Reports to various Correspondents. 1 1 7 



the squares are forming freely: — One gallon cane or sorghum 

 molasses ; 1 oz. arsenic (90 per cent.) boiled in one gallon of water 

 until dissolved ; 6 ozs. of arsenate of lead dissolved in a gallon of 

 water ; 47 gallons of water, and mix well. 



The times to spray are as follows : — Once before the squares are 

 formed upon trap rows with No. 1 solution ; then the main crop, 

 first with No. 1 solution ; then every M^eek up to midsummer with 

 No, 2 solution ; later once in every two weeks is sufficient. 



Spraying and trapping combined will probably soon check the 

 ravages of this pest. 



Cockchafers {Lachnostema) damaging Mulberry- 

 Trees in China. 



Some beetles sent by Mr. F. W. Slynan to Mr. C. E. Fagan 

 reported as damaging the mulberry trees in the silk district, Shanghai, 

 proved to be one of the family of Cockchafers (Melolon/hidn') and 

 belong to the genus Lachnostema. The species cannot be identified 

 at the Museum. It is probably a new^ species. Most likely tlie 

 larvie feed upon the roots of trees, slirubs, etc., just as do those of 

 the Cockchafer found elsewliere. 



The leaflet (No. 25) on Cockchafers issued by the Board of 

 Agriculture was senc to Mr. Slynan, as the methods of collecting 

 the beetles would be the same in China as in this country. 



The Melon Bug. 



{Aspongopus viduatus, Fabr.) 



Some bugs {Asjjonf/opus viduaMis, Fabricius), attacking melons, 

 etc., at Khartoum, have been sent from Dr. Balfour, Director ol' the 

 Wellcome Laboratories, Khartoum.* 



This is a very variable hemipteron, and is found all over Africa, 

 and in the island of Sokotra, according to Mr. Distant, but Kirkaldy 

 says (" Natural History, Sokotra," p. 389) that the Sokotran A.spo/ii/o- 

 piLH is A. assar, Kirkaldy. 



Another species, A. nnbUis, Burm., attacks melons in Bechuaua- 

 land and Orange Biver Colony. 



The remedy is shaking off the bugs into pans of paraffin or tnr 

 early in the year, when they first make their appearance. The 

 I'cuuales (gravid) that have wintered are then destroyed, and so the 

 hosts of young tliat they give rise to are prevented from appearing. 

 * This bug is also recorded as spoiling tlie leaves of batikle and gaun at Luxor. 



