64 



Fernald (H. T.). Notes on the Larch Case-bearer {Coleophora 

 laricella, Hbn.) — Canad. Entom., London, Ont., li, no. 11, November 

 1919, p. 264. 



During 1919 Coleophora laricella, Hb., caused great damage to 

 larches in Massachusetts. The work of this moth had apparently 

 ceased by the middle of June, but on the 18tli July eggs and newly 

 batched larvae were found in abundance. A description of the egg 

 is given. It is usually placed on the upper side of the leaf, but may 

 appear on either side. The emerging larvae enter the leaf and form 

 mines along one edge of it. 



Coleman (L. C.) & Kunhi Kannan (K.). Ground Beetles attacking 

 Crops in Mysore. — Mysore State Dept. Agric, Bangalore, Entom. 

 Ser. Bull. 5, 1918, 16 pp., 1 plate, 7 figs. [Received 19th 

 December 1919.] 



The Tenebrionid ground beetles, Gonocephalum [Opatriim) hoffmann- 

 seggi and G. depressum, occur in Mysore, but as yet only the former 

 species has been Imown to do any damage of importance, though the 

 latter might become a serious pest under favourable conditions. 

 The life-histories of both are similar. The eggs of G. lioffmannseggi 

 are laid loose in the soil or in excavations made in the plant attacked. 

 The larvae hatch in two or three days, and usually attack the roots of 

 grasses and also of ragi (Eleusine coracana), gnawing through the 

 seedling plants just beneath the surface of the soil, much in the manner 

 of cutworms. When potatoes are attacked, the beetles seem to do 

 the greatest amount of damage, gnawing into and tunnelling the stems 

 until the plants are seriously weakened or killed outright. Shallow 

 excavations may also be made in the tubers. 



The number of moults may vary from 8 to 16, the larval stage 

 varying much in length. Pupation occurs in the soil, the adults 

 emerging in less than a week. The beetles are nocturnal in habit and 

 when disturbed exude a secretion that acts as a violent repellent. 

 Under normal conditions there is probably only one generation a year. 

 Several species of birds devour the adults of G. depressum and probably 

 of G. hoffmannseggi also. Other enemies are a species of Acarid and 

 two Hymenopterous parasites, but these do not constitute an efficient 

 check. 



Eleusine coracana is attacked only in regions of deficient rainfall 

 when the rains are delayed after sowing and the larvae have not 

 sufficient moisture to pupate. A second generation is possible in 

 years when the first heavy showers are followed by a drought of two 

 or three months. Remedial measures are difficult to apply. The 

 area to be treated is too large for the use of gaseous or liquid poison 

 by the natives. Tobacco dust and other repellents are impracticable 

 and seem to have no effect on the larvae. Remedies must therefore 

 be directed against the adult stage. The best bait has proved to be 

 fresh weeds pulled up by their roots and spread along the bunds an 

 hour or so before sunset. The beetles should be collected soon after 

 nightfall, when they emerge from hiding and begin to feed. When 

 potatoes are attacked, the best bait consists of chopped grass, with 



