245 



in the natural control of the oyster-shell scale, Lepidosaphes ulmi, 

 upon the newly deposited eggs of which it preys. This mite is wndely 

 distributed in orchards throughout large districts, probably through 

 the medium of birds and tree-visiting animals. As yet, H. nialus has 

 been recorded as feeding only on L. ulmi and Aspidiotus perniciosus 

 (San Jose scale), and though Europe seems to have been its original 

 home, the extent to which it has followed L. ulmi in its now almost 

 world-wide distribution remains to be determined. 



In Canada, as in France, the mite is able to hibernate in any or 

 all of its stages, and to maintain its activity at comparatively low 

 temperatures, which accounts to a great extent for its usefulness. In 

 places where the host is only fairly abundant, the mite becomes 

 proportionately less efficient. Though chiefly a predator on the eggs, 

 it has been recorded from both France and New Brunsmck as feeding 

 in summer time upon the growing, and even full-growTi scales. 



Jarvis (E.). Parasites of the Cane Beetle. — Queensland Agric. Jl., 

 Brisbane, vii, no. 6, June 1917, pp. 293-294. [Received 8th April 

 1918.] 



A new Tachinid was bred in January 1917 from a specimen of 

 Lepidiota olbohirta, which was infested by a single maggot of this fly. 

 It was able however to mature and deposit fourteen eggs before 

 succumbing. 



The eggs of the parasite are deposited upon the body of the host, 

 being firmly attached so as to render removal difficult. The young 

 larvae on hatching bore into the host, often preventing oviposition 

 by entirely destroying the ovaries. The adult beetle is very liable 

 to attack by Dipterous parasites, owing to its habit of remaining on 

 its food-plant all day in a motionless or semi-torpid state. The eggs 

 of this Tachinid are in their turn probably subject to attack by 

 Proctotrupid parasites that check its increase. 



Another abundant, but unidentified species of Tachinid has also 

 been bred from the adult of L. albohirta, the number of larvae from a 

 single beetle varying from 3 to 12 . 



From about eight species of root- eating Scarabeid larvae affecting 

 cane, four Asilid and eight Dexiid parasites have been bred during 

 the last two years, but these are not of great economic value as they 

 are too vigorously controlled by insect and other enemies. In addition 

 to these, cane-infesting Scarabeid larvae are preyed upon by at least 

 one species of Elaterid larva and by three Scoliids, which however 

 are hyperparasitised by Bombyliids and Mordellids. 



Illingworth (J. F.) & Jarvis (E). Cane Grub Investigation. — 

 Queensland Agric. J I., Brisbane, ix, no. 1, January 1918, pp. 24-26. 



The grass-feeding species of cane beetle, Lepidiota frenchi, was held 

 in check during 1917 by the use of arsenic and of carbon bisulphide, 

 equally good results being obtained in both cases, while the cost of 

 the arsenic was considerably less. 



Experiments have shown that this beetle is also parasitised by 

 the green Muscardine fungus [Metarrhizium anisopliae], the develop- 

 ment of which proceeds best at a temperature not above 70° F. 



