546 OBSERYATIOX^S ON" AX INSECT IXJUEIOUS TO THE TINE, 



My cabinet contains specimens of tlie species from all the 

 Australian Colonies, from wliicli it may be inferred that it is an 

 insect of wide distribution, I have never however, until now 

 known of its being noticed for its destructive tendencies. This 

 however, may only be an evidence of want of observation, for 

 other better known species of the genus are extremely destructive 

 to fruit and forest trees. The largest species, of the genus — 

 Ortliorldnus cylindrirostris is very common, and sometimes very 

 injurious. I can well remember more than twenty years ago a 

 number of fine Pine trees at Elizabeth Bay being killed through 

 the agency of this beetle. But in truth all of the genus must be 

 from their habits necessarily destructive, whenever from some 

 cause or another they become more than usually numerous. 

 Their nearest ally in Eijrope the common Hylohius ahietls has 

 become more than once for a time so numerous as to threaten 

 with extinction the Eir Eorests of Northern Europe. I am not 

 aware what the native trees or plants are which O. Kliigii feeds 

 on or used to feed on, but it seems more than likely that if it 

 takes kindly to an introduced plant like the G-rape Vine, it may 

 develope into a very serious pest. The experience of another 

 reason will enable us to judge with more accuracy of the amount 

 of injury which these insects are capable of inflicting, than we 

 possibly can at present. 



In the meantime it is most desirable that vignerons and horti- 

 culturists generally, should watch for the appearance of the 

 perfect insect, which is noio issuing from the pupa state, and 

 take particular note of what plants it shows a preference for, as 

 it is possible that the Grape Vine may not be the only product 

 of the Orchard which suits its taste. 



The beetle itself does no harm, but it fixes itself upon a plant 

 which its instinct tells it to be suitable for the support of its 

 larva, bores in it a minute hole with its long rostrum and therein 

 introduces an Qg^. "When the larva is full fed, wdiich seems to 



