24 JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE OF P. R. 



Speare (35) in Hawaii carried out an extensive series of labor- 

 atory inoculations with the fungus, workinp; with Rliahdocnemis 

 ohscura as the host. The mortality varied considerably in the dif- 

 ferent trials, not exceeding sixty per cent, however, in any ease. 

 No field tests are reported. ' 



Tryon (38) has also conducted tests upon the parasitism of 

 Metarrkiziurn. using the spores mixed with a fine soil rich in organic 

 matter. Final results and conclusions are not given beyond the 

 statement that the fungus appears to have possilnlities. 



In Samoa (8) excellent results were re])orted in controlling on aii 

 extensive scale the rhinoceros beetle, an enemy of the coconut. In- 

 fected beetles were placed in trap ])iles of rotten coconut husks and 

 other debris, scattered about through the coconut groves. Tlic 

 beetles gathci'cd in these piles foi" egg la,\ing. and it w;is claimed 

 that practically all the larvae were ultimately attacked and killed 

 by the fungus. 



Porto Rico. 



Work witli this fungus was begun immediately upon the receipt 

 of material from Hawaii. Infected beetles and soil containing 

 spores were sent to Mr. C. T. ■Nlurphy in charge of experimental 

 work at Central (iuaniea. In June, 1911. he reported as follows: 

 "The Hawaiian beetle fungus seems to l)e working well and the 

 beetles kept untier control in the cages seem to take it u]) rapidly 

 At present several thousand are under control and in a few days 

 time, 1 shall stai't letting them loose in tli;' Melds * " *. I am 

 also propagating the spores artificially so as lo more tlioroughly infect 

 the beetles." About a year later (April, 1912) he reports that 

 ""Inoculating ])eetles with the Hawaiian fungus started earliei- in the 

 month. The fniigus took readily aiul apfxars to lie increasing in 

 virulence; about a fortnjght aftei- inoculating tiie cage, eighty- 

 seven beetles were found killed by the disease. During the nt'xt 

 month liheiations of dead and sickly beetles will be made about 

 every ten days in a lield where the work can be watched."' 



Mr. Murjiliy stated that in May he found evidence of beetle!- 

 having heen killed by the disease, and in -Inly ;i linal mention ol' 

 Metarrhi/.ium occnis in his reports to the effect that "'Beetles in- 

 fected with the Hawaiian fungus have been liberated during the 

 month in cane fields, and at the roots of trees around the nursery 



