232 



much has been done in the past in the study of insects and various 

 phases of their control, many points still require elucidation, and 

 attention is drawn to the wide field thus offered to future students. 



Rawes (A. N.) & Wilson (G. F.). Pollination in Orchards. — Jl. R. 

 Hortic. Soc, London, xlvii, pt. 1, January 1922, pp. 15-17. 



Observations begun in 1912 at Wisley indicate that wind plays no 

 part in the pollination of fruits, and that several other insects beside 

 hive bees are very active agents. In addition to hive bees, insects 

 pollinating apple blossom are bumble bees, Bombus lapidarius, B. 

 terrestris, B. lucorum, B. muscorum and B. helferanus, though the two 

 last are comparatively rare. Andrena sp. and other allied genera are 

 numerous and active, while Eristalis sp., Syrphus sp., midges and other 

 small Diptera are also abundant. The breeding-places of all these 

 insects may be found near most gardens and orchards. The observa- 

 tions are less conclusive as to the effective work of such insects in 

 carrying pear and phun pollen. The most frequent visitors to these 

 trees are hive bees, bumble bees and Diptera. Bumble bees on pears 

 and midges on plums are uncommon. 



Jarvis (E.). Cane-beetle Control. — Queensland Agric. JL, Brisbane, 

 xvii, pt. 1, January 1922, pp. 36-39, 1 plate. 



As a result of showery weather between the 26th and 31st October 

 1921, grey-back beetles emerged freely from volcanic and other soils 

 around Gordon vale. The native food-plants found to be mostly affected 

 were the Moreton Bay ash [Eucalyptus tessellaris) and Ficus opposita, 

 though the latter was seldom attacked unless far removed from other 

 food-plants. The importance of collecting beetles from trees close to 

 headlands during the three weeks following emergence, before egg- 

 laying commences, is emphasised. Some observations on the reaction 

 of Lepidiota albohirta to artificial light are recorded. 



Experiments are described of fumigating eggs with carbon bisulphide. 

 When the eggs were covered with 130 to 280 cu. in. of soil and 

 fumigated at distances varying from 4| to 8 in. with a dose of \ oz., 

 they were killed within a few hours. 



Some specimens of Apanteles nonagriae, 01., a parasite of Phrag- 

 matiphila tnmcata, Wlk., have been obtained and are being bred for 

 distribution in districts where this moth is proving troublesome. 



Froggatt (J. L.). The Banana Beetle Borer, Cosmopolites sordida, 

 Chev. (Curculionidae). (Second Progress Report.) — Queensland 

 Agric. JL, Brisbane, xvh, pt. 1, January 1922, pp. 39-45, 2 figs., 

 2 tables. 



The investigations here recorded on Cosmopolites sordidus (banana 

 beetle borer) were carried out from July to December 1921. 



Both field and laboratory observations show that oviposition has 

 been continuous throughout the year. A table is given showing the 

 total number of eggs laid in each month by captive beetles. There is 

 a considerable fall in the production with the cold weather, but it 

 does not cease completely. The longest period passed in the egg stage 

 was in the case of eggs laid between 25th and 27th July 1921, these 

 maturing in 35-37 days. It was found that from larvae emerging in 

 June and early in July about 130 days were passed in the larval and 



