485 



Smyth (E. G.). Report of the Entomological Department. — Ann. 

 Rept. Porto Rico Insular Expt. Sta., Rio Piedras, from, 1st July 

 1916 to 30th June 1917 ; 1917, pp. 99-106. [Received 10th Sept. 

 1918.] 



The plant quarantine laws of Porto Rico forbid the importation 

 of fresh fruit from any other tropical country or island, with the 

 exception of plantains, which are not considered hable to carry fruit-fly 

 larvae. Plant inspection resulted in the interception of the following 

 pests, mainly from the United States : — Aphids, found in 82 cases on 

 rose, chrysanthemum, carnation and other plants ; Pseudococcus 

 and other scale-insects, found in 14 parcels on palms, ferns, etc. ; 

 red-spider [Tetranychus], in 7 cases on rose and carnation ; Phlyctaenui 

 sp., in 7 cases on chrysanthemum, phlox and salvia ; Tortrix (Archips) 

 in 2 cases on rose ; Geometrids twice on rose ; white-fly [Aleurodes] 

 on palms ; mites on narcissus ; ants on orchids ; beetles on roses 

 and banana plants ; Phycitids twice on mango seeds and apples ; 

 Bruch'us {Laria) in horse-beans ; and Sylvanus in garlic seed. 



Sugar-cane imported from Santo Domingo for grinding has been 

 fumigated owing to the presence there of the Satyrine butterfly, 

 Calisto archebates, the caterpillars of which feed upon cane foUage. 

 Other sugar-cane pests that are intercepted annually in large numbers 

 are Diaprepes quadrivittatus, Oliv. (Santo Domingo cane weevil root- 

 borer), Metamasms sericeus, Oliv., and Hololepta quadridenlata, F., a 

 large Histerid beetle that appears to infest sugar-cane. 



Cotton (R. J.). Report of the Assistant Entomologist, —^nw. Rept. 

 Porto Rico Insular Expt. Sta., Rio Piedras, from 1st July 1916 to 

 30th June 1917: 1917, pp. 106-122, 1 plate, 1 fig. [Received 

 10th September 1918.] 



Particular attention was given during the year under review to the 

 insects affecting tobacco, citrus and vegetables. Flea-beetles, which 

 are the worst insect pests of tobacco, are being controlled by the use 

 of lead arsenate, applied in powder form with small dust guns in equal 

 proportions of lead arsenate and dry, leached wood ashes, or undiluted 

 lead arsenate in the case of exceptional outbreaks. As this method 

 is expensive, it is hoped to find a cheaper poison of sufficient strength 

 to kill the insects without scorching the foliage. The systematic 

 use of poisons, the cutting down of weeds, and the planting of another 

 crop such as velvet beans between the tobacco plants, are gradually 

 becoming vmiversal practices and resulting in great benefit. 



Pachyzancla periusalis, Wlk. (tobacco leaf-folder) occurs abundantly 

 throughout Porto Rico, especially during the period from October to 

 May, feeding exclusively on Solanaceous plants. Cultivated food- 

 plants include tobacco, egg plant, tomato and several weeds including 

 Solanum torvum and S. nigrum. Eggs are laid singly on the under-sides 

 of tobacco leaves when the plants are young, and hatch in 5 to 8 days, 

 the larvae immediately beginning to feed on the parenchyma of the 

 leaves. During the next 18 or 20 days the larva moults four times, 

 finally rolhng itself into a portion of the leaf which it cuts out and 

 wraps around itself with silk. About three days are thus passed 

 in a pre-pupal state, the true pupal stage lasting a further 12 days, 

 at the end of which the adult moth emerges. Tables are given showing 



