131 



wood boring Coleoptera and gall-making and stem-infesting Lepidop- 

 tera, the advantage is obvious, as access is thus easily gained to the 

 endophagous host. 



Phillips ( W. J.). Macrosiphum granarium, the English Grain Aphis.— 

 Jl. Agric. Research, Washinglon, D.C., vii, no. 11, 11th December 

 1916, pp. 463-480, 1 fig., 3 plates, 3 tables. 



Macrosiphum granarium, Kirby, is widely disseminated throughout 

 the United States. This paper deals with some hitherto um-ecorded 

 facts connected with its life-history and discusses the colour variation 

 in relation to the sexes, as well as the synonomy. This Aphid does not 

 confine itself exclusively to the small grains, but will live and thrive 

 on a number of wild and cultivated grasses. Among other plants it 

 has been recorded on : — Agrostis vulgaris, Bromus secalinus, Dactylis 

 glomerata, Poa pratensis, timothy {Phleum vratense), maize {Zea mags), 

 Elymussp., CapseUa bursa-pastoris,Lyntherisma sanguinale, Echinochlca 

 crusgalli and Hordeumpusillum, and it has been bred in confinement on 

 many other grasses. 



The most efficient enemy of M. granarium is undoubtedly the 

 Braconid, Aphidiiis nigripes, Ashm. Just before the harvest, if this 

 parasite is numerous, the heads of grain will be almost covered with 

 the brown dead bodies of the Aphid. M. granarium has been recorded 

 as being attacked by the following enemies : — Coleoptera : Podabrus 

 tomentosus, Say, Coccinella 9-noiata, Hbst., C. sanguinea, L., Hippo- 

 damia parenthesis. Say, H. co7ivergens, Guer., H. 13-punctala, L., 

 H. glacialis, F., Anatis Ib-punctata, 01., Megilla maculata, DeG. ; 

 Diptera: AUograpla ohliqua, Say, Sphaerophoria cylindrica. Say, 

 Xanthogramma emarginata. Say, Syrphus americanus, Wied. ; 

 Hymenoptera: Aphidius avenapMs, Fitch, A. granariapkis. Cook, 

 Praon americanus, Ashm., P. brunneiventris, Ashm., P. ferruginipes, 

 Ashm., Isocratus vulgaris, Wlk., Encyrtus ivebsteri. How., Pachyneuron 

 micans. How., Allotria tritici. Fitch, Tetrastichus ingratus, How. [n. n.], 

 and Megaspilus niger, Curt. These are not however all primary 

 parasites ; Pachyneuron sp., and Allotria sp., have been definitely 

 proved to be secondary ones and it is probable that many others will 

 also prove to be so on further investigation. This Aphid seems to be 

 very susceptible to fungus attack. 



A bibliography of 15 references is given. 



Leefmans (S.). Over Helopeltis in Theetuinen. [Helopeltis in Tea- 

 gardens.] — Dept. van Landbouw, Nijverheid en Handel, Buitenzorg^ 

 Med. Proefstation voor Thee, no. xlvi. 1916, 21 pp. 



in this interim report the author describes two years investigations 

 into the species of Helopeltis infesting tea in Java. 



Many planters still regard injury by these bugs as a disease, so that 

 cultural control methods are pursued and direct control is neglected. 

 Of the four species of Helopeltis which are known to occur in Java, 

 H. antonii, Sign., H. theivora, Waterh., and a third — probably H. cin- 

 chona, Mann, are injurious to tea. The fourth species, H. cuneatus, 

 Dist., is believed to be harmless to tea. It was found that the inferior 

 varieties of tea suffered most. Java tea cannot be used as a trap- 

 plant and should preferably be removed as being dangerous. At 



(C354) c2 



