91 



and are often confused with Eucolaspis hrumica, F. (bronze beetle). 

 There is only one generation a year. The periods of activity of the 

 larvae are mainly from December to May, and again from August 

 to October, the main injury being caused by the three-quarter grown 

 individuals from March to May. 



Howard (C. W.). Control of Eelworm in Tomato Houses : Experi- 

 ments at Lower Hutt. — N.Z. Jl. Agric, Wellington, xxiii, no. 4. 

 20th October 1921, pp. 225-227. 



During 1920-21 the author undertook experiments to test the 

 efficacy of carbon bisulphide in controlling eelworms in tomato houses. 

 Until recently the chief means of control has been carbolic acid. Two 

 plots were treated with \ gr. of carbon bisulphide, resulting in fine 

 crops, while plants on the plot treated with carbolic acid failed entirely. 



The author's conclusions are that both carbon bisulphide and carbolic 

 acid are effective for soil treatment, but two years are required for 

 complete eradication of eelworms. The former is the more suitable, 

 as plants cannot be planted in soil treated with carbolic acid until 

 10-12 weeks after application. Spraying the surface with carbon 

 bisulphide and saturating the soil by injecting it into holes are both 

 effective. The house should be closed during, and for some time 

 after, treatment. Carbon bisulphide not only does no damage, but 

 has a fertilising effect on the plants. 



Sacharov (N. L). BpsAMTenM Pbi6Hbix FIpoAyKTOB AcipaxaHCKoro 



PblShOro ripOMblCJia. [Pests of Fish Products of the Astrachan 



Fisheries.]— TpyAbi CapaiOBCKoro 06mecTBa EcTecTBOncnbiTaTe/ieii 



]^ JlwQMTeneil ECTeCTBOSHaHMfl. [Trans. Saratov Sac. Naturalists], 



viii. no. 2 ; PaSoTbi BonmcKOM BMonorMHBCKOM CiaHumi. [Work 



of the Volga Biol. Sta.], Saratov, vi, no. 1, 1921, pp. 3-39, 

 4 plates. [Received 11th January 1922.] 



The Sepsid fly, Piophila casei, L., is the chief pest of fish pickled in 

 brine, and when present in large numbers it will cause complete 

 destruction. The various stages and life-histor\^ of this fly as occurring 

 in Astrachan are described. Remedial measures consist chiefly in 

 clearing away any debris in which the eggs can be laid and the pro- 

 tection of stored fish by freezing or complete submersion in the brine. 

 Drying the fish in the open will also kill the larvae. Although the 

 larvae can live on the surface of brine, especially if particles of food 

 are present, they cannot live in closed casks containing plenty of 

 liquid. 



Of the various species of Dermestes occurring in Astrachan, D. 

 lardarius, L., D. frischi, Kug., and D. frischi var. sibiricus, Er., cause 

 great injury to air-dried and smoked fish. The life-histories and habits 

 of these beetles are described. The predators, Saprinus semistriatus, 

 Scr., 5. semipimctatits, F., Necrobia violacea, L., and occasionally 

 Corynetes coeruleus, De G., have been observed in connection with 

 Dermestes spp., Necrobia violacea being particularly active, but they 

 do not occur in sufficient abundance to be of much value in the control 

 of the Dermesfids. Sulphur fumigation is advocated as the best 

 method of controlling these pests in dried fish. 



(5441) G 2 



