213 



Fraser (F. C). Spiders as Checks on Lepidopterous Larvae. — Rept. 

 Proc. 3rd Ent. Meeting. Pusa, February 1919, Calcutta, iii, 1920, 

 pp. 898-900. 



In observations on larvae of Acherontia styx preyed upon by spiders, 

 it was found that the latter will not attack individuals protected by 

 ants. It is considered that about 86 per cent, of the Sphingid larvae 

 are destroyed as they emerge from the eggs, and about 10 per cent, 

 during the first few weeks of the larval period. Similar observations 

 have also been made on Papilio polytes. 



Prashad (B.). The Importance of Insects to Fisheries. — Kept. Proc. 

 3rd Ent. Meeting, Pusa, February 1919, Calcutta, iii, 1920, pp. 

 906-909. 



The importance of insects as food for fish and also as destroyers of 

 organisms forming the food of fish is discussed. The need for sj^stematic 

 scientific investigations into these questions is emphasised, and co- 

 operation between the fisheries department, entomologists and others 

 for this purpose is urged. 



Isaac (P. V.). Some Observations on the Life-history of an ErotyUd 



breeding in Italian Millet. — Rept. Proc. 3rd Ent. Meeting, Pusa, 

 February 1919, Calcutta, iii, 1920, pp. 919-921, 1 plate. 



An Erotylid beetle, Anadastus sp., has been causing severe damage 

 to the Italian millet [Setaria italica) crop at Coimbatore. The 

 eggs are laid singly in the stems from 1 to 6 inches above the 

 soil during the second month of growth. Stems in which the 

 central hollow has begun to appear are generally chosen. The eggs 

 hatch in five to six days, and the larva travels about in the hollow, 

 and on reaching the base, it feeds on the lining of the inner wall. 

 On the second or third day it begins to ring the stem, cutting 

 almost through to the epidermis. The object of the ring is evidently 

 to prevent the plant sap from rising, as moisture kills the larva. 

 Several larvae may be found in one stem, but only one in each 

 internode, and they never bore through to an adjacent one. On 

 completing the ring the larva remains above it. Pupation occurs 

 within the stem after 25 days, and lasts 14 days. The beetles remain 

 about lour days in the cell before emerging. 



SuBRAMANYAM (T. V.). The Lifc-Mstory of the Moringa Stem-borer. 

 — Rept. Proc. 3rd Ent. Meeting, Pusa, February 1919, Calcutta^ 

 iii, 1920, pp. 922-925, 1 plate. 



A Lamiid beetle found damaging Moringa pterygosperma is 

 probably a species of Monohamrnus. No alternative food-plants have 

 been found. The eggs are laid in excavated hollows singly or in pairs. 

 Egg laying continues for a number of days. The eggs hatch in from 

 two to three days, and the larva immediately begins to bore into the 

 stem, sealing the entrance with excrement. The larval period lasts 

 from two to four months. Pupation in captivity lasted from seven 

 to ten days, but, contrary to expectation, did not occur in the stem. 



