378 



Stevenson (J. A.). The Green Muscardine Fungus in Porto Rico. 



{Metarhizium anisopliae [Metseh.] Sorokin.) — Jl. Dept. Agric. Porto 

 Rico, Rio Piedras, ii, no. 1, January 1918, pp. 19-32, 3 figs. 

 [Received 24th June 1918.] 



Metarrhizium anisopliae (green muscardine fungus) was first noted 

 and described in Russia, but attempts at its artificial dissemination 

 have chiefly been made in the tropics and subtropics in connection 

 with sugar-cane insects. It has been found occurring naturally in 

 France, United States, Mexico, Trinidad, Samoa, Philippine Islands, 

 Queensland, Java, Hawaii and Porto Rico, and has been introduced 

 for trial under artificial conditions into Mauritius, Cuba and 

 Argentina. 



In 1911 it was introduced into Porto Rico from Hawaii on the 

 supposition that it was not indigenous, but its subsequent discovery 

 in localities far removed from the area of introduction points to its 

 previous existence in the island. 



The number of insects attacked is very large and includes many 

 of considerable economic importance. The chief of these are : — 

 Adoretus compressiis in Java ; A. tenuimaculatus and A. umbrosus 

 in Hawaii ; Agriotes mancus in New York ; Anisoplia austriaca and 

 Bothi/noderes {Cleonus) punctiventris in Russia ; Cyrtacanthacris 

 nigricornis and Holotrichia helleri in Java ; Lachnosterna sp. in Illinois ; 

 Lepidiota albohirta in Queensland ; Leucopholis rorida in Java ; 

 Oryctes rhinoceros in Samoa ; Phy talus smitlii in Mauritius ; Rhabdo- 

 cnemis obscurus in Hawaii ; Tomaspis postica in Mexico ; and 

 T. saccharina (varia) in Trinidad. 



The insects found diseased by Metarrhizium in confinement in the 

 breeding cages of Porto Rico are : — Aphodius sp., Canthon sj).,Dyscinetus 

 barbatus, Ligyrus tumulosus, Metamasius hemipterus, Lachnosterna 

 (Phyllophaga) citri, L. (P.) guanicensis, L. (P.) portoricensis, L. (P.) 

 vandinei, Phylnlus insidaris, Strategus titanus, and Tiphia inornate, 

 received from Illinois. The fungus has also been found on a number 

 of undetermined Scarabaeids, an earwig, and a cockroach. 



As a result of field observation and experiments the conclusion 

 has been reached that M. anisopliae will not serve as a practical means 

 of controlling the white grubs or May-beetles in the island. Although 

 various stages of Lachnosterna spp. are subject to attack in confinement, 

 no positive results have been obtained in the field tests, and it appears 

 that the indigenous fungus is so dependent on humidity and other 

 natural conditions that it is, and will remain, a negligible factor in 

 controlling insect pests. 



Stevenson (J. A.) & Cotton (R. T.). The Preparation and Use of 

 Lime-Sulphur. — Porto Rico Lnsular Expt. Sta., Rio Piedras, Circ. 

 no. 13, 1918, 9 pp., 1 fig. [Received 27th June 1918.] 



This circular gives full instructions for the making of hme-sulphur 

 concentrate according to the formula : — Unslaked lime, 50 lb. ; 

 pure (99 per cent.) sulphur 100 lb. ; water 50-60 U.S. gals. All 

 the varieties of lime found in Porto Rico are suitable for the 

 purpose, being free from magnesia, a high pei'centage of which is 

 objectionable. 



