REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 



501 



Pear-Leaf Blister Mite. (Country Gentleman, for June 21, 1894, 

 lix, p. 468, c. 4 — 28 cm.) 



Leaves of Kieffer pear-trees (other varieties not affected) sent from Had- 

 donfield, N. J., show the attack of the above-named insect, Phytoptus pyri . 

 The development of the gall is given, and features of the microscopic mite 

 that causes it. The attack is rapidly spreading in New York and elsewhere. 

 Picking off and destroying affected leaves in May is serviceable. The proper 

 remedy is spraying with a strong kerosene emulsion (1 to 7) in winter. It 

 can be controlled by this means. 



[See pages 453-459 of this Report (x) . ] 



Chestnut Weevil. (Country Gentleman, for July 5, 1894, lix, p. 

 504, c. 1 — 4 cm.) 



From Westchester, Pa., a remedy is asked for the "chestnut worm.'* 

 Balaninus caryatrypes is probably referred to. No remedy is known, 

 unless perhaps one has been discovered by Mr. Gerald McCarthy of the N. 

 C. Agricultural Experiment Station, who has been making special study of 

 the insect. 



Rose-Bugs. (Country Gentleman, for July 5, 189), lix, p. 504, 

 c. 1, 2 — 12 cm.) 



The formula for the ammoniacal solution of copper is given in response to 

 request, it having been represented as a remedy for the rose-bug. It will 

 not be effective for this purpose if we may judge from experiments made by 

 Dr. J. B. Smith. The mechanical devices recommended by Dr. Smith for 

 collecting and destroying this insect should be used when it occurs in 

 immense numbers, as in New Jersey. 



Friendly Insects. (Country Gentleman, for July 5, 1894, lix, 

 p. 504, c. 2 — 7 cm.) 



Specimens from Nassau, N. Y., are identified as pupae of the " twice-stab- 

 bed lady-bird," Chilocorus bivulnerus Muls. They are not injurious, but 

 beneficial from their feeding on plant-lice or scale insects, and should, there- 

 fore, be protected. 



Hellgrammite Fly. (Country Gentleman, for July 12, 1894, lix, 

 p. 520, c. 2 — 3 cm.) 



The insect, from Cornwall, N. Y. , is identified as Corydalis cornuta, and 

 its features given. Its larva is known to fishermen as "the dobson." 



Plant- Lice at the Koots of Asters, etc. (Gardening, for July 15, 

 1894, ii, p. 358, c. 1 — 12 cm.) 



Root-lice attacking asters, chrysanthemums and other plants at Dayton, Ohio , 

 are probably Aphis Middletonii Thomas. For destroying them, drawing 

 away the earth and applying soapsuds, tobacco water, pyrethrum water or 

 hot water is recommended. The ants that attend them are harmless to the 

 plants. 



