112 



For the first time in the course of these investigations, begun in 

 1914, infested coffee branches have produced a Hymenopterous 

 parasite, an Ichneumonid of which three larvae have been found 

 living as parasites of the borer. Unfortunately, it has not yet been 

 possible to breed this. Similar parasites have emerged from teak 

 infested with X. quadripes. From dry bamboo stems, kept in the 

 laboratory for rearing C. annularis, some 50 individuals of a somewhat 

 similar Ichneumonid were bred. Observations showed that this 

 parasite will not attack well-grown larvae of C. annularis, but seeks 

 out the oviposition marks of this borer and deposits eggs upon the 

 mature eggs or young larvae. In cages this species also- parasitised 

 the young larvae of X. quadripes on coffee ; further investigation^^ 

 will be made to determine whether this parasite can be utilised as 

 an important factor in control. Meantime, it is being sent away 

 for identification. 



Recent observations indicate that Coffea robusta and C. liberica, 

 of which the susceptibility to attack by X. quadripes has been in 

 doubt [R.A.E., A, vii, 51], are highly resistant to attack, particularly 

 the former ; this variety of coffee, although infested by the borer, 

 did not produce any adults or apparently suffer in vitality. 



On coffee plantations the attacks of the borer are still severe. It 

 is possible in the course of working on the bushes to capture a number 

 of the insects when just ready to emerge or after emergence, and a 

 reward might be offered for any taken in this way. None of the 

 toxic substances applied to the infested bushes has given any success 

 or hindered the emergence of the adults. 



Rice of the 5th month harvest in the neighbourhood of Cho-ganh 

 has suffered somewhat from caterpillars perforating the stems, but 

 this crop generally suffers less than that of the 10th month harvest. 

 On one area the infested stems have been cut out and burned. The 

 larvae of Schoenobius incertellus, Wlk., have been much less abundant 

 in the rice stems than in the previous year at the same season. The 

 caterpillars of several other moths that are under observation have 

 damaged the stems, and prevented formation of the grain. 



Froggatt (W. W.). The Black Banana Stem Weevil (Cosmopolites 

 sordidus, Germ.) — Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., Sydney, xxx, no. 11, 

 November 1919, pp. 815-818, 6 figs. 



Cosmopolites sordidus, Germ, (black banana borer) is now recorded 

 from several localities in New South Wales, and, although at present 

 not widely distributed or increasing very rapidly, it may at any 

 time become a very serious banana pest. The appearance, life- 

 history and habits of this weevil are described and banana growers 

 are asked to be on the watch for its occurrence. 



Ferris (G. F.). A New Species of Pseudodiaspis (Hemiptera; 

 Coccidae). — Entom. News, Philadelphia, xxx, no. 10, December 

 1919, pp. 275-276, 1 fig. 



Pseudodiaspis 7nuUipora, sp. n., is described, this genus being 

 represented only in the south-western part of the United States and 

 Mexico. The scale was taken from a herbarium specimen of Phora- 

 dendron flavescens from oak in California, 



