164 



Jarvis (E.). Entomology. — Queensland Agric. JL, Brisbane, xvi, 

 pt. 6, December 1921, pp. 387-388. 



From two districts, Phragmatiphila tnmcata, Wlk. (large cane moth- 

 borer) is reported as being troublesome. The larvae attack young 

 rattoons and plant canes, killing the central unfolding leaves, which 

 wilt and turn brown. In large canes they are usually found boring 

 the top of the stalk. This moth is effectively controlled by natural 

 enemies, especially the ant, Pheidole megacephala. A Tachinid fly and 

 the Braconid, Apanteles nonagriae, have been bred from parasitised 

 larvae ; the latter has not been previously recorded in Queensland. 



\i Davis (J. J.) & Luginbill (P.). U.S. Bur. Ent. The Green June 

 Beetle or Fig Eater. — A^. Carolina Agric. Expt. Sta., Raleigh, 

 Bull. 242, May 1921, 35 pp., 9 figs., 2 tables. [Received 23rd 

 January 1922.] 



Previous literature on Allorrhina (Cotinis) nitida, L. (green June 

 beetle) is reviewed. 



A description of all stages is given. It is generally distributed 

 east of the Mississippi, and as far north as St. Louis and Cincinnati. 

 The adults appear in July and August and deposit eggs in the soil, 

 which hatch in two to three weeks. A single female may lay from 

 60-75 eggs. The larvae tunnel through the soil, feeding on humus, 

 and at night throw up piles of earth like ant-hills. During cold periods 

 they remain inactive, but have been known to become active on mild 

 winter days. In spring active feeding begins, and by June pupation 

 occurs. The total life-cycle occupies one year. The points of difference 

 between the larvae and other related species are given. The adults 

 frequently attack fruit, especially figs, grapes and peaches ; and injury 

 to other crops, including maize, has been reported. The larvae can 

 cause considerable injury to field crops, as well as to lawns and meadows. 



Natural enemies include Scolia dnhia, Say, which winters in the 

 larval stage, pupating in the spring. The adults emerge in August, 

 when the host larvae are most abundant. Sarcophaga sarraceniae, 

 Riley, 5. helicis, Towns., and S. idilis, Aldr., have also been reported 

 as parasites. Mites are often found on the adults, but there is no 

 evidence that they are injurious to them. A fungus {Metarrhizium 

 anisopliae) and Micrococcus nigrofasciens are reported to infest the 

 larvae, the former only experimentally. A list of birds known to 

 destroy the beetles is given. Moles and opossums have been stated 

 to feed on the larvae. 



The remedial measures recommended are spraying with 8-10 per cent, 

 kerosene emulsion at the rate of 1 U.S. gal. to 6-8 sq ft., and washed 

 into the soil with copious sprinkling of water. The application should 

 be made in the middle of August. On putting greens carbon bisulphide 

 and hand-picking are recommended, as the emulsion may cause injury. 

 Emulsifiable coal tar preparations are as cheap as and more easily pre- 

 pared, but less effective, than kerosene emulsion. A material analysing 

 approximately 12 per cent, phenols, 53 per cent, coal tar oils, 10 per 

 cent, water and 25 per cent, saponifying agent, should be diluted 1 to 125 

 parts and applied as for kerosene emulsion One teaspoonful of 

 carbon bisulphide per burrow gives satisfactory results. Hand-picking 

 the larvae after rain or after artificially flooding infested ground is 

 effective. The adults should be collected wherever practicable. As 

 the beetles mainly deposit eggs in manure heaps, chemical fertilisers 



