ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 1159 



some of which were fairly satisfactory. The best resiilts were obtained from 

 the apylicatioii of sulphocarbonate of potash to the soil about infested trees. 

 This remedy is efficient when applied at the rate of 30 kg. per acre. 



Mytilaspis fulva on the roots of olives, L. Petri (Atti R. Accad. Lined 

 Rend. CJ. 8ci. Fis., Mat. c Xat., 5. ser., 16 (1907), II, No. 11, pp. 766-769, ftfjx. 

 2). — The roots of olives are sometimes quite badly infested with Mi/tihiftpi.s 

 fulva. In some instances this infestation appears not to have any appar(nit 

 influence on the growth or vigor of the trees, but the introduction of the beaks 

 of the scale insects into the tissues of the roots may favor infection with 

 bacteria. 



Thrips on cacao, H. A. Ballou (West Indian Bui., 8 (1907), No. 2, pp. l.'iS- 

 147). — Physopus rubrocincta is described and an account is given of its attacks 

 upon cacao. In preventing injury from this pest it is desirable to keep cacao 

 trees in as healthy and as vigorous a condition as possible. If insecticide treat- 

 ment should become necessary, a wash containing 4 lbs. of powdered rosin, 1 lb. 

 of caustic soda, and f pint of flsh oil per 21 gal. of water is highly recom- 

 mended. Kerosene emulsion and whale-oil soap compounds may also be used. 



The enemies of the cocoanut palm, J. Vosseler (Pflanzer, 3 {1907), Nos. 

 17-18, pp. 275-288; 19-20, pp. 289-317). — Brief practical suggestions are given 

 regarding the methods for avoiding damage to cocoanut palms from various 

 sources. The chief troubles with which the cocoanut grower has to contend 

 are falling of unripe nuts, fungus diseases of various sorts, lightning, native 

 thieves, monkeys of several species, l)irds, and particularly insects. Among the 

 insect enemies especial mention may be made of Oryctcs boas, RhyncJiophonis 

 phoenicis, and Tetralobus ffabelUcornis. 



Departmental notes on insects that afEect forestry. No, 3, E. P. Stebbing 

 (Calcutta: Govt., 1906, pp. VIII+.'i69, pis. 8). — Biological and economic notes 

 are presented on a lai'ge number of species of insects which attack conifers, 

 acacia, bamboos, cocoanuts, oaks, sandal wood, and other important forest 

 trees. A number of new species of forest insects are described and mention is 

 made of their natural enemies. 



Forest insects, M. Zappella (Coltivatore, 53 (1907), No. 51, pp. 773-778). — 

 A list is given of 36 species of insects which are more or less Injurious to 

 forest trees of various species, particularly conifers, oaks, willows, and elms. 

 Attention is also called to the economic importance of some of these species. 



The life history and injurious attacks of Hylecoetus dermestoides, Stroh- 

 meyer (Natunv. Ztschr. Land 11. Forstiv., 5 (1907), No. 11. pp. 513-523). — 

 Hylecoetus dermestoides is commonly believed to attack only dead or injured 

 timber. The author found, however, that the adults begin to fly about in 

 April and May and lay their eggs upon various kinds of deciduous and conifer- 

 ous trees. Practical remedies for this pest have not yet been devised. 



The utilization of insect parasites in the control of injurious insects, 

 P. Marchal (Ann. Inst. Nat. Agron., 2. ser., 6 (1907) No. 2, pp. 281-35.'/, figs. 

 26). — The general rOle of insect parasites is discussed by the author with ref- 

 erence to the habits of a number of the most important insect parasites. A 

 biological classification is given of the various foi-ms and degrees of parasitism. 

 It is held that the value of parasitic insects to agriculture has been increased 

 by the great prevalence of injurious insects made possible by extensive cultiva- 

 tion of agricultural crops. 



As special illustrations of work already done in the introduction of bene- 

 ficial parasites, mention is made of Noriiis cardinalis, parasites of fruit flies, 

 Scutellista eyanea, parasites introduced for the control of gipsy and brown- 

 tail moths, etc. 



