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PROCEEDINGS
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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
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REV. G. W. TAYLOR, Hon. President, B. C. Entomological Society, 1911.
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PROCEEDINGS
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BRITISH COLUMBIA ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
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The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Tom Wilson, at 2:30 p.m., on December 9th, 1911, in the Auditorium of the Aber-
deen School, Vancouver, with 17 regular members in attendance.
CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS (Mr. Wilson).
Gentlemen :—The duty falls upon me on this occasion to occupy the chair, in lieu of the Rev. G. W. Taylor, who has been and is now the President of this Society. At the last meeting of the Society I had the honor of occupying the position of Vice-President, with Mr. R. V. Harvey as Secretary of the Society.
I regret very much to have to inform you that our President has been, during the last few years, far from well and he finds it impossi>le to be present with us to-day, and in fact impossible to take a very active part in the work of the Society at the present time. No one regrets the illness of our President more than myself, for he was elected President at the inception of the Society in 1901, and as he still retains the position, 1 ieel very sorry he is not here to-day, at the first meeting of the Society after a period of four or five years. In view of the fact that the Society has been in a state of suspended animation for the past few years, perhaps it would be well for me to address my remarks towards a brief review of the history of the Society.
In 1901, the late Dr. Fletcher had occasion to visit British Columbia in connection with the work of his Department. During his stay in Vancouver I had the opportunity of introducing him to Mr. R. V. Harvey of the city, who was then Principal of Queen’s School. In discussing matters in connection with the Entomological work in B. C.,
6 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
the idea was suggested to form a society whose special object was to unity the work of those particularly interested in the study of insects in the Province. “The idea came to maturity and the Society was formed. For two years we had a live Society here in Vancouver with such members as Messrs. G. W. Taylor, Sherman, Bush, Dashwood-Jones, Ed. Wilson, Draper, Marrion, Bryant, L. D. Taylor, Hanham and myself in more or less regular attendance. “There may have been a few more members whose names I do not recall at the present moment. One year later, about 1903, the idea was conceived, passed and acted upon, to unite our efforts with the Entomological Society of Ontario, which in actual fact was a Canadian Entomological Society. Correspondence was begun with the Rey. Dr. Bethune of Port Hope, Ontario, resulting finally in the amalgamation of the two societies, our Society becoming a branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Through the courtesy of the parent Society, our members were privileged to receive its annual reports, as well as the regularly issued “Canadian Entomologist,” for the fee of 50 cents per head per year. “This arrangement continued up till a few years ago. Regular meetings were held here in Vancouver and reports were issued semi-monthly on matters of interest. These reports took the form of letters which were forwarded from one member to the other by the members themselves. Gradually, however, interest waned—not, let it be understood, in entomological work, but rather as a Society. Finally Mr. Harvey, who from the beginning had taken so active a part in the organization—in fact, I think I may say it was entirely due to him that the work of the Society progressed as it did— left Vancouver to reside in Victoria. For the past four or five years no meetings have been arranged for and no exchange of opinions have been received among the members, until at this time, when, through the energy of Mr. R. C. Treherne, the members have again met, with this excellent programme before them. Even now we cannot say it is much more than an experiment, but I know we all sincerely hope it will be an experiment which will turn out the right way.
Mr. Treherne, acting Secretary, followed with a few remarks on his endeavours to resuscitate the Society, stating in brief that while he had endeavoured to broaden the scope of the Society, uniting the work of all engaged in entomological pursuits in the Province, he personally desired the Society to remain as a branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario and consequently an integral unit with the Entomological work of the Dominion.
Mr. Chairman—I will now ask the members to nominate and ap-
point their ofhcers for the ensuing year.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
“I
The following officers were appointed for the year 1912:—
lslGfan, loreal coo pecoeposcdooaubeSudooobbeoe Rev. G. W. Taylor
Departure Bay, Vancouver Island.
TEATS) Vey OLE RE ey Ser cuscret Se oleae eet ORs cee ee ES Tom Wilson 1105 Broadway West, Vancouver.
Witcesbresidentrr mm ereract aries sear crsne eee see Gr ©) Days EES: Duncans Station, Vancouver Island. DECKELAT VERA sepo elon weit a tise crt eesiee es R. C. Treherne, B.S.A.
1105 Broadway West, Vancouver.
Advisory Board: Messrs. T. Wilson, G. O. Day, R. C. Treherne, W. H. Lyne, R. S. Sherman, J. R. Anderson.
8 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
REPORT FROM OKANAGAN DISTRICT.
The purpose of this paper is to take a more or less rough survey of the Okanagan district, not confining myself necessarily to last season, as I have not had time to do any collecting worth speaking of during 1911.
I hope, however, that the paper may not be altogether uninteresting to the members present. I feel that a list of my captures would not be of much particular interest. I shall, therefore, begin by giving notes on those species which have been, during the last few years, of some economic importance, with notes on other species that may be of use to those who are working on the distribution and life histories of the insects of the Province.
The past few years have not been marked by any serious outbreak of injurious insects, but certain species have done a good deal of harm. Among these the Fall Webworm has been quite troublesome in some districts. Hand picking or burning the webs with a torch has been found the most simple and effective means of destroying them; but where spraying has to be done for fungous troubles, Paris Green may be mixed with the Sulphate of Copper solution to advantage.
The Caterpillar of the Diamond Back Moth, which is very numer- ous at all seasons, was found to be attacked by a parasite, a species of Ichneumon which emerged in large numbers from the chrysalids in breeding jars. “The Diamond Back Moth is becoming as serious an enemy to cabbage growing in the open as Pieris rapae, but as the same remedy, the mixture of flour and insect powder destroys both, there is not much danger for the crop where steps are taken in time.
The larvae of Datana ministra attracts some attention by stripping the leaves from young fruit trees during the summer, but this species never appears in sufhcient numbers to cause any great harm.
During the summer of 1908 there was a somewhat interesting attack on prune trees, by a small larva to which I have applied the name the “Prune “Pwig Borer.” My attention was attracted by noticing that the terminal shoots were in many cases drying up for no apparent reason. On examination, however, it was found that these twigs were being bored by a small brown caterpillar eating the pith of the young shoot. By and bye I noticed that these shoots broke off with the contained larva, which no doubt enters the ground to pupate. I have so far been unable to discover to what species the damage is due.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 9
The beetle, Otiorrynchus sulcatus, the Strawberry weevil, which does considerable damage to strawberry plantations by depositing eggs in the crowns of the plants, the larvae boring into and destroying the plants, was very common during the past season, appearing in houses in some numbers. ‘This beetle is very often found in early spring under stones and in other sheltered places. Another Ofiorrynchid that is always found in large numbers during the months of May and June is Peri- tilopsis globiventris, a small grey snout beetle which feeds upon the leaves of the so-called wild sunflower. ‘The beetle is quite troublesome and is readily taken when one is sweeping with the net among the leaves of the food plant, which grows thickly over wide tracts of open country around Vernon. I have so far been unable to discover anything of the breeding habits of this beetle.
Rhynchites bicolor is another snout beetle that does some damage to cultivated and also to wild roses, by boring into the blooms, before they are fully expanded.
The Apple Tree Tent Caterpillar has not been of any importance for the last two years, its place being taken by the Fall Webworm, of which I have already spoken.
Corymbites inflatus is an Elater that has during the last few years been the cause of some considerable damage to newly planted fruit trees, by eating out the buds during the early summer. Reports have also appeared of their destroying the bloom in some cases, but by far the most harm is done to the leaf buds. These beetles are extremely numerous during most years, and the harm they do has been remarked by many orchardists. As soon as the blue lupine begins to bloom they congregate on the stalks in great numbers. “Chey are mostly seen around the blossoms, as many as fifteen to twenty occurring on one stem. Of the breeding habits of this beetle | know nothing, but it is probable that it passes the larval stage in the ground near the food plant.
I have in my notes details of an interesting case of a clergyman who some few years ago, whilst working in the open, felt a fly enter his ear. After some trouble he managed to remove it. Some time later, however, he began to feel great pain in the ear, which increased to such an extent that he felt sure, that in removing the fly, some eggs had been deposited in his head. Assistance was secured and a quantity of warm oil was poured into his ear, from which was eventually expelled a number of
maggots. After some hours work a number more were removed, and after a time the pain subsided. I did not hear of this till some days after it had happened, so was unable to try and rear any of the flies, to discover the species. Similar cases have been recorded in entomological papers at various times, and these have been considered to be due to flies of the genus Sarcophaga or Calliphora. It would be interesting to ‘hear of other cases of this kind.
10 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
I have been able to work out the life history of the butterfly, Lemonias anicia, up to the third stage, but on reaching this stage the larvae refused to eat the food plant provided and they all died. Below is given a summary of what I have myself observed.
May 31. Found several females ovipositing on the leaves of the common snow berry bush. Out of ten egg clusters examined, all were laid on the under side of the leaf, with the exception of one egg which was placed above. Egg period, in one cluster, from May 24 till June 12. The remainder, taken 31st May, hatched June 12th to 14th. When newly laid the eggs are of a slight lemon yellow color, changing after a few days to a dull purplish-red, which again with time changes, just before hatching, to a dull ash color.
On hatching the larvae devour the egg shells and spin a mass of silk in which they congregate. In the first stage the larvae are 3mm in length; general color grayish-green, lighter beneath. Head dark brown, almost black, with a few short straggling hairs, segment behind head brown dorsally. Thoracic tubercles 1, 2, 3, large, brown, +, 5, 6, smaller but same color, 7 and fore-legs brownish black. Fore-legs with a few short hairs. Abdominal tubercles 1, 2, 3, large brown, 4, 5, 6, smaller, 7 the same as prolegs, which are greenish. Last abdominal segment, gray-brown at apex, body not tapering. After feeding a few days the body shows a decided greenish tinge owing to the food showing through the skin. The young larvae are gregarious in habits and cover the leaf, on which they feed, with a dense silky web.
2nd Stage. Head bilobed, length +mm, segment behind head dark brown. Head black, shining, no markings. General color- ot body dull black shading into a light brown at anal extremity. Underside light brownish-green; the whole body becomes lighter after a few days. Body armed dorsally and laterally with rows of stout spines, bearing six or seven hairs each, apical ones longest and curved. Owing to color of spines the skin appears brownish. Face hairy. Prolegs dirty brown. Fore-legs darker. Just before moulting a tinge of yellow appears on the dorsal surface of ab- dominal segments.
Moult 2. Head black, shiny, hairy. General color of body dull black. Three segments behind head marked with a double dorsal row of dull whitish blotches with no definite arrangement. These are continued on each segment to the end of the body. Scattered spots of the same color appear on sides. Abdominal segments 1-8 each bear a dorsal spine of orange yellow. Fore-legs black. Prolegs pale green. Larvae still gregarious in habits eating out the leaf and leaving the veins.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 11
Moult 3. Length a little over 7mm but stouter than before. Color of skin bluish black clothed with fine diverging black hairs. Markings as before, except that the dorsal tubercles are duller. Larvae do not spin so much silk, but are gregarious.
The larvae refused the food plant at this stage and were evidently wanting to hibernate. I was unable to bring them through the winter.
Owing to want of time many details of the life history were not noted, but perhaps some of our members will have the opportunity of completing in a more extended manner what I have begun.
As I am leaving this country in a few weeks and shall be in England when this paper appears, I shall, I am afraid, not be able to take any part in the meeting, but I most sincerely hope that the B. C. Society will take on a new lease of life and not be allowed to lose foothold, now that the members have got together again. I also hope that this short, and I am afraid uninteresting paper, will be the beginning of a regular series of reports and addresses by the members, and that its dull character will not deter others from doing something far better and more detailed, and that our new secretary will arouse interest, as did our old secretary, Mr. R. V. Harvey.
E. P. VENABLES,
Vernon, B.C.
Mr. Chairman—lIf there is any discussion on this paper we should be glad to hear it.
Mr. Cunningham—lI believe the Prune Twig Borer mentioned in the paper is in reality the Peach Twig Borer, 4narsia lineatella.
Mr. Treherne—The fly described as depositing eggs in the head of the clergyman resembles the “screw worm fly” Lucilia of the Southern United States.
Mr. Wallace stated he had once been attacked by a fly in the same way.
Mr. Chairman—We will now proceed with the programme and I will call on Mr. Bush to give his paper. Mr. Cockle has written saying he will not be able to be with us to-day, so I will ask the Secretary to read his report from the Kootenay when Mr. Bush has presented his.
REPORT. FROM VANCOUVER DISTRICT.
During the season of 1911 I have not been able to do much collecting, but I will endeavour to give a short account of some of the insects I have noticed on the lower Mainland of British Columbia.
12 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
Parnassius clodius was more plentiful than I have seen it for many years. Adults were taken during the latter part of June and in July.
Papilo eurymedon and rutulus were common flying throughout the entire season, but zoliacon was rather rare. Neophasia menapia, the Pine White, was not as plentiful as usual, the adults appearing in the early part of August.
The Cabbage Butterfly, Pieris rapae, was very common and did a great deal of damage in this district. Polygonia satyrus and silenus were present in numbers, as were also Eugonia californica and the Mourning Cloak butterfly, Euvanessa antiopa. As you know these four all winter in the adult stage, and may often be taken in houses late in the fall and earl spring.
I saw only a few specimens of the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta. They are never very plentiful. /’. caryae and V’. cardui, the latter so- called the Thistle butterfly, did not appear in such numbers as was usual. These also winter as adults. Basilarchia lorquini was particularly in evi- dence this summer, appearing about the first week in June.
During the summer I had the pleasure of climbing Mount Cheam and there, at a height of 7,000 feet above sea level, I found Erebia vidleri very plentiful. It feeds on grasses and is flying usually in the first and second week in August. Several specimens of another moun- tain butterfly, probably descendants of former Arctic fauna, Oeneis norna var, beanii, were taken at the same time at the summit of this mountain. It is particularly interesting to note in connection with this latter butterfly that it will, immediately on alighting, lay over on its side, resting in a position parallel to the object upon which it has alighted. No doubt its windy habitat had forced this habit upon it the better to protect itself against the elements.
On the mainland again, Epidemia helloides was very much in evi- dence during the month of July. I noticed further two or three speci- mens of Lepisesia ulalume in the early spring at the time when the cherry trees were in blossom attracted by the blossoms themselves. “The White Lined Sphinx, Deilephila lineata and D, gallii were both fairly common, the larvae of the latter in particular were very plentiful in the late summer feeding upon Fireweed.
The Tussock Moth, Notolophus antiqua, was very common this year in the vicinity of Vancouver, and the larvae did considerable damage, especially during the month of July. This is the first year I have noticed this moth doing any damage worth mentioning. “The Tent Caterpillar, Mfalacosoma disstria, has caused much annoyance in this district, attacking fruit trees and ornamentals. It has been very prevalent for the last three or four years and does not yet show any appearance of decreasing its numbers.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 13
I have noticed for the first time in my recollection a black aphis attacking the Rhubarb, Cucumber and also one on the Holly. While up Mount Cheam I again noted a black aphis present in large numbers. I am unable to say to what species any of these aphids belong. The green aphis was not very troublesome this year, but the Wooly Aphid was very prevalent.
I have noted further that the spittle insects, Cercopidae, caused a great deal of annoyance to flower gardens here in Vancouver.
I trust these few remarks will be of interest.
A. H. Busu,
1105 Broadway, West, Vancouver.
REPORT FROM KOOTENAY DISTRICT.
The season just closed has been fruitful in demonstrating that at least one insect which is usually considered a bad pest and one that it is necessary to destroy by spraying, can at least prove a blessing in disguise. I refer in this case to the Black Cherry Aphis, Myzus cerasi. This insect made its appearance in large numbers at the commencement of July and as usual attacked the tips of the sweet cherries. So bad was the infestation that in some cases the fruit required washing before being marketable, as the brood had spread all over the trees. The main brood was, as previously stated, securely placed in the curled up leaves at the tips of the young shoots. Here they remained for over a month, and at the end of that time died. The foliage all turned black, greatly dis- figuring the trees. Examination of the young shoots revealed the fact, that but few of the shoots were killed, and that the infestation had resulted in retarding the excessive growth which it might have been necessary to remove by pruning. The aphis had most effectually checked the excessive growth and had left the buds on the season’s growth in fine healthy condition. No summer pruning could have so markedly im- proved the trees as did this aphis infestation. I must not, however, be quoted as an advocate of the propagation of this insect, to do the work which is required in summer pruning, but I only cite this as an instance where out of evil good may come.
The white maggots attacking the roots of the cauliflower in the early spring months were the cause of great loss to the market gardener. During June and early July we had a remarkable infestation of cut- worms several varieties were greatly in evidence, but the most common were the larvae of Mamestra canadensis. “These not only attacked the
14 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
growing vegetables, completely destroying them, but they also attacked the young shoots of young apple trees, in some cases, that came under my observation in a newly planted block of trees, entirely denuding the trees of all foliage and cutting off the tips of the young shoots. I quite expected to see a large brood of these insects emerge after the pupal stage, but for some reason I cannot account for, few of them ever emerged as imagoes. I was too busy at the time to make a collection of the larvae, so I cannot give any details of the probable causes which led to their destruction.
The season just passed was remarkable for immense swarms of Vanessa californica. ‘These insects, though not so numerous as in the year 1891, were everywhere in evidence and a large number are now hibernating.
I received several reports of the devastation of Tamarac and Pine trees by the larva of Neophasia menapia, but these were entirely local in occurrence and probably did but little permanent damage.
I was much interested in receiving a box containing some specimens of the wood tick. The local form Dermacenter venustus is always fairly common, but those to which I previously referred are from a district in the southern boundary of the Province. I have heard, on various occasions, that the ticks in this district caused intense irritation by their bites, and that those bitten by them often experienced great suffering from the pimples and blotches which showed on their skin after being attacked by this animal, and there is one case on record where a child was supposedly killed from this cause. “The specimens are smaller than those found here, and though very similar to D. venustus, are, I think, a different species. I have not had time to go over the specimens and sort them out for further identification, but that will be eventually done and the authorities can decide as to the merits of the species.
My regrets are that I have little of interest in the way of captures to record; true I have secured duplicates of one or two noctuids that previously stood as undescribed uniques, but I was fortunate in securing a topotype of Eupithecia agnesata Vaylor, the species having been named by Mr. Taylor from an unique. ‘The type is now in my collection.
During last winter I submitted specimens of Colias, including philodice, eurytheme, eryphile and Kootenai, to Mr. Bean, who was a great collector and breeder of this genus when located at Banff, Alta. This comparison was undertaken to secure his views of the validity of a variety of Colias that I have tentatively named Kootenai. Mr. Bean’s views are that this variety should be merged with eryphile, but he is not prepared to say just where philodice begins. “The specimens were later sent to the Montreal Entomological Society for study and from this source I am credited with the naming of a new species and the ex-
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 15
pression of the opinion that I was fully justified in adding to the already long list of varieties of this genus.
I regret that another butterfly to which I applied a tentative name, Lycene quesnellii, still remains in my cabinet represented by two worn specimens, but I trust that by the assistance of some of the members of the B. C. Entomological Society I may yet secure a large series of this butterfly from its local habitat, that of Au Bah Lake, Quesnelle. Any of our members taking this Blue in that locality will confer a great favor by submitting them to me for examination.
I extremely regret that I am unable to be present to read these rambling notes, but wish to express my best wishes for the success of the British Columbia Entomological Society.
J. W. Cockte, Kaslo, B.C.
INSECTS OF THE YEAR IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
This is a very comprehensive title and a large order. I hope I shall not be expected to deal with all the insects of the year in British Co- lumbia. I presume that the thought in the mind of the party who ar- ranged the programme was that I would be expected to deal with destructive or noxious insects.
Even if it were contemplated that I would deal with all the de- structive insects of the year, the subject would be much too large to be dealt with in the time allotted. I see that there are seven other subjects to be dealt with, and each in turn must receive a fair share of the time at our disposal. I will, therefore, confine myself to a few of the most destructive insects with which we have to deal in this Province.
I may say that we have always had them with us, and mankind has had from the earliest history of civilization to suffer more or less from the destruction of insect pests, which prey on fruit, vegetables and grain. It is the common experience of all mankind since the Creation.
We have evidence of the existence of noxious insects even in geo- logical times. Dr. Dawson, our own Canadian Geologist, has abun- dantly demonstrated this fact. In the early history of Egypt and Pales- tine it has been shown that the inhabitants of those countries suffered a great deal more from the depredation of insect pests than we are suffering to-day, although I am bound to admit that it is the experience of economic entomologists the world over that there is rapid increase in the number of insects that afHict the agriculturist, horticulturist and gar- dener.
16 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
British Columbia, being a comparatively newly settled Province, has suffered less than most countries from destructive insect pests, although we are, by our geographical position, and having trade relations with practically every nation on earth, especially the Orient, more exposed to insect invasion than any other section or province of North America.
Early in the history of the Province the pioneer fruit-growers wisely took precaution to protect the country from insect invasion. We profited by the experience of California, and were determined to protect our- selves. In this we were aided by the Government of the day. In 1890 steps were taken to create a Board of Horticulture, with power to make regulations governing the inspection of imported nursery stock, trees, plants and fruit. The Regulations of the Board have, by Act of Par- liament, the force of statute law, and it is entirely owing to the pro- visions of these Regulations that the Province is free from many of the most destructive of insect pests, which inflict such financial loss to our neighbours to the south, and the Eastern Provinces of our own Dominion.
We have, however, a few very destructive pests. I think it is wise to deal with these. I presume that the object of this Society is to study insect life with the view of protecting the country from the depredations of destructive insects. I think we may take this for granted, and there- fore I will deal briefly with some of our most injurious insects.
Lepidosaphes ulmi, commonly known as the Oyster Shell Scale, or Mussel Scale. I can well remember when this Scale was not known either in California, Oregon, Washington or British Columbia. I was quite familiar with conditions in these States up to, and including the year 1885, and am clearly of the opinion that this Scale did not exist anywhere on the Pacific Coast prior to the year 1887, and that probably it was imported on nursery stock from Ontario.
I saw it first on some grand old apple trees in the vicinity of London, Ontario, in the year 1888. The owner of the trees was entirely oblivious of the presence of the Scale, and was greatly astonished when I sug- gested that he should examine it under a pocket lens. I myself was amazed at the number of scales that were sucking the very life out of these beautiful trees, which were in full fruitage.
On the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad we began the importation of large quantities of nursery stock from Ontario. This stock was planted mostly on the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Islands, and I have no doubt whatever that the Oyster Shell Scale was imported on this stock.
Fortunately for the Province, it is rarely found east of the Cascade Mountains in British Columbia. I did discover a case of infection in the Grand Forks Valley last October. In looking over the fruit that was
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 17
being packed for shipment, I detected the Scale, traced the infection to the orchard from which the fruit had been sent for packing, and notified the owner that unless immediate steps were taken to destroy the infec- tion, I would quarantine the orchard, although it is a large commercial concern, consisting of thousands of bearing trees, and in the vicinity of several very promising young orchards.
I have the assurance that the infection will be promptly dealt with. It is by taking such precautions as these that we have been enabled to keep the interior of the Province comparatively free from this pest.
Coming now to the life history of this insect, it completes the round of life once a year. It belongs to the order “Hemiptera,” Family Coccidae, sub-family Diaspinae (Armoured Scales). It is owing to the fact of being protected by the covering scale that it is one of our most difficult pests to eradicate.
The winter is passed in the egg, underneath the protecting scale of the female. I have here a sample of the egg clusters, which I will submit for the inspection and information of all who should care to examine it. “These eggs hatch out usually the latter part of May on the Lower Mainland, probably from one to two weeks earlier on Van- couver Island.
It is after the insects are hatched, and the tiny youngsters are seeking for a place to settle, that they are most exposed to the effect of our contact sprays. “They cannot be poisoned, but must be destroyed by contact sprays.
If our fruit-growers will keep a close watch from the middle to the last of May, and immediately apply contact spraying material, such as the “Black Leaf 40,” a compound of Sulphur and Nicotine, and spray the trees thoroughly with this mixture, they will do a great deal to eradicate the pest.
If not destroyed at this time, the young insect establishes itself at a favorable point on the bark of the trunk and branches. A favorite loca- tion is on the fruit spurs. It inserts its beak and begins to suck nourish- ment from the tissues under the bark.
As the female lays from fifty to eighty eggs, the increase is exceed- ingly rapid, and with all those little suckers extracting the juices of the fruit-tree, we may expect a rapid deterioration both in quantity and quality of the fruit, for the juices that should properly go to the building up of the tissues of the fruit are supporting an encrustation of these Scales.
It takes about three months from the date on which the young are hatched out till the female attains full maturity, and begins its egg- laying process. As soon as the tiny insect establishes itself, white waxy filaments extend from the back of the young. This excretion mats down
18 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
and soon forms a protecting covering, which together with the skin of the first molt forms a covering scale. Another molt occurs later, and a second cast-off skin serves to enlarge the covering scale. The last molt occurs in this latitude, probably about the first of August, or sixty to seventy-five days after the eggs hatch out.
As stated above, the female begins to deposit her eggs soon after the second molt. After she lays her eggs, her life work having been com- pleted, she shrivels up and dies. “The eggs remain under the scale until the following spring, thus completing the round of life.
In the destruction of this pest, I have pointed out that the most vulnerable period of their existence is after the young have hatched out, but this is generally a busy time with fruit-growers and owners of fruit- trees, and protective measures are usually neglected.
Fortunately we have in the commercial Lime-Sulphur solution, if prepared in the proportion of one to nine or ten, and applied with a spray pump having great force, a fairly good remedy for the destruction of the pest.
Unfortunately this insect is exceedingly omnivorous, one of its favor- ite food plants being the wild crab-apple, which is found in vast quan- tities over the entire Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. I believe it is owing to the existence of this natural plant food that we have not succeeded better in destroying this pest.
I believe the time is not far distant when the Government will be obliged to bring down legislation to compel all owners of land through- out the Province to cut down and destroy all wild crab-apples. If this Society will give this suggestion their favorable consideration, and co- operate with me in making this recommendation, I think it would be one of the most useful things it can do.
Although we have many other minor scale insects, none of them, I believe, are of sufficient economic importance to be dealt with in this paper. My desire is to deal with the most destructive pests, irrespective of the order to which they may belong.
This leads to a consideration of the order “Lepidoptera,” Family Lacosmoidae, of which the “Clisiocampa americana,’ commonly known as the Tent Caterpillar, is the most prominent representative, and which has been very destructive in some sections of the Province during the year, but compared with sections of Washington, we have not suffered nearly as much by the depredations of this insect.
There are several species of the Tent Caterpillar, and curiously enough, most of them belong to the Pacific Coast. The “Clisiocampa americana’ is quite common in the Eastern States and our Eastern Provinces, but I do not think it is quite as destructive in the East as it is on the Pacific Coast.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 19
The moth is buff color, or dull brownish red, with two transverse whitish, or pale yellowish, lines on the fore wings. This is the distin- guishing mark from that of the forest Tent Caterpillar, which belongs to the same family and is closely allied.
The “Clisiocampa’ Moth appears early in summer and lays its eggs upon the tender shoots and fruit-spurs of the year’s growth. The eggs are laid in a ring-like cluster, about the twig, and are glued together by a substance which is practically impervious to our most caustic sprays.
The eggs hatch out early in spring, just at the time when the tender leaves are available for the food of the young caterpillars. Soon after hatching they begin to form a tent in the nearest fork. Here they live in company, moving out from time to time to feed. It is not uncommon to see all the foliage destroyed in the vicinity of these nests. Any season when they are very plentiful an entire orchard may be defoliated. This has happened at several points on the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island during the past summer.
Fortunately we have a remedy whereby these leaf-eaters may be speedily destroyed. Arsenate of Lead, in the proportion of three pounds to a barrel of water, if carefully sprayed on the foliage before any serious injury has been done, will speedily destroy them. The Arsenate of Lead is preferable to any other Arsenical sprays, because of its adhesive qualities.
The caterpillars must feed on the foliage. It is their only food, and if the material has been properly prepared and applied, they must inevi- tably perish.
I would recommend that a close watch be kept on the trees during the pruning season, and the egg clusters destroyed. ‘This is the most economical method of dealing with the infection.
After the caterpillars have obtained their full growth, they abandon the nest and crawl to some convenient shelter in the vicinity. They often seek the eaves of houses and sometimes fences, and weave a rather thin cocoon of yellowish texture, this tinge being caused by a fine powder of the color of sulphur. In these cocoons transformation occurs, the pupal state lasting about three weeks.
After the moth emerges, she seeks the most desirable position for laying her eggs, and she seems to be endowed with sufficient intelligence to place the egg masses where the young may find proper food after hatching.
This completes the life cycle of this insect. Fortunately it is subject to a fungous disease which carries them off very speedily. It is not uncommon to see thousands of them dead on a bush or tree. “They are subject also to a parasitical attack, to a slight degree. Entomologists will often notice small white, globular eggs on the heads of the caterpillars.
20 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
These hatch in due course, and the larvae penetrate the body of the caterpillar, which is quickly destroyed.
The “Clisiocampa americana’ attacks various deciduous trees, but the apple and wild crab-apple seem to be preferred, so that taking the two most destructive insects with which we have to contend in British Columbia, it will be seen that the wild-crab, to which reference was made when I was dealing with the Oyster Shell Scale, constitutes a real danger, which seriously interferes with the eradication of this destructive pest.
It would be a relief to not only the fruit-growers, but those who have shade-trees and plants, which are lable to be attacked by the Tent Caterpillars, if the wild crabs throughout the Province were destroyed.
East of the Cascade Range the Tent Caterpillar is not nearly as common as it is on the Coast. I think this is largely owing to the fact that great care has been taken in the inspection of nursery stock, for it is practically impossible for a tree or plant having an egg mass of the Tent Caterpillar to pass the rigid inspection, which has been in force during the last twenty years.
This is also true in regard to the Oyster Shell Scale. No tree or plant infected with either pest is permitted to pass inspection.
The next most destructive pests are the Aphides Family, which include the Woolly Aphis, “Schizoneura lanigera,’ Plum Aphis, Green Aphis of the apple, and Black Aphis of the peach and cherry.
These are all sucking insects, and more or less in evidence every- where that fruit is grown. We have also the Hop Aphis, which is very destructive some seasons, but which is easily controlled by using contact sprays. I find by experience that the “Black Leaf 40,” to which refer- ence has already been made, has given by far the best results.
I have the most flattering testimonials from various sections of the Province, stating that nothing that has been used hitherto has proved so effective.
I may say it has also proved a very excellent remedy against the aphis which attack cabbage, turnips and other root crops. A test was made with the “Black Leaf 40” at the Government Old Men’s Home, in Kamloops, this year, and both superintendents of the Gaol and Old Men’s Home have reported that nothing they have ever tried has given
such good results, and that their garden crops were saved this year by the use of this very valuable insecticide.
I refer to this for the guidance of those who may be interested in protecting their gardens and bushes.
The “Pulvineaia occidentalis” has been more or less in evidence on the Coast during the present year. It is not a very destructive pest, and yet a bush may be greatly injured by its attacks. I have seen severa?
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 21
such during the present year. “he Kerosene Emulsion has proved the best remedy for this pest.
During the coming year it is my intention to use the Distillate sprays more extensively. They are comparatively cheap and easily applied, and seem to give excellent results, both in California and Australia. Con- sidering their cheapness, and the ease with which they can be applied, I quite expect that they will become very popular in dealing with scale insects.
I have made provision for supplies of this very popular spray for the coming season. “The order has already been sent forward.
In conclusion, I may say it is my intention to keep the public well informed as to the general merits of the various spraying materials, which are being constantly introduced.
THoMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Inspector of Fruit Pests.
Mr. Treherne—In connection with the Oyster Shell Scale, may I inquire if the scale is to any extent controlled naturally by parasites in B. C.? In the southern portion of Ontario where the majority of the nurseries are situated, the scale is usually commonly parasitised by A philinus mytilaspidts.
Mr. Cunningham—Yes, large numbers are parasitised.
Mr. Wilson—If the scale was introduced into B. C. on nursery stock, as you suppose, how do you account for it being taken miles away from orchard land? I have found it on June berry, Barberry, Vine Maple, as well as on the crab-apple, and also at an altitude between 2-3000 feet.
Mr. Cunningham—The medium of spread is undoubtedly birds, and I have found young scales on the legs of flies.
Mr. Treherne—If the Oyster Scale is so common in the forests, would the destruction of crab-apple trees in the vicinity of orchards effectually control this insect?
Mr. Cunningham—I claim that in addition to the crab-apple trees you mention, all crab-apple trees on the lands of speculators and land companies should, by Government enactment, be destroyed. I ask this Society to assist me in my endeavors to obtain Government control in connection with these trees which undoubtedly represent a serious nuisance to the Province. “The acreage of crab-apple trees is so tremen- dous and the ground they occupy so valuable that it would be a wise measure to destroy them, as they harbor injurious insects and in par- ticular this Oyster Shell Scale.
i} i)
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
Mr. Bush—I quite agree that the crab-apple trees are bad and as they grow more or less in clumps, their destruction would not entail so much labor as one would think.
Mr. Wallace—How about the Government lands? Mr. Cunningham—Let them also be attended to.
Mr. Chairman—I am sure we have to thank Mr. Cunningham for his excellent paper, and I trust he will favour us with another of equal practical importance another year. I wish now to draw your attention to the next paper on the programme, the commercial culture of the Narcissus. A recent importation in the form of the Narcissus Fly from Holland is causing much consternation to the growers of bulbs on Van- couver Island, and we are pleased to welcome Mr. Wallace here today as a practical grower of this class of stock. It has been the special en- deavour on the part of our secretary to introduce the practical side into these meetings. I will now call on Mr. Wallace.
Mr. Wallace proceeded to give the members a short extempore account of the trouble the Narcissus Fly has been to him on Vancouver Island, dealing briefly with methods he had himself tried towards eradicating this insect. (His paper will appear at some later time.)
Mr. Chairman—Our secretary has been fortunate enough to obtain an account of the depredations of this Narcissus Fly by Mr. Priestly Norman of Victoria, a gentleman who has been in close touch with the commercial aspect of bulb-growing on the Island. I will now ask our secretary to read Mr. Norman’s paper.
“MERODON EQUESTRIS” IN SOUTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
“Merodon Equestris,” or Narcissus Fly, is an insect, resembling, roughly speaking, an ordinary bumble-bee, about the size of a large blue- bottle or blow-fly.
A still closer resemblance may be drawn to the horse-fly of the Upper Country, with which many are familiar. The similarity to the latter insect is so striking that the name “‘Equestris’ was derived from it, this insect being much better known to the world generally, and having a far greater sphere of action than the Narcissus Fly, whose ravages are principally confined to the Narcissus alone.
In speaking of this insect, let it be understood that I make no asser- tions. I only give my observations and opinions. Having accepted as theories, several of the popular dogmas connected with this insect (which even at first hand are vague and unscientific), in the first place I was
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
i)
gradually led to believe that in several vital ways the habits of the insect differed in British Columbia from its habits in Holland.
The perfect fly is seen from the end of March to the beginning of September, but practically all the harm done is in the month of May, as the hot sun, so essential to insect life, is during that month tempered by a dampness, which keeps the Narcissus leaves fresh and succulent.
Their activity is naturally greatest in the hottest part of the day, from 12 o’clock till about 2:30 or 3, and in badly affected areas their peculiar hum at such a time is sufficient to attract the attention of the uninitiated,
At this period the fly moves in the air with a spasmodic, lateral movement, is very restless when disturbed, and alights very lightly some distance off.
May being the month that the Narcissus Fly is most common and vigorous, this is the time it is seen in copula, when in this condition it seeks by preference a high growing object, such as a tree, bush or even a high growing weed. A hedge is a very favorite spot, and by going around the hedges or fences with a flat board or card it is possible to kill any quantity in such a position, as naturally they are slow on the wing when coupled, and disinclined to move very far.
The perfect fly is easily drowned, and, unlike nearly all other flies, positively helpless in the water (I have proved this by experiment), which is a point worth noting.
The breeding season seems more clearly defined than any other stage. This is probably due to the short life of the perfect insect.
I believe the insect lays its eggs in the centre of the crown of leaves by means of a long ovipositor, the grub in due time hatches out, and enters the bulb.
How it affects an entry is a disputed point, as although it would appear that the easiest way would be into the heart under the crown of leaves, there is no proof that this is so, and I have never found a trail that way.
The insect is poisonous to the narcissus, and sets up a rust (which is one of the ways to detect its presence), and there is never any mark in the top half of the bulb. Therefore, the only conclusion is that it must enter from the base and work upwards.
This seems difficult to understand, as one would think that the minute grub would have difficulty in making a passage through the earth to the base of the bulb.
The grub takes about six months to feed, from the time of its entry into the bulb, and then lies dormant till the turn of the year, or about February, when it vacates the bulb, and changes into pupa state, about
24 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
half an inch below the surface of the ground, and ultimately hatches out, as mentioned previously.
I will now mention the varieties of Narcissus most liable to attack by the fly, in order of percentage in each variety observed. ‘The true Narcissus type is most susceptible, then come the intermediate season daffodils. (Commonest varieties mentioned ).
Recurvus—most subject.
Barii conspicius—nearly as bad.
Ornatus
Poetarum
Sir Watkin
Mrs. Langtry
Von Sion
Emperor Early daffodils, like “Henry Irving,” “Golden Spur” and “Princeps,” are almost free, as are the late daffodils.
In the true white Narcissi the easiest way to detect the grub is to examine the root crown, and as these varieties rarely stop rooting, the year round, it makes it all the easier. If there is a portion where the roots have not sprouted and looks brown, it is almost sure to contain a grub. The usual way of squeezing the bulb to see if it is soft does not so readily apply in the case of daffodils, as the true white Narcissi are very hard bulbs. (Only a very small percentage of affected bulbs have any external puncture, except at base of bulb.) My reason for believing that an entrance is made there is that the progress of the grub upwards is registered on the root crown (this is only apparent in the continual rooting Narcissi, which, incidentally, is the class particularly attacked by the Fly), consequently as each bulb layer is bitten or pierced, a corresponding number of roots decay.
Although the base is thus affected, and in advanced stages the root growth ceases entirely before the dormant stage of the grub, a sporadic growth of the flower spike and leaf crown often continues, with the usual appearance (if strong enough to push through the earth) of a sickly yellow leaf, nearly always single. This is an infallible sign of the previous habitation of the grub in the month of February and March.
The next point is the appearance of the grub in the bulb. The grub seems to develop much more rapidly and healthily on damp spots (damp, I am persuaded, is essential), as in harvested bulbs out of the ground the grub is practically quiescent and torpid, starting to attack the bulb vigorously when planted in the ground.
‘The fact that the grub has had a check is noticeable in this way: if the grub is pure white and vigorous, it has received no check or shock;
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 25
if brown, leathery and sluggish, the bulb has been too dry for consump- tion. In this case the passage is filled with pulverized, effete matter, instead of the liquid slush which characterizes the perfect development of the grub.
As a proof of the irregularity of the grub stage, I have found minute grubs in bulbs alongside full-fed grubs in the next bulb.
I believe the pest was imported into British Columbia about six years ago, and was allowed to increase. As precedent was lacking in Holland (the labor there being very cheap and efficient), the pest was not dreaded. If they came across an affected area, they raised the bulbs and destroyed the grubs. This process is necessarily more difficult here, on account of the higher wages.
PRIESTLY NORMAN, Victoria, B. C.
Mr. Wallace—I am inclined to differ from Mr. Norman in his persuasion that dampness is essential to the healthy growth of the grub. With the more susceptible varieties of bulbs attack is just as severe in dry, warm, sheltered positions.
Mr. Bush—In one instance at least I am virtually certain I have found the grub of this fly in a snowdrop.
Mr. Wilson—I am of the opinion that it will also attack the iris.
Mr. Treherne—I would like to draw the attention of the florists interested in this fly to the fact that there is a true bulb mite (Rhizogly- phus hyacinthi Boisd) which is capable of being the primary cause of injury to originally healthy bulbs. This mite has been taken in the East on importations of bulbs from France, Holland and Japan. I take pleasure in reading to you a short account of this mite as reported in the Journal of Economic Entomology, February, 1911. I merely men- tion this for fear of confusion in estimation of the injury due to the Narcissus Fly.
Through the courtesy of Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, I am at lberty to read an account of the insect as reported in his annual report for 1911:
“Narcissus Fly (Aferodon Equestris F)—During the past few years this insect has been noticeably present in British Columbia. It was re- corded in 1908 by Prof. R. C. Osborn, having been caught by Mr. Harvey frequenting especially the flowers of the Salmon Berry (Rubus spectabilis). Professor Osborn believes that it properly belongs to our North American fauna, but I am unable to agree with him on account of its history in Canada and other countries. I am of the opinion that it has been introduced into Canada on imported bulbs, as I have found
26 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
the larva during the present year on bulbs imported into Ontario froin Holland. It had been previously captured on Mount Royal, Montreal, by Mr. A. Chagnon in 1903. In British Columbia, it is now a serious pest of bulbs, and Mr. A. E. Wallace reported it as attacking narcissus and daffodil bulbs near Victoria, B. C., about 50,000 bulbs having been destroyed in the year. Mr. P. Norman has kindly furnished me with particulars as to many of its habits in that locality which was visited in October.
The perfect insect is seen from March to September, and appears to begin to breed in May. The eggs are probably deposited in the centre of the leaf crown. ‘The larva are found in the centre of the bulb, having made their entrance through the base of the bulb. The bulbs are destroyed by the larva or maggots eating away the flattened stem at the base of the bulb and afterwards destroying the centre of the bulb. Professor Ritzema Bos, State Entomologist of Holland, who has written a complete account of this insect, records the eggs as being laid in the soil near the foliage. He informs me that it attacks chiefly Narcissus tagetta in Holland. Mr. Norman has observed that the early varieties of daffodils, ‘Princeps,’ ‘Golden Spur’ and ‘Henry Irving,’ are not attacked and that such varieties of narcissus as N. poeticus ornatus and N. p. poetarum suffer considerably. The method of eradication which has been found most simple and efficient in Europe is the annual lifting of the bulbs and the destruction of all those which are found to be attacked by the maggots, as can readily be seen. “This method has been found effective in England, and also, Professor Ritzema informs me, in Holland. Soaking in water is of no value and the destruction of the pupae in the soil by the removal of the latter in the spring is im- practicable in a large scale. Satisfactory results may possibly be ob- tained by poisoning the adult flies with sweetened arsenical baits, and experiments on this are being carried on in British Columbia.”
INSECTS INFECTING IMPORTED NURSERY STOCK, FRUIT AND GRAIN, RECEIVED AT THE PROVINCIAL FUMIGATION AND INSPECTION STATION, VAN- COUVER, BUG.
Commencing with the Family Coccidae, of the order “Hemiptera,” taking the Scale insects first :
“Aspidiotus perniciosus,” or San Jose Scale, the genus and species of first economic importance, for which a large quantity of imported nursery stock has been condemned, those principally affected being de-
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 27
ciduous fruit-trees and bushes, ornamental trees and shrubs, imported from the United States, Japan and Ontario.
Others of this genus are the “4. ostreaeformis” and “A. ancylus,” or respectively, European and Putnam Scale, but not such serious pests as the San Jose, on account of their less rapid production. Imported from United States, Ontario, Japan, France, Holland, Belgium and Eng- land.
“A. forbesi,” or White Cherry Scale, another of this genus, import- ed from the United States and Japan.
“A. rapax,” known as California Greedy Scale, imported from Pa- cific Coast States, Fiji Islands and Japan, on apricot, peach, plum, cur- rant, rose, ornamental shrubs and citrus trees. One or two other species of this genus on ornamentals, citrus, palms, etc., from United States, Australia and Japan, including “4. auranti’ and “d. citricola,” or Red and Yellow Scale.
Genus “Diaspis.”’. Several species of the genus Diaspis on peach, pear, prune, ornamental trees, shrubs and palms, orange and _ pineapple from United States, Australia, China, Japan and Hawaiian Islands, that of most economic importance being the ‘‘Diaspis pyricola,”’ very troublesome to many of the deciduous fruit-trees on the Pacific Coast, and “dulacaspis rosae,”’ on blackberry and rose bushes, etc.
“Chionaspis.” The genus Chionaspis has been in evidence on fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs, palms and citrus trees, and fruit from England, Holland, Belgium, France, United States, Mexico, Australia, China, Japan, Fiji and Hawaiian Islands, and Ontario. Probably the most injurious species is ““C. furfura,” infecting many of the deciduous fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs.
“NMyTILAsPIs.”
The genus Mytilaspis often puts in an appearance at the inspection station, being found on both deciduous and citrus fruit and ornamental Oyster Shell Scale, “Lepidosaphes ulmi,” and Purple Scale, “MM. citri-
cola,” imported from every country already mentioned.
“LECANIUM.”
Several species of the genus Lecanium have also been recorded: “Saissetia oleae,’ or Black Scale on prune, almond and olive stock; “Eulecanium armeniacum,” or Apricot Brown Scale, on apricot and peach, mostly from California. Other species infecting ornamental trees and shrubs have appeared very frequently on nursery stock from Europe, England, United States and Japan.
28 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
“Teerya purchasi,’ Cottony Cushion Scale, on grape stock, and “Pulvinaria innumerabilis,” on several ornamental trees and shrubs, are also on record.
“Mealy Bugs’: “Dactylopius destructor” and “Dactylopius longi- filis,” imported on ornamental shrubs and palms, often very numerous on azalea from Japan, and pineapple from Hawaiian Islands.
“Aphis”: “Schizoneura lanigera,’ Woolly Aphis, on root and branch of apple and crab trees from England, United States, France, Holland, Belgium and Eastern Canada.
“Aphis persicae-niger,’ Black Peach Aphis, on peach root from the United States.
Green Aphis, “Aphis mali,’ eggs on apple-trees from England, Europe, United States and Eastern Canada.
Plum Aphis, “Hyalopterus pruni,”’ eggs on plum-trees from United States and Eastern Canada.
Cherry Aphis, “AZyzus cerasi,” eggs on cherry-trees from the United States.
Buffalo Tree Hopper, “Cerasa bubalus,’ Family “Membracidae,” eggs inserted in bark of apple-trees from United States.
OrbER-LEPIDOPTERA.
The insulated egg masses of the Tent Caterpillar (Clisiocampa sp.) have been found on the twigs and small limbs of many varieties of nursery stock, both fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs, imported from England, France, Holland, United States and Eastern Canada. On similar stock the cocoons of the Fall Web Worm have also been found, also the egg masses of the tussock Moth, “Orgyia sp.,” and the Fall Canker Worm, “Alsophila pometaria.”
Of far more economic importance is the “Sanninoidea exitiosa,” the larva of which has often been found embedded in its own excavation in the roots of peach, plum, apricot, almond and cherry trees, and com- monly called the Peach Root Borer. It has been imported on nursery stock from United States and Eastern Canada, and for which a large quantity of stock has been condemned and destroyed.
Another insect causing tremendous loss to the peach, apricot and plum growers in California and Oreogn is the Twig Borer, “4 narsia lineatella,” the larvae of which have been found in stone-fruit trees 1m- ported from California and Oregon.
The cases of the Bag Worm, “Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis,” on ornamental trees from United States and Japan.
The nests of the Brown Tail Moth, “Euproctis chrysorrhea,’ which has proven such a scourge in some of the Eastern States, have been im-
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 29
ported into British Columbia on apple, pear and quince seedling and rose stock from France, but in every case the nests containing the young larvae were carefully destroyed.
One single egg cluster of the Gipsy Moth, *“Porthetria dispar,” has appeared on ornamental stock from Europe.
The Mediterranean Flour Moth, “Ephestia kuehniella,” Family “Phycitinae,” and the “Angoumis Grain Moth,” “Sitotroga cereallella,” of the Family ‘““Tineina,”’ imported in grain, corn and rice from United States, Australia and Japan.
OrRDER—‘COLEOPTERA.”
The Flatheaded Apple-tree Borer, “Chrvsobothris femorata,”’ and the Roundheaded Apple-tree Borer, “Saperda candida,” larvae found in trees from United States.
The Sinuate Pear Bark Borer, “dgrilus sinuatus,’ larva found in trees from United States and Japan.
The Apple Twig Borer, “Schistoceros hamatus,’ pupa found in elder and maple from England and United States.
The Blackberry Cane Borer, “Agrilus ruficollis,’ larvae found in blackberry cane from United States.
The Giant Root Borer, “Prionus laticollis,” larvae in roots of orna- mental and fruit-trees from United States and Japan.
Old crops of rice from Japan are often badly infected with larvae of the beetle “Tenebrio molitor,” but are easily dispatched by the use of Carbon Bisulphide, along with the Angoumis Moth and Rice Weevil of the genus “Calandra.”
The fruit bark beetle, “Scolytus rugulosus,” which is of considerable economic importance on many of the deciduous fruit-trees and some ornamental, has been found on rare occasions.
The Black Gooseberry Borer, “NX ylocrius Agassizu,” larva in root of gooseberry bushes from United States.
Raspberry Root Borer, “Membicia marginata,” from United States.
OrDER—* HYMENOPTERA.”
Blackberry gall insect, “Diastrophus nebulosus,” larvae in galls on stem of blackberry from United States.
*As this record is the first of its kind to be taken in Canada, it would be well to state the details. “Two or three years ago an egg cluster on imported ornamental stock from Holland closely resembled the egg cluster of the much dreaded Gipsy Moth. The eggs failed to hatch, so no definite determination was made.—W. H. L.
30 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
”
“ACARINA,” OR MITES.
The Red Spider, “Tetranychus sp.,” and the Clover Mite, “Bryobia pratensis,’ often found on apple, plum and many ornamental trees from England, Eastern Canada and the United States, the eggs being de- posited around the base of the small twigs and laterals.
Pear Blister Mite, “Eriophyes pyri,” from England and the United States.
This about completes the list of insects that have arrived in British Columbia as undesirable immigrants, and have been treated accordingly.
in the bud scales of pear-trees
W. H. LYNE,
Assistant Provincial Inspector Fruit Pests.
BOMBYCIA IMPROVISA, EDW. AND ITS CONGENERS.
In Dyar’s list of orth AmericaN nLepidoptera (1902) the name “tearli’’ Edw. is given as a synonym of Bombycia “improvisa’ Edw. On our finding two Bombycias in the Duncans District of Vancouver Island somewhat alike, it was at first thought that one was merely a variety of the other, namely, “improvisa’’ the species and “‘tearlii” the variety. But for the last two or three years I have felt convinced that the two forms were distinct species. “This conviction has recently been confirmed by Messrs. Barnes and McDunnough in the September, 1910, number of the New York Entomological Society (Vol. XVII., No. 3), where, under the heading of “Bombycia fasciata, new species,” is given a description of the moth which we have been inclined to regard as “tearli’’ Edw., but which Messrs. Barnes and McDunnough state is not that species. I may remark that the insect figured in Holland’s “Noth Book” as B. tearlii Edw. is evidently B. improvisa, Edw.
For the benefit of anyone who has not the Journal of the New York Entomological Society to refer to, I will quote the description and re- marks, as follows:
Bombycia fasciata, new species.
“Collar and prothorax ruddy brown: patagia crested, gray, edged with dark brown; posterior portion of thorax gray; abdomen smoky brown; base of legs clothed with rosy hairs; primaries, ground color light purple brown, suffused at base and terminal portion of wing with light whitish green and crossed by a broad median band of the same color; the basal green portion of wing is bordered by an in- distinct geminate, outwardly oblique, subbasal line, angled inwardly
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 31
on submedian fold and filled with light green; at a short distance beyond, a geminate t, a. line filled with ruddy brown runs parallel to subbasal line, outer line of the two being broadly black; median area with small black spot in cell and a wavy black median shade exterior to spot; t, p. line geminate, almost perpendicular, slightly outcurved opposite cell, incurved on submedian fold; inner line deep black, space between ruddy brown; at a point beyond t, p. line, equal to distance between subbasal and t, a. lines, a perpendicular, lunu- late, pale green line, the area beyond this being almost entirely whitish green; below apex of wing a slight black curved line, con- tinued indistinctly as a greenish shade edged with dusky to anal angle, often entirely absent; terminal black line slightly lunulate; fringes rosy gray. Secondaries dark smoky gray, lighter along outer margin with traces of black subbasal line and lighter median band. Beneath smoky, banded with lighter, costa, apex of wing and fringes rosy; small discal spot on secondaries. “Expanse, 37.5 mm.
“Habitat—Duncans, Vancouver Island (Oct. 1-7), 2 males, 9 females.
“Type, Coll, Barnes.
“This species, which is very constant in markings in all speci- mens before us, we consider distinct forms both ‘improvisa’ Edw. and ‘tearlii (sic) Edw. ‘The latter species can at once be separated by its dull gray color and lack of contrasting markings; the median area is scarcely lighter than the remainder of the wing and there is no green whatever present; Dyar is evidently in error in making it synonymous with ‘improvisa’ Edw. The green basal area of ‘impro- visa is more limited than in fasciata and of a decided apple green shade; the broad suffusion of greenish in the outer portion of wing bordered inwardly by geminate line is almost lacking in improvisa, being confined to an apical patch continued as a waved line; the course of the t, a. line also differs in the two species; in improvisa it is strongly oblique below costa and well angled inwardly on sub- median fold; in fasciata it is much less oblique and the angle is not prominent; this latter distinction holds good in six specimens of
”
improvisa and eleven of fasciata compared by us.
My own observations entirely agree with the foregoing descriptions and remarks pertaining to improvisa and fasciata, with the exception that all the markings which Messrs. Barnes and McDunnough call “black” are in my specimens a very dark chocolate brown.
I will now proceed to give my reasons for considering that “inpro- visa’ and “‘fasciata’”’ are distinct from each other and the latter worthy of being raised to the rank of a species.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
es) bho
In both cases the images bear a superficial resemblance to each other, but anyone well acquainted with the insects would have no diffi- culty in separating them. ‘The greatest difference, however, lies in the time of appearance and also in the early stages of the insects. To take the time of appearance first, fasciata is on the wing from the end of September to about the middle of October, and just when it is getting worn and over, improvisa puts in a first appearance quite freshly emerged ; and continues for a fortnight or so after fasciata has practically disappeared. In some years, however, the two species overlap a little.
With regard to ova; at the present time I have eggs from both species—fasciata laid 9th to 12th October—improvisa laid 23rd to 28th October. Perhaps it would be plainer to contrast the other special dif-
ferences of the ova in separate columns.
FASCIATA. IMPROVISA.
1. Laid singly and promiscuously 1. Laid end to end regularly (in
attached (lengthwise) to box. lines containing varying num-
2. Shape, cylindrical, with round- bers of eggs) like strings of ed ends; about one-third longer elongated beads, and attached than broad. Length, half a firmly to box.
line. Breadth one-third of a
: 7: : . 2. The same, but the. size consid- line. Sculptured with longi- . 2 Cae erably smaller and with the tudinal striations, strongly :
striations not so pronounced.
marked.
3, Color (after the first few days 3. Greenish yellow at first, after- when they were the usual wards purplish brown with a greenish yellow), medium greenish tinge, like bloom on a brown with a somewhat irrides- plum. Not as irridescent as cent purplish tinge. fasciata.
So far as the egg stage is concerned, the foregoing may be relied upon to apply to the respective species.
With regard to the larvae, the following descriptions are taken from my notebook for 1908, in which year I possessed examples of both spe- cies, but they all died when nearly full grown, so that I cannot positively say which was which. Assuming, however, that the earlier larva turned to the earlier moth (fasciata) and the later larva to the later moth (B. improvisa), the following notes would hold good:
B. fasciata, Barnes and McDunnough.
Larva (nearly full fed) beaten from wild cherry. May 8th,
1908. Color, dirty brown, underside lighter, a central lighter
band runs from the head to anal segment where it ends in a point
cut off by a transverse chocolate colored line. This marking is the
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
we w
most conspicuous on the larva. ‘There are six other dark lines, three on each side of the central band near the head at the hinder part of the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd segments pointing diagonally forward from the central band. At the base of the last pair of marks are indistinct bands margining the central band. ‘The central band has a central line widening a little on each segment except on the last three, where it is barely traceable. Head pinky brown with blackish blotches. “There are groups of three and four dark dots on both sides of each segment, situated in the darkish band on each side of the central band and also dots below the spiracles. “There is a short putty colored line extending backward from each spiracle.
B. improvisa, H. Edw.
Ova hatched at the beginning of May, 1909. Larva quite small when one larva of fasciata found wild half grown and another full fed. General appearance of the larva when young the same in both species. Newly hatched larvae chose wild cherry out of several food plants offered them and continued feeding on the same until they died. At the end of May improvisa much brighter in color than fasciata and of a more orange brown. ‘The markings are distinctly mustard yellowish. The central channel ends posteriorly in light brown transverse marking and not in a dark one like fasciata. Above the spiracles the subdorsal area is a tawny brown.
All the larvae (5) found dead in sleeve (on growing wild cherry) 5th June. They were flaccid as if killed by heat. The largest was then 114 inch long.
To sum up the most striking differences, fasciata larva was full grown about the second week in May, whereas improvisa would have been full grown about the second week in June. Fasciata is duller than improvisa and has not the distinct mustard yellowish markings along the sides, nor the arrangements of shading which give the impression of diamond shapes down the back. On the other hand, the markings behind the head and on the anal segment are darker in fasciata than in improvisa.
Of course further experience with the early stages will be required to ascertain if the differences I have noted are constant or not, and it will be necessary to breed the separate forms right through, before one can speak with any degree of certainty, but perhaps the foregoing may be acceptable, pro tempore, as a contribution to the subject.
I may state that my “rough and ready” and incomplete descriptions of the larvae were noted for my own information and not with the idea of publication.
GEO. O. DAY. “Sahlatston,” Duncans, B. C., 14th Nov., 1911.
34 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
CLIMATIC INFLUENCES AT WORK IN THE PROVINCE AFFECTING PLANT AND INSECT LIFE.
I may preface my remarks tonight by saying that I like to pick out my own text, and don’t profess to be a literary man nor yet an universal genius who, with the pen of a ready writer, can atack any subject under the sun, or the earth, or the waters under the earth.
It is a little hard to know just exactly how to treat the subject which has been laid down for me in the programme. ‘There are sev- eral methods of getting at it. We might, for instance, go away back into the womb of time and look at the gradual distribution of plants and insects in their struggle for existence. We might compare some of the
general and even the species of this country with those of the old country. "When I say this country, I mean this part of British Columbia. In some cases we find they are identical, as witness our Droceras and Lentibularias, both insectivorous plants. Where there is a difference it is generally that the individuals here are larger. ‘Take, for instance, the Cowparsnip of the old country, Heracleum sphondYlium, a plant seldom growing more than three feet high, and compare it with our H1, lanatum, which I have seen over eight feet in height and with leaves inclusive of the petioles as much as 3% to 4+ feet. Again, take the little plant belonging to the old country, Adoxa moschatalina, a little thing seldom more than an inch high, and compare it with its gigantic cousin the Devils Club, Fasia horrida, which grows in semi-tropical profusion on our mountain slopes, where the soil is rich and the copious showers of warm rain are driven in from the Pacific. Such instances as these indicate the primaeval condition of our vegetative growth where do- mestication and its relative diminishing effect on plant growth have not made themselves so noticeable. Let me for one instance compare our mammals here with those of the old country. ‘Take the little roedeer and place it side by side with such gigantic herbivores as the Elk and the Moose. These instances I consider as due to climate conditions and to the factor whereby the food materials for plants still remain virginal resulting in the raising of large quantities of food for the indigeous animals which up to this stage of the world’s history have not been affected to any marked degree by the hand of man.
I have said that where differences exist in this country the types here are larger; I ought to say that this does not apply so much to in- sects. I have not found that there is very much difference in the size of the individual, but when it comes to numbers the preponderance is vastly on the side of British Columbia. I do not necessarily mean to imply that excessive numbers of certain insects during certain years is a factor peculiar to British Columbia, because I know other parts of
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
w nn
the globe are at times disturbed by unusual outbreaks of annoying in- sects; but the point I wish to make is that the climatic temperament of B. C., while influencing the size of both plants and animals in B. C., the same factors with insects affects their numbers. Some eight years ago the waters of Esquimalt Harbour were completely covered by the adults of the Pine White, Menapia neophasia, and two years ago in Southern Okanagan this same insect was so common on the Bull Pines that six or seven adults could be caught by each sweep of the net in their direction.
Again, on comparing the vegetation of the coast with the so-called Dry Belt of B. C., the difference is very marked. In many cases the same species are common to both districts. “Take only one instance, the Douglas Fir. It is no uncommon sight to notice a tree cut six -feet on the stump on the coast, but such a thing would be unknown in the dry belt.
I am afraid the subject is too vast to bring within the scope of a paper of this kind, so instead I shall take the liberty to switch off a little and try and show the effect of distribution of some of our common insects, at the same time pointing out where this might be due to climatic influences.
If we take a map of B. C. and look at the valley of the Fraser River, from Hope down to its mouth, you will notice that we have here one of the most important farming districts in the Province. This comprises the districts of Agassiz, Harrison, Chilliwack, Dewdney, Matsqui, Langley, Surrey, Delta and Lulu Island. This part of the country is, from its climatic and soil conditions, naturally one which carries a most luxuriant plant growth, and consequently is a rich feed- ing ground for many species of destructive insects. The insect which has caused the most visible destruction is the Tent Caterpillar. For five years it has devastated the forests, and where timely protection has not been given the orchards have also been destroyed. Long stretchs of country in the Fraser Valley may be seen where the bush has been killed, and in such numbers were they on occasion that I have known them on the C. P. R. railway line to cause the engineer considerable difficulty in starting a grade owing to the grease from these insects on the rails. On Vancouver Island the depredations of this insect have been confined to more restricted areas. “These are the immediate neighbourhood, the Saanish peninsula; the neighbourhood of Duncans, from whence there is a gap of nearly ninety miles over onto the low, rich land about Alberni. Now when we examine the soil and vegetation in all of these different districts, we find a preponderance of what I think is the natural and favorite plant food of this insect, viz., the wild crab-apple. I have observed that it attacks something like this:
36 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
1. Wild crab-apple, willow, orchard-apple, cherry. 2. Birch and plum.
3. Alders and sometimes hazel.
I have also seen it strip the leaves from poplars up to +0 and 50 feet high. I have never seen it attack the pear or the maple. I have had a number of men, both white and Indian, taking observations on this point, and they will bear me out. I took a photograph of two trees growing side by side, an apple completely denuded of foliage and that of a pear untouched. I know I do not see eye to eye with some of our Entomologists in the East, but perhaps our B. C. insects have different habits from the Eastern forms.
Much has been written and preached about the Divine given instinct which teaches insects to choose for their egg-laying that plant whose leaves will afford the most suitable food for the future generation. I am afraid this insect has not profited by its teaching, as it often makes mistakes. I have observed the egg masses laid on different plants which could not by any possible chance be of any use to the young larvae. For instance, I have found them on a number of deciduous plants such as nettle stems, fireweed, Epilobium augustifolium, hop vines, several of the grasses, including wheat and oats, and last summer I found a nest that had hatched out on the Douglas Fir. I may say that from observations which I have made during the past summer and fall, that with the exception of a few local spots, Nature has again reasserted itself, and through the agencies of fungous and parasites we are likely to be free from any serious infestation of the Tent Caterpillar for a short time to come. So much, then, for the Tent Caterpillar.
An insect which is common both to the Coast and the Dry Belt is the Fall Webworm, which attacks all classes of deciduous trees and shrubs. It is earlier and more virulent in its operations in the dry country than it is near the coast. I have noticed it in the Dry Belt as early as July, while down on the Coast district it seldom commences work before September.
What threatens to become a menace to cherry and pear growets, more especially in the dry part of the Province, is the “slug” Eriocam- poides limacina. 1 noticed this insect as early as the end of June on the wild thorn in the woods and on cherry and pear in the orchards around Salmon Arm, and all down the Okanagan country as far as Penticton. “There are two, if not three, broods in the season in the Dry Belt; on the Coast seldom more than one. The Dry Belt of the in- terior seems conducive to the spread of this pest, and unless efforts are put forth to combat it in the early summer it will certainly weaken the tree through denuding them of their foliage.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911. 37
I dare say you have read, and perhaps seen, the effects of the de- predation of the Spruce Bud Worm. It has ravaged the forests of Douglas Fir and other conifers on different parts of the south end of Vancouver Island and also the islands of the Gulf lying adjacent to the east coast. This insect cetrainly owes its distribution and spread to climatic conditions. “The prevailing winds are from the South around Victoria and the spread of the insect is from the south northward. From observations it seems to be disappearing from the neighborhood ot Cowichan Bay, where it was very plentiful last year, but on the other hand it has increased its distance about four miles further north from Victoria along the line of the E. & N. Railway.
In this already too long paper I have purposely confined myself to some of the leaf-destroying insects, but I hope at some future meeting to have something to say about the aphides and others which infest our low rich alluvial lands of the Fraser Valley.
Tom WILson, 1105 Broadway West, Vancouver, B.C.
THE LIFE HISTORY OF IXODES ANGUSTUS (BANKS) by
SEYMOUR Hapwen, D. V. Sct.
This tick is found on a variety of animals, but in British Columbia occurs principally on squirrels (Sciwrus hudsonius douglasi and Sciurus hudsonius vancouverensis. )
The life history, as given below, is the result of a series of experi- ments made in summer and winter at room temperature. The time given of 221 days for the complete life cycle is probably very nearly what occurs in nature. It would appear that the time required for Ixodes angustus to go through its life cycle is shorter than in many other varieties of Ixodes, as squirrels have nests, and it is in these that ecdysis occurs, the process being naturally hastened by the warmth of the animal.
The squirrels from which the ticks were taken, were shot at all times of the year and had about an equal number of ticks upon them. One point to note about squirrels is that they do not seem to wander far away from their abodes, and are often seen feeding day after day in the same spot; thus, any gorged ticks which dropped off them to moult would stand a good chance of getting onto the same animal again. Another interesting feature is the fact that males were seldom
38 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
found together with the females on the squirrels, nearly 200 females and nymphs were captured before a single male was encountered. This means that copulation between the sexes occurs almost wholly in the squirrels’ nests or on the ground.
The same general life history should apply also to the ticks found on other nesting animals, such as coons, and perhaps skunks, but to those which move about a great deal, like the mink and martens, I do not think it would apply, nor for bears, which den up after the cold weather has started and would no doubt go into their dens free from ticks.
Ixodes texanus (Banks) was found twice on coons (Procyon lotor) captured in hollow trees, both times in the dead of winter; one of them up North when the thermometer was much below zero. “The exact temperature was not ascertained, but the trees round about were crack- ing with the frost.
These observations are further confirmed by the fact that no ticks have been found on the hares (generally known as rabbits) of the lower mainland in the winter, whereas in the summer ticks are almost invariably found on these animals.
Though ticks are able to withstand low temperatures without being killed, they become torpid when cold, and in my experiments, would not attach themselves to animals unless they had been previously warmed. Once they are firmly attached they are protected by the hair, and are, of course, kept warm by the animal’s heat.
In conclusion | desire to express my gratitude to Professor Nuttall, F.R.S., of Cambridge, for his help and encouragement in the study of these and other blood-sucking parasites, and to Mr. F. Kermode, Curator Provincial Museum, for giving me the scientific names of the various animals I have been working with.
Ixodes angustus (Banks).
Gorged, female— Average of @yipasitiongibecanitatees see aie cient ketene ene ere 16 days hanvae hatchedWat ies ners aces seen ete ae ee 73 days
Larvae fed on rabbit—
Average: timesot teedingem pee cen ieee 2.5 days Ecdysis, lacvaenisSuelasenymp hse scenic ese eee 61 days
Nymphs fed on rabbit—
Averacestime ot teedinges mem cos ae eric ce ee eineeae 2.5 days Ecdysis) mymphsiissuesas agullts: 9 97) reer memes Adultseattachsand ‘remainy One eerie 7 days
Allowance for hardening of skin after ecdysis and time in waiting for host, ten days at each stage.......... 30. days 221 days
Thus it is possible for Ixodes angustus to go through its various stages in seven months.
{ ‘B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
LIST OF MEMBERS
January 19th, 1913. LIFE MEMBERS—
Baynes, REED E. see ees a Victoria, B.C. TayLor, Rev. G. W. : : # Departure Bay, B.C. MEMBERS— Apps, A. W. 1 coe 2125 13th Ave. W., Vancouver, B.C. ANDERSON, E. M. set acts Provincial Museum, Victoria, B.C. Bain, T. H. wee oe = Ses North Vancouver, B.C. Bryant, THEO. eae yet ae 23 ae Ladysmith, B.C. Busu, A. H. x a 1105 Broadway West, Vancouver, B.C. Criark, R. G. ae Dept. Fruit Pests, Court House, Vancouver CocKLeE, J. W. are ni ns Ae me =e Kaslo, B. C. CUNNINGHAM, T. .... Dept. Fruit Pests, Court House, Vancouver Davipson, J. oe ae ee Room D, Leak Block, Vancouver Day, G. O. Bee we Pr Duncans, Vancouver Island, B.C. HaApwen, Dr. S. — a Experimental Farm, Agassiz, B.C. Hanuam, A. W. oe eee Bank B. N. A., Duncans, B.C. LIVINGSTON, JOHN att eae ees Kerrisdale P. O., B.C. Lyne, W. H. “ak Dept. Fruit Pests, Court House, Vancouver Marmont, L. E. a = sos 55 Fraser Mills, B. C. Sims, A. E. Ls: Dept. Fruit Pests, Court House, Vancouver SHERMAN, R. S. ae ae 2024 1st Ave. E., Vancouver, B.C. TREHERNE, R. C. = ae 1105 Broadway W., Vancouver VENABLES, E. P. aes ne: a = ara Vernon, B.C. DE VERTEUIL, Dr. — ee 672 Granville St., Vancouver WALLACE, E. A. a a Flewens Gardens, Victoria, B.C. WILson, Tom oe wits 1105 Broadway W., Vancouver, B.C.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
JANUARY, 31sT, 1912.
SUBSCRIPMIONS@REGEVED! QO) DIAQE. -e.cescescnces an cce.teesae- oe tneeessueesaeseee $22.00 IPOSTAGEISTAMPS = 2- scree Ch or eh Rt Wee DED OS TPO SIGAR DS igesssterter ssa cte crs seneeeeeenaeee SO air ira ere Peer ara 10 STATIONERY 90 IPRIUN DUN GHPROGRIA M MIE cease nesctast seen <c acess. 20nceaces=.e=caneseccesees eos 9.25 Janitor, ABERDEEN SCHOOL, Dec. 9TH, 1911 3.50 SUBSCRIPTION TO “CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST”... - 10.50
$26.50 $22.00
DYES) (6) G kat te ee ee NE ee ere ee Ret Soe 4.50
R. C. TREHERNE, Secretary.
40
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1911.
NOTICE.—To become a member of this Society the present annual fee is $1.00, payable to the secretary. Members will receive the monthly issue of the “Canadian Entomologist,” the Annual Report of the On- tario Entomological Society, and the Reports of the B. C. Entomological Society.
In view of the fact that the publications of the B. C. Branch have to be financed by the members themselves, the Secretary earnestly re- quests such members that feel disposed to contribute towards this end,
to correspond with him.
R. C. TREHERNE,
1105 Broadway W., Vancouver.
On Page 30.
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Report from Vancouver. .Tom Wilson Report from Victoria.. B. M, Anderson Report from Okanagan. ....E, P, Venables Report from Kootenay.
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The Strawberry Root Weevil ‘ay R. C, Treherne, B.S.A,
Fruit Quarantine ....Thos, Cunningham Notes on the Season..
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OBITUARY
REV. GEORGE W. TAYLOR, F.R.S.C., F.Z.S.
The subject of this memoir was born in Derby, England, in 1851, and came to Canada when he was twenty-five years of age. He settled in Vancouver Island and studied for the min- istry under the Rt. Rev. George Hills, D.D., Bishop of Colum- bia. He was made a deacon in 1884, and ordained to the priesthood in 1886. His first clerical charge was Cedar Hill, a few miles out of Victoria, and his next a parish in that city, where during his charge a church was built. After some years of active service in the Columbia Diocese, he moved to Ottawa and there founded the Church of St. Barnabas. This was after the death of his wife.
After a few years in Ottawa, for the benefit of his health he moved back to British Columbia and bought some property on Gabriola Island, a large island off Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island. Here he resided for a short time, looking after his young family and devoting his spare time to the study of shells and insects, continuing the work, in this line, that he had taken up on his arrival in the Colony.
From Gabriola he moved to Wellington, near Nanaimo, and became rector of the church there; this charge he retained until five years ago, when he was appointed by the Federal Government, Curator of the Marine Biological Station at Departure Bay. He was largely responsible for the estab- lishment of this Station, chose the site on Departure Bay, and had the building of the Station left entirely in his hands. He held this position until his death.
Mr. Taylor died of paralysis on August the 22nd last, and was buried in the cemetery at Nanaimo. He leaves to mourn his loss, a married daughter and three sons. The funeral service was read by a dear friend of the deceased, the Venerable Archdeacon Scriven.
For several years prior to leaving Wellington, I believe he conducted the services there without any recompense in the way of a stipend, and after the move to Departure Bay he
carried on a Sunday service in a school building about a mile away from the Station, whenever possible, until failing health prevented.
In 1881, Mr. Taylor was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He had been for many years a Fellow of the Zoological and Entomological Societies of England, and fifteen years ago was elected a Corresponding Member of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club. All these societies have been benefitted by his labors. In 1887 he was appointed Hon- orary Provincial Entomologist of British Columbia. About six years ago, a B. C. Entomological Society was formed, and of this he naturally became the President.
Soon after his arrival on Vancouver Island, he gave atten- tion to the attractive and then but little known fauna of the Pacific Coast, for in the preface to the Toronto Check List of Insects, which was published in 1883, Messrs. Brodie and White speak of him as a collector to whom their thanks were due, and at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario, held in London, Ont., October 15, 1884, Mr. James Fletcher presented, on behalf of Mr Taylor, a collec- tion of Diurnal Lepidoptera to the Society. On this occasion Mr. Fletcher said “that although Mr. Taylor was but a new member, he had already done good work.” In the report of this meeting, the first contribution by the Rev. G. W. Taylor to the annals of the Society appears. It is entitled ‘Notes on the Entomology of Vancouver Island.” In the ‘Canadian Entomologist” for the same year (Vol. XVI.) other papers written by him will be found. In the Annual Report of the Entomological Society for 1887, he published a very interest- ing account of Mount Finlayson, in search of Chionabas gigas, Butler. It was during the period of his second residence in Vancouver Island, that he became a constant contributor to the pages of the “Canadian Entomologist.” In the volumes of that magazine numbered from XXXVI. to XLIL., inclu- sive, no less than eighteen papers from his hand appear. His last contribution, entitled ““On Some New Species of Meso- leuca,’ is given in the number for March, 1910.
Of late years Mr. Taylor gave much attention to the Geometridae, especially those belonging to the genera Epith- ecia, Curtis, and Mesoleuca, Hubner. Of these he described
and named many new species. The whole of his collection of Geometridae was recently purchased by Dr. Wm. Barnes, of Decatur, Ill., who without doubt will make excellent use of it, but we cannot but regret that so much of the fruit of our late friend’s research and ability should have passed from the Do- minion.
Mr. Taylor was well known as a student of Pacific Coast shells, especially those of British Columbia; he was a keen collector in conchology, and was also well posted in many other branches of Natural History, and he leaves a very large and valuable collection of shells, particularly rich in Limpets and Unionidae. In the transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, 1895-96, he published a Preliminary Catalogue of the Marine Molusca of the Pacific Coast of Canada, with notes upon their distribution; also a Supplement to the same a year or two later, and was engaged upon a new Catalogue for publication, which, owing to poor health, was never com- pleted.
He contributed articles on shells, to the “Nautilus” (a monthly devoted to the interests of Conchologists, now in its 26th year), in Vol. V. to VIII. and X. When living in Vic- toria in 1891, he published a List of the Land and Fresh Water Shells of Vancouver Island (Vol. V.), and in Vol. VII. a very interesting account appears of dredging operations in Departure Bay with Professor Macoun. Mr. Taylor was also a contrib- utor to the Ottawa Field Naturalist.
One of the writers corresponded with Mr. Taylor as far back as 1888, chiefly in connection with their mutual hobbies (shells and insects), but did not meet him until the spring of 1901, when he was moved from the Prairies to Victoria, but since their visits were exchanged whenever possible, and some of the writer’s happiest recollections are of pleasant evenings spent under his hospitable roof at Wellington, and later at Departure Bay.
“
Undoubtedly Mr. Taylor’s chief scientific work was done in connection with Marine Zoology, and in recognition of this the Federal Government in 1905 appointed him a member of the Dominion Fisheries Commission for British Columbia. In the report of that Commission Mr. Taylor described as many
as thirty kinds of edible shellfish, and there is in course of pub- lication by the Dominion Government at the present time a very long and valuable report on the crabs, shrimps, and other crustacea of British Columbia. (Ottawa Evening Journal, Aug. 24th, 1912). In the thirty-fourth Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario appears a highly apprecia- tive and eulogistic account of Mr. Taylor from the pen of the late Dr. Fletcher. From it we learn that many naturalists have given honor to Mr. Taylor by naming after him new species of various kinds, as for example, Melitaea taylori, W. H. Edwards. Modiolaria taylori, Dall. Leucandra taylori, Lambe.
The following words written by Dr. Fletcher in the life- time of Mr. Taylor, and in the paper above referred to, were justly due to the deceased: “Mr. Taylor is an indefatigable collector, and a generous correspondent, who considers no trouble too much to make observations or secure specimens when specially desired. In his parish work he is painstaking, gentle and self-denying—always ready to help. A clear and forcible preacher, and an earnest liver, who shows in his works that religion is not an accessory of everyday life, but an integral part often
Both the Rev. George W. Taylor and Dr. James Fletcher (Dominion Entomologist and Botanist) were men of striking personality and rare attainments, and neither were permitted to see old age; in them Canada has lost men and scholars whose place it will be very difficult to fill.
A. W. Hanuam, F. W. Fy es.
Note.—The photograph of the late Rev. G. W. Taylor appeared as the frontis- piece to the last Annual Report.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 19 ha
The Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the British Columbia Entomo- logical Society was held in the Botanical Room, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B. C., on January 9th, 1913.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. Tom Wilson, at 10:00 a. m., with 22 members present. “Vhe day was divided into morning, afternoon and evening sessions. At the evening session 27 members were present.
Mr. CHAIRMAN—We will commence proceedings by receiving reports from the various districts. I notice that I am first on the pro- gramme with a report from the Lower Mainland, so without further delay I will present it.
REPORT FROM VANCOUVER DISTRICT.
On account of the unusually wet season which has not been con- ducive to the propagation and spread of many of our pests throughout the Fraser Valley and surrounding districts, we were not very greatly troubled with many injurious insects during the summer of 1912. The attack of the caterpillar Malacosoma erosa seemed to be confined to the west and southwest of the mainland, comprising part of the Municipality of Surrey and part of the Delta, as far as Blaine on the American boundary, and the immigration laws with regard to pests seemed not to have been put in force, so the insect exchanged visits to both sides of the International line in a perfect spirit of reciprocity. In the town of Blaine they were not only a nuisance, but were positively loathsome, crawling over fences and into open doors and windows. All along the shore of Simiamhoo Bay the few orchards and all the diciduous trees
6 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
were completely denuded of foliage. The attack seemed to get less as we got further inland till around Chilliwack and at Harrison on the opposite side of the Fraser River, although the worms emerged in large numbers, many of them dried up and did no further harm, while as a whole, the most of them remained sluggish and nearly all were attacked by parasites. What these were I have not been able to determine. A rather bad, though isolated, attack of this insect was around Agassiz, where many of the orchards and also the crab apple brush were defoliated. This infestation did not extend beyond a mile east of Agassiz. I am glad that the point has now been cleared up with regard to the feeding habits of this insect. I think I was the first to report to the Department at Ottawa that I had never seen it attack the foliage of the pear, but this seemed to be pooh poohed down there. Now it has remained for some of our American friends to make the same cbservation, and to prove it.
Red Humped Apple Tree Caterpillar, Schizura concinna, I found doing extensive damage in the arid and semi-arid parts of the Fraser Valley. It seemed to be most voracious, sometimes four or five caterpillars would be hanging to the margin of a leaf gradually eating their way into the midrib. One could almost fancy one could hear the sound of their jaws when they were busy feeding. Some of them I found to be attacked by the parasite Limneria.
Fall Web Worm, Hyphantria textor. This insect is no respector of plants when it wants food. All the deciduous trees seem to have been made for it. It attacks the apple, plum, cherry, pear and peach in the orchards; and maple, choke cherry and thorn are rendered unsightly by the destruction of the leaves and also by the filthy webs which remain long after the foliage has disappeared. This web will be full of the remains of the worms and their excreta. This insect extends its work from the Fraser far into the interior.
Several of the Cut Worms, Noctuids, did much injury in different parts of the district. The first that I noticed was up the Coast about 20 miles, at Sechelt. A little later I found cut worms all the way down the Fraser Valley between Lillooet and Lytton, where they had eaten off such things as cabbages, tomatoes, cauliflowers, etc. In some cases these had been planted three times before a crop could be insured. I may say that I also saw the same grubs at Alberni near the West Coast of Van- couver Island.
Bud Moths, Spilonota (Tmetocera) ocellana, were very prevalent and certainly injured such fruits as apple, plum and cherry, and more especially the Italian prune, and I believe reduced the output of this by 50 per cent.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 7
Click Beetles were very numerous, working among the plum blos- soms. They also were to be blamed, in some measure, for reducing the crop in some districts.
The Hop Flea Beetle, Psyloide punctulata, was still in evidence in the hop yards at Chilliwack, but I think on account of the rather moist season it did not do so much damage as usual and good crops were gathered. This insect is very catholic in its feeding habits, as it will eat nettles, clover, chickweed, tomatoes, beets and other farm crop. It is very fond of the bright sunshine, when it is extremely active, and correspondingly sluggish in dull weather.
Cherry Slug, Eriocampoides limacina, did, on the whole, very little damage during the past season in the coast districts, but in the dry and semi-arid parts of the Interior it was very numerous and destructive. It does not confine its attention to cherries and pears, but attacks the thorn, the apple, and other plants of the Rosacae.
Thrips during one or two hot dry spells which we had I noticed did much harm by injuring the leaves of some varieties of roses. “They seemed to suck the chlorophyl, leaving the leaves a pale, sickly gray.
Saw Flies also injured the leaves of certain varieties. They seemed to confine their attacks to roses of the Spinosissima class.
We have had, in certain districts, some very bad attacks of root maggots on early turnips, radishes and cabbages. I have recommended the use of discs of tar paper which has been advocated by the Department at Ottawa, but this is almost out of the question on a large scale, and adds too much to the cost of production. In the event of discing not being practical, a solution of crude carbolic acid and soap has been found to be fairly effectual and it has the merit of being easily applied. On a recent visit I paid to the Nicola country, I noticed a very serious
infestation of Chionaspis pinifolia on the bull pines, P. ponderosa. Some of the trees were covered from the ground to the top and so conspicuous
was it that they seemed to have been powdered over with sawdust. Many of the pines are dying, though whether from this cause or not I am unable to say.
I noticed some time ago some curious looking galls on the poplars in some parts of the Okanagan. I thought at first that they were an aggre- gation of buds, but on examination they were found to be the work of one of the mites Eriophyes. Very little harm seems to accrue from the attack, as most of the trees seem healthy enough.
The dry belt seems to be the happy hunting ground for several of those gall forming insects, more especially among the Artemesia. I have found stems of those plants which were scarce recognizable on
8 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
account of these galls. I don’t know whether very many of these insects have been described.
During the past season we have had the usual complement of Green and Wooly Aphis, but I don’t think it has been larger than other years— certainly the Green Aphis has not. I have confined my remarks almost entirely to insects doing damage to orchard and other crops, as they have come more especially under my own observation. I should like to give you a list of captures of Lepodoptera, but as this paper is already too long, I shal] refrain.
Tom WILson, 1105 Broadway W.,
Vancouver.
Mr. TREHERNE—Mr. Gibson of Ottawa wrote to me recently and mentioned the fact that /, erosa was a variety of “disstria.” In connec- tion with the Root Maggots in relation to the market gardening industry of the Lower Fraser Valley, I noted that the great majority of the enquiries at the Agassiz Experimental Farm were relative to these insects. I invariably replied giving the thin tarred felt paper discs and the Carbolic Emulsion remedies as having been the most effective in the matter of control. Has any one experience in this country with these remedies ?
Mr. Witson—lI can certainly recall instances where the Carbolic Emulsion has given the gardeners in the Fraser Valley very satisfactory results. One grower saved 90% to 95% of his crop a year or so ago by using this emulsion, much to his satisfaction. Previously his crops had been failures.
Mr. Brirrain—Fresh pryethrum has also been effective.
Mr. BusH—The tarred paper discs are thoroughly effective. Usually this remedy is only advocated for small areas, but after all it is not such a big job over a larger area.
Mr. Lyne—Is there any merit in puddling the roots in a sulphur and mud bath previous to transplanting?
Mr. Witson—That method is of very little use. The eggs of the fly are laid after the plant is in the ground.
Mr. Lyne—But the sulphur might be objectionable.
Mr. Witson—lIts aroma is not sufficiently strong.
Mr. BusH—That is why the tarred discs are so effective. They throw off quite a considerable odor when fresh and thus affect the fly.
Mr. Wirson—Discs cannot be used with satisfaction for radishes or carrots.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 9
Mr. CUNNINGHAM—How is the Carbolic Emulsion made?
Mr. Witson—One pound of soft or hard soap in a gallon of water to which is added one pint of crude carbolic acid. This is boiled together for a few minutes and held as stock solution. When required for use this mixture is diluted at the rate of one part to twenty and poured around the plants. Weekly applications increase the percentage of good results.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM—Does the liquid not harm the plants?
Mr. Witson—The liquid does no harm to the plants and for that matter can be poured over the plants themselves. I have seen plants dipped right into the mixture before planting.
REPORT FROM VICTORIA DISTRICT.
Nineteen hundred and twelve from a collector’s standpoint was without doubt the most disappointing season for many years past. This was due to frequent cold and wet weather which prevailed throughout the spring and summer months, therefore making systematic collecting an impossibility; furthermore, in the field it was most discouraging, for at times nothing could be seen, save an occasional rapae, antiopa, grapta, or some other common insect unworthy of note; however, during the year in spite of weather conditions I succeeded in securing a number of good captures.
The Tent Caterpillar, as usual, did considerable damage to the apple trees. It is gratifying to state that over 60% of a large number of Tent Caterpillars examined, were infested with ova of the small ichneu- mon fly; this fact alone will greatly reduce the numbers next season.
The disappearance of “Neophasia menapia,”’ the Pine White Butter- fly, was most noticeable in the outskirts of Victoria, for in places on previous years, where thousands occurred, hardly a single specimen could be seen. During the months of September and October this insect usually occurs in numbers about Metchosin and Goldstream districts amongst the valleys of the conifers.
Therina (Ellopia) somniaria, Hulst., commonly known as the Oak Tree Pest, did no great damage as in previonus years, for the only spot I noticed any devastation whatsoever was on three or four scrub oaks near Cadbora Bay.
List oF CAPTURES.
Pontia occidentalis (Reak) May 29th, one male, Goldstream.
Oenis gigas (Butler) July 7th, Mount Finlayson, near Goldstream. While collecting birds and eggs for the Provincial Museum I found this fine insect fairly common near the top of the ridge of the western slope.
10 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
I saw at least thirty of these beauties, and managed to capture two speci- mens without the use of a net.
Lepisesia ulalume (Strk.) May 19th, Saanich, (one female). Lepisesia clarkiae (Bdy.) June 22, Victoria.
Samia rubra, (Behr.) July 6th and 11th, Victoria.
Telea polyphemus, several taken at light, June and July, Victoria.
Pseudohazis eglanterina, (Bdv.) (Sheep Moth), Goldstream. June 2nd.
A pantesis ornata (Pack.) var, Achaia (G. & R.), May 28th, June 7th.
A patela perdita (Grote), May 24th.
Hadena claudens (Walker) May and June.
FHadena cinefacta (Grote) May 20th.
Hadena cerviana (Smith) June 4th and 8th.
Polia epichysis (Grote) May 17th.
Feralia columbiana (Smith) May 2nd. \
Rhynchagrotis costata (Grote) June 19th, 27th, 28th.
Noctua inopinatus (Smith) Aug. 3rd, 6th.
Noctua plebia (Smith) August 4th, 7th, 11th, 18th, 19th, Sept. Ist.
Paragrotis vetusta (Walker) July 29th.
Xylomiges pulchella (Smith) May 14th, 18th.
Xylina holocinerea (Smith) May 5th, 8th.
Eucharveya carbonaria (Harbey) May 23rd.
Xanthia pulchella (Guenne) May 26th.
Autographa ampla June and July.
Catocala aholibah (Strk.) August 7th, two taken at sugar.
Gluphisia danbyi (Neum.) April 16th, one male.
Bombycia improvisa (Hy. Edw.) October 6th, on fence.
Hepialus hyperboreus (M.) Ghost Moth, June 4th, Goldstream.
Erebus odora (Linn.) one specimen of male, Victoria, October 8th. This is the second specimen I have taken in Victoria. It is a straggler, belonging to Florida and Central America.
In addition to the above captures I have gathered considerable Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and _ other orders. Possibly there are some good species amongst them, and if so, will report them at the next meeting.
Ernest M. ANDERSON, Provincial Museum, Victoria.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 11
Mr. BusH—Erebus odora has been taken all along the Canadian boundary line.
Mr. BrackMore—I can concur with Mr. Anderson in the matter of the apparent disappearance of Neophasia menapia. I never took one during the past summer.
Mr. Wi_son—And I can remember a few years ago how the dead bodies of this moth covered the waters of Esquimalt harbour they were so numerous.
Mr. CHAIRMAN—l1 will now ask Mr. Brittain to read Mr. Ven- ables’ report on the Okanagan District.
REPORT FROM OKANAGAN DISTRICT.
During the past summer there has been a freedom from any important insect pest in the Vernon District. The summer was fairly moist and heavy crops were for the most part the rule.
FT. textor, the Fall Web Worm, was more abundant than for many years. It is always present to a greater or lesser extent upon its natural food plant, the choke cherry, which is occasionally entirely defoliated by the larvae. Burning out the webs with a torch is the most simple method of extermination.
The Cherry Slug was not very numerous during 1912 and the second brood appeared very late in the season and larvae were found feeding after several sharp frosts had occurred. ‘The larvae of this Saw Fly also feeds upon the wild thorn and are to be commonly seen upon this tree during the summer.
The Apple Aphis (4 mali) appeared in some numbers during July and spraying had to be done in the young orchards where the new growth was in many cases covered with a mass of insects. “The Black Leaf 40 Mixture was used with great success in fighting this insect as well as other species of plant lice.
Some of their natural enemies were present in large numbers. A species of Chrysopa the Lace Wing Fly, being numerous with their eggs, each one of which is laid at the extremity of a fine thread of silk about half an inch in length often in clusters of twenty or thirty together, resembling somewhat a cluster of delicate moss sporangiaphores. ‘They were remarked by several persons engaged in orchard work.
The Coccinellidae were not so abundant as in other years when Aphids were common, Hippodamia 5 signata being most numerous. Besides this species Hippodamia convergens and Coccinella transverso- gutta were noted as doing good work. I have in my collection 14 species of this family of useful insects.
12 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Otiorhynchus ovatus is becoming more numerous every season and the damage to strawberry plantations is considerable.
Black Flies (Simulidae) were very troublesome to stock during late summer and early autumn. I have not yet determined the species.
The Horse Bot Fly (Gastrophilus equi) is another stock pest which was unusually abundant in 1912.
It would be interesting to hear from some member of the Society who has taken adult specimens of the Flat Headed Apple Tree Borer (Chrysobothris femorata) in B. C. So far I have not done so, although the damage ascribed to this species is common enough. In Henshaw’s list of North American Coleoptera, seven varieties are given. Which of these, then, is our enemy ?
A subject about which there is much to be learnt, is the manner in which various species of insects pass the winter. Many new facts are no doubt observed by collectors at various times, but probably they are not recorded because it is thought that the observation would not be new. In a back number of the Entomological News, I noticed an account of the finding of adult specimens of a species of Lachnosterna hibernating at the depth of four feet in sandy soil. “The specimens were in fresh condition and must have emerged in the autumn from the pupa and were awaiting till spring to appear above ground. This was the first week in March and the ground was frozen for the depth of some inches. I have taken the larvae of this genus in early spring in grass land. The beetles mentioned above must, from their appearance, have emerged late in the autumn from the pupae.
Another species that I have always found somewhat rare in its usual surroundings during the summer is the beetle Agabus clavatus. This insect is taken by dredging ponds and streams during spring and summer, but I always considered it uncommon until last November when dredging for Hydrophylidae and other aquatic forms. But in this instance finding but few specimens after a short time I went ashore to try for other things under stones, logs, etc. I had broken open a rotten log on the edge of the swamp and there was clavatus in large numbers among the ruins.
A careful search brought many more to light in similar situations. They had evidently left the water and retired to pass the winter beneath the dead bark and in the crevices of the dead wood lying near the water. Besides Agabus clavatus 1 found Agabus semipunctatus in some numbers. Other members of this family are to be taken by dredging at all seasons, even in winter. Another insect that I have detected in partial hiberna- tion is the butterfly Vanessa Milberti. This butterfly is the earliest to
Je):
WORK OF THE BUD MOTH (TMETOCERA OCELLANA)
By courtesy of the Ont. Ent. Soc.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 13
appear in the spring and is often to be seen before the snow has all melted from the hillsides. Some few years ago in early spring after a warm period, during which this insect was observed flying along the warm slopes round Long Lake, which locality is the usual one for most of the early species to first appear and this often long before the snow further inland has begun to melt. After a few bright days during which Mil- berti was often seen, there came a lowering of the temperature with two or three inches of snow which lasted several days. I was anxious to observe Milberti under these conditions. After a good deal of searching among the piles of loose rock lying on the lake shore, I found two individuals beneath a projecting flat stone in the shelter of which they had taken refuge. They were hanging with their wings folded together and were quite dormant, but on bringing them to the warmth they began in a short time to move about.
Gryllus pennsylvanicus I have found under a log in February. Some ten or a dozen individuals were closely packed together in a small excavation in the soil. These crickets were quite coated with frost, but soon showed signs of life when placed near the fire. The common Wasp, Polistes bellicosus, is commonly found, frequently as many as 50 or 60 individuals together underneath the bark of decaying pine trees in the depth of winter. On one occasion I discovered a large gathering of these insects under the bark of a pine and among them a large number of adult Lace Wing Flies (Chrysopa sp). Evidently these flies had taken refuge among the wasps in the autumn and had been allowed to settle down unmolested by Polistes in their winter quarters. The flies and wasps were mixed up in some confusion.
Some of these notes may be common knowledge to some of us but they may, on the other hand, be of interest to others who have not paid attention to this phase of insect life.
I regret not being present at the meeting as I have no doubt there will be interesting discussion on the part of the members over some of the subjects on the programme.
FE. P. VENABLES, Vernon.
It might interest some of the members to hear of some few of the insects noted in the Okanagan during the past season and not men- tioned, I believe, by Mr. Venables in his report.
Budworm (Tmetocera ocellana)—Both broods very common at Victoria, rare in the Okanagan. Capable of doing considerable damage and apt to become one of our most serious pests.
14 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Woolly Apple Aphis (Eriosoma (Schizoneura) lanigcra)—Fairly common everywhere throughout this season. Winged forms quite com- mon in the fall. No roots forms seen. Not a serious pest in well- cared-for orchards.
Plant Bugs (Capsidae)—Injuries resembling those done by various Capsids were very common to the young apples of some varieties. In some cases this caused an extensive drop of the young apples and in others the fruit remained on the tree, but became badly distorted. Injuries of this kind caused quite a little loss in some places and the subject demands further study.
Red Spider (Tetranychus bimaculatus)—Quite common _ every- where. Doing appreciable damage to plums in some cases.
Oyster Shell Scale (Lepidosophes ulmi)—A little of this pest almost everywhere but only of importance in uncared for orchards.
Cutworms (species undetermined—Very abundant and injurious, chief damage being the defoliation of young apple trees. Many growers report poisoned bran ineffective ; should be further tested.
Click Beetle (Corymbites inflatus)—Very abundant in nearly all parts of the valley, feeding upon the buds and young leaves of young apple trees. Damage done in many instances was considerable and some control measures should be worked out.
Click Beetle (Corymbites hieroglyphicus)—Similar to the pre- ceeding.
Bud Weevil (Cercopeus artemiseae)—Not widespread, but doing considerable damage to young apple trees in isolated cases, by boring into buds and tender foliage. Deserves further attention.
Bud Weevil (Mimetus setulosus)—Similar to preceding.
Ants (species undetermined)—Boring into nectaries of peach blossoms, destroying pistil. More a matter of interest than anything else.
Flat Headed Cherry Tree Borer (Dicerca divaritica)—Only one adult female found, Long Lake, Vernon.
Pear Leaf Blister Mite (Eriophyes pyri) —Quite common, injuring pears only. Liable to increase in destructiveness.
Apple Leaf Hopper (Empoasca mali)—Very common everywhere; does some damage and is rather difficult to control.
Apple Tree Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma sp)—Quite common during the month of May. Subject to periodic epidemics, but is easy to control.
The Pear Slug (Eriocampoides limacina)—-Very common and did considerable damage. No need for this, however, as control is simple.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 15
Lesser Apple Worm (Enarmonia prunivora)—A little present in most districts, but not in alarming numbers.
Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea)—Abundant on apples and wild shrubs. Easy to control.
Common or Gray Hair Streak (Uranotes melinus)—Larva boring into a small apple at Salmon Arm. As far as I know this is the first record of the insect feeding on the apple.
The Gray Bug (Glyptoscelis pubescens)—Said to be doing con- siderable damage by feeding upon the unfolding leaves of young apple trees. Did not see it actually at this work, but found upon trees the leaves of which had been badly chewed. Should be watched.
Banded Purple (Basilarchia (orginii)—Larvae quite common, feed- ing upon foliage of apple. Little importance.
Red Humped Apple Tree Caterpillar (Schizura concinna)— Fairly numerous in July. Little importance.
Yellow Necked Apple Tree Caterpillar (Datana ministra)—Some specimens of half grown larvae sent in by Mr. Middleton from Nelson.
Apple Saw Fly—A green larvae, about 3 cm. long, making burrows in the mature or nearly mature apples on the tree. Did considerable damage in ‘a few cases. It burrows in the apple apparently for the purpose of hibernation, as the larva remains quiescent after making its burrow. Regular food is probably some wild plant and injury to apple only incidental. More information required.
Peach Tree Borer (Sanninoidea sp)—Quite common where peaches are grown and a number of trees were killed.
Peach Twig Borer (A narsia lineatella)—-Common, the chief dam- age being done to the fruit.
OrHER Insect Pests. White Marked Tussock Moth (Hemerocampa leucostigma)—Not common this season, but often a serious pest of shade trees. Mealy Bug (Pseudococcus, probably n. sp.)—Injuring spruce ; easily destroyed by lime-sulphur. Spruce Gall Louse (Chermes similis)—A common and _ serious enemy of the spruce.
Pine Leaf Scale (Chionaspis pinifolia) Common everywhere on the pines.
Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria)—Fairly numerous.
Rose Leaf Hopper (Typhlocyba rosae)—Common and fairly in- jurious.
16 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Cabbage Aphis (4 phis brassicae )—Common.
Cabbage Worm (Pontia rapae)—Common.
False Wire Worm (Fleodes obscura var sulcipennis and E. puniel- eodcs)—Adults of these two species were very numerous. Damage was done to potatoes in several districts by Eleodes larvae, probably belonging to these two species.
Rose Weevil (Rhynchites bicolor) —Common.
Cottony Grass Scale (Eriopeltis festucae)—Reported.
The following records were made during the past summer:
AMONG THE Buprestidae— Chalcophora angulicollis, Lec, Larkin, Be Buprestis confluenta, Say, Swan Lake, B. C. Cypriacis brevis, Casey, Swan Lake, B. C. Dicerca prolongata, Lec, Vernon, B. C. Dicerca divaricita, Say, Vernon, B. C. Melanophila drummondi, Kirby, Larkin, B. C. Anthaxia aeneogaster, L. & G., Fintry, B. C. Chrysobothris dentipes, Germ, Larkin, B. C. Chrysobothris trinervia, Kirby, Larkin, B. C.
AMONG THE Etateridae—
Alaus melanops, Lec, Vernon, B. C.
AMONG THE Meloidae—
Epicauta maculata, Fab, Vernon, B. C.
THE FoLLowInG I[pidae ARE RECORDED—
Pithyogener carinulatus.
Ips perturbans and other species undescribed.
A number of insect enemies of the Douglas fir and the bull pine were taken during the summer belonging chiefly to the families Bupres- tidae and Cerambycidae. A few [pidae were also captured and among them I am informed by Mr. Swaine, Dominion Forest Entomologist,
were some new to science. W. H. Brittain, Vernon, B. C.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 17
REPORT FROM THE KOOTENAY.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the British Columbia Entomological Society :—The honor has fallen to my lot to report on the insects of the Kootenay districts in the place of my friend, Mr. J. W. Cockle, of Kaslo. I am very sorry Mr. Cockle found it impossible to attend the meeting as I am sure he would have had a much more interesting report to present to you than any which I could give. My work, however, as District Horticulturist brings me in very direct contact with the injurious insects or those found in the orchards. With the compara- tively short time I have had to prepare anything, my report must of necessity deal particularly with those economic insects which have come under my notice during the past year. I might state in the beginning that our list of injurious insects is very small indeed, so that my task will be comparatively small also. We cannot, however, expect to be able to report this state of affairs for all time for, wherever we have a district adapted to the culture of fruits we are always liable to have it visited sooner or later by most of the serious insect pests with which fruitgrowers in other districts and other countries are troubled. Fortu- nately we have at the head of our Provincial Inspection branch at Vancouver our old and esteemed friend, Mr. Cunningham, who is always upon the look out for insects entering the Province through the agency of imported nursery stock, fresh fruits, etc. This with your energetic Secretary, Mr. Treherne, for the Dominion, and Mr. W. H. Brittain of the Provincial Staff, along with your President, the Dominion Inspector of Orchards for. the Province, and all these gentlemen aug- mented to a certain extent by the local horticulturists stationed through- out the Province, should in a very thorough way protect our orchards against the ravages of our present pests and the entrance of any new ones.
Possibly our worst insect pest is the Common Green Aphis (4 mali). They came in numbers very early in the spring, but did not spread or multiply so rapidly as in previous years, consequently for this reason were less troublesome than in former years. We have the Apple, Plum and Cherry Aphis. The Woolly Aphis (Eriosoma (Schizoneura) lanigera) fortunately has not made its appearance in the Kootenays to my knowledge.
In our spraying experiment for the Green Aphis we came to the conclusion that the lime and sulphur mixture had very little effect in destroying the eggs on the branches. Last year the Aphis were hatching out and spreading over the branches, which were yellow with the lime and sulphur. Applications of Black Leaf 1-70 gave excellent results where thoroughly applied. The newer mixture, Black Leaf 40, gave very varying and more or less unsatisfactory results with us. I believe this is a
18 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
contrary finding to experience with the two mixtures in other districts, so perhaps, while stating our experience, it would be well to try further experiments.
The Green Fruit Worm was quite noticeable in some of the orchards, particularly those located near timber. “These came on and did their damage before the thinning of the fruit was completed so that by a little care in thinning all the punctured or bored apples were removed. No spraying was deemed necessary for these insects.
The Leaf Miner (Tischeria) was quite noticeable in the orchards near the timber line. These usually do so little damage that no means of control are practiced.
The Cicada, or called locally the Salmon Fly, did quite a lot of damage to the young trees along the Columbia River by laying its eggs in slits made in the young shoots, many of these shoots snapping off later in the wind.
The Climbing Cutworms were exceptionally troublesome this last year. I have taken as many as 60 around one small tree. This was brought about by an intercrop of clover having been plowed under in the spring and the worms gathered around the small trees. In many instances every single bud was eaten off the trees. Poisoned bait was tried of the usual strength, viz.: 100 lbs. Bran, 1 lb. Paris Green, and 2 lbs. of sugar. No results were obtained. We next applied a stronger and sweeter mixture with good results, viz.: 50 lbs. Bran, 1 lb. of Paris Green and 3 lbs. of sugar. This seemed to be more palatable and the worms preferred it to the buds of the trees, for on the following morning after application dozens of dead worms were to be found around each tree. The mixture should be applied fairly dry and crumbly and should be sweetened. according to the plants upon which the larvae are feeding.
While on the subject of Paris Green baits for Cutworms it might be well to sound a brief warning on the likely effect this bait will have on young and tender plant growth. ‘This last season has shown us that the bait applied too close to the trunk, in fact, touching the trunk, is liable to cause a girdling effect on the plant tissues. In a number of cases this last summer our young trees were completely girdled from no other cause than Paris Green injury. The larger trees do not suffer in the same way, but it is reasonable to suppose that some evil results when applied too close to matured wood.
The California Tortoiseshell (Vanessa californica) was found work- ing in great numbers on the Ceanothus. They were particularly abun- dant along the Columbia, Slocan and Kettle River sections. Many fruit growers became alarmed at the outbreak, at the numbers and at their ravages. However, as they kept to their own plant food and did not
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 19
affect any cultivated tree, there was no harm done. I believe this insect must have been very heavily parasitised, for I was led to believe that a second brood or a second emergence of caterpillars would appear in the latter part of the summer. Very few appeared, however.
As I said previously we in the Kootenays are particularly blessed with but few insect pests, in fact no serious pests, at present, consequently I hope these rambling notes will be acceptable to the members of the Society for their records on the district which I have the honor to represent.
M. S. MippLeton, Nelson, B. C.
Mr. CHarrmAN—Having received these very interesting and valuable reports from the districts, we will proceed with the next item on the programme. I will now call on the Secretary for his correspond- ence for the year and his Financial Statement.
Mr. SecrETARY—Re Financial Assistance ; Care Inspector of Fruit Pests, Court House, 7 - T m7 Wmhcullouorable Vancouver, November 6th, 1912.
The Minister of Agriculture, Victoria, B. C. Sr—
On behalf of the members of the British Columbia Entomological Society, of which I have the honour to represent as Secretary for the present year, I beg respectfully to address this letter to you for your consideration.
The Society now known as the British Columbia Entomological Society was formed in the year 1901, with a membership of about ten individuals. During the course of its active career as a Society following the year 1901, I am given to understand that a quarterly grant of $25.00 or $100.00 annually was allowed at the hands of the Provincial Department of Agriculture through the kindness of the Minister of Agriculture. During the past few years interest in the Society gradually waned owing to the fact that the Secretary, Mr. R. V. Harvey, left Vancouver, the Society’s headquarters, and also owing to the severe illness and ultimate death of the President, Rev. G. W. Taylor, of the Biological Station at Departure Bay. I, on my part, have endeavored to reorganize the Society, with the result that a very successful meeting was held on December 9th, 1911, in Vancouver, with a paid-up membership of twenty-four individuals. I am glad to say that the membership during the past year has increased to nearly forty; consequently I feel safe in saying that the Society bids fair to remain as a Society in the Province and hopes to become, as years go on, an economic factor in the practical economic control of insect pests in the Province.
The objects and the endeavors of the Society are somewhat as follows:
To co-ordinate the work of those engaged in Entomological pursuits in the Province of British Columbia.
To assist and promote the study of Entomology in the Province of British Columbia.
20 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
To render assistance and information to fruit-growers and farmers on the subject of Entomology, relative to the subjection of insect pests of farm crops, of stock, and of all other and pertaining branches of agriculture.
With such an object before us, I respectfully request you to grant the sum of $200 annually to be placed towards the maintenance of the Society. I should feel honored of you would reply to me as Secretary of the Society, so that I could place the proposition before the members as their annual meeting, which will be held in Victoria about the first week in January, 1913.
With such a grant in our hands we will guarantee—
1. To publish an annual report on the proceedings of the Society, copies of which report will be placed at the disposal of the Provincial Department of Agriculture for distribution to any that may require copies.
2. To hold an annual meeting at some point favorable to the members.
3. To forward an account of the expenditures to the Honorable the Min- ister of Agriculture annually, and to publish the same in the printed report of the proceedings of the Society.
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant, R. C. TREHERNE, Secretary B. C. Entomological Society.
Treasury Department, Victoria, 11th November, i912. R. C. TREHERNE, Esa., Secretary B. C. Entomological Society, Vancouver, B. C.: Dear Sir,—
I am in receipt of your communication of the 6th inst., re the above Society, and in reply beg to inform you that I will have your request in mind when the Estimates are brought down, to see what can be done.
Wishing you every success with your organization in the interests of fruit- growing, believe me,
Yours faithfully, PRICE ELLISON, Minister of Finance and Agriculture.
RE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Entomological Society of Ontario, R. C. TreHerne, Eso., Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 9, 1912. Vancouver, B. C.: DEAR SIR,—
Enclosed please find copies of resolutions re alteration of the Constitution of the Entomological Society of Ontario and change of subscription price of the “Canadian Entomologist.” Before these can become law they must be sanctioned according to the Constitution by two-thirds of the members present at the meet- ing of your Branch where they are considered. Would you please call a meet- ing of your Branch at your earliest convenience and place these resolutions before them. Please let me know the decision of the Branch in regard to them
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 21
as soon as possible, as it is necessary that I have the decisions of the various Branches in time to present them at the Annual General Meeting of the Society on November the 19th and 20th, at Ottawa.
The purpose of these resolutions, as you will see by comparing them with the original Constitution, is to do away with the Associate Members. Persons not resident in the Dominion of Canada will obtain the magazine by paying the new subscription price of two dollars per annum, but they will not be mem- bers of the Society. Persons resident in Canada may become members of the Society on payment of the annual fee of one dollar, and will receive the maga- zine and other publications free of charge. Owing to the enhanced cost of printing and postage, it is estimated that each copy of the “Canadian Entomolo- gist” costs per annum one dollar and sixty cents. It does not seem reasonable that the Society should supply persons resident in other countries with the maga- zine at a joss of sixty cents per annum. If it were not for the grant from the Ontario Legislature, it would be impossible to continue the publication. In the case of subscribers in the United States, there is a further loss of twelve cents per annum for postage.
Yours truly, A. W. BAKER.
RESOLUTION RE CHANGE OF SUBSCRIPTION PRICE OF THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST.
Moved by Dr. C. J. S. Bethune, seconded by A. W. Baker, that the annual subscription price of The Canadian Entomologist shall be two dollars ($2.00), postage included, payable in advance. Members of the Society shall receive the magazine free of charge as stated in Section III., Part I. of the Constitution of the Society. This resolution shall be placed in the Constitution of the Entomological Society of Ontario as Section VIII. (Subscription Price of the Magazine).
RESOLUTION RE ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION.
Moved by Dr. C. J. S. Bethune, seconded by A. W. Baker, that the Constitution of the Entomological Society of Ontario as published in Volume 3 of the Canadian Entomologist be amended as follows:
Section 1, Part 2 to Read:—
The Society shall consist of three classes, viz:—Members, Lite Members and Honorary Members.
Part 3 ia read :—
Members shall be persons whose pursuits, or studies, are connected with Entomology, or who are in any way interested in Natural History and who are resident within the Dominion of Canada.
Part 5 :—
To be dropped completely, Parts 6, 7 and 8 becoming then Parts 5, 6 and 7, respectively.
22 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Section II, Part 1 to read:—
All candidates for Life Membership must be proposed by a member at the regular meeting of the Society and be balloted for; the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members present shall be necessary for the election of a candidate.
Section III, Part 1 to read :—
The annual contribution of members shall be one dollar; all con- tributions to be due in advance on the first day of January in each year, the payment of which shall entitle the member to a copy of all the publications of the Society during the year. All new members except those elected at and after the Annual General Meeting and before the following first of January, shall be required to pay the subscription for the year in which they are elected.
Section VI., Part 4 to read :—
All the members of the Branches shall be members of the Society and entitled to all the privileges of members.
Part 5 to read:
No Honorary Members shall be appointed by the Branches, but such members may be proposed at General Meetings of the Society by any Branch, as well as by individual members.
Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 26, 1912. R. C. TREHERNE, Esa., Vancouver, B. C.:
My Dear TREHERNE;x—
When writing to you the other day, I omitted to refer to the proposed changes in the Constitution of the Society of which you have no doubt received a draft from our Secretary, Mr. Baker. In order to effect the changes in the Constitution, it is necessary that each Branch should concur in the proposed alterations. We are anxious to have these changes ratified at the Annual Meet- ing next month, and in order to do so would like to have the concurrence of the B. C. Branch as well as of those in Toronto and Montreal. Your regular meeting is not to be held until December, but probably you could gather to- gether the residents in and about Vancouver and submit the matter to them. This would fulfill the requirements of the Constitution. We think that the increase in the price of the magazine to persons who do not reside in the Dominion of Canada is very necessary. It actually costs us one dollar and sixty cents at least to publish each copy per annum, and it seems absurd to offer the magazine to outsiders so much below cost. It is not likely that we should lose many subscribers, while it will place the publication on a more nearly paying basis. As far as Canadians are concerned, it will make no difference whatever. With kind regards,
Yours faithfully, CHARLES J. BETHUNE.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 23
1625 Nelson Street, Dr. C. J. S. BETHUNE, Vancouver, B. C., November 9th, 1912. Guelph, Ont.: Dear Dr. BETHUNE,—
Referring to your request that I should call a meeting of the B. C. Branch of the Ontario Entomological Society, previous to our annual meeting and in time to refer our opinions re the change in the Constitution to the annual meet- ing of the Ontario Society taking place in Ottawa on November 19th of this month, I regret to say that this is not possible, for the reason that the members are scattered too much over the province. We have so few members in Van- couver and in the immediate vicinity that no representative resolution could be passed. With the few members that I have seen and referred the question ver- bally there seems little doubt that they are in favor of the proposed changes. The B. C. Branch has lain dormant for several years. It has now been reor- ganized, but it is still in a formative condition, consequently I feel personally and as Secretary for the Branch that I should be voicing the feelings of the members that they would prefer to defer a resolution on this point and agree to accept the ruling of the majority of the members of the other Branches.
I remain,
Yours truly, R. C. TREHERNE, Secretary B. C. Entomological Society.
Mr. CuNNINGHAM—I move that the action of our Secretary be upheld in his reply to the Ontario Society.
Seconded and Passed.
Mr. TREHERNE—I think that we should discuss the question of our future policy in regard to the affiliation of this Society to that of Ontario.
So far as I have been able to find out, this Society, in the years gone by, originated as a separate society with a small membership consisting of men interested in Entomology. The question then came up as to whether they should still remain as a separate society or become affliated to the Ontario Entomological Society as a branch of that Society. Apparently the decision was reached that they should unite their efforts with Ontario, for we find the Ontario Society extending courtesy to the members of the B. C. Society by forwarding the monthly numbers of “The Canadian Entomologist” and the Annual Reports of the Ontario Entomological Society. Such a condition continues till the present day. But now we have developed a little bit beyond the standing of the Society as it was at its inception. Our numbers have increased, fresh blood has been infused into our midst and we have a large number of men engaged in or interested in Entomological pursuits. It is a pity that the work of these men should be lost to the people of the Province and it is unreasonable to expect the Ontario Government to print the work of these men detailing conditions peculiar to British
24 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Columbia and the West. Consequently we must make our own arrangements for this Province. And the question is merely this. It is most desirable to still retain our present arrangements with Ontario not only to receive the latest word in economic and systematic prac- tice of the older country, but also to unite and co-ordinate the entomo- logical work of the Dominion, and there will be no difficulty in doing this if we are financially assisted by the Provincial Government here.
If, however, we are forced to depend on our own financial resources the question of affiliation with Ontario immediately becomes vital.
I have already interviewed the Honorable the Minister of Agricul- ture and have addressed the letter, I have just read, to him. I have received the reply, also mentioned before, to my letter. I have further- more respectfully asked him to be so kind as to make an effort to meet us here this afternoon and I am in hopes he will be able to come. You will then be able to judge the situation yourselves. Yesterday I was present at the convention of B. C. Fruitgrowers and I will quote you a resolution that was passed unanimously by the members present:
10. RESOLUTION RE B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Moved by R. M. WINsLow:
“Whereas there is a very large field for investigation into the scientific and economic sides of the study of insects in this Province;
“And whereas a Provincial organization, properly encouraged, would be in a position to greatly stimulate the development of our knowledge of insects, and particularly of insect pests;
“Be it resolved that we, the members of the British Columbia Fruit Grow- ers’ Association, in annual convention, do hereby petition the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture to make an annual grant in the sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) to the British Columbia Entomological Society, and to make provision for the publication of their Annual Report.”
I may say that this matter was a surprise to me as it is no doubt to the members of this Society. We were not consulted as to our require- ments, yet I think we ought to feel we are indebted to the Fruitgrowers for their forethought and interest in our endeavors. You will notice that the sum of $250.00 is petitioned for and also ‘“‘to make provision for the publication of their Annual Report.”
Yesterday I was asked to speak to the resolution at the Fruitgrowers’ convention and I took the opportunity, on behalf of the Entomological Society to thank them for their consideration and forethought.
That is how the matter stands today. I am in favor of remain- ing a branch of the Ontario Society, which, as I understand it, is the
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 25
Canadian Society financed by an annual grant from the Ontario Legis- lature, and that we should still remit our 50 cents per member to Ontario to receive the monthly numbers of the “Canadian Entomolo- gist” and to exchange Annual Reports with the Ontario Entomological Society.
I am pleased to say that we have with us today a gentleman who is one of the old original Entomologists from Ontario, Mr. Baynes Reed. I am sure that a few words from him on the formation of the Ontario Society would be much appreciated.
Mr. Baynes Reed then gave the members present a short account of the early foundation days of the Ontario Entomological Society in London, Ontario. He explained how the members grew from a mere handful to that of an important number and how the Society enlarged and became of use and direct benefit to the Province. He showed how the appropriation was applied by the Provincial Government of Ontario and how this had grown with years. Engravings for illustrating the publications of the Society was another example of its growth. He believed there were 3,000 cuts available now for use. “This in itself is an argument that should be used and considered by you as a branch of the Ontario Society for I have no doubt you will have complete access to any that you may require for use in this Province.”
He said he was very glad to see the steps that had been taken to ask the Provincial Government for financial assistance and he wished us all luck in the endeavor and in the Society for the future.
Mr. BusH—I personally am strongly in favor of retaining our Ontario connection. There are difficulties in the matter of finances, as have been pointed out, consequently I would move
“That in the event of any change being necessary in the policy of this Society, other than that which now prevails, we endeavour to affiliate with the University of British Columbia.”
Seconded by Mr. Lyne.
Mr. CHAIRMAN—Any discussion ?
Mr. Day—lIt seems that this proposal is somewhat premature. The University is not yet built and we do not know whether we would be allowed to become affiliated with the University.
Mr. TREHERNE—You understand that the motion reads ‘“‘we en- deavour to afhliate in the event of any change.”
Mr. Watiace—I also think this motion is unnecessary. As it appears the question resolves on the financial outlook, we have a letter from the Honorable Price Ellison regarding the grant to the Society.
26 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
We had better wait until we find out whether we get the grant or not. I therefore move an amendment “that the question be laid over for another year.”
Seconded by Mr. Day.
Mr. TREHERNE—I believe I stated that I had invited the Honorable the Minister of Agriculture to be present at this meeting. I have just received this communication from him:
R. C. TREHERNE, Esa., January 9th, 1913. Secretary B. C. Entomological Society: DEAR SirR,—
Replying to your favor of the 19th ult., which arrived during my absence from the city, I note that you are to hold a meeting of your Society in the Par- liament Buildings on the 9th inst., on which occasion I am invited to be present. This will afford me great pleasure if it is at all possible. I am gratified indeed with your progress, and I am sure your efforts will prove to be, without doubt, of the greatest benefit.
Thanking you for the invitation, believe me,
Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) | PRICE ELLISON, Minister of Finance and Agriculture.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM—I am very pleased indeed to hear this com- munication from the Honorable Minister. I am certain that the Hon- orable Mr. Ellison has our interests at heart, as indeed he has the interests of all phases of agriculture and horticulture. I feel sure that he will make all possible endeavour to be present this afternoon or evening so that I beg to move an amendment to the former two motions “that the matter be laid on the table until the afternoon or evening session.”
Seconded by Mr. Collins. Carried.
Central Experimental Farm, R. C. TREHERNE, Esa., Ottawa, October 9, 1912. Vancouver, B. C.: DEAR SiR,—
Dr. C. G. Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist, has just placed me in charge of the collection of Bumble-bees (Bombi and Psithyri) in this Division. I am anxious to make it representative of the whole of Canada, and should be most grateful for any specimens of these useful insects from your district, especially of the rarer species, if you could kindly spare them. If desired, I would return any specimens after naming them as far as it is possible to determine them. I have made a special study of the Bumble-bees in Britain and Europe, and am hoping that a continuation of their study in this country, where they appear to be of greater importance, will be productive of good results.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant, F. W. L. SLADEN, Assistant Entomologist for Apiculture.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 27
Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, 23rd October, 1912. Mr. R. TREHERNE, 1625 Nelson Street, Vancouver, B. C.: DEAR SIR,—
I thank you for your letter received yesterday, and fcr your kind promise to send a copy of your Proceedings containing the list of members of your Ento- mological Society, so that I may write to them direct for Bumble-bees. I am also working up the other Aculeate hymenoptera, and shall be pleased to receive specimens of Wasps, of Sarnd-wasps and solitary Bees.
I remain,
Your obedient servant, F. W. L. SLADEN, Assistant for Apiculture.
Mr. W. H. Brittain, Provincial Entomologist, also requested the members present, as well as those who were unable to be at the meeting, to send him specimens of British Columbia Coccidz (Scale insects) for identification and study.
Note—Financial Statement follows the list of members on last
page.
RE IMPERIAL BUREAU.
The Secretary then read a letter which he had received from Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist, in regard to the formation of an Imperial Bureau which is being formed in London and will be maintained by the various Governments within the British Empire.
“Tt would probably interest the members of the Suciety, when they meet in January, if you informed them of the formation of this Bureau. The first move which was made towards its formation was the calling of a Conference in 1911 by the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies of the Ministers of Agriculture of the various Dominions and Colonies who were in London at that time. At this Conference it was decided that such a Bureau was desirable for the purpose of assisting the various countries in the British Empire in the matter of preventing the spread of and furthering the investigations on injurious insects. The Colonial Office then drew up a scheme for the formation of a Bureau of this nature and this was submitted to the various Dominions and Colonies for their consideration. While the scheme submitted did not benefit Canada to the extent that it benefitted other parts of the Empire, chiefly because our entomological service is well organized, but more especially because the scheme proposed to confine itself, so far as the collecting of information regarding insect pests was concerned, to the countries within the British Empire, we wished to further its aims and co-operate, if
28 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
possible. As we obtain most of our natural products and with them our new insect pests from non-British countries, it was necessary, if the scheme were to be of use to us, and in our opinion of real use to the other Colonies, that its survey should not be confined to the British Empire, but should be world-wide. Such a more extended scheme was considered to be desirable by us. I conferred with the Colonial Office authorities in London in January and in August, after the International Entomological Congress, the Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies called another conference of the Government entomologists of the Dominions and Colonies and of the Entomological Research Com- mittee of the Colonial Office to work out a scheme for inspection co- operation.
At this conference the more extended scheme which we proposed was unanimously adopted and an Imperial Entomological Bureau will be formed and will be maintained by financial contributions from the self-governing Dominions and Colonies and also from the Colonial Office. It will supply information on the subject of insect pests and will also identify insects sent in by those entomologists who have not access to large collections or who are unable to get their material identified. One of its most useful functions will be the publication of a journal containing abstracts of current literature relating to insect pests and their control.
The co-operation which will result from the formation of this Bureau will be of undoubted benefit to the Colonies concerned and will materially assist all parts of the British Empire in their efforts to control insect pests.”
AFTERNOON SESSION. “CARBON BISULPHIDE FUMIGATION.”
During the last ten to twenty years many methods aiming at the destruction of insect pests infecting trees, shrubs, plants and grain, etc., have been put into practice.
The problem has always been: What is the most deadly to the insects, the least harmful to the stock they infect, and also within the bounds of economic practice?
The methods in use may be quoted as, Spraying, Dipping and Fumigating. All three of these have their special merits, according to the conditions under which they are applied.
Fumigation has been very extensively adopted by the Government Departments in many parts of the world, for the purpose of preventing the spread of insect pests from one country to another.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 29
For this work Hydrocyanic Acid Gas, for nursery stock, trees and shrubs, and Carbon Bisulphide for grain, roots and bulbs, etc., are almost universally used. The action of these two gases accounts for their separate uses.
The Hydrocyanic Acid Gas is lighter than air and works upwards. It is generated by placing Cyanide Potassium into an earthen jar con- taining Sulphuric Acid and water. It is one of the deadliest gases known, and poisons the lungs instantly. Owing to its rapid action, the nursery stock is quickly treated and does not have to remain exposed to the fumes long enough to do it injury.
There are certain insects, such as Spiders, Root Borers, some Moth Larve, Aphis, etc., that are immune to the short exposure and are cap- able of withstanding the gas longer than might be good for some of the nursery stock.
Carbon Bisulphide Gas is heavier than air and works downwards. It is a colorless liquid, resembling water, and is formed by the union of two elementary particles of sulphur with one of carbon. (The chemical symbol is CS.) The commercial Carbon Bisulphide is now made on a large scale by a new electric process.
The fumes of burning sulphur are passed over red-hot charcoal and the resulting vapors are condensed to a liquid by cooling. This liquid gas is one-fourth heavier than water. Its specific gravity is 1.29 at the freezing temperature of water. The gas is generated by coming in contact with the atmosphere, and is 2.63 times heavier than air. For this reason, it is peculiarly adapted for the fumigation of solid masses of grain, roots or soil.
There are hundreds of tons of imported rice and grain treated at the Vancouver and Victoria Fumigating Stations each year, and the process is as follows:
The sacks containing the rice or grain are stacked two or four deep on the floor of the fumigation chamber. Soup plates are placed at equal distances on top of the sacks, all windows and doors are sealed, and the amount of liquid Carbon Bisulphide necessary to the cubic space measurement of the chamber is distributed in equal quantities in each soup plate. The chamber is then closed and sealed for thirty-six hours.
During the process of distributing the liquid in the plates, one naturally becomes acquainted with some of the peculiar effects of the gas, which commences to generate directly it is poured out.
The operator does not experience any disagreeable sensation, and has no desire to leave the chamber, but after a few minutes he may
30 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
begin to feel a cool, tingling sensation penetrating his clothes, and a little later may experience a slight congestion at the back of his head. This should be a sign for him to get out into the fresh air, otherwise, if no one were watching, he might sit down and go to sleep, which would be fatal if he were not rescued in time to resuscitate. A few minutes in the fresh air will usually dispel all effects of the symptoms just referred to, though some men may be slightly intoxicated.
I recollect on one occasion, the man who was helping to distribute the liquid, went home directly we were through, and upon his arrival there, his wife accused him of being drunk, and the poor fellow was a total abstainer.
Another precaution should be taken, to see that no one smoking pipe or cigar comes anywhere near the chamber in which Carbon Bisulphide is being distributed. The gas is explosive and_ highly inflammable, and a warning should be posted on any building where it is confined.
Cubic space measurement for deciding the quantity to be used does not always work successfully. If the charge by space measurement does not equal one pound of Carbon Bisulphide for every ton of grain confined in the space, sufficient chemical should be added to equal that quantity.
I do not know of any insect confined in grain, roots or fruit, which was properly charged with Carbon Bisulphide for thirty-six hours, that has ever survived. Some insects require heavier charges and longer exposures than others.
When Japanese Brown Rice commenced to arrive in Vancouver, the question arose as to whether the Carbon Bisulphide fumes would affect the flavour of the rice. To test this, a small quantity of rice that had been fumigated and a like proportion that had not been fymigated were cooked in separate vessels, and given to the Japanese importers and others to taste. All declared they cculd not detect any difference in the odor or flavour of the rice.
The same results were obtained in making tests of fruit, such as pineapples, oranges, apples and pears. The flavour or condition of the fruit was not affected in the least.
When treated with proper care, the germinating power of grain, seeds and bulbs is not injured, if they are perfectly dry.
The CS2. has been used very extensively in fighting “Phylloxera’ in grape vineyards in France and California. For this work consider- able allowance has to be made for the nature and moisture of the soil; otherwise the treatment may result in great injury to the vines.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 31
The same care should be taken when treating the root system of other trees, vines, shrubs, plants or bulbs, any of which may require a different method of application, according to their susceptibility to injury.
Willis G. Johnson, State Entomologist and former professor at Maryland Agricultural College, is editor of a very useful book dealing with the different methods of fumigation of all kinds of stock. (This book is published by the Orange Judd Co., New York.)
Several years ago the orchardists in California commenced using CS2. very extensively, in order to rid their deciduous fruit-trees of the peach-tree root borer, “Sanninoidea opalescens,’ but, as the result of careless application, many trees were killed outright and others injured.
The favorite practice was to make a trench about six inches deep around each tree, pour in one or two ounces of the CS2. liquid and cover up the trench with soil. This treatment was very effective in killing the borers within twenty-four hours, when the soil around the tree would be removed and the space aired before replacing it. But injury resulted from applying the liquid to the bark of the tree, instead of keeping it two or three inches away, or in some cases the soil was too wet for the operation. “Too much moisture in the soil, or sudden rain within a short time of the distribution of the liquid, would always result in injury.
I shall never forget the sight of a whole ten-acre block of fine seven-year-old prune trees on almond root totally destroyed as the result of careless application of CS2.
Carbon Bisulphide is a valuable servant, when properly handled, but capable of doing untold injury when used by inexperienced people.
The insecticidal properties of CS2. were discovered in 1856, but it was not until twenty years later that it was brought into prominence in France, for use in fighting “Phylloxera.’ This commercial grade is now known as “Fuma.”
W. H. Lyne, Assistant Inspector of Fruit Pests.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM—I want to endorse what Mr. Lyne has said in his paper. Carbon Bisulphide is a most satisfactory fumigant after we are used to it.
Mr. ANDERSON—What effect would it have on the Codling Moth?
Mr. CUNNINGHAM—Very good effect.
Mr. Lyne—Directly we undertake to fumigate and pass infected fruit on consignment the moral effect on the shippers is reduced.
32 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Mr. Brirrarin—Importers would be only too glad to import infected stock to be cleaned here. Has anyone had any experience in fumigation by dry heat?
Mr. TREHERNE—Certain experiments in the States, where mill and grain insects have been subjected to 122 degrees of dry heat have shown that all eggs, larvae, and adults have been killed.
Mr. WiLKiInson—My experience with the use of CS2. in Victoria has been that it is very satisfactory. I remember fumigating a carload of beef scraps from Chicago which was alive with predaceous beetles of all kinds. The gas was highly satisfactory.
Mr. Lyne—The United States will not allow raw hides coming from Australia through Vancouver into their country unless accompanied by a certificate of ours certifying that the hides have been duly fumi- gated by CS2.
Mr. Davipson—How long do you expose to fumes?
Mr. Lyne—Thirty-six hours is full exposure. Less will not guarantee to kill all eggs of all species and the Mediterranean Flour Moth is also not affected by a lesser time.
Mr. Taytor—What effect in comparison would Hydrocyanic Acid gas have?
Mr. Lyne—The two gases have opposite properties in many respects and the differences account for their respective uses. Hermetically sealed cocoons of the Brown Tail Moth are not penetrated by Hydro- cyanic Acid gas and many borers in root or stem or larva confined in their coccoons are immune the same way.
Mr. CHaiRMAN—I now take great pleasure in calling upon Mr. Brittain for his paper and at the same time introducing him and wel- coming him to this Province. He has recently been appointed Provincial Entomologist and Plant Pathologist for this Province and we hope as years go on he will be able to further our knowledge on British Columbia insects.
BENEFICIAL INSECTS. by W. H. Brittain, Provincial Entomologist and Plant Pathologist. If we look into the history of our insect enemies we find that as
far back as our records go they have been a source of annoyance and financial loss to those who make their living from the soil. As to
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 33
whether the San Jose scale and the codling moth were present in the Garden of Eden, history is silent, though some cynic has suggested that Eve presented the historic apple to Adam because she found a worm in it. However that may be, away back 1500 years before the Christian era, we hear of the ancient land of Egypt undergoing a succession of plagues, not the least trying among them, being those due to insects. Several centuries later the prophet Joel makes this pensive complaint: “That which the palmer worm hath left hath the locust eaten, and that which the locust hath left hath the canker worm eaten, and that which the canker worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.”
Insect pests at the present time levy a heavy tax upon the farmer and horticulturist. Aside from the injuries they do our crops, they are harmful in numerous other ways. Scarcely a single product of man’s activity—from lead pipes to tobacco—is immune from their ravages. In summer they transform the quiet woodland places into veritable torture chambers, and as carriers of disease they have justly acquired an evil reputation. Even in these days man’s own person is liable to be invaded by several disgusting pests.
It is therefore a relief to turn from this gloomy picture and consider insects in another relation—that of man’s friend and ally.
Of all the beneficial insects, the parasitic and predaceous forms are probably the most important. Those of you who have had experience in rearing insects realize to what an extent natural parasitism occurs, and those with practical orchard training are well aware of the important part played by Lady Bird beetles in keeping down plant lice. It has been said, and we have no reason to doubt it, that if it were not for the insectivorous birds the world in three years’ time would be con- verted into a howling wilderness. However true this may be, it is certainly a fact that if it were not for the work of insect allies, all vegetation would soon be destroyed by the countless hordes of injurious forms, kept in check at present, by these silent but effective friends of mankind. The terrible depredations of the Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths in the Eastern States is evidence of how an insect, of compara- tively little importance in its native home, may become a serious scourge when removed from the attentions of its own peculiar parasites.
The Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and a few other orders contain parasitic or predaceous forms. Among the Hemiptera the Masked Bedbug Hunter (Opsicaetus personatus) is of service in destroying bedbugs and other injurious insects. In the Neuroptera the members of the order Chrysopidae (aphis lions) are probably best known. ‘The order Lepidoptera con- tains only a few—Feneseca tarquinius, the larva of which feeds upon
34 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
the woolly alder aphis, is a well known species. In the Coleoptera the chief predaceous families are the Coccinellidae, the Carabidae, and the Cicindelidae. In the Diptera many species of Tachina flies are useful parasites, while numerous species of Syrphidae are predaceous on aphides. The order Hymenoptera probably contains more parasitic forms than all others, members of the orders Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Chalcidae, Proctotrupidae and others taking part in this useful work.
Any stage in the life of the host insect may be attacked. Among the parasites of most service to man, those which attack the egg are not the least important. Hubbard, in 1880, found that a minute parasite, Trichogramma pretiosa, alone and unaided, almost annihilated the fifth brood of the cotton worm in Florida, 90% of the eggs being attacked. A tiny Proctotrupid, Telenomus orgyae, has been reared from the eggs of the White-marked Tussock Moth and Telenomi are known to attack the eggs of fourteen species of Lepidoptera in America. The elm leaf beetle which for several years had proved a serious pest to the elms in the vicinity of Paris, was in one season almost wiped out by an egg parasite, T’etrastichus xanthomelaenae. Numerous egg parasites of the Gypsy and Brown Jail have been imported into the Eastern States and have there become established.
The larval stage is particularly susceptible to attack from parasites. A Braconid Apanteles glomeratus has done good work against the imported cabbage worm, it having been imported from England for that purpose. Another important parasite of the same pest is a chalcis fly, Pteromalus puparum. ‘The larve of nearly all the leaf eating cater- pillars are attacked by numerous hymenopterous or dipterous parasites. Even when apparently well protected larve are frequently discovered and attacked by their parasites. The larva of the May Beetle (Lachnosterna fusca) feeding under ground upon the roots of grasses is often parasitized by a tiny Scoliid (Tiphia inornata.)
Though not so numerous as larval parasites, pupal parasites are, nevertheless, frequently found. The Ichneumon, Pimpla conquisitor, is parasitic on several species of Lepidoptera, and is an important pupal parasite of the Tussock Moth.
The imagoes of injurious insects are subject to attack from numer- ous predaceous forms.
Take the history of any insect pest over a number of years and it will be found to be one of epidemics alternating with periods of comparative immunity. This is due chiefly to the work of its parasites. As the host insect increases in numbers the parasites also multiply with the greater supply of food, and ultimately succeed in reducing the numbers of their host, sometimes almost to the verge of extermination.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 35
The parasites have thus destroyed their food supply, and as they them- selves are often subject to parasitism, their own numbers will be greatly reduced. ‘The pest insect will then breed up ahead of its parasites and we eventually have another epidemic. The fact that secondary parasites are not uncommon and that tertiary and even quaternary parasitism may sometimes occur greatly complicates this whole process. On the average, however, a balance will be struck between host and parasite, the former never reaching such numbers as to destroy its food supply, and the latter never increasing so rapidly as to exterminate its host.
The utilization of parasites in insect control is a new and promising field in economic entomology. ‘The signal success attending the intro- duction of the Australian Lady Bird Beetle into California, where it succeeded in checking the ravages of the dreaded fluted scale (Icerya purchasi), and a like happy result from the introduction of the same parasite into several other countries, gave a great impetus to this work. A determined attempt has been made by the United States Department of Agriculture and the different State legislatures concerned, to intro- duce and establish European parasites of the Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths. ‘Though many parasites of these pests have been successfully introduced and much valuable work accomplished, the same degree of success has not been attained as was the case in the instance already cited. It was, of course, scarcely to be hoped that one specific parasite could be found that would be as efficient for these highly specialized insects as was the novius against the fluted scale. The reasons for this, as pointed out by Dr. L. O. Howard in his bulletin on the subject, are plain. The movius is an active insect, crawling actively as a larva and capable of flying from place to place as an adult. It is a very rapid breeder, having at least two generations to every one of the host. It feeds upon the eggs of its hosts, and, strange to say, it seems to have no parasites of its own. Its host, on the other hand, except when newly hatched, is entirely motionless and has no means of escaping or of defending itself against its enemy. These are things which do not hold good in very many cases and consequently it was hardly to be expected that such immediate results could be obtained. ‘Those engaged in the work are convinced that the desired result will be attained when they have secured a sequence of parasites, of egg, larva, and pupa; and of forms differing among themselves in life history and method of attack, all working harmoniously together towards the same end.
The whole subject of insect parasitism, however, is so large that to discuss it any further in a paper of this general character would be out of place and would take up altogether too much time. I will there- fore proceed to the next topic.
36 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
In any discussion of beneficial insects those that act as pollenizers deserve a large place. Bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, a number of bugs, some flies, and a few beetles take part in this work, so essential to most plants of economic importance. The red clover for instance can- not set its seed without the aid of the bumble bee, while the apple, pear, and many other Rosaceous plants depend very largely upon the honey bee for pollenation. The benefit that insects do in this way is incalculable and does much to counterbalance the ravages of injurious forms. Darwin was the first to prove experimentally that as a rule cross-fertilization is indispensable to the vigour of plants, and in his great work, Cross and Self Fertilization in Plants, cites many marvellous instances of plant adaptation to insure cross-fertilization by insects. A study of these adaptations, and of the part that insects have indirectly played, in the evolution of the plant kingdom is one of great fascination. It is, however, outside the scope of my present subject.
As scavengers insects are also of considerable service to man. They destroy vast quantities of dead and decaying animal and vegetable matter which, if left to accumulate, would soon render the globe uninhabitable. By breaking down organic matter in this way, as well as in many other respects, insects play important parts as makers of soil. “They open it up to the action of the air by burrowing through it in all directions, bring up subsoil to the surface, carry vegetable matter below ground, and on dying yield their own bodies to further influence the changes that go on in the soil.
The work of insects in destroying noxious weeds is also worthy of mention. An interesting case of this came under my notice last fall. In attempting to collect a supply of seeds of the common Canada thistle I found every head the habitat of a small maggot, and had difficulty in getting a sound seed in the whole district.
Examples of this class are: The milkweed butterfly (Anosia plexippus) ; the thistle butterfly (Pyrameis cardui) and the purslane Sphinx moth (Deiliphila lineata.)
Commercially, insects and insect products have a varied and exten- sive use. Furnishing us with an article of dress and forming the basis of an important industry, we have the silkworm (Bombyx mori). The dessicated bodies of a scale insect, Coccus cacti, yields us cochineal, and another scale insect, Tacchaldia lacca, supplies us with the lac of commerce.
This subject would be incomplete without some mention of insects and their products as food. The first insect that naturally suggests itself in this connection is the honey bee, which is one of our oldest domesticated animals. Locusts from time immemorial have been
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 37
used by semi-civilized people as food. The great New ‘Testament prophet John the Baptist is reputed to have subsisted on an exclusively insecti- vorous diet—locusts and wild honey. The eggs of a water bug, Corixa, in Mexico, are said to be much relished by the natives of that country. The manna upon which the Children of Israel fed on their long journey through the wilderness on the way to the Land of Promise is said to have been the secretion of a scale insect, and it seems safe to say, that in the insect world are to be found many undeveloped culinary possibilities, only awaiting exploitation.
The subject of insects as food for fishes is a separate study in itself. In this capacity insects are of considerable indirect benefit to man.
Still another way must be mentioned in which insects are useful to man. Even the injurious forms are not an unmixed evil. They may stimulate the farmer to more careful methods of culture. They may force him into a systematic crop rotation, which otherwise, to the detriment of his soil, he would not follow. A prominent fruit grower once told me that the advent of the San Jose scale to his district was the best thing that ever happened it, for it drove the lazy and careless men out of the business and enabled the careful growers to make some profit for their pains. “There is undoubtedly something in this attitude. Though it is no argument in favour of letting foreign pests gain a foothold in our orchards, still it is encouraging to note that even the worst of them have been brought under control by the methods of modern applied entomology.
I am well aware that the facts that I have here brought to your attention are already well known to all of you. Nevertheless, the subject of pests looms so large in our daily horizon, that at least it will do no harm to review in this way the other side of the question. So that while we strive by every means in our power to rid the country of its injurious forms, we do not forget that many of our humble insect friends are doing their best in a quiet way to make the world a better place for man to live.
Mr. TREHERNE—The principles of entomology relating to insect parasitism ranks in the forefront of entomological practice today. | fully expect to see the day when our systems of spraying will be reduced and our principles of breeding and distributing insect parasites will be increased. The greatest movement in the past few years has taken place with imported parasites of imported insects, but I believe we will see the day when more use will be made of such native parasites as we have. Spraying at the best is an unnatural process, but we dare not at the present day advocate otherwise.
38 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Mr. ANDERSON—I have been interested in what has been said and cannot add much. ‘Today the Oak Tree Caterpillars are hard to find and I have no doubt their natural enemies are checking them. Fungus diseases play an important part in the natural control of insects.
Mr. Wiitson—In 1900 we had a severe infestation of the Cut- worm, Peridromia saucia. Following this outbreak 90% were parasitized.
Mr. ANDERSON—Yes. ‘That was a severe outbreak. Daylight habits were adopted by the larve although a noctuid.
Mr. BusH—They could be heard feeding.
Dr. Hapwen—lI hope to have some slides to show tonight of the mite parasitism of Horn Flies.
NOTES ON XANTHIA PULCHELLA, SMITH.
This species appears to be increasing in numbers in the Quamichan district of Vancouver Island. Five years ago odd specimens only were taken, whereas in 1910, 11, and 12, it was not unusual to see five or six in an evening at “sugar.” A female thus taken on October 9th, 1911, laid eggs about October 15th. The ova were deposited in batches and clusters in a chip box. Color at first greenish yellow, changing after a few days to a light grayish brown. Eggs round, with base slightly broader and top somewhat flattened. Surface shining, well sculptured by lines running from base to top where they finish in a well pronounced micropyle. Hatched February 25th to March 5th, 1912. Young larve with jet black shining head; body with series of spines. Head the broadest; body tapering posteriorly fairly evenly. General colour a dirty white with faint indications of lemon colour. For half the length from the head there is a distinct lavender shade which fades away gradually towards the tail. Eggshell not eaten. The young larva rests on the two anal pairs of legs and with head in the air. As soon as the young larva begins to eat the lavender shade goes and the colour becomes a uniform glaucous green. From a number of plants presented to the larvae, rose was chosen, but chickweed and another kind of weed were nibbled at. The appearance of the larva changes considerably after the first moult. The black shining head gives place to a green one, and three whitish stripes appear, running the entire length of the body—one in the middle of the back—the others a short distance away on each side—the three enclosing the dorsal area. ‘Lhe spines not so conspicuous as in the first instance. They are emitted from small warts—two above the legs, two between first white line and the median line, and the same of course on the other
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 39
side (taking each segment across). General colour a lighter green. The larva continues to be of a light green until nearly three-quarters of an inch long. At this stage the larva ig semi-transparent, of a yellowish green colour, with five white lines running the whole length of the body. The middle line in the centre of the back is quite narrow but distinct. The side white lines are more conspicuous and contain the spiracles. They are margined on the upper side (immediately above the spiracles) by a green line somewhat darker than the ground colour. There is a fainter white line between those just noted. This is edged on both sides by darker green. ‘The central white line also has a green edging. In the next instance the larva presents a complete change. It then becomes a dark velvety brownish green with very conspicuous markings. These markings consist of dark (almost black) V-shapes on each segment—each V being cut through the angle by the middle white line. The middle white line shows very distinctly; the spiracle white line also survives, but the intermediate lines have entirely dis- appeared. Head light brown. The segment next the head is dark with two white lines, between which are two white dots. There are also white dots on each segment transversely, arranged differently on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments. After these there appear to be four dots on each segment. ‘There are also single short hairs on each side of the centre line on each segment. ‘The latter description was taken May Ist,
L912)
As the larva grows larger the greenish tinge goes and the prevailing colour is various shades of brown. At this stage my larve were very voracious and the sprigs of wild rose supplied were soon stripped. All the larve had gone into earth by May 12th. The pupe were kept indoors, so the dates of emergence of the perfect insects (August 17th to September 5th) are earlier than usually occurs in the natural state. In this district the wild moths appear from about the middle of Sep- tember to the middle of October.
As the species seems to be local and not generally known, perhaps a description of the perfect insect may be acceptable.
Expanse 32mm. Primaries narrowish with outer margin slightly hollowed below apex; general colour a rich red brown with purplish tinge; basal area purplish brown (broadest in middle) edged outwardly by a light line followed by a darker transverse anterior line; then follows a lighter area commencing at the costa where it is as wide as the basal patch, broadens out to take in the orbicular and extends to the lower part of the reniform, from which point it contracts until it reaches the inner margin; the lower half of this area is ochreous and more shaded than the upper; it is bordered outwardly by the transverse posterior
40 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
shade of darker brown which surrounds the reniform and throws it up in strong relief, especially at the lower part where it is conspicuously white; between the t. p. shade and the subterminal line the band is slightly lighter and more purplish; in this band, where it touches the costal margin, are three minute wedge-shaped ochreous marks; the outer edge of the s. t. line is fairly parallel with the outer margin, only some- what wavy and notched; the s. t. line is thin about the centre but thickens out slightly to the anal angle and more so towards the costa where it forms a darkish, somewhat triangular, apical patch; next comes the outer band; this being of fairly uniform width and lighter than the general ground colour (and more ochreous) forms a rather striking feature in the markings; fringes plain and of ochreous olive.
In some specimens a whitish dash sprinkled with rosy scales runs along the costa from the thorax to the orbicular stigma which it includes; the orbicular is small (occasionally almost obsolete) and, when present, outlined in white; the reniform, long in shape, is outlined in white, the lower part markedly so as already mentioned, the upper part being filled in with ochreous. Secondaries plain, of a rosy brown, lighter than the primaries; there is an indication of a discal mark; this is more distinct on the under side. Thorax purplish brown, slightly crested along central line; collar and head more ochreous. Body purplish brown, shading off lighter towards thorax. Palpi clothed with hairs; eyes smooth. Under side a rosy ochreous with costa and outer band of primaries strongly ochreous. Antenne simple in both sexes.
A variable species within certain limits. General appearance of sexes similar, except that the females are perhaps in the majority of cases more strongly marked than the males.
G. O. Day, Duncans, B. C.
NOTES ON SCHIZURA UNICORNIS, SMITH & ABBOT.
Perhaps some of those present may have noticed on their fruit trees a curious looking caterpillar, remarkable for two strongly contrasting colors, besides other peculiarities of shape. The segments between the head and a kind of double pointed hump on the third segment are a light green color, almost transparent, the rest of the body being differ- ent shades of brown and pink. ‘There is also a conspicuous white V- shaped mark in front of the anal hump. A brownish-purple narrow band connects the head with the first hump. This marking shows strongly against the green of the first two segments already alluded to.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 41
The prevailing color of the body behind these segments is purplish- brown. Commencing with the first hump is a series of triangular pink- ish markings on four segments plainly seen. Posteriorly the last two extend more towards the legs and stretch each side of the white V- shaped mark already mentioned—being separated therefrom by a darker band, which also forms a V (with the apex towards the head). There are also two small cream colored markings (like the “gamma” mark on some of the moths of the Plusia family) on each side just above the fourth pair of legs—on the same segment as the broad part of the white V, and just below it. The larvae are found on apple, plum, apricot and other plants. They are not plentiful nor likely to become so numerous as to be a pest. “They, however, appear to have a fine appetite and eat a good many leaves without showing much trace of their ravages. The larvae often rest with their anal legs raised, and when in this position may easily be mistaken for part of a curled leaf with brown edges. The larvae are found in September; spin up in cocoons and produce moths the following June. The expanse of the male moth is 36mm. Both the larvae and perfect insects possess the well known characteristics of the Notodontidae, of which family this species is a branch. In the moth state the male is often attracted to light. The female, which is slightly different from the male in markings and shape of antennae, and
somewhat larger, is less frequently seen. Gero. O. Day. Duncans, B. C.
LIFE HISTORY OF OTIORHYNCHUS OVATUS, THE STRAWBERRY ROOT WEEVIL, UNDER LOWER FRASER CONDITIONS.
By R. C. TREHERNE, Dominion Field Officer.
The insect with which I wish to deal this afternoon is one which is becoming a large economic factor in the culture of the strawberry in the Lower Fraser Valley. There is no question at all that the depredations of this insect are causing considerable loss to the growers of this fruit not only in the Lower Fraser Valley alone, but also in those sections on the Pacific Coast where strawberries are being grown commercially and in large quantity.
I had an exceptional opportunity this summer for studying this insect, and I believe I have definitely determined some good points in its
42 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
life history. “There are a number of points which require more corrobo- ration by further experiments, consequently I wish this paper to be con- sidered more or less in the light of a preliminary report founded on a few months’ observations taken during the past summer (1912).
The weevil has been assigned a variety of names. We will find it referred to as the ‘“Pitchy legged Otiorhynchus,” “‘the Strawberry Crown Girdler’” and the “Sleepy Weevil.” I prefer to give it the name which heads this paper—the Strawberry Root Weevil—because it seemed to me that none of the names assigned to it are really applicable to its nature or appearance. It does not appear to affect the crown in any instance that I have observed, and it only feeds, I believe, on the roots of the plant which permeate the ground in all directions and which arise in a mass from the crown. Larvae can be found feeding on the fine roots 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground, and at depths varying from this to the roots on the immediate surface of the ground. Its numbers so far exceed those of its near relative, O sulcatus, that I feel justified in claiming this insect, under B. C. conditions, as the prime injurious spe- cies of the two and therefore more worthy of bearing the general name of the Strawberry Root Weevil or “Root Girdler.”’
DISTRIBUTION.
This insect occurs in B. C. at Hammond, Haney, Mission, Hatzic, Agassiz, Burnaby, on the shore of North Vancouver, in the Victoria district and in the interior at Vernon. Its distribution probably is general in the province, but at present it is only on the immediate coastal districts of B. C. that it has become an economic pest of first magnitude.
THE InpivinuaL Ecco.
Is very minute, almost spherical, breadth .25mm. When freshly laid it is milky white in color, changing after a day to a pale shade of brown; the bounding membrane is hard and firm, and there does not appear to be any mucilaginous material on the exterior to retain it se- curely in the position it may be deposited in the soil or on the crown of the plant. The period of incubation lasts in the neighborhood of 21 days.
THE INpivipuAL LARVAE
Is characteristic of weevil larvae in shape and color; body lightly covered with minute hairs, white, sometimes colored pink or grey from the nature of the contents of the intestines, and slightly curved. The head is white at hatching, and after each moult, smooth, gradually assum- ing a light shade of brown as age increases; mouth parts a darker shade of brown to the color of the head.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 43
The duration of the larval stage is, at least, seven months, the win- ter period being experienced in the middle of the stage, during which time the larva forms a rough earthern cell in the soil at varying depths and apparently becomes entirely dormant.
THe INpivipuAL Pupa
Is milky white in color, very soft and delicate. It lies in its little earthern cell in the soil, free and not enclosed by an special silken or shell-like device. The size approximately corresponds to that of the adult. The various parts of its anatomy are distinctly apparent, its legs, antennae, and elytra carefully folded on the ventral surface. The appendages are covered by a pupal membrane, which sloughs off as the adult stage is approached.
The pupal stage lasts from 21 to 24 days.
"TRANSFORMATION.
Several days elapse from the time the pupa first changes to the adult in the soil and the time that the adult leaves the soil finally to assume its normal adult life and color. During this period the imma- ture adult, which resembles the mature adult in all respects but color, gradually hardens its exoskeleton sufficient to withstand pressure through the soil and gradually changes its color from that of a white to that of a yellow. I would judge that at times fully five days elapse from the termination of the pupal stage to the assumption by the adult of a pale yellow color.
Furthermore, some additional days elapse from the time the adult has appeared on the surface of the ground to the time it assumes its fully developed normal color. I should judge that in some cases, at any rate, seven days elapse—making 12 from the pupa—to complete the full transformation. I cannot tell as yet what physical influences in- crease or decrease these transformation stages, under strictly natural conditions, as the records above were made under laboratory conditions.
THE INDIVIDUAL ADULT
Is dark brown, almost black, when fully developed, egg-shaped in general outline, about '%4-inch long by %-inch broad; thorax deeply pitted; elytra striated, convex and deeply punctured in the striae, fused together in a median line over the abdominal segments, consequently useless for flight and only serving for protection, very hard and horny, overlying the abdominal segments laterally and at the extremity pos- teriorly.
44 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
The duration of life of the adult without food, moisture or exer- cise, bred through from the nearly mature pupa, was determined by experiments thus far carried on, to be on the average of 42 days. Adults, fed but confined as used in the “‘egg deposition” tests, lived 67 days in some cases. There seems no doubt, however, that some adults are empowered by a greater degree of longevity under natural conditions than the instances mentioned above, for we find adults carrying over the winter on the surface of the ground, under shelter of rocks, boards and in crevices. There can be no doubt about this, for the last pupa was found in the ground in the early part of *July, so that if we only allowed three months longevity per individual we would expect to find no adults on the surface of the ground during winter. But we do; consequently 67 days duration of life becomes more of a minimum standard than a maximum. ‘The adult insect has a peculiar habit of “playing possum” when disturbed, and it remains in this peculiar atti- tude for some time after interference. It does its feeding at night and is only active then. It remains dormant during the daytime, hidden in crevices of the soil, under leaves and debris. I am inclined to think that egg-laying is an entirely nocturnal affair. Chickens have been shown on several occasions to be fond of the larvae, and, I have no doubt, of the adults as well.
Foop Hasits oF Larva.
This insect is a general feeder. During the past summer larvae were taken in a clover and timothy grass sod, and larvae were bred to the adult on the roots of timothy grass alone in the laboratory. Larvae were also taken in the roots of the wild strawberry at sea level and at the elevation of about 500 feet. There is evidence to show that the larvae will feed, furthermore, and thrive on roots of the cultivated peach tree in cleanly cultivated orchards. “There is no direct evidence as yet that potato plants in fields infested by this insect are attacked by the larvae, although larvae have been taken in volunteer potato plants in fields two years free from strawberry plants. The same has occurred with rhubarb, and there is a current opinion prevailing in the Lower Fraser plantations that crops following infected strawberries suffer to some extent and may take several years to recover. Popular opinion, on the other hand, claim that red or crimson clover is not
*This refers to the cultivated strawberry plantation. As a matter of fact, pupae were found in the ground in bush land and in uncultivated places two weeks later than this.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 45
affected to any appreciable extent, and it is therefore recommended to be planted following a crop of infected strawberry plants.*
Rumex acetosella, a common weed in strawberry plantations, is also fed upon by the larvae of this weevil. It was curious to note that roots of this weed intermingling in the row with the roots of the straw- berry plant, were chosen by the larvae for food in preference. This indi- cates the impartiality and general feeding characteristics of the larvae. Besides these few notes, literature on this weevil shows that the fol- lowing plants have been recorded as attacked by the larvae: Roots of cultivated strawberry, blue grass, Potentilla glandulosa, Balsamorhiza sagatata, timothy grass, Poa cerotine, Poa pratensis, and white clover.
Foop Hasits oF ADULT.
During this past summer, adults were seen feeding directly upon the fruit of the strawberry, on the fruit of the raspberry, on the vine, on a fallen peach on /the ground, and also on a fallen apple. The foliage of the strawberry plant is devoured, but not, in my opinion, to any appreciable extent.
In literature further records are as follows: Foliage of raspberry and of the potato, both under natural conditions. Miss Patch, of Maine, has given a long list of plants fed to adults in confiement, which clearly shows that under laboratory conditions any kind of vegetation will offer itself as food to this insect.
SUSCEPTIBILITY OF VARIETY.
From the foregoing account of the feeding habits, larval and adult, I feel safe in claiming that no susceptibility of any one variety of straw- berry over any other exists, and vice versa, no immunity from attack can be claimed by any variety of strawberry. This point is further borne out by observation in the field. Certain varieties of strawberries may resist an attack better than others, but this degree of resistance is not resultant upon any standard of immunity possessed by the variety so much as by the productivity and vegetative capabilities of that variety, viz., deep rooted and vigorous varieties, capable of producing a num- ber of runners, which throw the heaviest yield the first spring from planting. The varieties recommended in this regard from Lower Fraser conditions are the Dunlap, Wilson, Warfield, Williams, and William Belt. The varieties not so suited are the Magoon, Clarke’s Seedling, Jessie, and the Marshall.
*The inference is not intended that red or crimson clover is immune from attack, but rather that it is able to withstand an attack without apparent injury to itself.
46 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
Nature OF INJURY.’
Small irregular feeding areas on the edge of the leaves of the strawberry plant indicate the feeding habits of the adult weevil. The larvae attack the roots at all depths in the soil to which roots penetrate. Portions of the epidermis of the root forming longitudinal slits are devoured. ‘This is evidently an initial stage leading either to a com- plete ‘‘girdling’”’ of the root or to a longitudinal feeding area on the root, resulting sometimes in a spiral effect. Some larvae apparently pass from the egg to the pupa in the immediate surface zones of the soil, but the majority, at the approach of winter, burrow to the depth of four to six inches, some reaching the depth of eight inches. “There is no doubt that the larvae are capable of moving freely in the soil (sandy loam), and there also appears to be a general tendency of the larvae in the first place to burrow downwards to the finer roots of the plants and then gradually work their way towards the surface as the period of pupation approaches. The roots therefore are attacked at all depths, the most serious damage being done in early spring, when the larvae are nearly full grown and thereby better able to attack the main roots of the plant. I have never seen any larvae feeding directly upon the crown of the plant, but I have evidence in plenty where roots have been “nipped off” two inches or so from the crown. Plants there- fore thus attacked, with their root system considerably diminished, nat- urally suffer from the drying effects of the sun and wind, and this taking place conjointly with the period of blossoming and continuing as the fruit begins to set, greatly interferes with the yield and the profit.
We can, however, accept this maxim from the study of the life history of this weevil: that if no injury to the plantation has become apparent by the end of June of one year, no further injury will become apparent that year, or, in other words, the plants attacked in the spring of one year, having reached their highest degree of injury by the end of June, for the remainder of the year tend to improve and re-establish themselves in the soil. This point should be made use of in the matter of applying commercial fertilizers.
DeposiTION OF Ecc.
The customary places where eggs were found to be laid during the past summer were as follows: In the crevice made in the soil by the crown of the plant, on particles of soil filling the crown below surface, below debris directly on the surface of the soil and laid pro- miscuously in the soil to the depth of one-half inch.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 47
Invariably the eggs noted in situ, as above, were laid singly and individually, apparently devoid of any adhesive covering, consequently easily detached from the place where laid.
Adult female weevils are capable of laying 50 eggs each, as shown by records of individual weevils in confinement and also hypothetically shown by the multiplication of the average number of eggs laid in one night by 59 female weevils, viz., 10.6, and the average individual period of egg deposition, viz., 4.72 days. “The maximum individual period of oviposition is shown by notes in hand thus far to be 15 days.
PERIOD OF OVIPOSITION.
Egg deposition for the generation as a whole began about the date of June 22nd of this year (1912), and it continued until August 22nd, a period of two months. During this period of oviposition a summer migration evidently occurs. ‘This year it took place for two weeks around July 8th, midway in the oviposition period. ‘The object of the migration, whether it be for the purpose of distributing eggs on new lands or for the purpose of rest, still remains dark. I have undoubted proof that certain of the migratory individuals lay eggs; furthermore, there seems no doubt that the weevil has a strong tendency to remain localized in one area, provided that area offers sufficient food and pro- tection.
MIGRATION.
In addition to the above-mentioned, there occurs a second migratory period in the fall. This apparently is purely for the purpose of winter protection and hibernation, but what proportion of the brood, in this case again, travels at this time of year, still remains a question for hibernating adults can be found the year round on the surface of the ground in a strawberry plantation.
IN J URIOUSNESS.
Crops of strawberries grown on the matted row system are not as a rule seriously affected the first year from planting unless the ground was previously infected. The injury is noticeable the third summer, often reducing the crop fully 50 crates to the acre from what with reason might be expected. When a plantation is kept down for more than three years, the crop may be totally destroyed.
When these points are understood, the object of rotation on a small scale is interfered with and in many cases means no rotation at all, for although the piece of ground down to strawberries changes one
48 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
year with another, the weevil is fairly localized within the area and free to infest the crop which is being grown. Rotation, however, on a large scale is much more effective, because the weevil not only has to travel a greater distance to find the new plantation, but its egg-laying period is per individual comparatively short and the larvae are capable of feeding on the roots of most vegetation on the way.
Two things are certain that the presence of this weevil is very largely detracting from the profits of the strawberry industry as a whole, and that the injurious nature of this weevil is more particularly noticed on farms of small area, in fact, there need be little hesitation in saying that unless radical steps are taken to prevent the introduc- tion of this weevil into strawberry plantations, or fight it when it is in, on farms of five acres or less, the continuous growing of strawberries will prove wholly unprofitable.
SUGGESTED REMEDIAL MEASURES.
(1.) Varieties of strawberries should be grown which, by reason of their vigorous nature, are more apt to throw the best returns in yield the first spring from planting. Such varieties are recommended previously in the text of this paper for Lower Fraser conditions. (See “Susceptibility of Variety.”’)
(2.) Chickens devour the larvae in the soil with readiness. Use
should be made of them in a rotation with strawberries. (See “Indi- vidual Adult.’’)
(3.) Adult weevils take shelter during the daytime under boards, etc., and thereby can be easily trapped. This method, however, is only practicable by growers on a small scale. (See “Individual Adult.”)
(4.) A plan may yet be evolved which takes advantage of the weevil’s inability to fly. It can only crawl, consequently any evil- smelling mixture placed around a field or some sticky mixture placed around a field, may in time be originated. Thus far no method can be advised for immediate adoption. (See “Individual Adult.”)
(5.) Arsenate of lead applied in the form of a spray immediately after the first crop is taken off, may be tried in certain cases when the adult weevils are so numerous as to warrant attention. Under ordinary conditions this method can only be recommended as a minor remedy.
(See “Food Habits of Adult.’’)
(6.) Cyanide of potassium and carbon bisulphide gas are effec- tive fumigants. The cost of the operation militates against their use. It may be stated here that it is extremely doubtful that any remedy,
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 49
which will eradicate or kill the weevil, egg, larvae or adult, can be devised, which will not at the same time destroy the plant.
(7.) Burning the crop is recommended, by application of a straw mulch on a day when a light wind is blowing.* The whole efficiency of this measure depends upon the time it is done. It should be done conjointly with the termination of the first crop. Every day’s delay from this time reduces its efficiency, as the egg-laying period begins about June 22nd and continues till about August 22nd. The last crate of berries came off about June 29th this year (1912), and the adult weevils began emerging from the soil in the second week of June, reaching their maximum emergence about July 6th. The point, there- fore, can be readily seen. (See “Period of Oviposition.’’)
(8.) Observing the dates given above (7), and noting the large proportion of weevils on the surface of the ground as compared to the number of larvae in the soil, which latter are reducing as the adults are increasing, it is recommended that the field be not ploughed up until at least the end of July or the beginning of August, thereby allowing the plantation to act as a trap crop for the emerging adults to deposit eggs in and preventing in a large measure the new plantation from attack. This course should be followed up by fall ploughing and as frequent cultivation as possible previous to or during winter. (See “Period of Oviposition.’’)
(9.) Fall planting is recommended for the Lower Fraser and can be followed with satisfaction. Possibly the same yield from the same area is not obtained as compared with the usual spring planting plan, but from the standpoint of the weevil, we must make some con- cession, and by planting after August 22nd, the benefit is apparent if the land is previously uninfected. (See ‘Period of Oviposition.’’)
(10.) A system of plant renewal is advocated during the middle of the second summer. This is accomplished either by burning or by the removal of the old leaves from the plants in July. An application of some commercial fertilizer—ammonium sulphate, nitrate of soda, or a complete fertilizer—would be found of most benefit to the planta- tion at this time of year. (See “Nature of Injury.’’)
(11.) The “one crop plan” of strawberry culture is recommended from the standpoint of the weevil and its nature, but from the stand- point of the local economics of strawberry culture in the Lower Fraser Valley it is not recommended. Those who. cannot raise strawberries
*Care should be taken to see that the straw is not matted, but loosely laid so that there be no fear of concentrating heat at any one point.
50 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912.
on the “two year plan,” owing to the depredations of the weevil, and who now prefer the “one crop plan,” would in all probability obtain better financial results by substituting the “‘fall planting plan” for the “one crop plan.” The “two year system” of strawberry culture is to be preferred when possible as being the most desirable plan of the three. The question of hill planting and the “four or five year plan’ has many points in its favor, but it is not fully considered here.
(12.) Rotation of crops, while being strictly in accordance with the best agricultural practice, is strongly advocated against this weevil. From popular opinion, red clover is suited to follow strawberries, fol- lowed successively by potatoes and rhubarb. Growers with large acre- age, under judicious management, can combat the effects of this weevil satisfactorily with proper rotation alone, assisted by general cultural methods, but the smaller growers of ten acres or less, more or less con- gregated into communities, as they usually are, will not find rotation the same comparative benefit as the large grower, although of course a benefit will be noticed. It may be tentatively stated that not more than one acre in ten should be down to strawberries in an infested locality so as to provide for a system of proper rotation.
THe Honoras_e Mr. ELtison, Minister of Agriculture, offered a few encouraging remarks to the meeting on their re-formation and evident progress. He said that he personally had been much interested in the discussions which he had been listening to, and he only wondered that more people were not active Entomologists to study these ques- tions on insect pests which yearly cost the province so much. He assured the Society of his regard and promised to do all in his power to obtain for them the necessary financial assistance.
Mr. Witson, Chairman, briefly thanked the Honorable Minister for his kindness at being present and for his assurance of some financial assistance to the Society.
ADDRESS. Tuomas CUNNINGHAM, Inspector of Fruit Pests.
Ever since the creation of man, and in all ages of man on earth, we have evidence from remotest antiquity that the agriculturist and horticulturist have suffered enormous loss by the depredation of destruc- tive insects and plant diseases. No country in the world, as far as is known, is free from this scourge. Animals, including man, and plants suffer from infection.
B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 51
Probably there is no part of the world that has suffered more than North America, particularly the United States. The annual loss due to insect pests in the United States, as published by the authority of the United States Department of Agriculture, now reaches the enormous sum of $1,272,000,000. This is more than the entire expenditure of the National Government, including pension roll and the maintenance of the Army and Navy. I quote from the authority of Professor C. L. Marlatt in the Journal of Economic Entomology, 1909, and the same author in the Year Book of the Department of Agriculture of 1904.
The question will naturally arise why the United States suffer more than other countries. “The reason is easy of explanation. It is owing largely to the enterprise of the agriculturists and horticulturists in searching the world for new varieties of fruits, cereals, plants and vegetables. Hundreds of species not common to this continent, have been brought in from other parts of the world, including the Orient, the Mediterranean, Africa and as far north as Siberia. Australasia also has contributed largely to the list of economic plants of great value which have been brought into the States with the view of increasing the value of the products of the soil.
Many of these plants were infected with Scale and Boring insects which are kept under control by predaceous insects in their native country. Nearly all the predaceous insects fly, while the Scales adhered closely to the plant and the Borers were safely concealed in the body of the plants and trees, so that of course they were protected from the attack of their natural enemies. This accounts for the importation of pests, and not the parasites which hold them in check.
Most of these importations occurred before the discovery of such protective measures as fumigation