377 



The Pine Shoot Beetle {Myelophilus piniperda, L.) ; the Lesser Pine 

 Shoot Beetle (Myelophiliis minor, Hart.). — Forestry Commiss. 

 London, Leaflet no. 3, April 1921, 8 pp., 4 figs. 



A considerable amount of information concerning the pine shoot 

 beetle {Myelophilus piniperda, L.), which is widely distributed through- 

 out the British Isles, and the lesser pine shoot beetle (M. minor, 

 Hart.), which is confined to central and northern Scotland, has already 

 been noticed [R.A.E., A, viii, 237, 378] . 



Where possible, it is recommended that Corsican pines should be 

 substituted for Scots pines, as owing to their vigorous growth they 

 more easily resist the attacks of these beetles. 



Departmental Activities : Entomology. — //. Depf. Agric. Union S. 



Africa, Pretoria, ii, no. 5, May 1921, pp. 399-403. '/ 



The insects recorded as being troublesome during March include 

 Pachnoda impressa (common fruit beetle) , of which the life-history is 

 recorded [R.A.E., A, ix, 243], and the tobacco slug [Lema bilineata] 

 [R.A.E., A, ix, 186]. Experiments have proved that the latter can 

 be economically controlled by spraying with lead arsenate. While the 

 exact moment for spraying has not been determined, it seems best 

 to spray as soon as the beetle makes its appearance. Two sprayings 

 at an interval of three weeks, and three sprayings were tried ; neither 

 succeeded in killing all the larvae, but the infestation was considerably 

 lessened. It is important to spray the whole field and to destroy 

 any food-plants of the beetle that grow in the vicinity of the tobacco. 

 Lead arsenate powder 1 lb. to water 50 gals, has been found strong 

 enough to kill the insects. 



The infestation of Locusfa pardalina recently recorded [R.A.E., 

 A, ix, 282, 331] has continued and spread ; remedial measures have 

 been considerably handicapped by heavy rains, and it is feared that 

 there will be severe infestations in the near future. Further infes- 

 tations of the mystery army worm [Laphygma exempta] are recorded. 

 Numbers of young caterpillars were observed on the outskirts of 

 Pretoria in March, and almost mature ones were found at the end of 

 the first week in April. Oviposition was observed on 4th April. 

 The larvae of Pyrameis cardui considerably damaged spring-grown 

 lupins in Pretoria, while those of Cacyreus (Lycaena) palemon feed 

 upon geraniums, pelargoniums and ivy geraniums. Collection of the 

 ovipositing butterflies and the removal of eggs and larvae are advised. 

 The caterpillars of Lampides haetica, L., attack the pods of green 

 beans and may at times become very troublesome. A native weevil 

 [Alcides arcuatus, Boh.] attacks the stems of beans in Rhodesia, fomiing 

 galls, in much the same way as Alcides erythropterus, Chev.. attacks 

 climbing beans in Pretoria. 



Fuller (C). White Ant Notes.—//. Dept. Agric. Union S. Africa, 

 Pretoria, ii, no. 5, May 1921, pp. 462-466. 



The various types of injury caused by termites in South Africa, 

 where 21 distinct groups occur, each having from one to five repre- 

 sentatives, are reviewed. Attacks on living trees are practically all 

 due to the fungus-growing species, consisting of twelve species having 

 their homes in subterranean cavities. Their natural food, however. 



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