283 



flavopustidata, Baly ; and an Agroniyzid fly as Agromyza phaseoUy 

 Coq. Against the latter an appliance for catching the adults [R.A.E., 

 A, V, 36], trap-crops and an application of saw-dust and kerosene 

 emulsion [R.A.E., A, vi, 526], are recommended. In every case it is 

 advisable that the refuse of bean fields should be burned after the 

 crops have been gathered. 



Mathieu (E.). Some Trials of Food Plants in the Economic Gardens. 



II. — Gardens' Bull, Straits Scftlonents, Singapore, ii, no. 7, 12th 

 April 1920, pp. 238-245, 3 plates, 1 fig. 



In the experimental cultivation of lima beans {Phaseolus hmatits), 

 the fight against pests is said to be almost hopeless ; Nematodes, 

 Agromyza sp., BrucJms rufimanus, an unidentified black bug, and 

 various fungi all seem to concentrate on the bean plots. Disinfection 

 of seeds, dusting with sulphur, sprayings with Bordeaux mixture, 

 petroleum emulsion, etc., have ail been used with only very partial 

 effect. 



The roselle plant {Hibiscus sabdariffa), on the other hand, except 

 for the attacks of Nematodes, is singularly free from disease. It is how- 

 ever a' food-plant of the red cotton bug {Dysdercus cingulatus), which 

 increases rapidly unless kept in check by frequent sprayings and 

 dusting with sulphur. 



V 



Flippance (F.). a Guide to the Palm Collection in the Botanic 

 Gardens. II. — Gardens' Bull. Straits Settlements, Singapore, 

 12th April 1920, pp. 246-258, 1 plate. 



Among the insect pests of palms here recorded are the large larvae 

 of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (fed palm weevil) which burrow in the 

 growing bud, a vital part of all palms. Usually only large plants are 

 attacked, and the single-stemmed species are often killed. The plant 

 may be saved, if the growing point has not been destroyed, by cutting 

 down to it and removing the grubs. A larger species of RhynchopJiorus 

 acts in the same manner, and may be dealt with in the same way. 



Oryctes rhinoceros burrows into the stem of the palm near the growing 

 point, the apertures being marked by the exudation of a gummy liquid 

 from the tree. The beetles should be speared with a sharp pointed 

 object, and salt sprinkled in the hole to deter others. 



There are also various small beetles and their larvae which attack 

 the leaf -sheaths. They are generally inaccessible to insecticides ; 

 affected leaves should therefore be removed and an insecticide sprayed 

 on the remainder, derris or soft-soap being recommended. 



The larva of a Cetoniid beetle, Protaetia fusca {Cetonia mandarinea) 

 attacks the roots of tub and pot plants. The caterpillars of two 

 butterflies, Ainathusia phidippus and Erionota thrax, should be picked 

 off and the palms sprayed with derris to prevent further depredations. 

 Grasshoppers, which are sometimes troublesome, should be caught 

 with a net, or with a stick dipped in bird lime. Coccids should be 

 sponged oft" with soft-soap and parafltin solution, and thrips should be 

 similarly treated or else sprayed. 



