629 



gossypiella (pink bollworm) in the bolls, and to Alcides brevirostris 

 (cotton girdler) in the plants. The degree of infestation by the cotton 

 stainers, Dysderciis spp. and Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, can probably 

 only be estimated more or less approximately. 



Heliothis {Chloridea) obsoleta (American bollworm) attacks the 

 cotton plant in a similar manner to E. insidana, and also attacks 

 maize cobs, okra fruits [Hibiscus csculentus), pods of Phaseolus spp., 

 tomato fruits, etc. 



Wild Malvaceae should be examined whenever possible for cotton 

 pests. Cultivated and wild Cucurbitaceae harbour the cotton aphis 

 [Aphis gossypii]. Such wild food-plants should be destroyed when 

 growing in the vicinity of cultivated cotton. Care should be taken 

 not to collect or destroy the Reduviid, Phonoctomts fasciatus, P. de. B., 

 which is a beneficial predator, but which, owdng to its resemblance to 

 Dysderciis spp., is often mistaken for a pest. 



The main crop of cotton should be gathered early and the fields 

 thoroughly cleaned up and all cotton disposed of before 30th November. 

 A dead season of at least two months should be attempted ; any 

 possible loss in burning the last few top bolls is more than counter- 

 balanced by the diminution in pests on the subsequent crop. 



Newman (L. J.). Report of Economic Entomologist.— TF^s/'^'m 



Australia Dept. Agric, Ann. Kept., 1921-22, Perth 1922 pp X 



28-30. 



New strains of silkworms have been introduced and distributed 

 in Western Australia. The eri silkworm [Attacus ricini), the larvae of 

 which feed upon leaves of the castor-oil plant, Ricinus communis, 

 is to be introduced from India, and as this food-plant growls freely 

 in the State, the industry should be benefited. 



Army worms and web-worms were troublesome from July to October, 

 but in no instance did a crop grown on clean fallow become infested 

 unless by invasion from adjacent dirty stubble. The locust, Locusta 

 migrator ia ph. danica {Pachytilus australis), devastated crops and 

 pasturage areas. The attacks are sporadic, and are therefore not 

 systematically dealt with ; a campaign against the hoppers in the 

 season when they are at a minimum would largely prevent their 

 appearance in maximum numbers. Phthorimaea (Gel'echia) operculella 

 caused much damage to potatoes and tomatos [R.A.E., A, ix, 260]. 

 Experiments showed that storage of infested tubers at an average 

 temperature of 39° F. for 60 days suspended the activities of the 

 larvae. After four months in cool storage the tubers were in good 

 condition. 



Chrysomphaltis (Aspidiotus) aurantii (red scale) caused much damage 

 in neglected orchards. The parasite, Aphelinus fuscipennis, was 

 beneficial at times, but cannot be relied on, as it is much influenced 

 by weather conditions. The Coccinellids, Rhizobiiis debilis, Orcus 

 at'istralasiae and Chilomenes quadripustulatus, were sometimes plentiful 

 and reduced the numbers of the scales. Trees that were maintained 

 in good health, with a sufficient water supply, did not suffer seriously. 

 Ceratitis capitata (fruit-fly) was more widespread and injurious than 

 for some years past. If a successful fruit crop is to be obtained, the 

 bait-traps that have proved a good remedy [R.A.E., A, ix, 260j must 

 be employed. 



Forest-tree pests included the Longicorn, Binia bicolor vdr.femoralis, 

 damaging Eucalyptus gomphocephala and E. redunca vscc. elata. Other 



