469 



arc readily attacked. In certain cases, such as in artificial breeding 

 experiments, B. obiectus has adapted itself to maize. In Tuscany 

 four generations were observed in the year. In 1916 the adults of 

 the first generation appeared by lOtli August, those of the second 

 by 26th September, those of the third by 30th November. The 

 larvae of the fourth generation appeared from 5th November onwards, 

 and after they had reached maturity in May 1917 the respective 

 adults appeared from 6th to 16th June. As the generations succeed 

 each other rapidly and a single bean seed may be attacked by twenty- 

 five larvae of one generation, the damage is very severe. ' Even when 

 infestation is slight the beans lose considerably in market value. 

 In some parts of the province of Pisa, and also elsewhere, bean culti- 

 vation has had to be given up. Infested beans are unsuitable for seed. 

 In an experiment which was carried out in the spring of 1917, it 

 was found that whereas the percentage of unattacked beans which 

 germinated was 84, that of infested beans was on an average only 

 23 "6. As has already been previously pointed out, plants from infested 

 seed are weak and subject to fimgus diseases and give a smaller yield 

 of inferior quality. The only natural enemy of B. ohtectus known in 

 Italy is the mite, Pedicidoides ventricosus, Newp., which was present 

 in nearly all infested samples examined, but owing to the dermatitis 

 produced in man by this Acarid, it cannot be encouraged to reduce 

 the numbers of the beetle. 



Artificial remedial methods include fumigation with carbon bisul- 

 phide and exposure of the infested beans to a temperature of about 

 60" C. [140° F.]. This latter would seem to be preferable. Exposure 

 to sunlight, immersion in hot water and fumigation with hydrocyanic 

 acid gas are methods of little practical value. The author recommends 

 that farmers should be compelled to fumigate with carbon bisulphide 

 when the adults of the first and second generations appear, and that 

 beans intended for consumption should be placed in an oven when 

 newly gathered. Furthermore disinfected receptacles capable of 

 being tightly closed must be used for storage. Beans required for 

 seed should be taken from lots fumigated with carbon bisulphide. 



Dubois (P.). Les Insectes des Rosiers. [Insects of Rose-trees.]— 

 La Vie Agric. et Rur., Paris, viii, no. 33, 17th August 1918, 

 pp. 118-120, 6 figs. 



The insect pests of rose-trees dealt w4th in this paper include the 

 beetles, Cetonia aurata, Oxythyrea funesta (C. stictica), Trichkis nobilis 

 and T. gallicus, which eat the petals and stamens. The larvae live in 

 decaying vegetable matter ; they are conspicuous owing to their size 

 and consequently are easily destroyed. The weevil, Anthonomus rtibi, 

 oviposits in June in rose buds and then attacks the flower-stalk, causing 

 the bud to wilt and sometimes to drop. Infested buds, each of which 

 encloses a larva or pupa, should be collected and burnt. The sawfly 

 pests of roses include Hylotoma rosae and Athalia rosarum. The larvae 

 are destroyed by sprajdng with petroleum emulsions ; 20 lb. black 

 soap, 10 lb. sodium carbonate, and 3 gals, petroleum to 100 gals, water 

 is recommended as a successful mixture. The transformation to the 

 pupal stage takes place in the soil, where the silliy cocoons can 

 be found and destroyed. Adults can be caught on plates smeared 



