141 



neglected. Such an example of saving or increased production is 

 seen in the case of Pemphigus hetae, Doane, the experimental control 

 of which by irrigation was begun in 1914, resulting in an increase 

 in tonnage and sugar content ; this was probably due in part to 

 increased irrigation as well as to the destruction of insects. 



The chief entomological feature of 1917 was an outbreak of grass- 

 hoppers, the species of which is not yet definitely established, though 

 there is much reason to think that it is the injurious Rocky Mountain 

 locust [Mehnoplus spretus] so destructive some 50 years ago [see 

 above]. Preventive work took the form of distributing poisoned bran 

 mash, in the making of which 10,000 lb. of white arsenic were used, 

 and of using grasshopper catching machines. By the latter means 

 vast numbers were caught, which in the dried state formed a valuable 

 poultry food. 



Swingle (D. B.) & Morris (H. E.). Plum Pocket and Leaf Gall on 

 Americana Plums. — Univ. Montana Agric. Expt. Sta., Bozeman, 

 Bull. no. 123, February 1918, pp. 167-188, 6 figs. [Received 

 30th January 1919.] 



The growing of Americana plums in Montana has been greatly 

 hampered and finally brought to a standstill by a fungous disease 

 and by the leaf-gall mite, Eriophyes pruni, Schoene, which hibernates 

 under the bud-scales. Upon the opening of the buds these mites 

 emerge and puncture the young leaves forming pimples that soon 

 develop into galls. These do not kill the leaves outright, but if 

 numerous, they seriously interfere with their normal functions. 



This mite is easily controlled by spraying with dilute lime-sulphur 

 (28° Be., diluted 1 in 50) while the trees are still dormant, and in 

 some seasons when the buds are in the pink ; after the petals fall, 

 it is too late to get the best results. If rain follows within two days 

 after spraying, the operation should be repeated. 



Speight (R.). New Zealand Timbers and the Borer. A Note on the 

 Susceptibility of New Zealand Timbers to the Attacks of the Borer, 



Anobium domesticum. — N.Z. Jl. Science and Technology, Welling- 

 ton, i, no. 3, May 1918, pp. 142-114. [Received 31st January 1919.] 

 This paper constitutes a record of the resistance of various New 

 Zealand timbers to the attacks of Anobium domesticum, L. A list 

 is given from which it is seen that some are immune, while many 

 others are attacked in the sap-wood, the heart- wood being untouched. 

 In view of the threatened shortage of timber, attempts should be 

 made to preserve it, as for instance by soaking it in petrol in which 

 carbolic acid and camphor have been dissolved. As carbolic acid is 

 somewhat soluble in water, the efficacy of the solution can be increased 

 by substituting naphthaline for it. 



Leonardi (G.). Terza Contribuzione alia Conoscenza delle Cocciniglie 



italiane. [A Third Contribution to the Knowledge of Italian 



Coccidae.] — Boll. Lab. Zool. Gen. Agrar. R. Scuola Sup. Agric., 



Portici, xii, 1917-1918, pp. 188-216, 13 figs. [Received 6th 



January 1919.] 



As the Coccid fauna of Italy has been increased by various additions 



in the past few years they are briefly recorded in this paper, to which 



a list of the species now known in Italy has been added. 



