
of July. Larve were not found until August. This gives quite a long 
period for the mature insect. It is easily kept in check by the use of 
the arsenites. 
- The Corn Bill-bug, Sphenophorus sculptilis, appeared in large numbers 
in Burlington, Salem, and Gloucester Counties, and perhaps in other © 
surrounding regions. The beetle drilled the characteristic holes in the 
young plants at or near the surface and thus destroyed many acres of 
corn. I advised replanting after a short delay, and the second crop of 
plants was undisturbed. The insect was a new one to growers, and its 
appearance in such numbers caused consternation. They were most 
numerous on old sod, but by no means confined to such land. 
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