REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 



383 



ous throat disease results from the use of this unhealthy food — a disease 

 which has been epidemic for some years in regions infested by the 

 Alucita [Sitotroga]. It manifests itself by gangrenous ulcerations 

 which form in the back of the mouth; the sick succumb in a few hours 

 and cannot be aided." (Report Dept. Agricul. for 1889, p. 317.) 



In reply to the inquiry regarding the introduction of the insect into 

 Montgomery county — the insect can easily be carried from one locality 

 to another in seed wheat, and introduced in places where it was before 

 unknown. 



Distribution of the Insect. 

 In the United States the Angoumois moth is distributed more or less 

 over the Eastern, Middle, and Southern States where wheat is grown, 

 but it is especially a southern insect. It is occasionally seen in Canada, 

 but, according to Mr. Fletcher, it has not occurred there in destructive 

 numbers. It infests middle and southern Europe and also occurs in 

 England. Prof. Webster found it causing serious damage to stored 

 grain in Australia. Its origin is unknown. Mr. Meyrick does not 

 believe it to be a true native of Europe. 



Remedies and Preventives. 



Various methods have been used for the destruction of this insect, as 

 violent agitation, or frequent stirring of the grain to destroy the eggs 

 and possibly the contained larvse; application of heat at about 165° 

 Fahr. for an hour; spraying with kerosene; subjecting to the fumes of 

 sulphur, etc., etc. But beyond question the cheapest and the best is 

 the use of bisulphide of carbon — purchasable at drug stores at about 

 25 cent3 per pound. As soon as the corn or grain is found to be 

 infested, it should be put into a bin tightly closed at the sides, but not 

 necessarily so at the top, where a heavy close cloth covering would 

 suffice, and the bisulphide of carbon placed in open vessels on the top 

 of the grain. The heavy vapor given off from the volatile liquid 

 descends and permeates the grain and destroys all the animal life con- 

 tained therein. A day or two of exposure to the vapor is sufficient. 

 One pound, or a pound and a half, may be used for each ton of grain. 



For use in a reasonably tight room, Mr. Howard has ""made the 

 following computation: One pound to be evaporated for a every one 

 thousand cubic feet of space, or in a space 10x10x10, one-third of a 

 pound in each of three shallow vessels. For a_ room 10x10x20, use 

 two pounds divided among six vessels; for a room 10x20x20, use four 

 pounds in twelve vessels and in like proportion for larger apartments. 



