490 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



mushroom cellars." Remedy, pyrethrum powder. The Sciarse are numer- 

 ous in species, both in this country and in Europe. Little careful study has 

 been given them. Two species of Sciara — " the yellow-fever fly " and 1 ' the 

 snake-worm" — are referred to. 



[Extended in pages 397-399 of this Report (x).] 



The Apple-Tree Aphis. (American Farmer, for June 15, 1893, 

 lxxiv, p. 8, c. 6 — 41 cm.) 



Whether the unusual abundance of aphides this year will prove destructive 

 to fruit crops will depend largely on meteorological and other conditions 

 that can not be foretold. Recent protracted rains have destroyed large 

 numbers. Nursery trees are frequently killed by them. The apple-tree 

 aphis is vulnerable to proper spraying during a few days of its life, 

 just after hatching. The eggs can not be killed by the winter spraying 

 formerly recommended. Kerosene emulsion, tobacco water, and soapsuds 

 are the best insecticides for the apple aphis. How to kill the bud-worm of 

 Tmetocera ocellana. 



Immense Swarms of a Butterfly. (New York Homestead, for 

 June 22, 1893, xxvii, p. 273, c. 1, 2 — 19 cm.) 



Butterflies sent from Kansas, occurring in immense companies, are the 

 milk-weed butterfly, Danais Archippus (Fabr.). It is noted for its congre- 

 gating in millions for southern migration in September. Accounts by 

 Thaxtpr, Dr. Hamilton, and Scudder of such assemblies. Its observation at 

 Schoharie. Necessity for its migration southward. From its food-plants 

 it is a harmless species. 



A New Peach Insect. (Country Gentleman, for June 29, 1893, 



lviii, p. 508, c. 2 — S cm.) 



A plant-bug sent from Brockport, N. Y., as having last year nearly 

 destroyed a crop of peaches by making them rough and pithy, is Penta- 

 toma juniperina (Linn.). It has not been previously reported as injurious 

 to peaches, nor has anything been recorded of its habits by our writers. 



[Extended in pages 430-432 of this Report (x).] 



Caterpillar on Rye. (Country Gentleman, for June 29, 1893, 

 lviii, p 508, c. 2 — 10 cm.) 



A caterpillar feeding on the heads of rye in several localities near Stone 

 Ridge, N. Y., is that of one of the Noctuid moths, Leucanid albilinea 

 Hiibner. In former years it has been destructive to wheat, rye and heads 

 of timothy in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kansas. It has been called the 

 " wheat-head army- worm," from its resemblance" to the army-worm, Leu- 

 cania unipuncta. 



The Hellgrammite Fly. (Country Gentleman, for June 29, 1893, 

 lviii, p. 508, c. 3 — 8 cm.) 



Identification is made of the pupa of the hellgrammite fly, CorydalU 

 comuta. (Linn.) from Cos Cob, Conn. Its transformations and some of its 

 habits are given, with its principal features. 



