458 



Feytaud (J.). Recherches sur TEudemis et la Cochylis dans le 

 Bordelais en 1915. — Ann. Service des Epiphyties, Paris, iv (1915), 

 1917, pp. 266-276. [Received 1st September 1919.] 



The invasion of Clysia ambiguella and Polychrosis hotrana in 1915 

 in the Bordeaux region is reviewed, with a further account of bait-traps 

 and records of the results obtained by their use. [See preceding 

 paper.] 



Peneau (J.). Notes sur les Aphides radicicoles. — Ann. Service des 

 Epiphyties, Paris, iv (1915), 1917, pp. 277-285, 13 figs. [Received 

 1st September 1919.] 



A series of observations are recorded on certain species of root- 

 feeding Aphids occurring in France. Keys are given to the genera, both 

 of the apterous and winged forms, and a key to the species of the genus 

 Trama. T. caudata, del Guerc, which is recorded for the first time 

 in France, is described. It was observed at Nantes in 1913 on chicory 

 roots. Aphids of this genus are found on lettuce, chicory, cardoons, 

 artichokes and other Composite plants, causing considerable damage, 

 particularly to young plants, the development of which is arrested. 

 As is the case with most subterranean Aphids, they are accompanied 

 and protected by ants, and the primary remedial measure against the 

 former is the removal of the latter. This is done by destroying the ant- 

 nests in the spring by pouring in an emulsion of coal-oil, coal-tar or 

 creosote. Without the ants the Aphids soon die, as they cannot travel 

 far to seek food and are quickly attacked by fungous diseases. 



KowALSKi (J.). Un Ennemi du Cocotier aux Nouvelles-H6brides : 



le Promecotheca opacicollis, Gestro. — Ann. Service des Epiphyties, 

 Paris, iv (1915), 1917, pp. 286-327, 2 plates, 8 figs. [Received 

 1st September 1919.] 



The Hispid beetle, Promecotheca opacicollis, Gestro, has been known 

 since 1909 as a pest of coconut palms in the New Hebrides. In 1913 

 the author was appointed to undertake a through investigation of 

 this insect and of its natural enemies. The original description of the 

 beetle is quoted. The adults are almost invariably found on the 

 underside of the leaves, where they rest, feed, and oviposit. The 

 beetles seldom fly, and if disturbed, frequently drop to the ground. 

 The injury to the leaf takes the form of longitudinal shts in the tissue 

 of the underside, following the veins. Other palms similarly injured 

 by the adults are Areca catechu, Phytelephas macrocarpa, a species 

 of Phoenix and Ravenala madagascariensis. The larvae, however, 

 do not attack these trees, perhaps owing to the hardness of the tissues. 



The eggs of P. opacicollis are protected by a sort of shield constructed 

 by the female from particles of the epidermis of the leaf cemented 

 together by a viscid substance. This is carefully built up over the 

 eggs as they he on the underside of the leaf. The capsules are generally 

 isolated, but may occur in groups of two ; they measure from 2" 5 to 

 4 mm. and contain from 2 to 5 eggs. In this respect the species differs 

 from that occurring in the Phihppines (P. cumingi), the eggs of which 

 are laid singly. After an incubation period of about 18 days the larvae 

 hatch and pierce holes in the lower epidermis of the leaf and attack 



