128 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



Few people, excepting those in the trade, are aware of 

 the enormous loss of timber caused by insect pests. When 

 a pest gets a footing, hardly any timber is safe from its 

 attacks. Building material and furniture are liable to 

 attack and possibly destruction from the pests. As an 

 instance, I may mention that a small imported beetle 

 (Lictus brunneus) will work nearly as quickly in the Oak, 

 Walnut, or Rosewood of a piano as it will in an ordinary 

 piece of pine timber. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



The remedies against this and similar pests are in our 

 own hands, and consist in keeping a vigilant watch on all 

 importations of timber, especially when in logs, no matter 

 where they may have come from. Now that the shippers 

 have been advised to remove the bark before sending away 

 the logs, it has been found that recent shipments have 

 shown signs of much improvement on lots previously 

 examined at the port of Melbourne or on the wharfs. 

 All logs coming here are inspected, and if found to be 

 affected by weevils or other insect pests, they are treated 

 under the immediate supervision of an inspector. 



