662 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ii Nov., 1912. 



AN INSECT PEST OF THE "CURRAJONG" 

 (BRACHYCHITON). 



By C. French, Junr., Acting Government Entomologist. 



From time to time, leaves of the native Currajong tree (Brachychiton 

 populneum, R. Brown) are forwarded to the Entomological Branch by 

 correspondents, who state, that the leaves are being discoloured by 

 " insects which have white tails." On examining the specimens I find 

 them to be covered with the remarkable Psyllid (Tyora sterculiae, Frog- 

 gatt) which resembles an aphid and is often mistaken for one. 



This insect was first discovered at Forbes, New South Wales, by Mr. 

 W. W. Froggatt, Government Entomologist of New South Wales, and the 

 following is a quotation from his description of the insect : — 



"This is one of the most anomalous species I have found; and the 

 living psyllid with its bright green tints, delicate transparent wings, and 

 long slender legs and antennae, might easily be passed over at first sight 

 as an aphis. The deeply cleft head, absence of face lobes, and the 

 peculiar venation of the wings render it a very distinctive insect. The 

 eggs are horn-colour, elongate-oval in form, and deposited in patches con- 

 taining 30-40 in number on the upper surface of the leaves. The larvae 

 and pupae cluster together where they emerge from the eggs, the long 

 filaments trailing out all round giving them a star-like appearance and each 

 family makes a large white blotch on the foliage." 



Many Currajong trees are now cultivated in Victoria, in large private 

 gardens, public parks, avenues, &c. They are fine, evergreen, shady trees, 

 easily grown and very shapely. The flowers are fairly large, downy on 

 the outside, and on the inside red and yellow, variegated. It is unfortunate 

 that they are being attacked by an insect pest, which causes discoloration 

 of the leaves and the trees themselves to become unsightly. 



In times of drought, in some parts of the interior of Australia, starving 

 stock have been saved by eating the leaves of these trees, and also the 

 roots if they happen to be exposed. 



Remedies. 

 The most effective means of dealing with this pest is to spray the trees 

 with kerosene or benzole emulsion, pine oil spray, or any other mixture that 

 kills insects by contact. Formulas for any of these mixtures can be 

 obtained on application to the Entomological Branch, Crown Law Offices, 

 Melbourne. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE. 

 (Tyora sterculiae, Froggatt.) 

 Fig- I- Eggs. Magnified. From Nature. 



Fig. II. Leaves with insects and cast skins. Natural size. From Nature 

 Fig. III. Young leaves with cottony filaments. Magnified. From Nature 

 Fig. IV. Pupa. Magnified. From Nature. 

 Fig. IVa. Pupa. Natural size. From Nature. 

 Fig. V. Perfect Insect. Magnified. From Nature. 

 Fig. VI. Antennae. Magnified. From Nature. 

 Fig. VII. Leg, anterior. Magnified. From Nature. 



