140 



attracting insects. Experiments should be undertaken to singe the 

 hedges so as to destroy all pests, and yet permit them to recover and 

 make new growth. 



Cobb (N. A.). Howardula benigna ; a Nema Parasite of the Cucumber 

 Beetle. — Science, Garrison-on- Hudson, N.Y., liv, 30th December 

 1921. no. 1409, pp. 667-670, 4 figs. 



The Nematode, Howardula benigna, here described infests the bod\' 

 cavity of Diabrotica vittata, F., and D. trivittata, Mann. Parasitised 

 beetles are smaller and less vigorous than healthy ones, and infested 

 females are less fertile. As many as 30,000 Nematodes have been 

 removed from one individual. 



Infestation by this species ranges up to 70 per cent., with an average 

 of about 20 per cent. Its distribution in 1921 was probably nearly 

 coextensive with that of the two Coleopterous hosts. 



Claassen (P. W.). Typha Insects : their Ecological Relationships. — 



Cornell Univ. Agric. Expt. Sta.. Ithaca, N. Y., Memoir 47, 

 October 1921, pp. 457-531, 9 tables, 11 plates. [Received 

 18th January 1922.] 



The first part of this paper deals with the ecology of the cat-tail 

 plant. The second part reviews the life-history and biology of the 

 insect inhabitants, some of which are of considerable economic impor- 

 tance The third part endeavours to bring out their true ecological 

 relationships, grouping the insects with reference to the part of the 

 plant they affect, their relative importance and their interrelations. 



DusHAM (E. H.). The Painted Hickory Borer, Cyllene caryae, Gahan. 

 — Cornell Univ. Agric. Expt. Sta., Ithaca, Bull. 407, August 1921, 

 pp. 171-203, 2 plates. [Received 18th January 1922.] 



Previous literature on the classification, history, s5aionymy, distri- 

 bution and food-plants of Cyllene caryae, Gah. (painted hickory borer), 

 is reviewed. This Cerambycid is capable of causing considerable 

 damage. It only attacks felled timber and dead standing trees, and 

 prefers small trees and branches to large trunks. The most serious 

 injury is due to the pupal cells, which penetrate into the larger trunks 

 for one or two inches, and into the smaller branches to the heart-wood. 

 The sap-wood of the hickory, the most valuable part of the tree to 

 the manufacturer, is riddled by the larval galleries. This beetle also 

 damages black walnut and osage orange [Madura aurantiaca] . 



Mating occurs soon after emergence, and oviposition usually takes 

 place within a short period. The eggs are laid in crevices or under 

 the scales of the bark. The maximum number deposited by a 

 single captive female was 56. They hatch in 6-10 days. The 

 larvae migrate under the scale of the bark and begin to burrow. 

 They mature in 10-12 weeks, then gnaw a large oval-shaped hole 

 through the bark to the exterior, where they pupate. The pre-pupal 

 stage varies with temperature and humidity and may last 25-63 

 days. Experimentally pupation began at the end of August, and 

 by the end of November all were in the pupal stage. In the field the 

 winter is passed in this stage. The adults emerge in the spring. 

 A full description is given of all stages. 



