292 



from the trunk and lower limbs of trees, and destroyed by crushing, 

 scalding, or burning. This method cannot be depended on. as on 

 large trees the caterpillars often moult out of reach. 



When the larvae are plentiful and attacks occur annually, spraying 

 with poison gives the best result. Arsenate of lead paste, at the rate 

 of 3 to 5 pounds to 50 U.S. gallons of water, or 1| to 2|- pounds of 

 powdered arsenate to the same quantity of water is the best spray, 

 and is most effective if used as soon as the caterpillars appear. 



I 



Jarvis (E.). The Cane-Beetle. — Queensland Agric. Jl., Brisbane, vii, 

 no. 3, March 1917, pp. 140-142. [Keceived 7th May 1917.] 



Further investigations carried out on 14 successive evenings between 

 the 15th November and 28th December on the nocturnal habits of 

 Lepidiota albohirta showed that, contrary to previous conclusions, the 

 beetles were attracted by artificial light before daylight had quite 

 disappeared. The light used was an acetylene lamp of 21 litres 

 capacity, and the observations lasted from 6 till 10 p.m. It was 

 found that early in the season (15th to 25th November) flight lasted 

 from 7 till 7.20 p.m., but that in December it lasted from 7.20 till 

 8 p.m. Further, the aerial activity varied with the temperature, 

 being greatest when the temperature was above 80° F., and not 

 lower than 75° F., while below^ 65° flight ceased altogether and the 

 beetles became torpid. Another factor which powerfully affected the 

 duration of flight was the amount of moisture present in the ground. 

 On 21st November, seven days after the first appearance of this 

 beetle, it was on the wing for 25 minutes only, the temperature being 

 76°. On 23rd November at a temperature of 78°, and on the 25th 

 at 75°, not a single beetle appeared on the wing. These conditions, 

 however, did not affect Anomala antiqua {australasiae), a smaller 

 cane-beetle which appeared in large numbers. 



The primary emergence of Lepidiota frencki took place on the 13th 

 and 14th December after a heavy rainfall. This species occurs 

 practically throughout open forest country, its larvae subsisting on 

 the roots of grasses and various herbaceous plants and frequently 

 attacking sugar-cane. Flight begins suddenly upon the first approach 

 of twilight (6.45 p.m. on the occasion observed) and lasts for about 

 10 minutes. A weedy condition of the plantation leads to infestation 

 by this beetle, but, imfortunately, canes on perfectly clean land have 

 also afforded specimens of its eggs and newly-hatched grubs among the 

 main roots. 



Important laboratory experiments have been instituted to determine 

 the effect of different stomach poisons on very young larvae of 

 L. albohirta, the results of which will be recorded in due course. 



The Cotton-Boll Worm. Queensland Agric. Jl., Brisbane, vii, no. 3, 

 March 1917, p. 142. [Received 7th May 1917.] 



In August 1916 a method was suggested in this journal for protecting 

 cotton-bolls from the Pyralid moth, DicJiocrosis punctiferalis, which 

 occurs in India, the Eastern Archipelago, Australia, etc., by planting 

 alternate rows of cotton and maize or cow-peas. This was followed by 

 a communication from the Assistant Director of Agriculture in the 



