1919.] 



205 



NiLIOJflDAE. 



Nilio yillosus Fabr.— Tumaturaari, Potaro. 

 N. pilosus Cast. — Issororo, N.W.D. 



CiSTELIDAE. 



AUecula castaneipenms Champ. — Suddie, Essequibo. 



/ 





CUKCULIONIDAE. 



Mhyncliophorus palmarum Linn. — This beetle may be found all 

 over British Guiana. The larvae may be discovered in decaying or 

 diseased trunks of coconut palms, and the diseased or rotting stems and 

 and rooting systems of sugar-cane. The adults are attracted to the 

 odour of any decaying palm and will deposit their eggs therein. The 

 larvae are not considered a gastronomic delicacy as they are in the Island 

 of Trinidad (known there as "gru-gru" woims) and elsewhere, though 

 they are occasionally eaten by the Aboriginal Indians of the country. 

 About thirty years ago this insect was considered a pest of sugar-cane in 

 the Colony, but it is seldom found as such in these days. Coconut palms 

 in an advanced stage of " bud rot " are singled out for attack In- this 

 insect. 



Rhina harhi^'ostris Fabr.^Only occasionally met with. Attiucted 

 to artiticial light. Widely distributed. 



Metamasius hemipterus Linn.* — The commonest weevil, with the 

 exception of Calandra oryzae Linn., in British Guiana. Invariably 

 associated with sugar-cane, and ma}'' be found breeding therein either on 

 the coastland plantations or in the sugar-cane pitches of tlie Aboriginal 

 Indian in the far interior. Very seldom attacks health}^ strong-growing 

 cane. On some estates this insect performs damage by attacking the 

 cane " tops " Avhen placed in the soil and thus destroying the " eyes " of 

 the cane. Often found in canes atiacked by fungus. 



M. obsoletus Gyll. — East eoas ,, Demerara. 



Calandra oryzae Linn. — This cosmopoliton beetle occurs all over 

 British Guiana and is responsible for the annual loss of many thousand 

 dollars' worth of stored products. 



Eusfylus hodkini Mshll. — Issororo, N.W.D. Species described 

 from specimens from British Guiana. 



E. puher Olive. — Botanic Gardens, Georgetown. 



* Det. Schwarz, U. S. National Mueeiim. 



