251 



Thomas (G.). La Fourmi d'Argentine. [The Argentine Ant.] — 

 //. d'Agric. Pratique, Paris, xxxv, no. 11, 19th March 1921, 

 pp. 211-213. 



As a consequence of the appearance of Iridomyrmex humilis (Argen- 

 tine ant) in the south of France [R. A.E., A, viii, 326 ; ix, 56], a study 

 has been made of the arsenicals that may be used against this pest 

 within the scope of the decree of September 1916 [R.A.E., A, v, 47]. 

 It is suggested that a mixture should be obtained containing 3 grammes 

 of sodium arsenate, 30 grammes of talc and 0-5 gramme of colouring 

 matter. A mixture consisting of 1,000 grammes of brown sugar, 

 500 grammes of water and 1 gramme of sodium benzoate should then 

 be boiled slowly for half an hour, adding water to maintain the original 

 volume of liquid. The above mixture is then thoroughly mixed in. 



A project brought forward by the prefect of the Maritime Alps 

 is given verbatim, the use of poison baits having been recognised as 

 legal for the purpose in question. In accordance with this project, 

 ants are to be destroj/ed in nurseries and buildings by the owners or 

 persons using them, and inspection of premises is to be allowed. The 

 methods to be adopted are poison baits, where their use is authorised ; 

 the use of repellents ; winter treatments, consisting of shelter traps 

 containing decomposing matter and subsequent destruction of the 

 ants with carbon bisulphide ; and disinfection of pots from infested 

 nurseries containing plants for sale. 



DuFRENOY (J.). Les Entomophytes d'/lwoma/fla^w^a. [Entomophytic 

 Fungi of Anomala aenea.] — Rev. Zool. Agric. & AppL, Bordeaux, 

 XX, no. 1-2, January-February 1921, pp. 12-13, 1 fig. 



During an infestation of the small cockchafer, Anomala aenea, on 

 nut-trees and birches, of which the lower leaves were badly riddled, 

 it was found that in one locality the beetles were being rapidly 

 destroyed by a fungus ; this practically cleared the trees by 14th July, 

 while in a neighbouring locality, where it did not occur, the cockchafers 

 persisted until the end of July. The history of the fungus accords with 

 that of the species of Beauveria studied by Picard, but the character 

 of the disease produced in the insects resembles that caused by Verti- 

 cillium sp. The fungus has not yet been cultivated, and attempts 

 to produce an infection in Chrysomela gloriosa gave doubtful results. 



Feytaud (J.). Traitement d'Hiver centre les Cochenilles de la Vigne.— 



Rev. Zool. Agric. & AppL, Bordeaux, xx, no. 1-2, January- 

 February 1921, pp. 13-14. 



Among the principal Coccid pests of vines in France [R.A.E., A, 

 iv, 492] is Eulecanium (Lecanium) persicae (oblong scale), which is 

 very widespread in the south-west. The signs of its presence are the 

 empty skins of the females frequently left fixed to the bark, the sooty 

 mould that often covers the branches, and the young scales that may 

 be found under the leaves in summer and on the branches in winter. 

 Although there is only one generation a year, multiplication is very 

 rapid. One of the most effective treatments is whitewashing the trunk 

 and branches with a mixture of 5 lb. heavy tar-oil and 20 lb. stone lime 

 to 10 gals, of water. The method is to pour a little water on the lime, 

 and then pour on the oil, which is gradually absorbed if occasionally 



(2758) s 2 



