CM Uictorian naturalist 



Vol. XXXIV.— No. 4. AUGUST 9, 1917. No. 404. 





FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the // '^^'i< 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 9th July, 1917. 



The president, Mr. F. Pitcher, occupied the chair, and about 

 sixty members and visitors were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



W" From Mr. J. S. Mann, of Frankston, conveying appreciation 

 of the thanks of the Club for hospitality shown to excursionists. 



From Miss Hornby, requesting assistance by decorations of 

 wild-flowers at a Y.M.C.A. entertainment on 7th August. 



The president stated that the committee had considered the 

 matter, but, owing to the early date, it was considered in- 

 advisable to make a Club display, but individual members 

 who could assist were urged to do so. 



From Mr. T. Patterson, of East Malvern, asking that the 

 Club bring before its members the reported ravages of insect 

 pests having their natural habitat in the wattle among Aus- 

 tralian primary products. He requested that the Club 

 investigate the subject, as the promotion of Australia's 

 producing industries is of paramount importance. 



A lengthy discussion took place, of which the following is 

 a condensed report : — 



Mr. C. French, jun., through whose remarks at a public 

 lecture Mr. Patterson's attention was attracted to the subject, 

 amplified the statement credited to him — that the wattle, as 

 a host for insect pests, was decidedly a menace. He instanced 

 at least nine native Australian insect pests attacking the 

 wattle that are now serious orchard and ornamental tree pests, 

 giving the following particulars : — Apple-root Borer (Leptops), 

 native host, wattles ; now one of the worst, if not the worst, 

 insect pest of fruit trees in Victoria. Elephant Beetle Weevil 

 (Orthorrhinus), native host, wattles ; now the Orange and 

 l.emon Weevil, attackin,f>' citrus trees and vines, also elms, planes, 

 and tamarisks. In Mildura this weevil is a serious vineyard 

 pest. Wattle bugs — native host, wattles, &c. Quite a number 

 of these insects destroy fruit and fruit trees. The Holy Cross Bug 

 (Mictis) is very destructive to orange and lemon trees ; native 

 pest of wattles, &c. The Painted Apple Moth (Tela), native 

 host, wattles. The larvae of this moth are now amongst the 

 worst pests we have in Victoria. They attack apple and other 



