The long-held belief that grasshoppers are to a large extent omnivorous and, as Wolcott (1936) states, “like cows, feed on any kind of vegetation”, is slowly giving place to the view that they are much more restricted feeders. Their habit of nibbling at almost anything, particularly when they are present in large numbers, probably led to this erroneous concept. More recent work such as that of Rubtzov (1931), Criddle (1933), and Isely (1938, 1944, 1916) stresses the fact that many species of grasshopper confine their feeding to a group of related plants, and a few species to a single plant.

Wehr (1933a, b), Knipling (1934), Wells and Knipling (1938), and James (1947, pp. 92-98) stated that first-stage larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis (Deg.) developed in the mucosa of the tongue, cheeks, and lips of the horse. Schroeder (1940) stated that first-stage larvae of G. nasalis (L.) established themselves in the spaces between the molar teeth below the gum line, where their accumulation caused considerable necrosis and resulted in the formation of pus pockets.

In 1946, the writer published a list of 482 species of Ichneumonoidea which included all representatives of this group contained in the University collection or which had been elsewhere recorded as occurring in Alberta. As a result of the continued generosity of Dr. H. K. Townes in naming locally collected material for us, we have, subsequently, made consistent efforts to obtain as complete a representation of the Alhertan species in this group as time and opportunity have permitted. It is now possible to add about 170 species to the former list.

Experimental aerial spraying to control mosquitoes was carried out in 1949 and 1950 at several stations of the Royal Canadian Air Force in northern Canada. An account of the work in 1949 has been presented (Twinn, Brown, and Hurtig, 1950). The experiments in 1949 involved the use of a larvicide, followed by a spray against the adults. Further data were required on the degree of effective control that could be obtained by applying one or two sprays against the adult mosquitoes only, in plots of reasonable size. Consequently, in 1950, arrangements were made with the R.C.A.F. to carry out airspray operations against adult mosquitoes at four stations in the Northwest as follows: Fort Nelson, B.C., 24 sq. mi. in two operations, June 6-8 and 19-20; Whitehorse, Y.T., 22 sq. mi. in two operations, June 13-15 and June 30-July 1; Watson Lake, Y.T., 12 sq. mi. June 21-22; and Norman Wells, N.W.T., 8 sq. mi. June 28-29.

In July, 1949, a single specimen of a casebearing coleopterous larva was found feeding on a strawberry leaf in a plantation at the southeastern end of Grand Lake, Queen's County, N.B. During June and July, 1950, about a dozen larvae were found throughdut this area, and a greater number in plantations on both sides of Washademoak Lake, which is southeast and roughly parallel to Grand Lake and about ten miles distant. During 1951 the species was again collected in these areas, and was found in large numbers about 15 miles southeast of Washademoak Lake in the Belleisle watershed. Here the infestation was so great that in one instance 565 larvae were collected with a sweeping net on 100 feet of strawberry row, or an average of five larvae per plant.

Nutritional studies on plant sucking insects have not made outstanding progress in the past decade. The information on the rearing of aphids on prepared liquid foods is rather scanty. Carter (1927, 1928, 1945) developed techniques for the artificial feeding of homopterous insects, particularly leafhoppers and mealybugs. Fife (1932) and Severin et al. (1928) devised cages for the artificial feeding of leafhoppers. These authors suggested many excellent ideas on the use of membranes, but the works of Hamilton (1930, 1935) on the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulz.). appear to be the most thorough source of informarinn on the artificial feeding of aphids. Pletsch (1937) also developed a device for the artificial feeding of aphids and his apparatus presents several advantages over previously described devices. Various types of cages and membranes were used by the above workers with limited success. They have all succeeded in getting homopterous insects to feed temporarily on special diets through different types of membranes, but they were unable to maintain the development of these insects and have them reproduce under artificial conditions.