570 



of lime or superphosphate, are recommended. The American method 

 of destroying all the cabbage stalks after the crop is gathered, with 

 the exception of a few plants, on which all the eggs of the next 

 generation will be deposited, is recommended ; these can then be 

 treated with arsenic or some other insecticide before a fresh crop is 

 planted. AVater heated to 120° or 130° F. is known to kill the majority 

 of the caterpillars \vithout injuring the plant. The same methods can 

 be applied against the caterpillars of the Noctuids, Barathra 

 {Mnmestra) hrassicnc and Pnlia (M.) olerncea, which have been causing 

 similar damage. The adults of these moths can be caught by lantern- 

 traps. 



Lesne(P.). LesPierides: Leur Destruction en Hiver. [The Destruction 

 of Pieris in Whiter.] — Jl. D^Agric. Pratique, Paris, xxx, no. 21, 

 18th October 1917, pp. 410-411. 



Against the caterpillars of Pieris, which caused great destruction to 

 cabbages during the season of 1917, if it is not possible to crush the 

 eggs by hand, a spray of soapy water in 2|-% strength has been found 

 useful, or a mixture of 4 lb. of black soap and 3 lb. turpentine to 

 20 gals, of water may be used. When the caterpillars have left the 

 vegetation and climbed up trees, walls, etc., to pupate, they may be 

 collected by hand. The cocoons of the Braconid parasite,, Apanteles 

 glomeratiis, should of course be left. 



Van der Goot (P.). De Zwarte Cacao-Mier {Dolichoderus bitubercu- 

 htKs, Mayr) en haar Beteekenis voor de Cacao-Cultuur op Java. 



[The Black Cacao Ant, Dolichoderus bituberculatus, Mayr, and its 

 Importance in Cacao Cultivation in Java.] — Meded. v. li. Proef- 

 station Midden-Java, Salatiga, no. 25, 1917, 142 pp., 4 figs., 

 4 diagrams, 2 plates. 



Helopeltis having greatly increased in Java during the last three 

 years in spite of direct measures, the consideration of other methods 

 iDecame advisable, and an investigation was undertaken to ascertain 

 the actual value of Dolichoderus bitnbercidatus, Mayr (black cacao ant), 

 the influence of which on Helopellis was first noticed by two planters in 

 1908, since when some others have introduced it into their estates. 



The first three sections of this paper comprise a systematic review 

 with notes on both the young and mature forms of D. bitvbercidatus, 

 the next section dealing with its general biology. It may be described 

 as a tree ant, as it usually nests in trees and large shrubs, sometimes 

 in holes in buildings, but never in the ground. It appears to have 

 originally inhabited woodlands or the edges of forests, though not 

 dense, primeval ones. As the woods were gradually destroyed, 

 D. bitubercukitus spread to cultivated lands, while still retaining a 

 preference for shady places ; it never settles in inadequately shaded 

 situations. The very primitive nest is found in any suitable cavity or 

 sheltered position. If the site is incompletely closed in, the openings 

 are protected with a material resembling cardboard. Such nests are 

 found on the under-side of coconut leaves or among the flower-clusters 

 of Loranthus, Coffea robusta, etc. This form, which Forel called a 

 complementary nest, is the one usually found in Java, where the huge 



