NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



523 



Squash Bug:, The {Anchsa tristis, De G.) By F. H. Chittenden 

 [U.S. A, Dep. Agr., Bur. Eiitom., Cir. 39; revised Jy. 28, 1908; 

 3 figs.). — A number of remedies in use against the striped cucumber 

 beetle and other insect enemies of cucurbits will assist in the destruc- 

 tion or control of this species. 



If the precaution be taken to collect the vines as soon as the crop is 

 harvested and burn them, many bugs in their different stages will be 

 destroyed and the crop of insects will be reduced for the ensuing year. 



V. G. J. 



Squash-vine Borer, The {Melittia satyriniformis Hbn.). By 

 F. H. Chittenden [U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. Entom., Circ. 38; revised 

 Sept. 3, 1908; 2 figs.). — The parent of this insect is a beautiful 

 medium-sized moth of the family Sesiidae, or clear-wing moths. The 

 larva does immense damage to curcubits generally by boring through 

 the stems, causing them to rot at the affected pomts. 



In early publications this species was generally known as Melittia 

 ceto or curbitae. — V. G. J. 



Strawberry Weevil {Anthonomus signatus Say.). By F. H. 

 Chittenden [U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. Entom., Circ. 21; revised 

 Sept. 19, 1908; 5 figs.). — A revised edition of a circular describing the 

 life-history and habits of this destructive pest. Preventives are prefer- 

 able to direct remedies, and among those recommended are: (1) Cover- 

 ing the beds with muslin or a similar material to prevent the female 

 weevil depositing eggs in the flower buds , the covering serves a two- 

 fold purpose in protecting the flowers from frost, thereby hastening 

 maturity. (2) Clean cultivation, such as burning weeds and clearing 

 away and destroying litter. (3) Spraying with a solution of crude 

 carbolic acid, used in the proportion of 1 part to 100 of water. — V. G. J. 



Sugrar Cane, Packing*, for Transportation. By J. E. Bovell 

 {West Indian Bull. vol. x. No. 2, pp. 142-145; 1909).— The most 

 successful method of packing sugar-cane for planting is to cut it into 

 4-feet lengths, and pack in damp powdered charcoal, after dipping in 

 Bordeaux mixture and sealing the cut epds with resin. 



The canes have kept fresh after this treatment for three months, 

 and rarely fail to grow when planted. 



It is important to plant immediately the case is opened, as the buds 

 often swell, and rootlets are produced at the joints, which should not 

 be allowed to dry. — C. H. L. 



Sweet Potato, Scarabee of the. By H. A. Ballon (West Indian 

 Bull \ol X. No. 2, pp. 180-196; 1909).— This insect is known in the 

 Leeward Islands as '* Jacobs," and is very troublesome, causing some- 

 times the loss of a third of the crop. 



The insect was sent to England for identification in 1848, but no 

 certain remedy has yet been devised to check it. The use of crushed 

 raw potato mixed with arsenic has been successful as a bait, and another 



