December, '19] SCIENTIFIC NOTES 465 



Scientific Notes 



Occurrence of the Argentine Ant at Raleigh, North Carolina. On September 20 

 the writer, much to his surprise, found a heavy infestation of this troublesome ant in 

 a floral establishment here. The florist, Mr. O'Quinn, stated that this ant has given 

 him much trouble for about fifteen years, especially in the winter when the workers 

 flock to the green houses for warmth and occur over everything. Mr. O'Quinn also 

 stated that they cause considerable damage to his carnations by cutting off the petals 

 at their bases. 



The ants also occur on several blocks adjacent to the florist's estabUshment, where 

 they are giving the people much trouble by infesting houses. 



The only other locality in this state, in which the Argentine ant is known to occur, 

 is Wilmington, where it was found several years ago by Mr. E. R. Barber, of the 

 Bureau of Entomology. 



M. R. Smith, 

 Extension Entomologist, North Carolina State Department of Agriculture 



The Cocoanut Butterfly, Brassolis isthmia, on Banana. My attention was first 

 called to the occurrence of larvai of Brassolis isthmia Bates on banana by Mr. Ignacio 

 Molino of the Bureau of Entomology, U. S. D. A., Temporary Field Station at Ancon, 

 C. Z. He found them on banana trees in his gardens in Panama city. An inspec- 

 tion made September 5 revealed four palms completely stripped, two palms partly 

 stripped, one banana tree with one leaf completely chewed off excepting the stout 

 mid rib, and two banana trees with large holes eaten through several leaves. Larvae 

 of Brassolis were congregated in bunches both on the palms and banana plants. To 

 make sure that the injury noted was done by the cocoanut butterfly, an inspection 

 was made at night the same day. When about ten feet away from the banana trees 

 a very characteristic noise was heard, — that of the mandibles of dozens of large 

 larva? making rapid progress through the thick, fibrous tissues of the banana leaves. 

 It was a loud noise, not easily forgotten. This inspection confirmed the identification 

 of the species. 



The following day, 6th, one entire leaf, measuring 4 2 feet by li feet was found to be 

 completely stripped to the mid rib; a few more leaves had large holes eaten through 

 them. The larva; feed from the dorsal surface, and start from the edge of the mid- 

 rib, working outward. Observations made on subsequent days showed that a large 

 leaf was stripped daily. The inhabitants of the house told me that at first the noise 

 produced by these larva; was so unique and loud that it interfered with sleep; these 

 people live only about fifteen feet from the trees. 



B. isthmia is a very serious pest of palms, principally of our cocoanut palms (see 

 II. F. Shultz, '08, Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., and L. II. Dunn, '17, Journ. Econ. Ent.). 

 This is the first record of its occurrence on banana, and while it may never become a 

 serious j)cst of bananas, the fact that it takes readily to banana leaves and eats them 

 with vigor, is enough to oini)hasi7,e the need of control work. The method that has 

 been recommended is the cutting out and burning of the nests in the palms, however, 

 this method is not tiiorough enough; it is believed spraying with an arsenical will 

 prove more effective. Attention is called to the fact that in banana j)lantationa 

 there are innumeral)le cut stalk.s and other forms of d(51jris scattered about, and tliat 

 the.se afford admirable shelter for the mature larva; when ready to pupate. It would 

 appear, therefore, that if once established on banana, it will lx;comc a serious pest. 

 This species should l)c included in Doctor Pierce's "A Manual of Dangerous Insects 

 Likely to be Introduced in tiie I'liited Slates Through Importations."' 



Jame.'* Zktek, Aucnn, Canal Zone 

 6 



