April, ’20] WEIGEL AND CHAMBERS: STRAWBERRY ROOT-WORM 227 
roses grown in greenhouses. It has, however, been recorded by 
Forbes 1 as being abundant on Juniper, Juniperus communis, and on 
the wild crab apple, Pyrus coronaria , as well as on the strawberry. It 
occurs less commonly on a considerable variety of plants both culti¬ 
vated and wild. 
A visit to the Alexandria infestation on July 25, 1919, revealed the 
seriousness of the report and appeal for assistance. It was found 
that the damage was being caused mainly by the adults, which were 
present in extremely large numbers. A total of eight large houses 
suffered infestation, five of the open range type being extremely heavily 
infested. Practically all of the foliage was badly perforated and ragged, 
presenting a shot-hole appearance as a result of the voracious feeding. 
The more or less rounded holes, varying in size and shape, were so 
close together that the plants looked as though loads of shot had been 
fired into the foliage at short range. In addition, a large proportion 
of the new and young shoots had the wood badly scarred and girdled, 
giving it a very unsightly appearance. It was found that the adults 
had a marked preference for this new wood, of which there was an 
abundance at this particular part of the season, owing to the fact that 
the roses were being forced. Further examination showed that the 
larvse had also been feeding on the roots earlier in the season. As a 
result of all of these injuries a gradual killing of the affected parts 
ensued, causing a stunted growth of the plants. 
The Indiana infestation was investigated by Mr. Harry F. Dietz, 
who at that time was still with the Bureau of Entomology and incident¬ 
ally was in that vicinity. From his report it was obvious that the 
infestation was not as serious as that at Alexandria. In this particular 
case the injuries were confined for the most part to a ground bed of 
Killarney’s growing in one of the five open range houses in which the 
insects occurred. These plants which had been forcing for about three 
weeks had put forth an abundance of young tender shoots. This 
was an analagous condition to that which existed at Alexandria. On 
authority of the florist it was learned that serious injury had been 
experienced during the month of May from this pest. 
In an attempt at that time to control it they sprayed their roses 
several times with a mixture consisting of two pounds of powdered 
arsenate of lead and twelve teaspoonsful of paris green added to fifty 
gallons of water. This mixture, however, did not stick well and proved 
ineffective. A commercial brand of kerosene emulsion, diluted one 
part to sixteen parts of water was also tried. While it was found to 
kill the adults, it caused serious burning of the plants, the injury being 
still visible at the time of Mr. Dietz’s visit five weeks later. Nico- 
1 Forbes, S. A., 1883, 12th Rept. of State Ent., Ill., pp. 150-177. 
