212 



In the discussion following this paper, the opinion was expressed 

 that the introduction of 0. insignis into India as a check on Lantana 

 is inadvisable. 



KuNHi K ANN AN (K.). The Function oJ the Prothoracic Plate in 



Bruchus chincnsis (Abstract). — Rcpt. Proc. Srd Ent. Meeting. 

 Piisa. February 1919. Calcutta, in. 1920, pp. 858-859. 



Recent observations show that the prothoracic plate of Bruchus 

 chinensis is thrust against the egg-shell, the larvae having no 

 functional legs by which they may get a grip that enables them to use 

 their mandibles, and that it is also fixed at various angles to effect the 

 bending of the head. The structure varies considerably in different 

 ■species, and further studies of it are being attempted. 



D'Abkeu (E. a.). Some Insect Prey of Birds in the Central Provinces.^ 



Kept. Proc. 3rd Ent. Meeting, Pusa, February 1919, Calcutta, iii, 

 1920, pp. 859-871. 



As a result of the examination of the alimentary canals of 600 birds, 

 a list of the insects found, arranged under their natural orders, is given. 

 The list of the birds examined includes 161 species. 



Senior-White (R.). Some Notes towards the Life-history of Comocritis 

 pieria, Meyrick. — Kept. Proc. 3rd Ent. Meeting. Pusa, February 

 1919, Calcutta, iii, 1920, pp. 872-875. 



Nothing is so far known of the egg-stage of Comocritis pieria, Meyr. 

 The author has found this moth only on rubber bark. Should a lichen- 

 ous patch be met with, it is also eaten, but the line is not diverted 

 for the sake of the lichen. The burrows generally occur between 5 feet 

 and 30 feet above ground level. Tea is apparently not attacked in 

 Ceylon. A pupal chamber is made at the bottom of the burrow. On 

 trees up to about 10 years old pupation may occur in the branch scars. 

 The first larvae were found in January, and they mature and pupate 

 from the third week in July onwards. The pupal period lasts 26 days, 

 and the last adults occur in September. The natural enemies probably 

 include squirrels, small beetles ( ? Coccinellids) and a Hymenopterous 

 parasite. 



Fletcher (T. B.) & Ghosh (C. C). Notes on Rearing Insects in 



Hot Climates. — Kept. Proc. Srd Ent. Meeting, Pusa, February 

 1919, Calcutta, iii, 1920, pp. 875-892, 8 plates. 



In this paper, which is hardly suitable for an abstract, many points 

 of interest to those engaged in the breeding of insects are dealt with, 

 and much valuable information is given, both with regard to the rearing 

 of specified insects and to the apparatus required. 



Beeson (C. F. C). Breeding-cages and General Insectary Technique 

 for Wood-borers. — Rcpt. Proc. 3rd Ent. Meeting, Pusa, Februarv 

 1919, Calcutta, iii, 1920, pp. 892-895, 2 plates. ' 



Various breeding-cages have been tested for rearing wood-borers, 

 the galvanised iron pattern having been adopted as the most suitable. 

 The construction and advantages of this cage are described, and the 

 best method of recording the correlation of the emergence records of 

 "wood-borers is discussed. 



