374 



but has not as yet caused severe losses in Canada, except perhaps 

 locally. The spindle worm, Achatodes zeae, occurs in Canada, but has 

 not yet been reported as boring in maize, as it does in the United States. 

 The glassy cutworm, Sidemia devastatrix, though not a borer, often 

 attacks maize, and its work may therefore be mistaken for that of 

 P. nubilalis. The parsnip webworm, Depressaria heracleana, does not 

 attack maize, but is a well known pest of parsnips and similar plants. 



Insects such as borers cannot be reached by spray apphcations, and 

 clean culture is the main preventive measuie. Valuable thick- 

 stemmed plants have frequently been saved by sMtting the side of the 

 stem and removing the borer, afterwards binding the stem with thread. 

 Usually, however, it is best to remove all weal^ened stems that indicate 

 the presence of the insect. 



Telephone Cables damaged by Wood Borers. — Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., 

 Sydney, xxxi, no. 5, May 1920, p. 344. 



A suspension of the telephone service was caused by water reaching 

 the wire through small holes bored by a beetle, Bostrychus cylindricus. 

 Cables have frequently been similarly attacked, and an instance of 

 identical injury due to another Bostrychid has already been noticed 

 [R.A.E., A, vi, 141]. B. cylindricus is one of the commonest Austrahan 

 wood-boring beetles, attacking all lands of timber ; but the larvae 

 usually feed and pupate in the sapwood. The beetle has been recorded 

 as damaging empty wine-casks. The boring in lead seems to be casual, 

 and no practical method of deahng with it has presented itself, except 

 to destroy any poles, etc., in which the larvae were found to be breeding 

 in any numbers. 



Davis (J. J.). The Green Japanese Beetle. — New Jersey Dept. Agric, 

 Trenton, Circular 30, Februarv 1920, 33 pp., 19 figs. [Received 

 5th July 1920.] 

 The greater part of the matter contained in this paper has already 

 been noticed [R.A.E., A, viii, 307]. The importance of individual 

 co-operation in the work of preventing the spread of the green Japanese 

 beetle, Popilliajaponica, is emphasised. To limit the damage in infested 

 districts the use of arsenical sprays as repellents is recommended, 

 with soil insecticide operations where suitable, and ploughing in the 

 autumn to destroy the larvae [loo. cit.]. Clean cultivation and weed de- 

 struction are important. Poultry and pigs are both useful in destroying 

 the grubs, and the former should follow the plough where possible. 

 Hand collecting on a large scale by boys also produces good results. 

 The most important natural enemies of these beetles in the United 

 States are birds, but a Pentatomid bug {Podisus maculiventris), and 

 the wheel bug {Arihis cristatus) have been observed feeding on them. 

 No true parasites have been reared. 



Degrully (L.). La Pyr^thre contre la Cochylis et I'Eud^mis. — 



Le Progres Agric. & Vitic, Montpellier, Ixxv, no. 27, 4th July 1920, 



In response to many enquiries as to where to obtain the pyrethrum- 

 soap solution advocated for use against the vine moths, Clysia ambi- 

 giiella and Polychrosis botrana [R.A.E., A, viii, p. 348], the following 



