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Cobb (N. A.). A Newly discovered Nematode {Aphelenchus cocophilus^ 

 sp. n.) connected with a serious Disease of the Coconut Palm.— 



West Indian Bull., Barbados, xvii, no. 4, 1919, pp. 203-210, 

 5 figs. [Received 19th December 1919.] 



The new Nematode, Aphelenchus cocophilus, here described was 

 taken from the roots of coconut palms in Grenada. The genus 

 Aphelenchus is closely allied to Tylenchus and Heterodera, and includes 

 some 30 or 40 species, of which a considerable number are serious 

 agricultural pests. The two sexes were found in about equal numbers 

 in the roots, the tissues being softened and discoloured. 



Suggestions for remedial measures are based upon these investiga- 

 tions and include attention to drainage. It is pointed out that 

 drainage currents are capable of distributing the worms. Many 

 plant and soil-infesting Nematodes can be drowned by flooding and 

 it is advisable to determine what the palm roots can stand in this 

 respect and what the effect of salt-water on them would be. The 

 destruction of all diseased material by fire or some other inexpensive 

 method is strongly recommended. Where legal means exist, plant 

 quarantines should be established to prevent the spread of the disease 

 from one locality to another. The worms are most abundant about 

 half-way between the outer surface of the root and the central strand. 



Certain points which it is desirable to elucidate include the resistance 

 to drought shown by the Nematode, the possibiUty of artificial 

 infestation of healthy roots, the length of life of Nematodes within 

 the roots, and the possibility of their having other food-plants. 



Ballou (H. a.). Cotton and the Pink Bollworm in Egypt. — West 

 Indian Bull, Barbados, xvii, no. 4, 1919, pp. 237-292, 13 figs. 

 [Received 19th December 1919.] 



A general review is given of the development of the cotton industry 

 in Egypt and of the falling rate of yield, for which several reasons 

 are assigned. 



The jDrincij^al insect pests of cotton in Egypt are Prodenia litura 

 (cotton worm), Earias insulana (bollworm), Oxycarenus hyalinipennis 

 ( cotton- stainer) and Pectinophora {Gelechia) gossypiella (pink bollworm). 

 These do not seem to have had any influence in reducing the average 

 yields of cotton, with the exception of P. gossypiella, which has 

 certainly caused serious losses since 1912. 



0. hyalinipennis has been known in Egypt since about 1860, and 

 there seems to be no record of the exact nature and extent of the 

 injury caused by it. It occurs in great numbers every season and 

 is believed to give rise to some injury and loss in the cotton crops. 

 Legislation has for some years past enforced the collection of the 

 eggs of P. litura, but in spite of this the average yield of cotton has 

 steadily become smaller. 



The native habitat and distribution of P. gossypiella are discussed ; 

 the moth is described and an account given of its life-history and 

 habits. The most important characteristic of the life-history is the 

 ability of certain of the larvae to enter into a resting stage. Normally 

 when they are fully fed, they pupate and adults emerge within a 

 short time, so that there are several generations during the cotton 



