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local newspaper, is known in America as the '' Electric Bug," owing 

 to the fact that it is attracted by that light and was not formerly seen 

 in as large numbers as since its introduction. I have seen the insect, 

 however, in the day time, in the city of Panama, Central America, 

 crawling on the streets. Numbers of the insect appeared in Trinidad 

 towards the end of May, 1895. The insect is known also by the name 

 of " Water Scorpion," and is said to feed on fish, and small insects. 

 It is especially fitted for living in water, by a suitable conformation 

 of its body, the underside of Avhich is formed like the keel of a boat, 

 and the legs, especially the posterior ones, are most effective propellers 

 or oars. The insect when the wings are closed measures over four 

 inches in length, and when the wings are expanded their extent is 

 fully seven and a half inches. 



No. 21. — The " Gru-Gru" Worm, Bliyncopkorus palmarum, Linn. 

 — The name of "Gru-Gru Worm" is given in Trinidad to the larvae 

 of the large Palm Beetle, Bhyncophorus palmarum, Linn., which is 

 found in many species of the indigenous Palmse. The full grown 

 worm is considered a very fine dish for the table, when properly 

 cooked, and is readily sold in the markets of Port-of-Spain, to members 

 of both the higher and lower classes of society. The worm takes its 

 name from the fact of its being found in the " Gru-Gru" Palm, Acro- 

 comia sclerocarpa, Mart., but it is not alone common to this palm, for 

 it infests many others, and especially Oreodoxa regia, Kth., the 

 Cabbage Palm. All that it is necessary to produce quantities of 

 the " Gru-Gru" worm is, to wound the stem or trunk suflSciently 

 to reach to the interior cellular mass, when mature beetles will, 

 with the greatest certainty, be attracted thereto for the purpose of 

 laying their eggs, and the worms will then be produced in large 

 numbers. Although the beetle is present with us in considerable 

 numbers and is capable of entering and destroying large palm trees, 

 it is curious to note how very few trees are actually destroyed by it, 

 either Avhen growing naturally or cultivated, and it appears that in 

 the majority of cases, it is the infliction of a superficial wound 

 which allows of the entrance of the beetle. This shows how careful 

 the cultivator should be with his coconut and other palms, not to 

 allow any hacking or cutting of the stems of his trees, where the 

 insect is known to be plentiful. Although it is known to be 

 quite common in Trinidad, and the worms or larvae produced in 

 wounded trees, yet it is but rarely that the insects are seen. But 

 let a palm be cut down or wounded and the wound will, in a few 

 hoiirs, be frequently visited by the mature beetles of both sexes. 



