138 



Weiss (H.B.) & Nicolay (A. S.). Eumerus strigatus, Fall., the Lunate 

 Onion Fly, in New Jersey, (Dip.). — Entom. News, Philadelphia, 

 XXX, no. 1, January 1919, p. 27. 



The first definite record of the occurrence of the Syrphid, Eumerus 

 strigatus, in New Jersey was made in February 1918, though its presence 

 had been suspected several years ago in connection with iris roots 

 injured by Macronoctua onusta, Grote. It has also been recorded 

 from New York, and as having been bred from bulbs from Connecticut 

 and Texas. In Holland, E. strigatus and Merodon equestris are the 

 most important pests of narcissus. 



The flies appear in May and June and oviposit on the bases of the 

 leaves. The larvae enter the nose of the bulb, from 10-30 being 

 found in a single one, and feed in the interior, causing it to decay ; 

 the destruction is more complete and rapid than that caused by 

 Merodon equestris. Pupation takes place in the outside leaves during 

 August, and a second brood, of which little is known, appears in 

 September and October. In Holland, the destruction of infested 

 bulbs appears to be the usual remedial method. 



McCall (J. S. J.). Report of the Director of Agriculture. — Nyasaland 

 Protectorate Ann. Reft. Dept. Agric. for Year ended 31st March 

 1918, Zomha, 31st October 1918, pp. 3-8. [Eeceived 24th 

 January 1919.] 



A serious infestation of the tobacco beetle [Lasioderma serricorne] 

 occurred in 1917 in tobacco awaiting shipment at Chinde during July 

 and August, this having probably arisen from some infested tobacco 

 from the previous year. It was decided after inspection to erect a 

 fumigation house and treat the tobacco before shipping. The results 

 were so satisfactory that it has been arranged that all future ccnsign- 

 ments of tobacco from Nyasaland shall be similarly treated, and special 

 legislation to give effect to this is under consideration. It is reported 

 that no damage to the tobacco results from the treatment. The most 

 satisfactory mixture for fumigation is 64 oz. sodium cyanide, 80 oz. 

 sulphuric acid and 128 oz. water per 1,000 cubic feet. The fumigation 

 house is closed for 70 hours, is opened on the evening of the third day 

 and remains open overnight to allow the fumes to escape. It is then 

 emptied and refilled in the morning of the fourth day, thus allowing 

 two fumigations a week. 



Brain (C. K.). The Coccidae of South Africa-ii. — Bull. Entom. 

 Research, London, ix, no. 2, September 1918, pp. 107-139. 



Gall-making Coccids are little known in South Africa, and three 

 new ones are here described : — Grewiacoccus gregalis, gen. et sp. n., 

 on Grewia occidentalis, Calycicoccus merwei, gen. et sp. n., on Apodytes 

 dimidiata, and Amorphococcus acaciae, sp. n., on Acacia. 



An account is also given of representatives of the sub-families 

 Conchaspinae and Diaspinae with a synoptical key to the South 

 African genera and another to the South African species of Aspidiotus 

 s. str. 



The following new species are described : Conchaspis euphorbiae on 

 Euphorbia ; Aspidiotus furcillae on Acacia horrida ; A. regius on 



