37 
they and what will he the best method of destroying them should they attack any 
ornamental or fruit trees or other crops? — [James B. Smith, N. C, July 3, 1893. 
Reply. — * * * The heetles which you send are specimens of a very handsome 
species of Blister Beetle, the scientific name of which is Pomplwpa'a unguicularis. 
This species occurs in such numbers rather rarely, and your observation is interest- 
ing. Should they attack ornamental or fruit trees, or other crops at a lower eleva- 
tion, you will be able to destroy them by applying Paris green or London purple in 
the proportion of one-fourth pound to 40 gallons of water. — [July 15, 1893.] 
Trapping the 12 -spotted Melon Beetle. 
Maj. M. F. Berry, of Pachuta, Miss., thinks he has discovered a successful trap for 
this destructive beetle. It is simply an old gourd. All the gourds of last year 
lying about are utilized. He cuts holes in the gourds not larger than may be 
stopped by a large corncob, and after removing a part of the seed and old pulp, 
places them about the spots most frequented by the enemy. These traps seem 
wonderfully attractive to the beetles. I have seen as many as 40 taken out of one 
small gourd, and that twice a day. To kill them, after catching, is a trouble. So far 
he has found hot water effective. Wetting the inside of the gourd seem to render it 
more attractive to the insects. For garden practice, nothing more could be desired. 
But for a large cornfield now, it would require a great many gourds, and be very 
laborious collecting them twice a day, or even once. It might be well to try a few 
drops carbon bisulphide. Any plan that destroys, or seriously diminishes, these 
Pests is worth knowing. They have caused the crop to be planted over again a 
second and third time in places ; and this means a loss of 25 per cent, besides the 
labor expended. — [Lawrence C. Johnson, Mississippi, June 15, 1893. 
Tasmanian Insects. 
Our principal troubles here, in the order of their severity, are: The Fusicladium, 
Codling Moth, Army Worm, and undergound Grape Grub, Mussel Scale, and American 
Blight (Schizoneura). I have carefully experimented with the Fusicladium, and my 
best results have been attained by the use of the Bordeaux mixture and kerosene 
emulsion, with 1 to 20 of copper sulphate. It is worthy of note that one variety of 
apple escapes, the true Adam's Pearmain, a tall, flat-crowned apple. As regards 
the Codling Moth, there are already fruit boards in all parts of the colony, with 
inspectors, etc., and I can do but little else but advise, as they are unfortunately not 
under the control of my department, the council of agriculture. I can, at least, say 
that when reasonable care has been taken in pickiug off the infested fruit, and also 
in spraying once or twice with Paris green or London purple, the moth has been very 
considerably reduced, and in some places completely exterminated. Our chief trou- 
ble in this respect arises from the unwillingness of the owners of very small orchards ; 
in other words, those who are not dependent upon them for their living, to carry out 
the provisions of the act. I am sorry to say that the Cherry Leech is spreading with 
great rapidity. It is only six years since it first made its appearance from New Zea- 
land, but it is now all over southern Tasmania. I have not succeeded in finding 
any parasite Avhich attacks it, so we are reduced to the usual treatment of spraying 
with hellebore, etc., and dusting with lime, ashes, etc. I have reared three parasitic 
flies from Lachnosterna fusca, but they are by no means plentiful. The Wheat Aphis 
appeared last season, but it was immediately suppressed by a small Microgaster, 
which has eighteen joints in the antennae; the wings are veined and are hyaline, 
while the veins and stigma are light brown. The size is very minute. * * *. — 
[Edw. H. Thompson, Government Entomologist, Tasmania, April 15, 1893. 
The Plum Curculio in Door County, Wis. 
Until recently the peninsula lying between Green Bay and Lake Michigan has 
been free from invasion by the Plum Curculio, Conotrachelas nenuphar, and until the 
