<_ C^^' cc c ..:C ^ < ^C( r - 1^ < '9 / ClC'CC C_ <'^'C crc' ' c cr << c< Cc '■ c d c<:' c < ^ S^. c c <- c c c :: X c e ccc «•:. ^C C . C <2:c -** jp ccic . c^c - t^ c c «, cc ccc:c CT; : c < S- S- ^ <^ c « ^ . C' f cr. 4 - r tcc: :c: .■ crrc: c C cc C^ CC :c^ , c?^cc"' dc %: ^:^^-;'^ G: C(M-C:' OC C'- ^ c- d-c ■ C .C dC; c^ c c ^ c CC C < d C <:-c c c «2: c, CC -C"--s ■<<_'(<: *- O ■ c - ^'; ■ CCC. CCC CCC CcC CCC C CJ^ C cc cccc c c^cc c / cc CCC ^ (. (C. C-C-C" <■' . O^C C fS " Q' C'C. " 1 c c .t_ O C C '^ G C C << : G c c < '. cr C c c C C C ' C • C' C <-' ^^ >=^ . cT , c ■ . c"<' c. cr cr ce <. << c c;- c c ; c ^ C c c C 'C Cc CO re. c c :c c c :c c.< c ■ X c C cf .c.c: CC c^C CC::C C4. <^.< ^ -7- ,r-' <^ C : c c :c c c c ; c c : c c <: c c <'<; c < Cf c « C(. <- C CC cC cocC Cc-c. C 4- C (< c ■ . "C_'Ct 1' ^-^ : C:_ CC c aC C C c CCCa.. ICC CJ.C'Cf. CCA cc_ •' c ,. ^- ^^C^C CCX:;^ C^ % cL «e:_c. ■•< c*:_ «---' *- -^ r ^-"C-, f. f^ «.■,.„; c . ..< :■ CT^ c CC -CC^i^C C . c : - ^^c t cC fC-<, c.:. , .^ XI c^ c ■ CC •«:;<.._ C ■ C €L<.CC CC (C-sf -C ^ < r . cTcc cc cc: 'ft c C . ^Ccc_ re «v- -C ^ cr <::ico cc^ «c v < c ■ <^ f V^J C cc '.C ^' 9 Vcc , C CCrC c- c ccc C c C- ;C fC'-'. C ec C C c C -C C «^ ^c ^ c c t < c or. c ^ c . c c c: <• fid ^ c c Cj c C CC CC .^'d.cc. ■■•.:.-"C5. CCL' •. vCk- c c _ ' fCcCCC '. CGCXC >CCCC ' c...g:.c ' CCCX- ■ ■ CvCc ccc ccc ■■ c^ c c c c c^: cc r o ■ C. r a^ C- ccc: cc c ::::^ i and soon die. The young are quite like the parents, except in size and absence of wings. They possess the same hop- ping propensity, and hence the lively appearance whenever the vines are disturbed. The insects continue to grow, become possessed of wings, and if very abundant will well nigh suck the vital- ity all out of the vines. REMEDIES. Mr. Bidwell discovered, in collecting these hoppers one winter, that those which were nnder damp leaves were dead, and only those which were protected from the damp of winter survived. Hence the only practical remedy I have ever heard of for these pests of our vineyards: As soon as they have become dormant in winter, so rake up the leaves under the vines as to cause the in- sects to become a prey to this inability to endure wet or damp. I think it would be well to rake up the leaves in autumn and burn them, doing it on cold days, Avhen the'hoppers are dormant, and before the vines are laid down for winter. THE GRAPE PHYLLOXERA. Phylloxera mstatrix, Plan. Family, ApMdae. Sub-order, Eemiptera. This little insect, hardly large enough to attract the attention of any but the cautious observer, is without doubt an American insect. Yet, from the comparative immunity of most of the grapes grown here from its blighting attacks, and ignorance of its natural history, only a part of such history being known, it was not dreamed, when Prof. Planchon announced, in 1868, that the cause of the terrible Phylloxera plague of France was a minute plant louse, that the insect was identical with that described as Phylloxera vitifolim by Dr. Fitch, twelve years before. At last the assurance seems to be conclusive that the insects are identical, though some still believe otherwise, yet with no suf- ficient reason, I think, and that we have suffered more or less during all our grape-growing history from the ravages of this insect, whose late importation is striking far more seriou§ blows ^.t this important interest in Europe. 44 INJURIOUS INSECTS. NATURAL HISTORY. The dull orange colored louse described by Dr. Fitch, which by puncturing the leaves causes them to become covered with excrescences or small galls (Fig. Fict- 43. 43) which greatly deform the leaf, are but one form of this insect, and that by far the most harmless. Under these galls the eggs (Fig. 44, d) are laid to the number of three or four hundred. These soon hatch, and the young lice (Fig 44, a, h) go merrily forth in their bright yel- low garb, and repeat the work of their parents. Thus on, for four or five generations, all the lice are wingless, all females, — in fact, no other ever ap- pear in the galls. What is very curi- ous, only a few varieties suffer from these not very serious leaf galls, the Clinton seeming to be most suscept- ible to such attacks. As fall approach- underside of leaf, showing palls. es the galls become deserted, and the young descend to the roots, where they hibernate. As these gall lice will readily take to the roots and flourish if Fig. 44. removed to those vines where the galls are never found, it is not improbable that some lice pass from leaves to roots during the summer. Why some of the lice pass to the leaves of certain vari- eties of grapes in the summer is yet unknown. It may be possi- ble that they prefer roots when they are suitable, and will only attack leaves when the roots are not to their taste, Avhich may be true of the Clinton. This is cer- tainly a reasonable conjecture, if the edible character of the grape is any index to that of the root, a and b, larvie as seen from below and above ; c, egg ; d, Rail ; TTnfnj-l-nnqfplv tliprp i«! finnfVipr « enlarged tendrils ; /■, (7, and A, imago gall, louse from side, UnrOlCUUateiy mere is anotner ^bove, and below; t, antenna; J tarsus-side marks show form of this louse, — the root form, true size. for it is this form which has given to the future of grape growing in Europe its uncertainty. The young (Fig. 45, h) of this form are not distinguishable from those of the galls. Not so with the more mature forms (Fig, 45, e, f, g), which are not smooth, like those formed in the galls, but are covered with Avarts. Some of these assume a greenish cast, become large before and taper back, and, like the gall-forms, are always without wings. The others are always bright yellow, always of the oval form of the young, and finally develop stubs of wings (Fig. 47, e,f), and at last come forth with well-devel- oped wings (Fig. 47, q, h), well equipped to go forth to new fields for conquest. They come forth from the earth as pupa, and then cast their skin for the last INJURIOUS INSECTS. 45 Fig. 45. time. These winged forms are still 3'ellow, but have lost their tuber- cles. The winged forms are most abundant in August and Septem- ber, though they may be seen from July till fall. The most of these are long, lay eggs, and are certainly females. Others are shorter of body, and are supposed by some to be males, but are probably abortive females. These lay eggs from which come the true male (Fig. 4G) and female, which latter lays but a single eg^. These all die off in fall, so that the insects pass the winter either as eggs or as larvae. a, .1 sensed roots : b. larva louse ; c. antennae ; d, leg : .,/, This polymorphism, Or different and ff, imago root lice; h, granulations on the skin; i. formS of the Same SpCCieS, Is UOt tubercle. peculiar to lice, but is shown in even the highest insects, as seen in the bees and ants. Fig. 46. As already intimated, some entomologists deny the identity of these forms, especially the gall and root form. Now, as it is not exceptional among insects, and as Prof. Riley, who has done himself great credit by his thorough and skillful investigations of this insect, has produced the gall form from the young of the root form, and vice versa, it seems to me that doubt should be entirely banished. Besides, any vineyard, so far as I have examined, which has in it both Clinton and Catawba grape vines, will have both these forms if either. The roots which are attacked by these lice, swell, be- come deformed (Fig. 47, d), and in three or four years rot. The first season the vines above ground show no signs of the evil ; the second they become yellow and sickly, and frequently die the third season, HOW THE INSECTS SPREAD. The wingless root forms pass from the roots of one vine to those of another, and thus spread the disease. Very likely the young from the galls are blown from one vine to another, as we know the young of the oyster-shell bark-lice are. The winged females may fly, by aid of the wind, to an indefinite distance, and as a single female may become the parent of millions of lice in a single season, we can easily see why all Europe is in alarm. VARIETIES OF GRAPES SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE ROOT FORM. Of the grapes grown and recommended for cultivation in this State, fortu- nately very few are subject to serious harm from the root form of the Phyllox- era, the only form that does serious damage. The vigorous, rapid-growing varieties are almost exempt, while the slow growers are very apt to suffer. Tiie Concord, Hartford Prolific, and Israella are almost entirely exempt, as is the Clinton. The Delaware, Crevelling, Kebecca, Diana, Eumelan, and Allen's Male. 46 iX.ljRiOUS JKSIiCTS. Fig. 47. e, healthy root ; 5, root on which the lice are at work : c, rleserted root where decay has commenced; rf, lice on larjie roots ; e and f, pupa3 : g and h, ima^os with wings ; i, antennsE of same; j, wingless female on roots depositing; k, section of root. Hybrid are more susceptible, but comparatively undisturbed; while the lona and Catawba are very liable to attack and injury. Who knows how much the want of success with the Catawba and lona is consequent upon the ravages of the Phylloxera. I have seen the injurious effects of this pest at Pointe aux P.?aux, Monroe county, and more marked still in the famous vineyards of Kel- ley's Island, Ohio. Fortunately there are a host of natural enemies which, especially in this country, will go very far towards holding the pest in abeyance. PREVENTIVES. Grafting the susceptible varieties on such stocks as the Clinton, Concord, or Israella has been recommended, and is being extensively tried, especially in Em-ope. Mr. Kelley of Kelley's Island, who has experimented some, has little faith in grafting ; yet my observations at his place were encouraging.* In pro- curing vines, it would be a safe precaution to dip the roots in some insecticide, * Prof. Riley, who has just returned from Europe, tells me that the graftintr experiments tried there graft- ing their varieties on our stocks is giving great hope as an effectual cure for this terrible plague. INJUfilOUS INSECTS. 41' as a strong solution of Avhale-oil soap, before setting them. It would be well, too, to mix soot in the soil, as that is found obnoxious to the lice. DIRECT REMEDIES. The leaves affected with galls should be collected and destroyed early in the season. Submersion for twenty or thirty days has been found effectual in France in killing the root forms. Wherever this can be done it should be brought into requisition in autumn, immediately after the season's growth is complete. It is said that at this season the vines will not suffer, even if sub- merged for a time sufficient to destroy the lice. Carbolic acid powder and soot are highly recommended. By mixing these with the soil the lice are said to be destroyed. Bisulphide of carbon, which we use so successfully in destroying museum pests, which recently gave so much hope in France, is now given up as too ex- pensive, too laborious of application, and not thorough enough in its effects, owing, doubtless, to inability to reach the lice in making the application. According to late advices Prof. Dumas, of the French academy, has discov- ered a perfect remedy, and one easily applied. It is the salt: potassic sulpho- carbonate (K S C S'), which is applied in a dry form. It is placed on the earth beneath the vines and carried to the roots by the rain. The eflficacy of this salt is vouched for by such well known scientists as Messrs. Milne Edwards, Posteur, Duchartre, Blanchard, etc. As I have before suggested, our ability is ever commensurate with our needs. CLOTHES MOTH. Tinea flavi-frontella , Linn. Family, lineidcs.. Sub-order Lepidoptera. Hon. W. L. Webber of East Saginaw writes: "We of this place (East Sagi- naw) are very much troubled with carpet and furniture moths. If your time would permit, I think a paper prepared by you, giving the details of the nat- ural history, habits, and transformations of this pest, and the best method to prevent its work or to get rid of it after work has commenced, will be of great interest to us here, and I believe of general interest." I take pleasure in complying with the above request, not simply because of the importance of the subject, but also because of the general ignorance in regard to it, even among those most cultured and most interested. Only a few evenings since, when I was taking tea with one of the best informed ladies of my acquaintance, I called her attention to some of the pretty little yellow moths just coming from her elegant furniture. "What !" she remarked, '-those the moths! I supposed the large ones [cut- worm moths, J^roi!m/z5] we see behind the blinds in summer and autumn were the mischief-makers." It would be no greater mistake to call an elephant a horse. DESCRIPTIOisT. These little moths expand about a half inch, and are less than one-fourth of an inch long. They are of a light buff color, and shine like satin. The wings are long, narrow, pointed, and beautifully fringed. The larva ("worm") is white, with a yellow head, has, like nearly all caterpillars, sixteen legs, and is always surrounded by a flattened, cylindrical case, usually gray or whitish in color, though this depends on their food. The ends are open, that the larvse may reach forth to feed, or peer forth, which they are free to do when disturbed. The pupa or chrysalis is somewhat curved, and has a rounded head. The 48 INJURIOUS INSECTS. antennae, wings, and legs are folded beneath the body, and reach nearly to the end of the body. The pupa case or cocoon is similar to the larva case. HABITS. The moth comes forth as early as the last of May, and may be seen from that time till the close of summer. Their tiny, lustrous, buff-colored bodies are easily detected, as they rest with wings folded close about their bodies in the deep crevices of our parlor furniture, or among the folds of our garments, or even more plainly as they flit across our rooms. These moths pair, after which the female seeks out our furs and woolen or silk apparel, her minute size enabling her to enterdrawers, closets, and trunks; when she distributes her eggs with an eye to the good of her prospective young, if not to our good. The larvse soon appear, and maybe found at home the summer through, comfortably fixed up in their little tents and working their miserable mischief, all unsuspected by the unwary housewife, who learns too late of their previous presence, by discovering that her most choice posses- sions are totally ruined. In spring and summer the chrysalids will appear, soon to followed by a new return of the pretty moths. REMEDIES. Woolen garments and furs should be put away in trunks, with several pieces of camphor gum as large as hickory-nuts packed in with them, or they maybe put in close paper bags and pasted up so that no holes, ever so small, will remain open. Even in this case a little camphor gum will render assurance doubly sure. Infested garments or furs should be put in a tight sack or trunk, and after adding a half ounce of chloroform the sack or trunk should be closed as nearly air tight as possible. The vapor will kill the insects. Then prepare as given above. For furniture and carpets heavy paper, wet with carbolic acid or spirits of turpentine, will kill larvse already at work. This should be placed under the edge of the carpet, where the mischief is generally done, and in furniture, crowded back in the deep folds. It would be well to saturate the interior of the furniture with a strong solution of carbolic acid. Our best furniture and furs have a goodly quantity of this substance in the undissolved state fastened inside them when made. Russian leather, cedar bark or boughs, tobacco leaves, and even red pepper, are said to prevent the moths from laying eggs. It will be well, then, to place these in exposed situations. Manufacturers of carriages wash the woolen linings of their carriages with a weak solution of corrosive sublimate, which is very sure destruction to all insects. Yet Dr. Kedzie tells me it is unsafe to use it. Hon. W. L. Webber writes me as follows in reference to a method practiced by his people in destroying the larvae in carpets: "There is one means which they have practiced of killing the worm while in the carpet which is not suggested by your article. Take a wet sheet or other cloth, lay it upon the carpet, and then run a hot flat-iron over it, so as to convert the water into steam, which permeates the carpet beneath and destroys the life of the inchoate moth. They have found this very successful, and as it can be done without taking up the carpet, and the whole surface gone over in a comparatively short time, it is regarded as one of the most efBcient means of protection they have." Every careful housekeeper will carefully examine her carpets and furniture each fall and spring, brush out all the creases, give all a good airing, and if there is any trace of these evil-doers, Avlll practice the above remedies. A. J. COOK, Lansing, June 10, 1875. Professor in Agriculhiral College. .C'C&A C-AQ C! . C >\ C. <^c< - < ^ c^ cc;- ccc c<^:\ " c- c cc Cj'c c"- i: t,.^ ^ c^. c-<,c d c^ ^, c,c ccc'C^: " C.C. 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