REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



417 



beds of lniguouelte, and fed with almost equal voracity 011 the peppery 

 leaves and stems of Nasturtiums (TropMolum). I reared a large num- 

 ber of larvae collected from various localities and at all ages, in the hope 

 that some would prove to be parasited, but did not nod any that were. 

 On several occasions I found small larvae impaled on the beaks of the 

 Spined Soldier-bug {Anna spinosa). 



The remedy used with entire success was hot water. This was taken 

 from the fire at the boiling point, but by the time it had been poured 

 into the watering-can and carried to the garden the temperature was so 

 reduced that it did not in the least injure the plants, while it killed 

 every worm that it touched. 



The Cottony Maple Scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis Eath.) was 

 reported during the month of June from many localities in Missouri, 

 Illinois, and Kansas. Its attacks were not confined to the maples; but 

 it occurred in great numbers on the elms and sycamores, and as the 

 infested trees soon began to show its effects in sickly foliage and inter- 

 rupted growth, much popular apprehension was excited. The insect 

 did not appear in Kirkwood, but the white cottony masses were very 

 abundant on the trees that shade the city sidewalks and ornament the 

 parks. The smaller branches and twigs of some of the trees were com- 

 pletely covered. Large clusters of this Cofccid would also be found on 

 any new wood that was forming over wounds on the trunk. 



The only remedy that I could suggest, in response to numerous 

 inquiries, was the saponaceous kerosene emulsion, to be applied with a 

 syringe or fountain pump. On examining some of the scales collected 

 in Lafayette Park in July, I found a small red mite {Encodes sp..') 

 in large numbers evidently feeding on the eggs. Subsequently I found 

 a small brown Psocas, apparently engaged in the same good work. The 

 English sparrow will have an opportunity during the winter of redeem- 

 ing its character in a measure by feeding on the egg-masses of this de- 

 structive Coccid. Whether it will do so remains to be seen. 



The Stalk-borer (Gortyna nitela Guen.) was often made the subject of 

 complaint during the past summer. In and around Kirkwood it was 

 quite destructive to young shoots of blackberry, and in the course of 

 the season I found it in almost all kinds of stems, including sprouts of 

 maple and apple. The following item shows its capacity for destruc- 

 tion in the nursery : 



Enemy to peach buds. — In working among my young peach buds which have grown 

 about one foot I observed some of them drooping, and on investigating the matter 

 found a little, gray worm about one-half inch long and the thickness of a thin knit- 

 ting needle. The place where the insect stung the shoot I could not discover, as it 

 must have healed over where the puncture was made. 



In cutting off the shoots thus affected they were found to contain a worm, without 

 exception. 



Had usually gone about 2 inches, leaving the stem hollow behind them. All the 

 trees thus affected die above where the insect works; and must start out from below 

 again, which retards thetr growth and disfigures the young trees somewhat. 



I would advise those who have young peach buds to look after them and destroy 

 these little pests. 



Although some of the natural shoots were stung, they seem to prefer the buds. 

 All I could find were destroyed, so as to keep them from increasing if possible. — 

 S. Miller. {Rural World, June 12, 1884.) 



The worm referred to was the species named above, and in a subse- 

 quent letter Mr. Miller informed me that the loss he had sustained from 

 the ravages of this insect was far greater than he had at first supposed. 

 Last year I reared a single specimen of the large, white-marked nebris 

 27 A — 7 84 



