411 



Iridomyrtnex humilis, occurs and protects it from its enemies, is some- 

 times very abundant in April, May and June, and may continue until 

 mid- August. Where the Argentine ant is not present, these scales usually 

 disappear during May. Coccus hesperidum, L. (soft brown scale) is 

 sometimes found in groups on certain branches of fig-trees and along 

 the lower surface of the leaves near the midrib. This scale has as yet 

 been kept in check by natural agencies. In Smyrna, the larvae of 

 Ephestia cautella, Wlk. (fig moth) bore into the figs, but this pest is 

 not found in the United States and in consequence of inspection 

 regulations is unlikely to be introduced. June bugs, bees and wasps, 

 are frequently seen on figs, apparently eating the fruit, but the damage 

 from these insects is comparatively sKght. 



Caffrey (D. J.). The European Corn Borer : A Menace to the 



Country's Corn Crop. — C7./S. Dept. Agric, Washitigton, D.C., 



Farmers' Bull. no. 1046, April 1919, 28 pp., 17 figs. [Received 

 26th July 19 19. J 



An account is given of the Ufe-history and habits of Pyrausta nubi- 

 lalis, Hb. (European corn borer), the injury to maize being described 

 in detail [see this Review, Ser. A, vii, p. 224]. Natural enemies in 

 Massachusetts are very few and cannot be reUed upon to hold the pest 

 in check. A small percentage of the caterpillars are destroyed by the 

 Tachinids, Masicera myoidea, Desv., Exorista pyste, Wlk., E. nigri- 

 palpis, Towns., and Phorocera erecta, Coq., which pupate within the 

 tunnels of the borer. The Hymenopterous parasites, Epiurus (Pimpla) 

 pterophori, Ashm., and Anihlyteles brevicinctor, Say, also destroy a 

 small number, but none of these enemies is sufficiently numerous to 

 be an effective check on the pest. 



While the chief danger to maize-growing lies in the introduction 

 of infested plants, which can only be met by stringent quarantine 

 measures, infestation may also spread by flight of the adults and by 

 old plant material harbouring the borers through the winter. The 

 best method of destruction of infested material is by burning [loc. cit.], 

 but under certain conditions infested plants may be used as food for 

 stock, either direct from the field or as ensilage. It is also possible 

 to bury infested plants in manure or compost piles, in which ease care 

 must be taken that there is sufiicient manure to ensure thorough 

 heating and early decomposition of the material. The practice of 

 ploughing under infested material is not recommended, as the rubbish 

 cannot be covered deeply enough to prevent the borers from coming 

 to the surface. Damage by borers can be lessened to some extent 

 by regulating the time of planting. This will naturally vary each 

 year with weather conditions, but as the moths prefer to oviposit 

 on maize in which the tassel has already developed, it is well to plant 

 the maize somewhat late so that the tassel stage may be reached 

 about 1st July, when most of the moths have already oviposited. 

 Arsenical poisons are not successful against P. nvbilalis. 



Illingworth (J. F.). Cane Grub lnwestiga,i\on.— Queensland Agric. 

 Jl., Brisbam, xi, no. 6, June 1919, pp. 258-261. 



Sugar-cane seems to have suffered much less in the past year from 

 the attacks of grubs [Lepidiotd] ; this was partly due to the continuous 

 cultivation which was rendered possible owing to the dry weather. 



(C596) a2 



