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E-10. 
MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU 




Number 13. 

MANUAL OF DANGEROUS INSECTS LIABLE TO BE IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES. 
At the request of the Federal Horticultural Board the bureau has had in preparation for 
a number of months a manual of dangerous insects liable to be imported into the United States. 
This manual is now rapidly approaching completion. It is intended to serve as a guide for 
inspectors and field entomologists to the insects likely to be received on foreign stock. 
AN INSECT ENEMY OF THE FOUR-LINED LEAF-BUG. 
Members of the field force of the bureau will have noticed an interesting article in the June 
number of the Canadian Entomologist, by Messrs. Crosby and Matheson, of Cornell University, 
who have found that a Chalcidid parasite, which they describe as Cirrospilus ovisugosus, in its 
larval state feeds on the eggs of Poecilocapsus lineatus in the pith of plants in which these eggs 
are inserted. This is a new record of a most interesting habit, and it is suggested to field 
workers of the bureau that when quite convenient they collect the eggs of this leaf-bug or of 
allied species and dissect the stems in searching for the parasite larva. They should be found 
in the autumn or through the winter. [L. O. H.] 
SPECIMENS OF CUTWORMS WANTED FOR THE TENNESSEE LABORATORY. 
S. E. Crumb, of Clarksville, Tenn., laboratory has been studying the tobacco cutworms 
for several years with special reference to the differentiation of the species in all stages. He 
has drawn up descriptions of sixteen of the eighteen larye which attack tobacco, and has con- 
structed a key for the differentiation of the species which has been found to be of great prac- 
tical use. It is desired that Mr. Crumb extend his studies to include cutworms attacking other 
crops. Agents of the bureau who have such material are therefore requested to send speci- 
mens for study and identification. The specimens should be sent alive when possible. The 
stage and habits should be indicated. He can also use to advantage eggs and pupe of cutworm 
moths. They should also be sent to him alive. [L. O. H.] 
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS WANTED. 
Dr. E. F. Phillips, in charge of bee-culture investigations, asks that bureau employees in 
the field send to him all newspaper articles appearing in papers not published in Washington, 
relating in any manner to bees or bee culture, popular, technical, or otherwise. 
It is well to add that field men should send any and all clippings relating to any forms of 
insects or insect damage, domestic or foreign, to the chief of the bureau. 
There is a small form, on which such clippings should be pasted, which will be furnished 
the field force upon application. [L. O. H.] 
LIBRARY. 
The librarian reminds all members of the bureau of the desirability of the prompt use and 
return of books borrowed from the bureau library or from other governmental libraries in Wash- 
ington. This is necessary both for the convenience of our own staff and of others wishing to 
consult our library. If all books not personal property are kept together in one place in each 
office where they are readily accessible in case of urgent need by others, the annoyance of ‘‘lost 
books”’ will be greatly reduced. ; 
A goodly number of author’s separates have been added to the library during the past few 
months to the donors of which the library extends its thanks. Separates from nonentomo- 
logical journals and from publications not emanating from the Department of Agriculture are 
especially desired, [M. C,] 
96734—15 
