446 



The pineapple scale [Diaspis bromeliae] seems to be confined to the 

 pineapple and is generally seen on the leaves. There are four generations 

 annually. Its parasites include Aphelinns spp. and Aspidiotiphagus 

 citrinus, and predacious Coccinellids also destroy some of the scales. 

 The chief injury caused by these Coccids is the puncturing of the 

 epidermis, which allows the entrance of certain parasitic fungi to 

 which the pineapple is particularly susceptible. The ants that are 

 attracted to the trees by the scales also cause damage by invading the 

 roots, and still more by their habit of building coverings of soil over the 

 Coccids, thus causing lack of evaporation and subsequent collection of 

 moisture on the surface of the fruit, encouraging decay and rot. 



Experiments have recently been made with various contact insec- 

 ticides, such as nicotine dvist, tobacco decoction, nicotine sulphate 

 in water or with sulphur and an inert dust, or kerosene or distillate 

 emulsified oil with soap. Each of these gave more or less success, but 

 none cleared the plants completely. Tobacco decoction with soap seemed 

 the most successful, and might with advantage be applied in con- 

 junction with iron sulphate treatment. When dusts were used, it was 

 necessary to limit the quantity placed in the heart of the plant, par- 

 ticularly during cold, wet weather, in order to avoid encouraging rot. 

 Insecticide treatment should be applied at regular intervals throughout 

 the growth of the plant. 



The pineapple mite, Stigmaeus floridanus, which was probably 

 imported from Florida, is apparently also confined to pineapple, 

 where it infests the base of the leaves, and inflicts wounds that admit 

 fungus spores. The mites are not easily reached by insecticides. 

 Sulphur is generally the most effective, either as a fine dust or in liquid 

 lime-sulphur. The results of fumigation have proved disappointing as 

 regards mites. 



Minor injury is done to pineapple by a common species of grass- 

 hopper and by the larvae of a ground beetle. Fruit beetles, which 

 are usually merely scavengers, became a serious trouble during the 

 last packing season. It is pointed out that when old ratoon fields are 

 allowed to become overgrown and rubbish accumulates on them, the 

 insect population increases rapidly and becomes a menace to 

 surrounding fields. 



Ehrhorn (E. I\I.). Report of the Chief Plant Inspector, November and 



December 1921. — Hawaiian Forester & Agric, Honolulu, xix, 

 nos. 1 & 2, Januarv & February 1922, pp. 19-20 & 53-55. 

 [Received 4th July 1922.] 



The pests intercepted at Honolulu during November and December 

 1921 were : From China, Bruchus chinensis in beans, Parlatoria 

 zizyphi on pomelo, and Aphis sp. on Caladium and on sweet potatoes. 

 From Japan, weevils in dried chestnuts, and Drosophilid maggots in 

 horse-radish. From the United States, Chionaspis sp. on cypress, and 

 Aspidiotus rapax, Lepidosaphes ulmi and Coccus hesperidum on a 

 package of plants. 



Rennie (J.). Notes on Acarine Disease. — Bee World, Benson, Oxon., 



ii, no. 12, May 1921, pp. 144-145 ; iii, nos. 1-12, June 1921-Mav 



1922, pp. 5-7, 35-36, 66-67, 95-96, 115-117, 145-146, 180-182, 



204-206, 219-221, 237-239, 262-263, 285-287, 17 figs. 



The nature of acarine disease of bees is explained. The progressive 



weakness, which affects the whole body of the bee, is primarily due to 



