300 



predaceous form is D. amahilis, while the crop pest is probably 

 C ahhreviatus. The author has found a very young D. amahilis eating 

 a pupa of Meromyza atnericana, Fitch, and according to Dimmock, 

 it also devours locust eggs. Another genus of importance among the 

 minor wireworms is Monocrepidius, especially M. lividus, De G., 

 M. vespertimis, F., M. helliis, Say, and M. auritus, Hbst., the first being 

 the most important. AsajjJies decoloratus, Say, has been recorded as 

 a pest in New York State and as attacking clover in Illinois. An 

 outbreak of Lacon recfangularis, Say, has just occurred in Kansas. 

 This species has not previously been known as a wheat pest. Cebrio 

 bicolor, F. (the collared wireworm) has not yet been recorded as an 

 actual pest of crops, but it has been observed feeding on cultivated 

 plants. Four larvae of Ludhis hepaticus, Germ., were noticed attacking 

 cruciferous plants in Florida. 



Birds are probably the most important factor in natural control, 

 and a list of 90 species known to feed on Elateridae, compiled from 

 the records of the Biological Survey, is given here. Other enemies 

 are : Phrijnosoma douglasU, a small lizard, called the sand toad in the 

 desert regions of the North-west, of which seA^eral varieties inhabit 

 the more southern desert lands of the West, where they are known as- 

 horned toads ; mites (Tyroglyphidae), a Gamasid and Chelifer alaus ; 

 Therevid flies [Thereva egressa, Coq., Psilocejjhala aldrichii, Coq., and 

 P.munda, Coq.) and a Proctotrnpid ; and parasitic iungi {Penicillium- 

 anisopliae, Vuill., Mefarrhizium anisopliae, Metch.). 



Besides the control measures special to each of the more important 

 wireworms, a number of measures that have been suggested from time 

 to time are reported on, in order to prevent the repetition of the 

 more or less costly experiments made to determine their value. 

 This paper deals with them under the three headings : (1) Seed treat- 

 ment to prevent insects eating the seed ; (2) introduction of poisonous. 

 or noxious substances into the soil ; and (3) cultural methods. The 

 latter are the only ones which have, so far, proved to be of practical 

 value. Foot-note references to 39 works are given. 



Rutherford (A.). Bark-eating Borers of Cacao and Tea. — Trop.. 

 Agric, Peradeniya, xhv, no. 1, January 1915, pp. 34-37. 



The caterpillar of Arbela quadrinotata (the bark-eating borer) tunnels, 

 into the bark of branches or stems ; in this shelter it remains by day, 

 emerging only at night to feed. The feeding ground is covered by a, 

 canopy of frass bound together with silk which gives the plant a 

 neglected appearance. The injury is indirect, the wound providing 

 an entrance for white ants or fungi. Caterpillars with similar habits- 

 have been reported from Kurunegala on Berrya ammonilla (Halmilla, 

 Trincomalee wood), and from Assam, in Cachar and Sylhet, on. 

 tea. The Indian species is Arbela tetraonis, and bores also in- 

 lichi, bair, guava, mango and orange. In the case of A. quadrinotata 

 the tunnel formed opens near the base of a branch ; its walls are often 

 crimson in colour. A description of the larva and pupa is given, and 

 the differences between these and the corresponding stages of Zeuzera. 

 coffeae (the red borer), are described. Another insect, of similar habits,, 

 is the Hepialid, Phassus malabaricus, from tea roots in India. The- 

 larva bores downwards into the root from the soil level. Another 



