426 



inflorescence, and the larvae feed on the styles, biting them through 

 as they make their way to the tip of the ear, and then attacking and 

 destroying the grain. When mature they shelter in the spathes, 

 where they pupate, the adults emerging about 20 days later. The 

 damage done is not very serious. 



Another pest of moderate importance is Phytometra (Plusia) chal- 

 cytes, which was observed damaging tomatos in July, and has been 

 recorded as injuring various vegetable crops. The larvae live for 

 preference on the young fruit, eating the fleshy part, and are also 

 found on the leaves. Pupation takes place in a silken cocoon spun 

 by the larva, and lasts 15-20 days. 



GiRAUD (E.). Maladie de I'He de Wight. — L'ApicuJfeur, Paris, 

 Ixvi, no. 6, June 1922, pp. 185-191. 



Isle of Wight disease among bees has made its appearance in France. 

 An account is given of the discoveries of Rennie and other workers 

 [R.A.E., A, ix, 275, 338, etc.] in connection with this disease. An 

 article written by M. Emile Duchemin in 1866 is quoted, in which he 

 described heavy losses among bees due to the presence of an Acarid 

 discovered on bees and also on the plant, Helianthus annuus. Appar- 

 ently reproduction occurred on the plant, from which the bees became 

 infected. In a note commenting upon this paper, M. E. Sevalle asks 

 whether this Acarid is likely to be the same as A car apis {Tarsonemns) 

 woodi, and points out that it seems to have been an external parasite. 



Manon (— ). Les Insectes Rongeurs de Plomb. [Lead-boring Insects.] 

 — Rev. Zool. Agric. S- AppL, Bordeaux, xxi, no. 4, April 1922, 

 pp. 53-61, 4 figs. 



In May 1921, recently constructed sulphuric acid lead tanks in an 

 ironworks near Bordeaux were found to have holes made in them by 

 the larvae of the wood wasp, Sirex gigas, L. [cf. R.A.E., A, x, 60]. 

 Impregnation of the timber used for casing lead tanks will prevent 

 this injury, but it is very difficult to ascertain if the wood is infested 

 unless the mines are revealed by sawing. Sirex infestation can be 

 avoided by not using coniferous timber, but in this case there is a 

 danger from other borers. 



The Cynipid, Ibalia cuUellator, F., and the Ichneumonids, Coleo- 

 centrus excitator, Poda, and Rhyssa persiiasoria, L., are parasites of 

 S. gigas. 



Gattefosse (R.-M.). L'OIeoresine de Pyrethre. — //. Soc. Nat. Hortic. 

 France, Paris, xxiii, May 1922, pp. 190-192. 



The information given in this paper is substantially the same as 

 in one already noticed [R.A.E., A, x, 346]. 



Lhoste (L.). La Bruehe des Haricots. — //. Soc. Nat. Hortic. France,. 

 Paris, xxiii, May 1922, pp. 199-200. 



In this note on Bruchiis obtectus, Say, it is pointed out that as the 

 generations (usually four a year) follow without interruption, it is 

 important not to introduce this pest into stores because not only 

 beans but other leguminous seeds will become infested. Cereals 

 seem to escape, though the beetle can be fed on maize. Reference is 

 made to Razzauti's work on the biology of this Bruchid [R.A.E.^ 

 A, vi, 468]. 



