BY E. MEYRICK, B.A. 113 



Stgr., of which the larvae feeds in an allied plant, Solamim nigorum, 

 but in a different mode, by mining in the leaves ; from this latter 

 it differs, especially by the much longer terminal joint of the 

 palpi. The potatoes affected rot and become worthless, even 

 animals refusing them ; in certain districts three-fourths of the 

 crop was thus destroyed. The above-mentioned details of habit, 

 so far as my information goes, all apply in the present case. The 

 specimen potato must have contained originally at least forty 

 larvae, and was pierced with galleries in every direction, but 

 chiefly round the exterior beneath the skin, so that it was wholly 

 corrupted and useless. The larvae pupated within their galleries, 

 near the entrance, which they closed with silk. In the absence 

 of good-bred specimens of the imago, it will be sufficient to 

 describe it as a rather small narrow-winged member of the 

 Grelechidae, expanding about seven lines, with long recurved palpi 

 and dull brown-grey, faintly-mottled fore wings. The particular 

 specimens under consideration are believed to be from the Hunter 

 Eiver district ; and Mr. Macleay is acquainted with the fact of its 

 having occured in abundance, some years back, near Sutton 

 Forest. It seems to me that to this species are probably also to 

 be referred several specimens in my collection, captured at 

 Melbourne and Sydney and in the Shoalhaven district. This 

 must be confirmed by further comparison. At any rate, there is 

 little doubt that the species is of wide general distribution, and 

 only requires favourable circumstances to become as dangerous 

 economically as the Colorado beetle itself. Judging from the 

 fact of its thriving in Algeria, but not having shown itself f urther 

 north (although an allied species occurs in Spain), it woiddseem 

 that a hot and somewhat dry climate is required for its development; 

 and probably wet summers would be fatal to it. It is likely that 

 the climate of this colony would in most seasons suit the insect 

 extremely well. What is its native country it would probably 

 be hard to discover, as in the case of most domestic insects. It 

 does not seem to have been noticed in the home of the potato 



