236 



cotton-seed meal being mixed with 1 lb. Paris green and sweetened 

 with syrup. The migrating instinct is not sufficiently strong to 

 render ditching, as applied to other army worms, very successful. 

 The use of light-traps against the adults has proved of little practical 

 value. 



Natural enemies appeared scarce at the beginning of the outbreaks,, 

 but became more useful later, in fact the author believes that it was 

 predaceous insects and parasites that checked the numbers of the 

 August generation, which was expected to be abundant. The larva 

 of a ground beetle, probably a species of Calosoma, has been observed 

 to devour larvae and pupae of X. eiidania ; Tachinids sometimes 

 parasitise as many as 75 per cent, of the caterpillars ; a cocoon of 

 the genus Ophion was collected among some pupae, and the spined 

 soldier bug {Alcaeorrhynchus grandis, Dall.) and a largo brown wasp 

 are said to destroy both eggs and larvae. Many pupae are parasitised 

 by Sarcophagids. Birds are undoubtedly a factor in control of the 

 caterpillars, the most important being the jackdaw, quail, meadow 

 lark {Saturnella neglecta), rice-bird, and a shrike {Laniiis ladovicianus). 



Other insects observed on castor bean plants include Helio'Ms 

 (Chloridea) obsoleta, F., which cuts round holes in the bean pods ; 

 Pyroderces rileyi, Wals. (pink corn worm), which probably feeds upon 

 dying and dead material only ; Prodenia ornitJiogalli, (iuen. (sweet 

 potato caterpillar) ; and Laphygma frugiperda, S. & A. (fall army 

 worm), for which a dust composed of 1 part zinc arsenite and calcium 

 arsenate to 4 parts of hydrated or air-slaked lime was used. 



In an appended note by Mr. J. R. Watson, the opinion is expressed 

 that Kansas bait is fully as efficient against X. eiidania as dusting 

 and much easier and quicker to apply, but where plants are tall it is 

 difficult to distribute the bait over them. Whether the bait would be 

 as efficacious if thrown on the ground at their base is not known. 



Merrill (G. B.). The Yam Weevil (Palaeopus diosco'-eae, Pierce).- - 

 Qrtiiy. Bidl. Florida, Slate Plant Bd. Gainesville, iv, no. 2, 

 January 1920, pp. 34-35. 



A yam imported into Florida from Jamaica has been found to be 

 heavily infested with young larvae of the weevil, Palaeopus costicollis, 

 Mshl. {dioscoreae. Pierce). As the food-plant of this weevil in 

 Jamaica is the yam {Dioscorea batatas) [and sweet potato], it might 

 occasion much damage to this crop and possibly also to sweet potatoes 

 if introduced into hlorida, where the conditions are more or less 

 tropical. The original description of P. dioscoreae is quoted [R.A.E., 

 A, vi, 209, 254]. 



Quarantine Department. Report on Inspections and Interceptions, all 

 Ports and Stations, for the Quarter ending December 31, 1919. — 



Qrtrly. Bull. Florida, Slate Plant Bd. Goinesvdle, iv, no. 2, 

 January 1920, pp. 36-37. 



During the quarter ended 31st December 1919, a scale, Aspidiolus 

 destructor. Sign., was intercepted on palms and castor beans from 

 Cuba ; Pseudischnaspis alienus, Newst., on Caladium and jasmine 

 from Cuba ; Palaeopus costicollis, Mshl. {dioscoreae. Pierce) (yam 



