463 



of 2 or 3 on the surface of dates or any object in the immediate 

 vicinity, semi-dry dates being preferred to dry ones, and hatch on the 

 fourth day if laid in September. The larvae wander actively in 

 search of food and utilise any cavity they can find to hide in when 

 feeding. The calyx end of the date is generally entered, the space 

 between the stone and the flesh of the fruit being occupied by the 

 larva. During September the larvae feed for 20 days or more, they 

 then leave the shelter of the fruit and search for a suitable spot to 

 spin a cocoon, weaving silk threads behind them all the time. After 

 wandering for about 2 days the cocoon is constructed, the minimum 

 time required before emergence of the adult being 5 days in September. 

 Mating takes place soon after emergence and oviposition about 24 

 hours later. Eggs of unfertihsed females have not been known to 

 hatch. It is evident that cold retards development, and larvae 

 hatching in October require a longer period before arriving at maturity, 

 some of them hibernating in this stage. This species of Ephestia 

 has chiefly been recorded from dates grown in Khargeh and Dakhleh 

 Oases ; dates from the north-east of the Delta were found infested 

 with E. calidella and E. cautella, the larvae of both these species 

 differing from the Oasis species. 



It is suggested that semi-dry dates for export should be graded 

 in two qualities ; the first quality to be packed immediately and 

 then at once treated with sulphur dioxide in order to kill any eggs 

 on the fruit. The second quality could be made into pressed dates, 

 most of the larvae being killed during the pounding of the fruit. Dry 

 dates should also be treated with sulphur dioxide or by heat and then 

 stored at once in moth-proof receptacles. Fallen dates should not 

 be allowed to lie about and rot in the date orchards. 



Urich (F. W.). The Black-Eye Pea Weevil— Bull. Dept. Agric, 

 Trinidad & Tobago, Port-of-Spain, xvii, no. 1, 1918, pp. 14-16, 

 2 plates. [Received 20th August 1918.] 



Bruchus {Pachymerus) quadrimaculatus, F. (black-eye pea weevil) 

 is the chief cause of damage to black-eye peas, when kept for any 

 length of time in storage. Recently harvested peas seem most liable 

 to attack. The damage is done by the larvae feeding within the 

 peas and is continued by successive generations until the peas become 

 unfit even for the insects to live on. The eggs are laid on the outer 

 skin of the peas when in storage ; cases of infestation in the field 

 have not been noticed. The larvae hatch within a week, and eat 

 into the peas, making a small chamber in which they pupate, the 

 adult emerging by a small circular hole. The whole life-cycle occupies 

 about 30 days. The larvae are attacked by a Chalcid which is 

 always found associated with the Bruchids. and which controls them 

 to some extent. As soon as possible after harvesting, peas should 

 be dried and then stored in weevil-proof places. Before being put 

 into storage they should be examined, and if any eggs are found, 

 carbon bisulphide should be used at a strength of 5 lb. to every 1,000 

 cub. ft. as a fumigant. The liquid should be placed on the top of 

 the peas and the receptacle closed for 24 hours. Peas should be 

 aired after fumigation. Illustrations are given of suitable receptacles 

 for storage. Treating the peas with kerosene oil or salting them is 

 of little use against attack. 



