561 



Brittain (W. H.). The Present Distribution and Economic Status of 



the Apple Sucker {Psylki mali, Schmidberger) . — Scicntif. Agric. 

 Ottaiva, iii, no. 1, September 1922, pp. 23-29. 



Much information is here collected from various sources on the 

 ■distribution and status of Psylla mali, Schmidb., in various countries. 

 The opinion of fruit-growers as to its importance as a pest in Nova 

 Scotia varies greatly. On the whole, it seems certain that it is a much 

 less serious pest than Lygiis communis. Knight (green apple bug), 

 as its punctures do not seem to have the same poisonous effect. The 

 injury it does is apparently entirely due to the loss of sap caused by 

 feeding, and observations indicate that light infestations, where there 

 is good blossom, do not greatly affect the current season's crop. When 

 the blossom is light or moderate, the injury may be severe, and the 

 destruction of blossoms and leaves becomes apparent. In heavily 

 infested orchards oviposition may also occur on the pear, though the 

 apple is evidently preferred ; plums and quinces have been attacked 

 on rare occasions. 



Bodkin (G. E.). [Report oJ the] Government Economic Biologist.— 



Rept. Dept. Sci. & Agric. Brit. Guiana, 1920, Georgctoicn, 1922, 

 Appx. iii, pp. 51-58. 



The moth-borer [Diatraea saccharalis, F.] on sugar-cane is largely 

 ■controlled by native collection of the egg-masses. A good plan 

 followed on one estate was the collection of the eggs into special trays, 

 so arranged that the parasites could emerge and escape to the neigh- 

 bouring canes. These trays were moved about from time to time in the 

 plantations. Complete control by means of parasites is not, however, 

 possible. Rice was free from pests ; the weevil referred to in the last 

 report [R.A.E., A, x, 101] as probably Lissorhoptrus simplex, Saj/, 

 has not again made its appearance. 



Coconuts, in two districts of Georgetown, were severely infested with 

 Brassolis [sophorae, L.], many of the old trees being so completely 

 defoliated that they died. Co-operation in clean culture and adequate 

 pruning is essential for the eradication of this pest, and it is suggested 

 that in the event of another outbreak in the region, legislation should 

 be passed making certain measures compulsory. It was noticed that 

 several species of palms were attacked that had not previously been 

 infested. Of 83 adults reared in the laboratory, 64 were females and 

 19 males. Eggs laid by an unfertilised female are said to have produced 

 larvae, but this requires further investigation. 



Further work on the giant borer [Castnia daedalus. Cram.] on coconut 

 revealed a number of eggs attached to the " matting," where it was 

 stretched about the bases of the branches. These were found singly, 

 but there were generally two or three on the same piece of matting. 

 Young larvae were observed entering from the outside of the branch, 

 at its base and where it was covered by the branch below. They bore 

 for preference in the young, soft, white part of the trunk ; more mature 

 larvae were found in older parts of the trunk. One trunk examined in 

 detail showed infestation extending from about 4 ft. above the ground 

 and covering about 6 ft. of trunk, the usual size of the borings being 

 from 4 to 6 in. long and about 1| in. deep. Trees in which the attack is 

 far advanced show a peculiar bending of the branches at the bases of the 

 leaflets, and these branches are easily broken down. A palm that is 

 badly attacked ceases to bear nuts, either on account of its weakened 



