Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-06-28
OUR INSECT ENEMIES.
TIE GRASSROPPER LEGIONS AND
THEIR DIFFERENTIATION.
Methods Suggested in that Direc-
tion-Multitudes Caught About
the Electric Lights.

Especially prepared by Matthew Cooke for the
RECORD UNION and WEEKLY UNION
Colonel c. H. Rowland, Los Angeles Elec-
kic Company-The second and third pack
ages of moths caught at the electric lights are
at hand and are interesting, as showing not
only different species, but also the dates at
which they appear. In order to give an
idea of what the packages contain l Will
describe them. The first package contained
specimens of the Achemon sphinx white
lined sphinx, tomato-worm moth, two cut
worm moths, and one moth of the salt
marsh caterpillar; the second package,
white lined sphinx, tomatO-worm moth,
several species of the N0ct1tid8 (night-f1yers),
one dark-brown moth and four specimens
of Psasia third package, several species of
Eocsfud.s (some of them new species)
large number of Pltlsid, and six specimens
of the dark drown moth, similar to speci-
mems in second package. (These are
closely allied to, if not the same species, as
a moth shown me last week by Charles A,
Wetmore, Chief Executive Viticultural
Officer, which he received from g. F. Mer-
ram, of Apex, San Diego county, and
which Mr.. Merriam had bred from the
caterpillars that are infesting the vineyards
this season in that locality. They are
probably a species Of the army worm moth.
There is also in the third package four
specimens of moth belonging to the same
genus as the moth of the salt marsh cater
pillar (Arctid acred) and are known as the
Asetia ergo (this species is new to me)
and two specimens Of catocala moths.
The specimens of the small moths are so
injured by being in contact with the lights
and the handling, and the marks are so
much rubbed off as to make identification
OF species nearly impossible The Phlsids
can be readily identified by silver mark
on the fore-wing. The caterpillar of the
cabbage plusia (PlaGsi1 brGSstcse) is very in
furious to the cabbage. In fact, every in
sect in the three lots are injurious to vege-
tation, excepting one specie. My expert
ments have been very successful with
lights.
GRAssHoPPERs.
A. T. Toomy, of Moore's station, Butte
county, writes
About one year ago bought this ranch in the
ned land foothills. | planted vineyard and
orchard. They all succeeded very well at first
until the peach, apricot and some plum leaves
Ehrunk, cuTled and fell of. All the other trees
did well except the olives, which, though green
and evidently alive, seem reluctant of growth.
About ten days ago graSshoppersca came in swarms
BY covering n few trees in the house orchard
have saved them so far but you know more
than any one else in the State about pests, beg
you to tell me if there is any remedy for these.
Reply: Within the last ten days letters
have been received asking information in
regard to remedies for the protection of
vineyards, hop fields, etc. from the ravages
of grasshoppers, which have appeared in
various sections of the State in such num-
bcrs as to alarm those whose lands are in
tested also those persons located in ad-
joining sections especially those who are
engaged in horticultural and viticultural
pursuits The only remedy that can offer
that would be effective for present purposes
is the use of pans in which is placed coal
tar mixed with coal oil or coal oil and wa
ter. Although this remedy has just been
issued in the United States Agricultural
Reports, 1888, a similar design has been
used by r. B. Blowers, of Woodland, Yolo
county, for some years, and which proved
eminently successful in destroying grass
hoppers in his vineyard and alfalfa fields.
From the time the young grasshoppers
are Matched until they become provided
with wings is about seven weeks. During
this period of their existence they are not
liable to migrate from one section to an
other, and are easily captured in the pans