ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 253 



serious injury to oats, particularly in the department of Vienne. The mite 

 attacks chiefly oats, but is also found on barley, wheat, and other cereals. The 

 application of an abundance of fertilizers is recommended in preventing injury 

 from this mite. 



Hylemyia coarctata, Borner (Mitt. K. Biol. Anst. Land u. Forstw., 2 (1901), 

 No. -'i, PI). 6<i-()3. fii/K. 2). — The injury caused to rye and wheat by this insect 

 varies greatl.v in different years. Apparently there is no practical remedy which 

 may be applit>d directly against the pest. Deep plowing of infested fields may be 

 depended upon to bring about favorable results. 



Some recent studies of the Mexican cotton boll weevil, W. D. Hunter ( U. S. 

 Dept. Agv. Yearbook 1906, pp. SlS-32-'t, pi. 1, fig. 1). — According to the observa- 

 tions and experiments of the author and his associates it appears that the influ- 

 ences which assist in the control of the cotton boll weevil arranged in the order 

 of importance are as follows : Heat and dryness during spring and summer, the 

 ant Soleiiopsis gcmiiiaia and other predaceous insects, winter cold and moisture, 

 proliferation of the cotton bolls, parasites, cotton leaf worm, determinate growth 

 of the cotton, and birds. The work of the ant is believed to deserve special 

 attention. It is distributed through the cotton belt and is shown to be an 

 important enemy of the weevil in Central America. Detailed notes are given 

 on the percentage of weevils destroyed by this ant in cotton bolls and squares. 

 A general description is also given of the status of the cotton boll weevil in 

 190G and on practical methods for avoiding serious injury from the weevil. 



The Duki fig-tree borer of Baluchistan, E. P. Stebbing {[Indian] Forest 

 Bui. 10, pp. 8, pis. 2). — Batoccra riibiis has been reported as a fig pest since 1895. 

 It seems not to be very widely distributed. The appearance and life history of 

 the pest are described. It tunnels inside the stem and branches of the tree 

 and is, therefore, difficult to combat. The only practical remedy suggested is 

 the destruction of badly infested branches and trees. 



Parasites of the grapevine, E. Dukand (Flore et Faune des Parasites de 

 jfi'igiic. Montpellier: Coiilct d- »S'o»«, 1907, pp. 89, figs. 55). — Analytical tables are 

 presented for the ready identification of the common insect pests and fungus 

 diseases of grapes. Descriptive and economic notes are presented on these 

 pests and reconnuendatious are made regarding the most efficient I'emedies to 

 use in combating them. 



The biology and means of combating phylloxera, Moritz (Mitt. K. Biol. 

 Anst. Land u. Forstw., 2 (1901), No. J,, pp. 6-'f-66). — The number of dead and 

 decomposing tubercles on the roots of infested grapevines increases with the 

 season. In combating the phylloxera the author made a comparative test of the 

 o cresols and found that orthocresol was considerably more efficient than the 

 other two. 



Parasites of the olive fly, F. Silvestri (CoUivatore, 53 (1901), Nos. 23, pp. 

 710-111; 2.'f, pp. 7.^3-7//.5). — The life history and importance of the parasites of 

 the olive fly are discussed by the author, partly from a controversial standpoint, 

 frequent reference being made to work along the same line by A. Berlese. It is 

 maintained that the common parasites of the olive fly attack the living larva; 

 and that the ovipositor is sufficiently long to reach the larvfe in any of the olives 

 cultivated in Italy. The parasites develop rapidly and destroy the larvie ex- 

 cept in cases of very slight infestation. 



Insects injurious to wood in Italy, G. Cecconi (>Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., 39 

 (1906), No. 10-11-12, pp. 9J,5-990, figs. .}8).-— Particular attenti<m is given in this 

 account to the injuries caused to trees by Hylurgus piniperda. Hi/lesiniis fraxini, 

 H. vestitus. Scolgtiis niiiltistriatus, and a number of other species of bark beetles. 



The large larch sawfly (Bd. Agr. and Fisheries [London], Leaflet 186, pp. 8, 

 figs. 8). — An account is given of the history, appearance, habits, and injurious 



