mild contact insecticide, such as extra dilute lime-sulfur solution, soap solution, or kerosene emulsion, etc. This, in general, occurs during the early part of June in this State, but may vary with seasons, and the only way this is to be determined with accuracy is by observing their transformations under normal conditions. During the past year we kept thirty-nine breeding cages, 'watching them carefully, and keeping records of the insects they contained. We should have kept many times this many, but we are handicapped for lack of facilities for containing the breeding cages and making observations of the insects in normal conditions. These cages at present must be kept in a room that is artificially lighted and heated. Observations of transformations on a natural basis can not thus be made, as the dates of changes in these cages are abnormal, There is nothing that this Bureau needs more than a small outdoor room, perhaps in connection with the greenhouse here, where insects could be reared and studied under normal conditions of temperature, moisture and light, and where their dates of transformation would thus be the same as those in fields, orchards, gardens and forests, so that we could notify the people of this State as to the time when they could expect these pests to appear in their respective destructive stages, and, consequently, save a considerable amount of loss by being fully prepared to meet them. Such a room is called an "insectary," and is in use by most of the leading entomologists of the world. We urgently request that such be provided, if possible, in connection with the greenhouses in Capitol Park. Insects of the Year. In our observations and correspondence our attention was called to some unusual features of insects during the year 1911, which should here be recorded. Among these are the following: There was a serious outbreak of the Flea beetle, Crepidodera rufipes, in this State during the last spring and summer, especially in the counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland and Dauphin. Specimens were received during the entire summer from all parts of the State. We recommended spraying with one ounce of arsenate of lead in each gallon of water or in the Brodeaux mixture, and have many reports of highly satisfactory results, while the vines not treated were unproductive. The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor, was received from a great many localities throughout the State, and was especially bad during May, as the spring brood were the immediate descendants of those of the previous fall, which were far worse than usual in this State. However, in the fall of 1911, the Hessian fly did not appear nearly as destructive as a year ago. This is probable, partially, because of the development of its parasitic enemies, but chiefly because the growers took the lesson given by us and planted late. It is worthy of record that many fields of wheat throughout the southern and eastern portions of Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1911, were so badly injured by the Hessian fly that they did not produce more than two or three bushels to the acre. Unusual outbreaks of the Chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus, were reported from a number of localities in Pennsylvania, especially doing considerable damage to corn. It is not often that this particular pest is found so abundantly in Pennsylvania, although it is one of the common destructive insects of the Mississippi Valley. The Margined blister beetle, Epicauta marginata, was injurious in many places to truck crops, flowers, etc., and was sent to us by various correspondents. While it is alarming to observe it at the time of its appearance, it does not remain long, and can, without great difficulty, be driven away from the premises or destroyed by using bunches of fine whips, vigorously applied. The Pear leaf blister mite, Eriophyes pyri, was reported from a number of counties infesting the fruit and leaves of pear and apple, especially from the northern part of the State. It was destructive as far south as Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. This is becoming more and more destructive in this Commonwealth. It does not appear to be as well known as it should be, and, consequently, it is not recognized. The mite itself is too small to be seen plainly with the unaided eye, but it makes black, sooty blotches in the leaves of apple and pear, and these are quite distinct and conspicuous. The tissue of the foliage is seriously injured, and the leaves fail to perform their full normal functions and drop soon. Fortunately, our tree growers are learning more and more to spray during the dormant season with strong lime-sulfur solution, and those who do this are keeping the Blister mite in check. It appears that this pest passes the winter beneath the bud scales on the trees, and is destroyed by a dormant spraying such as is applied for scale insects. The following circular was sent out from this office: Leaf Blister-Mites. The Blister-mites are small white, or pinkishwhite mites which produce open galls or blisters, looking like blotches of soot on the under surface of leaves, fruits and fruit stems of apple and pear. They spend the winter under the scales of the buds. As soon as the leaves unfold in the spring they leave their winter quarters and enter the stomata, first on the young leaves near the base of the growing bud, spreading to the leaves toward the end of the twig as the season advances. The eggs are deposited in the tissue of the leaves some time in April and early May. The young mites hatching from these eggs burrow through the epidermis of the under side of the leaf, and feed upon the tissues in the interior, and this irritation produces a sooty thinning of the leaf, which is known as the gall or blister. Other eggs are deposited throughout the season within the galls, and the young mites after hatching tunnel in all directions, thus enlarging the galls. Through an opening in the under surface the mature mites emerge and pass to other localities, where they form new galls. There are numerous generations throughout the season, as they breed for a period of about six months. In October the adult mites seek shelter for the winter in the buds. The injury from these pests first manifests itself by small green, red, or yellow patches or pimples which enlarge, run together, and form irregular dead areas, turning brown and dark later in the season. Severely infested leaves lose their fresh green color, acquire a variegated appearance, and drop from the tree. The affected fruits are either destroyed, or, if they recover from the early attacks, become stunted, and develop into fruit of poor quality. Treatment: Spray infested trees in the fall as soon as the leaves have fallen from the trees, and again in the spring, thoroughly, with one of the following materials: Lime-sulfur Solution (Home-boiled, Concentrated). Slack 1 pound of high grade lime, adding 2 pounds of ground or powdered sulfur, and boil in 1 gallon of water for one hour. Use this proportion for any larger quantity. If necessary add water to make up for any evaporation; strain and store in closed vessels until needed, or in open vessels, keeping the solution covered with a thin film of oil. When ready to spray dilute one part with 7 or 8 parts of water, or (better) to specific gravity, as shown by Hydrometer test, of 1.04 to 1.03. 2. Lime-sulfur Solution (Home-boiled, dilute.) This is made by slaking 22 pounds of quick lime (fresh stone lime), to which is added 17 pounds of finely powdered or ground sulfur previously mixed into a paste with a little water to break up any lumps which may be present. Boil in an iron kettle in sufficient water for an hour, and dilute to make 50 gallons. Strain this well through a fine brass wire netting, having about 30 wires to the inch. Spray at once, or before the mixture gets cold. The objections to this are the great amount of sediment, and the necessity of immediate use. 3. Lime-sulfur Solution (Commercial Concentrated). Many manufacturers are placing upon the market ready-made Concentrated Lime-sulfur Solutions, and these are found satisfactory and about as effective as the Home-boiled Solution. They should be diluted, as a rule, by adding to one part of the Concentrated Mixture 7 or 8 of water, or (better) to specific gravity, as shown by Hydrometer test, of 1.04 to 1.03. 4. Kerosene Emulsion. Made by dissolving one pound of soap in one gallon of hot water, and adding to this 2 gallons of kerosene or common coal oil, stirring and whipping it until it forms a thick, creamy mass. To this stock solution add 5 times its bulk of water. Special care must be taken in spraying apple trees to soak the buds and twigs thoroughly. Since the treatment for Blister-mites with Lime-sulfur Solution is the same as that which we recommend for San José scale, it is evident that where both pests are present a spray applied for one of them will destroy the other. H. A. SURFACE, The Southern Cotton worm moth, Aletia argillacea, appeared all over the State of Pennsylvania from September 21, to October 7, in such numbers, as one correspondent expressed it, "not by the hundreds nor yet by the thousands, but by the millions, so as to fill the air and darken the lights as by a snowstorm." Many specimens of this moth were sent to us simultaneously from different parts of the State, with inquiries as to their identity and signifi cance. It is evidently a source of much satisfaction to our alert citizens to know that this was only a visitor, which is not known to feed upon vegetation in Pennsylvania, and which has migrated into this State from the southern country where it normally feeds on the cotton plant. It is worthy of note that we observed these moths doing considerable damage to the late peaches, such as Salway, which were ripening just at the time of their invasion. They alighted upon the ripe |