12 



from our present knowledge the Agromyzid alone would have 

 probably sufficed to check lantana from further distribution. 

 But before the introduction of any of the lantana destroyers 

 this could not have been foreseen and, necessity to check lan- 

 tana being urgent, several other safe species were introduced. 

 These importations did not include Orthezia. But evidently 

 ranchmen were in straightened circumstances, and seized upon 

 Orthezia, whosoever was responsible for its introduction, as a 

 godsend. Moreover they now claim that nothing has done so 

 much toward killing lantana as did Orthezia, and large 

 stretches of dead lantana testify to the correctness of their 

 claims. Considered from the business view point Orthezia has 

 done much material good by killing off large areas of lantana. 

 Yet it is no denying that it is a disgiisting scourge once it in- 

 vades a garden. While it kills little perhaps, its presence in- 

 duces growth of the sooty mold and turns black everything it 

 overruns. The situation summarized is as follows: Orthezia 

 is an undoubted blessing to the ranchmen whose best pastures 

 are overrun by lantana ; it is a disagreeable pest to the horti- 

 culturist, and, as lantana is the best soil builder we have, the 

 owner of large tracts of arid rocky land is not thankful for its 

 presence there. 



In commenting upon these notes Dr. Perkins said that while the 

 scale has thus far done more good than harm it is his belief that 

 ultimately it may become injurious and will require control. Mr. 

 Giffard stated that he is convinced the scale, and especially the copious 

 amount of honey-dew it produces, interferes with the efficient work 

 of the Tingid. In addition he said the agricultural and horticultural 

 interests of the Territory required that the scale bug be placed in 

 control. 



MAY 7th, 1908. 



The fortieth regular meeting was held in the usual place, Mr. 

 Swezey in the chair. 



EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



Mr. Swezey exhibited large series of specimens illustrating 

 his papers which follow. 



On the Stridulating Organ of a Sphingid from Larat. 



BY F. MUIR. 



When in Larat my attention was attracted to this Sphingid 

 by the loud noise it made both on the wing and at rest. I only 



Proc. Haw. Ent. Soc, II, No. 1, Oct., 1908. 



