371 



of Citrus are the scales, Pseudococcus (Dadylopius) citri and Lepi- 

 dosaphes heckii {Mytilaspis citricola). They may be combated by 

 spraying in spring with Jime-sulphur after a preliminary pruning. 



Jarvis (E.) An Account of a New Moth Borer of Sugar Cane (Family 

 Tineidae) ; together with Further Notes on the PyraUd Moth 

 Borer of Cane {Polyocha sp.), — Queensland Bur. Sugar Expt. 

 Sta., Div. Ent., Brisbane, Bull. 11, 1921, 15 pp., 1 plate. 



A Tineid moth-borer, which has not previously been recorded as 

 injurious to sugar-cane in Queensland, attacks the crops at a very 

 early stage of growth, chiefly among the third ratoons. The eggs are 

 attached to the cane stalk close to a node, not hidden by the leaf- 

 sheath. Like Phragmatiphila truncata, Wlk., the larva severs the 

 central core of the stem, causing the heart-leaves to wither. It then 

 tunnels either downwards or upwards, but never feeds on or inhabits 

 the central rotting core. When exposed to view, it crawls into the 

 light. The larvae leave the cane and pupate in the ground or in dead 

 twisted leaves, the pupa being concealed in a frail cocoon. 



The Pyralid moth-borer, Polyocha sp., which causes serious injury 

 to ratoons is similar in external appearance to P. truncata. The larvae 

 tunnel above the basal portions of shoots, frequently gnawing the 

 internal tissue. Their presence can be detected by a single irregular 

 hole at the bottom of affected ratoons. They hide when exposed to 

 view. When fully grown the caterpillar eats a hole through the side 

 of the cane and pupates below the opening, inside the cane shoot. 

 The pupal stage occupies 26 days. There are two natural enemies : 

 a Braconid parasite and the predaceous larva of an Elaterid beetle 

 {Agrypnus sp.). 



In river flats, liable to flood, as many as 25 per cent, of the cane 

 shoots may be destroyed by this Pyralid. On higher ground the damage 

 is not so severe, perhaps because of the presence of predaceous insects 

 such as the ant, Pheidoh megacephala. 



Whether remedial measures would produce a heavier crop is 

 uncertain. Perhaps after harvesting, " shaving " the cane stools 

 might be found beneficial in reducing suckers springing from buds 

 exposed to direct sunlight. 



WoGLUM (R. S.). Bettering the Citrus Pest Control Situation. — 



Separate from California Citrograph, Los Angeles, March 1921, 

 1 p. 1 fig. 



A survey has been made of the citrus groves of Tulare County, 

 California, to study the fumigation operations against the citricola 

 scale [Coccus citricola]. This work has been most efficiently carried 

 on, and upwards of 98 per cent, of the insects have been killed during 

 a period of several years, most treated orchards remaining clean for 

 two or three years. As fumigation after mid-September has not 

 proved very satisfactory, it is hoped to begin the process earlier in 

 the season and avoid late work. A demonstration of daylight fumi- 

 gation has been given, and daylight operations have been largely 

 practised, sometimes with considerable injury to the trees. In order 

 to determine the limitations of daylight fumigation, a large amount 

 of data has been collected and a dosage schedule has been issued. 



Spraying as a remedy against the scale has gained great headway, 

 and the sprayed acreage exceeds that fumigated. Further study 



