The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-03
INSECT PESTS AT THE WORLDS
FAIR.
Prof. Riley Correots Exaggsr ated and
Sensational Newspaper Reports.
From the New York sun.

from the new York sun,
Washington, Feb. 12.-Prof C. V.
Riley, entomologist of the department of
agriculture, issued bulletin to-day in
regard to the insects in the foreign ex-
hibits of the worlds fair. He says that,
beginning with the first week of October
and continuing at intervals up to date,
number of newspaper articles have ap-
peared bearing upon the subject of the
insect-infested grain exhibits
From these accounts, nearly all of
which are more or less erroneous, all
sorts of opinions have become prevalent
as to the ultimate danger of the introduce
ton of new and undesirable insect pests
Indeed, he says, some newspapers, espe-
clally in New York have seemed to take
delight in magnifying the danger and in
rejecting upon Chicago and the EXPOSE
ton, and have even used a report made by
him to w. j. Buchanan, chief of the de
partment Of agriculture of the exposition,
and reproduced it as basis for exagger-
ated and sensational articles. Under the
circumstances, he thinks full and truth
full statement of the facts may serve a use
full purpose.
In the first newspaper accounts which
appeared, the damage was with great
uniformity attributed to 1.-The weevil. {"
which, with equal uniformity, was said
TO be new species introduced in to
the agricultural building in some of the
foreign exhibits. For the benefit Of the
general reader, Prof Riley says, it should
be stated that while there are but two
true grain weevils known to be esta blished
in this country, viz. the rice weevil Zeal
andra oryzae) and the grain weevil &c.
granaria), a score or two of other insects
which attack grain after the manner of
calandra are of common occurrence with
nd Il ..FN
enormously known as grain weevils
Last July Prof. Riley wrote TO one of
his assistants at Chicago, f. H. Critten-
den, to keep a lookout for new insects in
the foreign grain exhibits, and this was
done throughout the Summer and fall OF
the early species found, represented
chiefly bydead specimens taken from lars
Of herbs. roots, seeds, and the like, he SAYS
few were indeed new, but the living in
sects all proved TO be Of common and we'll
known species
Toward the close of September many
species not hitherto observed began To
make their appearance in such numbers
IN the agricultural building as to cause
very general alarm among the exhibitors
OF agricultural products. Correspon-
dence was had with the division, and
specimens sent by one of the state com
missioners all proved TO be well known
species already existing in this country
The work OF investigation was Kept up
and Prof. Riley details the action that
was taken by the various state commits
sioners as by the United States govern
ment authorities and the foreign repre-
sentatives. The results of the inquiry
were set forth at the time but in view Of
the recent exaggerated reports Prof. Ri
ley now repeats that only four foreign
species Of any consequence were found
He thus concludes his bulletin.
The four species already men toned as
those from which the greatest danger
was to be apprehended, viz: the unknown
species of cryptophagide, Htargus, dlnod-
erus. and spermophagus, are tropical spe-
cies, and could hardly be acclimated at
the north. One or more of them might
have become established in the extreme
southern states If they had escaped, but
do not hesitate 10 say, considering all
the facts that the probabilities OF such a
contingency are slight, and that no spe-
cies which affect stored grain or other
vegetable products have been distributed
or have found foothold in regions where
they could multiply and become Injurious
On the whole, therefore, it may be conf
IDENTIFY stated that = thorough review Of
the facts gives assurances that no DANGER
Gus introductions were made for, even il
some OF the species indicated as not pre-