MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTO re UL ihe > 1933 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICY URBriment op 4 


Number 229 Activities for April May 1933 
(Not for publication) 



JAPANESE BEETLE AND ASIATIC BEETLE RESEARCH 
The Japanese beetle situation for April.-~As summarized for the 
monthly report, the larvae moved up early in April from their hibernat— 
ing quarters to their usual feeding position just beneath the surface. 
Field records indicate that winter mortality for the most part had been 
Slight and that larval development remained about the same as in late 
autumn and winter. Surveys indicate a considerable decrease in the num— 
bers of larvae in the older infestations as compared with the number 
present a year ago and that the older infestations in New Jersey have now 
reached a fairly stable condition as to numbers, whereas in Pennsylvania 
a rapid decrease is still indicated. The reason for such decrease and 
alternate stabilization of population is not indicated. It is pointed 
out that as the season advances, with the warmer soil temperatures, dis-— 
ease prevalence increases. 
. The oriental beetle more than a lawn pest.--H. C. Hallock, West- 
bury, N. Y., presents an interesting record of serious injury to rasp- 
berry by the grubs of the oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis Waterh., 
a pest hitherto regarded as particularly a lawn pest. He says: "As a 
result of the feeding last fall it was observed that red raspberry plants 
were dying in the area where oriental beetle grubs had been abundant. 
In April diggings were made around bushes which were nearly dead and it 
was found that nearly all the small feeding roots were gone and in some 
cases the large root had been girdled. Fifty-one grubs were found in the 
soil around the roots of one bush. Approximately 20 percent of the plants 
in a bed 20 feet by 250 feet had been killed by the feeding of the grubs." 
TRUCK CROP AND GARDEN INSECTS 
Cyclamen mite and broad mite controlled by hot water treatment .—— 
F. F. Smith, of the greenhouse-insects laboratory, Washington, D. C., 
reports that "Further tests on the time required to kill the cyclamen 
mite (Tarsonemus pallidus Bks.) below the soil surface in the crowns 
of Delphinium plants * * * show that immersion for 25 minutes in water 
at 110° F. is effective. However, if the plants of the same size are 
freed of soil, the regular 15-minute treatment kills the mites. Tests 
indicate that potted Delphinium and strawberry plants are tolerant of the 
25-minute treatment." (See also. Monthly Letter Nos. 222, 2235, and 227.) 
