558 



Lepfocorisa vancornis (padi-fly) is well known as a pest of ripening 

 rice, and has also been bred on the ripening seed of various grasses 

 that grow in the vicinity of rice. These grasses are used as food-plants 

 when rice is not present, and should therefore be prevented from 

 flowering. 



Harukawa (C). Studies on the Peach Saw-fly, Eriocamopoides 

 matsumotonis , Matsumura. — Ber. Ohara Inst, landw. Forschiingen, 

 Kuraschiki, ii, no. 1, 1921, pp. 21-46, 2 plates. [Received 12th 

 September 1922.] 



This paper contains additional information . to that published 

 previously [R.A.E., A, vii, 273]. Eriocanipoides matsumotonis, 

 Matsumura, may begin ovipositing without mating as soon as it 

 emerges. Unfertilised eggs produced males only in the author's 

 experiments. The average number is 20 per female. The egg stage 

 averages from 7 to 11 days according to the season. The larval period 

 is also subject to seasonal variation and averages from 14 to 23 daj's. 

 The longest larval period occurs in the third generation, the individuals 

 of which overwinter in the cocoon underground. It is probable that 

 such individuals of the second generation as are much delayed in 

 growth may also hibernate. The true pupal period lasts four or five 

 days, though about a fortnight elapses between the entrance of the 

 larva into the ground and the emergence of the adult. Natural 

 enemies include a Chalcid egg-parasite and apparently three 

 Ichneumonid larval parasites. 



Though the adult does not seem to fly far — so that infestation is 

 usually restricted to a part of an orchard — there is a possibilty of 

 wind-carriage. The cocoon may be carried in the soil clinging to the 

 roots of transported plants. Experimentally a soap solution, 4 oz. per 

 gallon, killed all the larvae ; at half-strength 70 per cent, succumbed. 

 With lead arsenate, 2 lb. in 5 gals, water, a few larvae survived. Since 

 the larvae do not burrow deep into the ground, and are not very resistant 

 to adverse climatic conditions, clean cultivation and mid-winter tillage 

 should be effective in controUing this pest.] 



Kasai (M.). Observations and Experiments on the Leaf-roll Disease 

 of the Irish Potato in Japan (Preliminary Report).— £^r. Ohara 

 Inst, landiv. Forschunecn, Knraschiki, ii, no. 1, 1921, pp. Al-11. 

 [Received 12th September 1922.] 



A disease of potatoes has been identified with the leaf-roll of Western 

 countries. It is transmissible through tuber grafting or juice infection, 

 and by insects. 



SiLVESTRi (F.). La Formica argentina. [The Argentine Ant.] — R. Lab. 

 Ent. Agrar., R. Scuola Sup. Agric, Portici, Circ. 1, 2nd edn., 

 30th August 1922, 7 pp., 1 fig. 



A brief description of Iridomyrmex humilis, Mayr, its distribution and 

 habits, is given. Brazil is probably the original habitat of this ant. 

 It was noticed in Italy, at Meta, about 20 years ago, but has only 

 attracted serious attention since the war. Measures against it are now 

 compulsory. The formula given for a poison bait is one used in the 

 United States, and is almost identical with one already noticed 

 [R.A .E., A, viii, 507]. Shelter-traps, baited with decomposing vegetable 

 matter, attract the ants in large numbers. 



