402 



The author has never noticed 5. pruni, Ratz., though it is common in 

 the north of France. 5. nigulosiis, which has two annual generations 

 in the south, is the dominant species, while S. amygdali, which is very 

 similar in habits and injury, has hitherto been little noticed in France. 



The last two species have numerous enemies, including a Clerid 

 beetle, Opilo doincsticiis, Strm. There arc also two Braconid parasites, 

 Dendrosotcr pyotiibcrans, Nees, and Ecphylus eccoptogastri, Ratz. ; 

 the latter is an ectoparasite of the second generation larvae and 

 hibernates in the larval stage. The chief Chalcid parasites are 

 Eiirytoma sp. (which passes the winter in the mine of its victim), 

 Cheiropachys colon, L., and Raphitelus maculatus, Wlk., which is less 

 abundant than the two preceding species. A Proctotrupid, Cephalo- 

 nomia hypobori, Kieff., occurs throughout the year ; it appears to 

 infest many different Scolytids. 



Ri:GNiER (R.). Un Ennemi des Plantes potageres, Corymhites 

 {Diacanthus) latits (Elaterides) . [C. latus, a Pest of Vegetables.] 

 — Bull. Sac. Path. Veg. France, Paris, viii, no. 1, January- 

 March 1921, pp. 21-24. [Received 22nd June 1921.] 



In the spring of 1920 vegetable gardens at Grand-Couronne (Seine- 

 Inferieure) were severely infested by wireworms, the larvae being 

 those of an Elaterid beetle, Corymbites latus, which has seldom been 

 recorded hitherto as a serious pest. 



The eggs are laid in May, and the young larvae appear two months 

 later ; they seem to feed on vegetable debris in the ground and 

 probably live for some years. Early in April they are found at 2-4 in. 

 beneath the surface. The author's observations confirm the fact that 

 they are more dangerous in recently cleared ground, and this was the 

 case in the infestation in question. Salads suffered severely. Salsify 

 and young cabbages were also attacked. Carrots seemed to be 

 immune. 



The measures advised are watering with soapy water, fumigation with 

 carbon bisulphide at the rate of about 1 oz. per square yard, and the 

 clearing of all weeds. Salads should not be planted in places where 

 infestation is probable. 



PouTiERs (R.). Effets indirects des Attaques de la Pyrale du Mais. — 



Bull. Sac. Path. Veg. France, Paris, viii, no 1, January-March 

 1921, pp. 45-46. [Received 22nd June 1921 ] 



Much damage has been done to maize in the south of France by 

 Pyraiista nubilahs, which is, however, checked to some degree by 

 parasitic Diptera and Hymenoptera. When the caterpillar infests the 

 stem near the head of maize, the injury becomes more important, 

 as the wound attracts certain beetles that come to feed on the tissues 

 and enlarge the hole made by the caterpillar. When the stem breaks 

 under its own weight, these continue feeding on the interior, preventing 

 the ripening of the head above. The beetles observed are Cetoma 

 aurata, L., Poiosia morio, F., P. affinis, Andsch., Carpophilus hemi- 

 pteriis, L., and Cerambyx scopolii, Fiissl. The joint attack of several 

 individuals soon weakens a stem so as to render it incapable of resisting 

 the slightest wind. The collection and destruction of these beetles 

 therefore seems advisable. 



