331 



may arrest its spread in its early stages. The larva of the moth 

 Euzopliera villora has recently come into notice as a potato pest, boring 

 in the stems and tubers and riddling them with galleries. Caterpillars 

 of Sesamia calamistis, Hmps., considerably damaged wheat, which 

 ripened prematurely ; and they also attacked barley and oats. Lema 

 hilineata (tobacco slug) has recently been recorded from Middelburg, 

 Transvaal [cf. R. A.E., A, ix, 186, 229]. 



Extensive outbreaks of locusts are expected in many of the Karroo 

 districts, and'fanners are urged to be on the watch and to report any 

 observations of oviposition. About 1,500 swarms are reported to have 

 been destroyed in the Graaff-Reinet district alone, but complete 

 eradication was impossible, and swarms arising from individuals that 

 escaped the poisoning are now widespread. The chief movement 

 has been from west to north. 



The establishment of the parasite [Aphelinus mali] of the woolly 

 apple aphis [Eriosoma lanigeriim] received a check owing to the 

 Aphid almost dying out in February ; with its reappearance in 

 March, however, the parasites were found in numbers. Outbreaks of 

 the mystery worm [Laphygma exempta] have been reported in the 

 low veld of the Transvaal, and later outbreaks are expected in the 

 high veld. For cheese mites in factories, about which many com- 

 plaints have been made, there is no easy method of destruction, 

 owing to their power of surviving for an almost indefinite period in 

 the absence of food. Infested rooms should be cleaned out thorough^,, 

 fumigated with sulphur at the rate of 2 lb. to every 1,000 cu. ft., 

 and then washed with strong soap solution. 



Coccotrypes dadyliperda, F. (vegetable ivory beetle) damages the 

 buttons made from so-called vegetable ivory, which is the hard seed 

 of the palm, Hyphaene crinita. In stores, buttons on ready- made 

 garments kept in exposed places are the most damaged, while those 

 kept in closed packages are not attacked. All stages of the beetles 

 may be found together in the buttons, which are eaten out until 

 only a shell is left. Fumigation is hardly practicable in clothing stores, 

 and there is no assurance that reinfestation will not occur. It is 

 suggested that the buttons might be made proof against attack by 

 incorporating some poisonous substance with the material with which 

 they are coated. 



A list is given of n)iscellaneous minor pests of orchards, gardens, etc. 



Davis (J. J.). Orchard Insect Problems. — Hoosicr Horticulture, 

 Indiana Hortic. Soc, La Favette, iii, no. 2, February 1921, pp, 

 19-24. [Received 2nd May 1921.] 



The essential factors in insect control in orchards include an accurate 

 knowledge of its importance and relation to profitable fruit-growing. 

 Only those recommendations should be followed in Indiana that are 

 suitable for conditions in that State. The importance of general care 

 of the orchard b}^ following only the best practices and of thoroughness 

 in spraying is emphasised. Many small, privately-owned orchards in 

 Indiana are very much neglected and prove a continual source of 

 reinfestation to neighbouring large commercial ones. 



Among the most important fruit-tree pests are the codling moth 

 [Cydia pomonclla], which has two generations annually in Indiana, 

 with possibly a third or partial third in certain years. As these overlap, 

 spraying should be continuously carried on at intervals of about two 



