265 



Snyder (T. E.). Injury to Casuarina Trees in Southern\Florida vy mi ^ ^^ ^ 

 Mangrove Borer. — Jl. Agric. Research, Washimjton, A^^vi, no. 

 6, 10th February 1919, pp. 155-164, 4 plates, 2 figs. \^a/ M use^i 



As a result of reported serious injury to Australian pine {Casuarina 

 equisetifolia) in Florida by the Buprestid, Chrysobothris tranquebarica, 

 Gmel., investigations were made leading to the discovery that this 

 beetle is a common enemy of the red mangrove {Rhizophora mangle), 

 on which it has been known since 1886. All stages of the insect are 

 described ; the adults feed on the tender bark of the trees ; the eggs 

 are inserted under the thin outer layer of loose bark either singly or 

 two or three together, each female being responsible for about 23. 

 The period of incubation was not ascertained, but is probably one 

 week. The emerging larvae bore through the cambium, on which 

 they feed, to the surface, extending the burrows horizontally, spirally 

 or longitudinally. The larval stage lasts nearly one year, at the end 

 of which the pupal cell is excavated at a considerable depth in the wood 

 with a hole for the exit of the adult beetle. The beetles begin to 

 emerge about 1st April, the period of maximum activity being from 

 April to 1st of June. Eggs are probably laid from middle of April to 

 June, and the majority of pupal cells are formed before the winter. 



Predaceous enemies are the flicker (Colaptes auratus) and the 

 red-headed woodpecker {Melanerpes erythrocephalus). The larvae of 

 a Trogositid beetle, Tenebroides sp., and of an Elaterid, Adelocera sp., 

 were found under the bark of mangroves and may prey on this pest. 

 Hymenopterous parasites are Atanycolus rugosiventris, Ashm., and 

 A. labena, Kohw. 



As remedial measures, all badly damaged trees should be cut and 

 burnt between September and March ; Casuarina trees between 1|- 

 and 6 inches in diameter, growing in the vicinity of mangrove swamps 

 or other infested trees, should be examined in September and March 

 and if infested should be sprayed with | lb. sodium arsenate dissolved 

 in 5 U.S. gallons of water to which 1 pint of standard miscible oil 

 has been added. This mixture may also be used to kill the adult 

 beetles flying in April and August. As the presence of sap attracts 

 the beetles, it is advisable not to prune the trees during these months, 



Ukbahns (T. D.). Life-history Observations on four recently described 

 Parasites of BrucJiophagus funebris. — Jl. Agric. Research, Washing- 

 ton, D.C., xvi, no. 6, 10th February 1919, pp. 165-174, 2 plates, 

 8 figs. 



The Chalcidoid, Liodontomerus perplexus, Gahan, of which the pupa 

 and larva are described, feeds externally on the larva of B. funebris 

 and only in exceptional cases is found attacking the pupa. Hibernation 

 of the parasitic larvae takes place in the lucerne seed infested by 

 the host. The parasite becomes active in April, slowly increasing to 

 full activity in August. The eggs are inserted through the seed-pod 

 and deposited on or near the host larva inside the green seed. The 

 larvae develop very quickly, requiring only about 8-12 days to mature, 

 when they may pupate at once ; though should the seed be exposed 

 to dry climatic conditions a dormant stage is entered upon which may 

 last right into hibernation, thus delaying pupation until the following 



(C571) Wt. P1921/144. 1,500. 7.19. B.&F.Ltd. Gp.11/3. ▲ 



