220 



GowDEY (C. C). Army Fall Worm. — //. Jamaica Agric. Soc, 

 Kingston, xxv, no. 1, January 1921, pp. 16-17. 



Spraying with lead arsenate at the rate of 2 lb. to 50 gals, of water 

 is advocated against attacks of the fall army worm [Laphygma frugi- 

 perda]. In the case of sugar-cane or maize, the spray should be 

 forced into the bud or centre of the plant. If acid lead arsenate is used, 

 about i lb. of lime should be added to the spray. Poison baits will 

 kill a large number of larvae if the fields are clear of weeds and grass. 

 The pupa may be destroyed by exposure to the sun by means of 

 shallow culti^'ation. In one district a serious outbreak on maize was 

 checked by this means, aided by natural enemies such as the Tachinid, 

 Frontina aletiae, three Proctotrupids and a beetle, Calosoma sp. 



CoRBETT (G. H.) & PoxxiAH (D.). Alleged Damage caused by Insects 

 on stored Rubber Seed. — Agric. Bull. F.M.S., Kuala Lumpur, 

 viii, no. 2, April-June 1920, p. 95. [Received 3rd March 1921.] 



The damage to stored rubber seed attributed to insect attack has 

 proved to be of fungous origin, as although Tribolium castaneum, Hbst, 

 (ferrugineum, F.) was present, it has been experimentally proved that 

 this beetle is unable to enter sound seed. 



CoRBETT (G. H.) & South (F. W.). Negative Results of Experiments 

 in the Control of the Moth of BracJiartona catoxantha, Hamps. — 

 Agric. Bull. F.M.S., Kuala Lumpur, viii, no. 2, April-June 

 1920, pp. 107-110. [Received 3rd March 1921.] 



As the result of experiments, light traps and poison baits are not 

 advocated against the adults of Brachartona catoxantha, but the 

 moths should be caught during the day by means of hand nets or 

 crushed in situ on the palm leaves. This must be done as soon as they 

 appear, as oviposition begins about two days after emergence. Several 

 species of fungi and a Tachinid fly check this pest of coconuts to a 

 certain extent, but the degree of infestation is very variable. 



Bliss (A. J.). The Daffodil Fly.— Gardeners' Chron., London, Ixix, 

 no. 1776, 8th January 1921, p. 15. 



The daffodil fly [Merodon) was less prevalent during 1920, probably 

 owing to weather conditions. The best method of protecting seedlings 

 up to the first year or two of flowering is to cover the ground during 

 the time the flv is on the wing (from about the middle of May) with 

 tiffany tacked to wood battens 12-14 ft. long. 



Brotherston (R. p.). Mealy Bug on Vines. — Gardeners' Chron., 

 London, Ixix, no. 1777, 15th January 1921, p. 34. 



Fumigation, spraying and attention to cultural details are advocated 

 for the treatment of vines infested with mealy bugs [Pseudococcns]. 

 Fumigation with hydrocyanic gas or nicotine should be done before 

 the foliage drops and again before the buds break into leaf. Various 

 commercial washing mixtures and paints are discussed. 



