70 



In willow trees the slits made for oviposition are found in different 

 parts of the trunk and even in the branches. If severely infested, 

 growth is retarded and the tree may die, and many trees are killed 

 by the entrance of parasitic fungi through the burrows. The work 

 of the larvae in willow is similar to that in fig trees, except that the 

 burrows do not penetrate so deeply and are not so long. The adults 

 emerge from willow trees by means of round exit-holes, giving the tree 

 the appearance of being riddled with bullet holes. These holes have 

 not been noticed in fig trees. Owing to the position of the eggs in 

 young fig trees there is not much chance of parasitic infestation. 

 But from December to February the beetles suffer from a disease caused 

 by a fungus, Isaria sp., although no rehance can be placed on this 

 as a means of control, as it only appears in the summer months when 

 the rainfall is heavy. 



Various remedial measures are discussed. Insecticides have proved 

 practically useless. Red oxide and white lead paint apparently 

 prevent infestation, but also cause injury to the bark of fig trees. The 

 measures advocated include the growing of trees on a single stem, the 

 clearing away of undergrowth that affords protection for the beetle and 

 planting as far away from willows as possible. The larvae should be 

 cut out, but if they cannot be reached with a pointed knife or wire 

 they may be destroyed in their burrows by injecting 3 ounces of paraffin 

 or 2 ounces of carbon bisulphide and plugging the hole with cotton wool 

 or moist clay to prevent the fumes escaping. The wounds made in 

 cutting out the larvae should be painted to prevent fungus and bacterial 

 infection. For this purpose lead paint may be used, provided that it 

 does not contain turpentine. To prevent reinfestation the trees 

 should be protected by means of wire netting placed round the base. 

 This may be removed during the winter, from April to November, as 

 oviposition only occurs during the summer months. All heavily 

 infested material should be destroyed. 



Newel (W.). The European Corn Borer. — Qtrly. Bull, Florida State 

 Plant Bd., Gainesville, iv, no. 1, October 1919, pp. 1-9, 4 figs. 



Owing to the rapid spread of the European corn borer, Pyrausta 

 nubilalis, Hb., in various States there is every reason to fear its intro- 

 duction into Florida. In the south there would probably be three or 

 four generations a year and the range of food-plants would possibly 

 extend and might include sugar-cane. At present the shipment of 

 nursery plants which are known to be attacked by this moth is pro- 

 hibited, but the pest may easily be introduced in packing, etc. 

 At the next meeting of the State Plant Board quarantine rules are to be 

 adopted for the elimination of this danger, but the co-operation of all 

 citizens is required to keep the pest out of Florida. 



Report of Quarantine Inspection Department for the Quarter ending 

 30th September 1919. — Qrtly. Bull, Florida State Plant Bd., 

 Gainesville, iv, no. 1, October 1919, pp. 15-16. 



The pests intercepted during the period under review include : 

 Aleurocanthus woglumi (black fly) on Spanish lime from the Bahamas ; 

 Asjndiotus cocotiphagus and A. orientalis on palm from Cuba ; 



