ier 33 
FOREST INSECTS 
F. C. Craighead, in Charge 
On May 22 Dr. F. C. Craighead visited Rainelle, W. Va., in com— 
pany with Dr. Carl Hartley, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, and T. W. 
Skuce, Extension Forester in West Virginia, to investigate the extensive 
dying of white oak throughout that section of the country. It) dee 
lieved that the death of these trees is the result of the freeze of Ma 
26 and 27, 1925, which occurred after the foliage had formed. 
On May 1 B. J. Huckenpahler, Field Assistant, reported for duty 
at Asheville, N. C., where he will assist R. A. St. George in studies of 
the southern pine beetle. Mr. Huckenpahler received his B. 8S. degree 
from the University of Minnesota in March. 
Control of the mountain pine beetle in the summer-home district 
around Echo Lake on the Eldorado National Forést, Calif., was started 
early in May. This project involves the clean-up of all infested trees 
on the special-use lots leased by private individuals, and of the sur- 
rounding national forest area. G. R. Struble will remain on the area 
during the period of control work to mark the trees that are to be treated 
and to direct the methods used. Experiments to determine the effective— 
ness of burning infested trees standing, with the aid of fuel oil, will be 
tried out on this area. i 
On May 15 and 16 J. M. Miller, Entomologist in charge of the west— 
ern bark beetle laboratory at Palo Alto, Calif., made an investigation 
of conditions in the yellow pine type of the Sierra National Forest, 
where some special sample plots were established by the Bureau of Ento-—- 
mology in 1925. It was found that the western pine beetle, which had 
been in an endemic status for the past four years, suddenly increased 
during the season of 1930, and that large groups of trees within these 
plots have been attacked. As the winter of 1950-31 has been one of the 
driest on record, these plots will afford an excellent opportunity to 
study the effect of moisture deficiency on an increasing infestation of 
the western pine beetle. 
The regional forest insect survey crew started its season's work on 
the Modoc National Forest in California, May 12. This crew consists of 
Dr. K. A. Salman, in charge, with Field Assistants Fred Bacon, E. F.~° 
Wohletz, and F. A. Meckel. Plans have been made to establish permanent 
sample plots on the Modoc, Lassen, and Sierra National Forests during 
the coming season. In addition to these survey studies some time will 
be given to an experiment on the Devil's Garden area of the Modoc to 
determine the feasibility of attempting the extermination of the west-— 
ern pine beetle. 
Nelson R. Trafton, of the Maine Department of Agriculture, was ap- 
pointed Under Biological Aid on May 1 and will collaborate with the gipsy 
moth laboratory. 
