167 



Illingworth (J. F.). The Sugar Industry. — Queensland Agric. JL, 

 Brisbane, x, no. 5, November 1918, pp. 220-221. [Received 4th 

 February 1919.] 



The Tachinid parasite, Cerotnasia sphenophori. has been, successfully 

 reared and liberated in fields infested with the sugar-cane borer 

 [Rhahdocnemis obscura] and it is hoped that a considerable measure 

 of control will be effected by this means. Attention is drawn to the 

 value of the barn owl in destroying these weevils and also cane 

 rats. Some localities have been much troubled \vith Cirpkis unipimcta 

 (army worm) and Phragmatiphila truncata (Noctuid moth borer) ; 

 both of these are freely attacked by parasites, and are thus prevented 

 from becoming serious pests. The caterpillars of P. truncata feed 

 inside the shoot, the central leaves usually being entirely killed. 

 The result is that the cane shoots freely at the eyes owing to injury 

 to the terminal bud. The cultivation of a green crop of beans or peas 

 before re-planting with sugar-cane is suggested against these moths. 



"Flying-Beetles" attacking Pear-trees. — New Zealand Jl. Agric., 

 Wellington, xvii, no. 5, 20th November 1918, p. 315. [Received 

 13th February 1919.] 



In answer to a correspondent, who reported that winged beetles 

 had practically defoliated young pear-trees during October, it is 

 stated that two species are concerned. Odontria zealandica, known as 

 the brown beetle, is the adult of the well-known grass-grub. It flies 

 only by night and can be shaken off the tree on to a sheet of canvas. 

 Eucolaspis brumiea (bronze beetle) flies by day and can be caught in 

 the same manner. Lead arsenate is effective against both species if 

 used strong enough, more than one application being necessary. 



The Weevil Pest of Grain. Summary of Proceedings of Conference 

 held in Melbourne, October 15th 1918. — Jl. Dept. Agric. Victoria, 

 Melbourne, xvi, no. 11, November 1918, pp. 695-700. [Received 

 4th February 1919.] 



A conference held in Melbourne has discussed the investigations 

 carried out by the South Australian Weevil Committee, which was 

 appointed about a year previously to deal with the question of the 

 serious losses occasioned by the depredations of the wheat weevil 

 [Calandra granaria] in stored wheat. The first experiments carried 

 out were to determine the possibility of poisoning by means of gases. 

 Hydrocyanic acid, carbon bisulphide, carbon monoxide, and carbon 

 dioxide were tried ; carbon bisulphide was probably the most efficient, 

 though it was found later that the weevil could be asphyxiated by 

 the use of carbon dioxide. Treatment with lime was found ineffective. 

 Storage in sand was satisfactory on a small scale, but not so suitable 

 for large quantities. Treatment by means of heat was tried and 

 seemed promising. It was considered that most heating machines 

 work at too high an initial temperature and the pressure of steam is 

 too great. A machine constructed in South Australia works at 

 atmospheric pressure. It was realised, however, that heat is not a 

 solution of the whole difficulty, as it is impossible to treat all the affected 

 wheat in time. Experiments in sealing up weevil-infested wheat in 



