358 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



effective means experimentod with in control liii.s^ llie menly bug (Pseudococcus 

 filamentofius). Reinfestnlion lalvcs place more rapidly than in the case of the 

 Florida red scale {Citri/sornpJialUfi aonidinn) and the purple scale. 



[Two insect pests of the avocado], J. E. Higgns (Hawaii Sta. Rpt. 1910, 

 pp. 26, 27). — The avocado mealy bug {Pseudococcus nipw) and the larva of the 

 tortricid moth Amorbia cmigratella were the 2 chief insect pests of avocado 

 in the station orchard during the year, the latter causing considerable damage 

 to foliage in the orchard and to the fruit in gardens of the city. Frequent 

 sprayings with arsenate of lead considerably reduced their numbers. 



Five important grape insects and their repression, F. H. Hall (New York 

 State Sta. Bui. 331, populate ed., pp. 3-16, figs. 10). — A popular edition of 

 Bulletin 331, previously noted (E. S. R., 24, p. 751). 



[Insect enemies of the mango], J. E. Higgins {Hawaii Sta. Rpl. 1910, p. 

 31). — The author reports having found it necessary to fumigate trees in the 

 mango oi'chard for the destruction of Phcnacaspis eugenice and for the Florida 

 red scale {Clirysomplialus aonidum). A red-banded thrips {HeHothrips ruhro- 

 cinctus) caused serious damage to young mango seedlings in the greenhouse, but 

 was controlled by dusting the plants with finely powdered sulphur after they had 

 been sprayed with water. Amorbia cmigratella also proved destructive to 

 mango flowers and to some degree to the young leaves. 



The large carpenter bee {Xylocopa wneipemiis) did considerable damage to 

 young mango buds. " The bee seems to find an inviting place for boring just 

 above the bud on the bud shield, and in many instances bored through the shield 

 into the old wood of the stock, causing injury and sometimes destruction to the 

 bud. It has been found easy to control this injury by placing grafting wax in 

 all the incisions, leaving only the bud and a small ixtrtion of the shield exposed. 

 This should be done when the bandage is removed, if injury of this kind is 

 experienced." 



Insect enemies of the pecan, F. H. Chittenden {Nut Grower, 10 {1911), 

 Nos. 3, pp. JtO-43; J,, pp. 61-63, 65, 66, figs. 6).— Some of the more important 

 insect enemies of the pecan are here considered. 



Cattle in Central America, J. E. Downing (Breeder's Gaz., 58 (1910), No. 

 19, pp. 961,962, figs. .'/). — During the course of this account the author states 

 that in Honduras, because of the screw worm, wild beasts, neglect, and ex- 

 posure, but 15 per cent of the calves reach maturity. Mention is made of injury 

 by the so-called cattle spider. " This spider seeks the hair of the fetlock for 

 lining its nest, and as the beast moves at feeling the removal of the hair, the 

 spider becomes enraged and bites the flesh just above the hoof on the pastern 

 and creates an inflamed condition of the skin which results in the loss of the 

 hoof." 



Termite life in Ceylon, K. Escherich (Termitenlcbcn auf Ceylon. Jena, 

 1911, pp. XXXII+262, pis. 3, figs. 68; rev. in Science, n. ser., 33 (1911), No. 849, 

 pp. 530-534). — A bionomlcal study of white ants, based on observations made 

 during a trip of several months to Ceylon, is presented. 



The first chapter (pp. 1-97) is devoted to the nests of the mound-making 

 termite, including fungus gardens, termitophiles, etc.; the second (pp. 9S-134) 

 to the habits of the species of Eutermes; the third (pp. 135-161) to miscellane- 

 ous observations and laboratory experiments; and the fourth (pp. 162-179) to 

 economic considerations. 



Extermination measures recommended are (1) the stopping of some of the 

 main openings of the nest with tow or waste soaked with carbon bisulphid and 

 closing the remaining openings with clay or earth, and (2) the use of an ant- 

 exterminator machine. A description is given of a " Termitensucher," an ap- 

 paratus used in locating the termites. It " consists of a microphone inserted in 



