482 



omnivorous habits. The following species, the food-plants of which 

 are believed to be confined to cactus, have been suggested for intro- 

 duction into Australia : — Moneilema crassum and Caenopaeus palmeriy 

 two Longicorn beetles from the United States, the larvae of which 

 bore in the stems and joints of the plant and the adults feed 

 gregariously on the young segments ; a weevil, Gerstaeckeria huhbardi, 

 from Florida, which produces cavities facilitating secondary infection 

 by micro-organisms and scavenging flies ; a Phycitid moth, Melitara 

 frodenialis, from the United States, Mexico and West Indies ; Mimorista 

 flavidissimalis, a Pyralid moth from Texas, West Indies and Brazil ; 

 Cactohlastis {Zophodia) cacforum, a Phycitid moth from Argentina ; 

 Coreid bugs of the genera Cheliniden and Narnia ; Itonida opuntiac, 

 a gall -midge that is found in the United States to attack cactus under 

 hot-house conditions ; and another Cecidomyid, Asphondylia ojmntiaey 

 also from the United States, the larva of which lives in the fruit, 

 preventing the development of seed and consequent spread of the 

 pest [see also this Review, Ser. A, iii, pp. 125-127]. 



The following recommendations adopted by the Executive Committer 

 of the Commonwealth Advisory Council of Science and Indvistry in 

 December 1916 are appended. 



That investigations should be carried out as to the suitability of 

 insects and fungi known to be inimical to prickly pear for acclimati- 

 sation in Australia, as to the method of action of such insects or fungi 

 on the pear, and as to such other matters as may arise in connection 

 with any biological or chemical researches found necessary. 



That the work should be placed under the authority of a biological 

 expert, who should be responsible to the Executive Committee of the 

 Advisory Council of Science and Industry, and who should receive 

 a salary of £1,200 per annmn. 



That three laboratories, comprising one central laboratory and two^ 

 subsidiary laboratories, should be established and maintained in 

 Queensland and New South Wales. 



That the central laboratory should be established at Brisbane, 

 where the insects would be received immediately they reached 

 Australia, and where the staff would have access to literature and 

 facilities for the use, for special investigations, of University and 

 Government laboratories. 



That the two subsidiary laboratories should be established in counf.rjr 

 infested with prickly pear. One of these should be in New South 

 Wales, whilst for the other the Queensland Government's offer of 

 the Dulacca Experiment Station should be accepted. These stations 

 would carry out the work of breeding and testing the introduced 

 insects, and should be in charge of thoroughly qualified entomologists,. 

 at salaries of £750 per annum. 



That field laboratories should be established, at such places and at 

 such times as may be deemed necessary by the biologist in charge, 

 for the purpose of introducing such insects as are found suitable into, 

 particular areas, or for other special purposes. 



That the sum of £8,000 per annum for a period of five years should 

 be made available for this work, of which sum £4,000 should be 

 contributed by the Commonwealth Government and £2,000 each 

 by the Governments of New South Whales and Queensland. 



