Report of the Department oe Agriculture. 543 



coining' voetg-anger seasjn. Special studies of tlie ])Iaut-iufestiiig' 

 mites and their control are in progress. 



(b) Eastern Provind' {Entomologist : D . (rinin). — The staff 

 consists of one entomolooist and one assistant entonioloo-i^t, with head- 

 quarters at Port Elizabeth. Imported and in-transit plants, seeds, 

 and the like are inspected and general duties performed. The 

 ])rincipal studies undertaken were as follows: — (1) Life-history of 

 the false codling'-moth in Bathurst District; (2) coccinellid beetle 

 (Epilachno simiJis), which destroys barley, maize, and wheat; (3) 

 larger cabbage moth {Cmcidolomia hinotaJIs), which in the caterpillar 

 stage destroys cruciferous plants, principally t'al)ltage and cauliflower; 

 (4) bean bug- (Acdnthomia tome nto sic ollis), a destructive insect in 

 bean fields in the coastal districts ; (5) Colias electa (tlie lucerne cater- 

 j)illar) ; investigational and control work was conducted in Sundays 

 River Valley, Patentie, and other places where lucerne is grown exten- 

 sively ; (6) Parasa sp. The caterpillars defoliated Acacia cyclopsis 

 ;ind Acacia salina in the Government Forest near Port Elizabeth, and 

 life-history work was begun in March, 1922. (7) The life-history of 

 ihe meal moth (Pi/ralis farirtalis) was studied during the year. A 

 laige number of demonstrations was given for the control of codling- 

 moth, scale insects on citrus trees, fruit-flies, etc., and also several 

 lectures on the insect pests of deciduous and citrus trees as well as 

 general farm crops. 



(c) Natal (Enfi)violofjist: C. P. ran der Merwe). — The staff 

 consists of one entomologist, one assistant entomologist, and one plant 

 inspector, with headquarters at Durban. The assistant entomologist, 

 Mr. H. H. Harris, is at present located in the Umfolosi fly-belt, 

 Zululand, and engaged u])on the study of the bionomics of the tsetse 

 ily. The casual investigations of the year cover the life-history and 

 control of the elegant grasshoi)i)e]', citrus psylla, button beetle, and 

 mole crickets. 



The investigation of the tsetse fly began last year and has already 

 brought to light many inijtortant phases. The work has progressed 

 so far that there is already some promise of practical measures being 

 devised to narrow dowi, the extent of ihe principal belts. The species 

 found predominating in tlie more important belts has proved to be 

 (rlossina pallidipes, concerning the life-history and habits of which 

 but very little was formerly known. The officer in charge of the 

 studies " has displayed the greatest enthusiasm and application, 

 although beset by many handicaps and located in a highly malarious 

 area. 



(d) Border (Entomolof/ist : H. K. Miniro, B.Sc). — The staff 

 consists of one entomologist without assistant, with headquarters at 

 East London. This office, inaugurated only last year, is already 

 serving a very useful purpose. Particular attention is being given to 

 the habits and control of the flies that " blow " sheep. An investiga- 

 tion of the native fruit-flies infesting wild olives has been commenced 

 with a view to discovering parasites and the possibility of sending 

 these to Italy to act as contrcdling agents for the olive-fly there. 



3. Nursery Inspection. — The total number of plant nurseries 

 registered for the nursery year — September, 1921, to Septend)er, 1922 — 

 was 399, an increase of 32 over the previous year ; 3G5 nurseries were 

 inspected (about 60 of these twice). Of the nurseries, 200 were in the 

 Cape Province, 133 in the Transvaal, 35 in Xatal, and 31 in the Orange 



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