9 : 
FOREST INSECT INVESTIGATIONS. 
A. D. Horxins, In Charge. 
Recently two new wire cages have been added to the Eastern Field Station at Hast Falls 
Church, Va. Both of these consist of a temporary framework with a concrete foundation and 
covered with a lattice roof and completely screened in with 14-mesh galvanized screen wire. 
One of these is to be used for experiments dealing with insects injurious to crude forest products 
and the study of the life history of various secondary insects. The other one is to be used for 
life-history studies of the introduced Evetria buoliana and Diprion simile. In constructing this 
cage great care has been used. It is to be double walled and to have a vestibule entrance. 
Every possible precaution has been taken in building this cage because of the danger of liberat- 
ing specimens of these injurious forest insects. In this cage it is planned to grow various species 
of pines which may serve as hosts of the two imported species. The experiments are to be con- 
ducted entirely on growing trees and under conditions which very closely approximate those 
found in nurseries and forests. 
TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL INSECT INVESTIGATIONS. 
C. L. Maruatr, In Charge. 
Dr. E. A. Back, in charge of Mediterranean fruit-fly investigations in Hawau, arrived in 
Washington on August 19 for consultation with reference to future work. 
Mr. E. J. Branigan, field deputy of the California State Commission of Horticulture, is 
temporarily located at the Pasadena station distributing Leptomastix sp., a parasite of the citrus 
mealy bug (Pseudococcus citri).. This parasite was recently introduced from Sicily. 
Mr. R. S. Woglum recently visited San Diego, Cal., for the purpose of investigating a species 
of Pteliobius injuring olive. This olive insect was found to be established in various sections 
of San Diego County. Breeding occurs only in the dead wood. However, the adults cause 
considerable injury to living trees, especially to the smaller twigs, by boring into and feeding 
on the bark. 
TRUCK CROP AND STORED PRODUCT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS. 
F. H. Cuarrrenpen, In Charge. 
Among insects which have been reported as causing injury during the year are the spotted 
cutworm (Noctua c-nigrum L.) and the variegated cutworm (Peridroma margaritosa Haw.). 
The last-mentioned species was especially numerous and was reported as occurring in Browns- 
ville, Tex., where it was injurious to onions, and found commonly on weeds and grasses; also 
along the coast of California and at Norfolk, Va. 
The semitropical army worm (Prodenia eridania Cram.) has been reported, with accom- 
panying specimens, as being injurious at Hastings, Fla. This army worm appeared in a field 
of cowpeas, traveled to a field of sweet potatoes, and crossed a ditch by means of overhanging 
weeds into another field of cowpeas and corn. It is impossible to spray the cowpeas and corn, 
but our correspondent stated he could save the sweet potatoes by other treatment. Several 
other reports have been made of an insect which we believe to be this species, but of which we 
have not received specimens. 
The spinach leaf-miner (Pegomya vicina Lintn.) has been reported as injuring garden 
beets during June and July at Green Bay, Wis., by Mr. N. F. Howard, working temporarily for 
this bureau. It has also been reported injuring spinach at Woods Hole, Mass., our correspondent 
stating that after the spinach was boiled the little white maggots could be seen on the surface. 
It may be remembered that those who have tried kerosene emulsion for the insect as it occurs 
in the mines have received no results. 
