243 



of the white pine weevil [Pissodes strobi], an insect native to the 

 country. The hfe-history, which is described, is practically identical 

 with that in Quebec [R.A.E., A, vi, p. 62]. The production of the 

 forked or branched top of pines, owing to the feeding of the lar\-ae, 

 is described. While white pine [Pinus strobus) is the preferred food- 

 plant, Piiiiis banksiana, P. rigida, Picea rubens and Picea excelsa 

 are all occasionally attacked. Young trees from 4 to 20 feet high are 

 the most subject to attack, especially those growing in plantations 

 or open stands. 



Remedial measures [loc. cit.] are discussed. The author belie\'es 

 that concerted action for several years among all landowners, directed 

 and aided by experts employed by the State, would bring the wee\'il 

 entirely under control. It is suggested that a system of planting 

 white pine can be devised that will give a large measure of protection 

 to 3-oung trees during the period when they are most susceptible to 

 weevil injury. Experimental plots are suggested as a preliminary- 

 stud}' for determining the best system. 



Jack (R. W.). The Common Fruit Beetle {Pachnoda imprcssa. Gold.). 

 — Rhodesia Agric. JL. Salisbury, xviii, no. 1, February 1921, 

 pp. 71-75, 2 plates ; also Rhodesia Dept. Agric, Bull. 385, 

 February 1921, 7 pp., 2 plates. 



Pachnoda impressa, Gold., is a well-known pest of fruit and blossoms 

 throughout South Africa, except in the south-west portions, and is 

 the commonest of several allied species. The beetles emerge from 

 the ground about mid-November and occur throughout the wet 

 season, gradually disappearing before April. Oviposition begins early 

 in January, and continues through the wet season, eggs being laid 

 singly in kraal manure in the settled areas, and in decayed vegetable 

 matter in sheltered situations under natural conditions. The grubs, 

 which hatch after 15 to 18 days, feed on this material from Januar\- 

 to June, and then construct pupal cells, in which they rest for a 

 considerable time, pupation occurring about the end of September 

 and lasting from 25 to 28 days. The larval period varies greatly, 

 and in some instances the life-cycle may occupy two years. The pupal 

 cells, made of sand and soil, are found in the ground, sometimes at 

 a depth of 4 to 6 inches. The adults feed upon foliage, blossoms and 

 fruit, their favourite foliage apparently being that of grape ^•ines. 

 Damage has also been observed to roses and other rosaceous 

 flowers, such as late-blooming apples, and to various blossoming trees. 

 The worst damage is done to ripening plums, peaches and apples, 

 ■svhich may be quite covered with the beetles. 



Enemies of P. impressa include ants of the genus Doryhis, which 

 break open the pupal cells and devour the larvae ; lemurs in capti\'ity 

 eagerly devour the adults. 



Poisoned baits for the beetles have been quite unsuccessful. Trees 

 can be protected by mosquito netting, but this is an expensive method. 

 Collecting the beetles by jarring the trees, and the use of an insect 

 net as previously described [R.A.E., A, iv, 395], ha\-e proved the 

 best methods of destroying the pest. 



Quarantine Proclamations Nos. 76 & 77. — Commomi'ealth of Australia 

 Gaz., Melbourne, no. 16, 24th February 1921. 



By the first of these proclamations, both of \\hich are dated 16th 

 Februar}^ 1921, owing to the existence of pear blight or fire blight 



