301 



A\'eb., and B. aerosns, Mels. (oak leaf- miners), Vespacrahro, lj.,Rhyn- 

 chites bicolor, F. (red rose beetle), Pyrausta genitalis, Grote (lotus 

 borer), Olethreutes hebesana, Wlk. (verbena bud-moth), Lygus pratensin, 

 L. (tarnished plant bug), and Macronoctua onusta, Grote (iris root 



borer). 



OsHiMA (M.). Formosan Termites and Methods of preventing their 

 Damage. — Philippine Jl. Sci., Manila, xv, no. 4, October 1919, 

 pp. 319-383, 13 plates, 5 figs. [Received 18th May 1920.] 



Of the 14 species of termites occurring in Formosa and Japan those 

 described as injurious to wooden structures are Coptolermesformosanus, 

 Shir., G. flaviceps, Osh., and Odontotermes fonnosonus , Shir. Leucofermes 

 Jlaviceps is closely related to L. spiratus, Osh., from Japan. Cojjtotermes 

 Jontwsanus is most formidable to buildings and its habits are here 

 dealt with in detail. The swarming of this species takes place in May 

 or early in June in Formosa, and a little later in Japan. This termite 

 is essentially a destroyer of wood, but has also been found penetrating 

 brick walls, in which it destroys the mortar. The attack on wood is 

 insidious, an outer layer being left intact as a protection from sunhght 

 and natural enemies. 



It has been proved that if the upper parts of buildings are disconnected 

 from the soil by a concrete layer that has neither cracks nor joints 

 infestation by C . jormosanus is prevented from the ground but the 

 building is not proof against attacks by the winged forms. 



Tests have been made with 45 species of native and exotic woods, 

 a hst of which is given, to ascertain their relative resistance to termite 

 attack. These tests are described and the relationship between the 

 resistance and the chemical as well as physical properties of timber is 

 discussed. The observations show that teak {Tecfona grandis) 

 and cypress pine {Calletris glauca) are absolutely immune to the attacks 

 of Formosan termites, their resistance being due to organic compounds 

 that may be extracted with benzine or alcoliol. This compound is a 

 sesquiterpene alcohol. 



The experiments were further extended in order to discover some 

 home product that would replace the resistant properties existing in 

 teak and cypress pine so that non-resistant timber might be made 

 immune. For this purpose a mixture of neutral petroleum oil from 

 Niizu, Japan, and camphor green oil (10 per cent, solution), which 

 •contains 25 per cent, sesquiterpene alcohol, proved most effective, the 

 fluid being injected into the wood. Of ten common preservatives 

 tested, only carbohn, carbolineum Avenarius, Stop-rot and carbolineum 

 Atlas prevented the attack of Odontotermes Jormosanus. As the 

 efficacy of these chemicals depends on their anthracene oil content 

 they may be successfully applied to railway sleepers or telegraph poles, 

 but are not recommended for use in houses on account of the staining 

 properties of this substance. 



€ocKERELL (T. D. A.). A new Scale Insect on Rhizophora. — Philippine 

 Jl. Sci., Manila, xv. no. 4. October 1919. pp. 385-387, 1 fig. 

 [Received 18th May 1920.] 



Targionia merrilli, sp. n., occurring on Rhizophora mucronata 

 (mangrove) in the Phihppines is described. 



