602 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 17 
A spittle insect ( Lepyronia quadrangular is) is causing noticeable injury to corn in 
Carroll County, Arkansas. In the infested area, covering several acres, the spittle 
insects could be seen on some plants in aggregations of 20 to 50, on the under surface 
of the leaves, in the axils and on the tassels. In some instances about a hundred 
insects were observed on a single plant. As a result of the attack, many of the plants 
had turned brown and the stalks were dying. The corn is near a timothy field which 
had been cut about two weeks ago. Apparently, the field was severely infested with 
the spittle insects, and when their food supply was taken away they migrated to the 
corn. Although so far as I know, Lepyronia quadrangular is has not been reported 
on corn, it apparently finds this host plant entirely satisfactory. 
W. J. Baerg, Entomologist 
Calcium Cyanide Kills Vespa infernalis; On Sept. 9th Dr. C. P. Gillette received a 
phone call asking for aid in destroying a waso infesting a house in Fort Collins. 
The wasps were causing considerable annoyance in that members of the family were 
being stung quite severely. The writer was asked to look the situation over and 
advise a remedy. 
The wasps were found to be inhabiting the house at some place between the sill 
and the foundation. Wasps were flying in and out in great numbers, and, due to the 
location, to gain access to the nest was impossible without removing part of the 
foundation. Burning sulphur fumes injected into the opening failed to give the 
desired results. Calcium cyanide was then tried. The dust was blown in between 
the entrance and the foundation, also a small amount of dust was applied to the 
ground just below the entrance. The results were interesting. None of the wasps on 
the outside of the nest were observed to pass in over the cyanide and make their way 
out again. Wasps on the outside would come in from the field, and in an endeavoi to 
gain entrance to the nest, would be overcome by the cyanide and fall to the ground 
where they were killed by the cyanide there. A 100% kill was secured. 
Geo. S. Langford, Colorado Agricultural College 
A New Egg-Parasite of the Codling Moth. — During the months of June and July- 
1924 while making field observations on the hatching period of the codling moth 
eggs on English walnuts in Ventura County, Calif, it was noticed that about 3 per 
cent of the eggs were parasitized. 
The larval parasite was visible within the egg, moving nematode-fashion. When 
half grown its alimentary tract shows up clearly for it is brown in color and opaque. 
In the pupal stage the parasite is hidden from view by the blackening of the egg shell 
immediately above it. (This change in the egg shell also occurs when the larva of 
Trichogramma minutum puoates.) The newly formed pupa is light yellow and lies 
within the egg shell surrounded by masses of brown excrets. 
About twenty of these parasitized eggs were brought into the laboratory. When 
the parasites had pupated they were removed from the nuts and placed in a petri 
dish where they emerged. 
According to Mr. Timberlake this parasite is a species of the genus Prospaltella.. 
Stanley E. Flanders, Entomologist , Saticoy Walnut Growers Assn. 
Wireworms injuring sugar cane. —A report was received in June from a sugar plan¬ 
tation near Morgan City, La., that wireworms were injuring sugar cane in the lower 
fields. An investigation showed that about 250 acres of stubble cane has been com¬ 
pletely destroyed, together with about 50 acres of plant cane. All was in reclaimed 
